nowhat
Member
As a disclaimer, I didn't spend that much time with PS2 and never had a PS3, so my first entry to the series was with Zero on PS4. Also this means that for me 1 and 2 are the "Kiwami" versions, and 3-5 are the "remastered" (I don't think a resolution bump constitutes a remaster) versions. Having said that, and having finally finished Y5(r) recently, my list would be
Zero > 4 > 5 > 2 > 6 > 3 > 1
To elaborate on each of the entries (and just to be absolutely clear, to me Yakuza is like pizza - even when it's bad, ehh, it's still pretty good, so if I seem quite harsh in my criticism, I've enjoyed each entry in the series):
Zero > 4 > 5 > 2 > 6 > 3 > 1
To elaborate on each of the entries (and just to be absolutely clear, to me Yakuza is like pizza - even when it's bad, ehh, it's still pretty good, so if I seem quite harsh in my criticism, I've enjoyed each entry in the series):
- Zero: You never forget your first time, and I suppose that's true to a certain extent here, but it's not all of it for sure. While other games in the series may do individual elements better, I feel this is the most coherent experience overall. There are two main protagonists, both of them important and interesting. Multiple combat styles to unlock for both. A gripping and surprisingly touching story once it gets going. There's that guy wearing nothing but an adult diaper and having the time of his life. But most of all, this game gives so much well-needed context. If I hadn't played Zero first, I would have spent much of my time playing Kiwami going "Who? What? Why?". I did some of that mind you, but that's more due to poor writing (more on that below) instead of being completely lost within the game world.
- 4: What's better than having two protagonists? Why, having four, of course! Except in this case, I feel it's more like three and a half. I didn't particularly care for Saejima - he is vital to some of the events in the story, but as a character, I really didn't connect with him at all. Still, the addition of Akiyama and Tanimura expands the game a lot. The end battle, starting out with the memorial service and then the four protagonists going to settle things once and for all, was just amazing. I was grinning from ear to ear all the way.
- 5: This time around, I felt Saejima was a much better character. And when it comes to the main story, this really aces it. Just that the auxilary content is somewhat lacking. There are some hilarious side stories (Shinada visiting a discount massage parlour had me howling with laughter), but generally it isn't quite there. And you'll be playing a lot of what once were minigames - with Haruka you'll be playing an inferior version of Hatsune Miku all the time, with Shinada you'll be doing a lot of batting. There are some new twists to the formula, but the driving mechanics for Kiryu are laughable and less said about the hunting the better. It does have an epic conclusion, but everything leading up to that moment just didn't quite do it for me.
- 2: You know how action movies nowadays have to have these convoluted conspiracy plots and all - while that's all fine and dandy, there used to be a simpler time. A time when there was a hero, and a villain. The hero might not have been the "heroest" ever, but the villain was certainly villainous from the start. At the end, the hero beats the villain. This I feel is pretty much what Yakuza 2 is: a dumb mindless action movie. That's enjoyable as fuck. Initially I wasn't quite onboard with how much emphasis there is on weapons, but then I started unlocking heat actions for different weapons, and totally got it. I went into the final battle equipped with a ton of Tauriner and several long poles. So I spent most of the battle just gulping Tauriner to get my heat up, then quite literally sticking it up the man. Loved it.
- 6: this was the only difficult call, deciding between 6 and 3. Both games have serious issues with pacing. I guess what ultimately tipped the scales was Beat Takeshi, I don't think there's anything out there that wouldn't be better with some Beat Takeshi in it.
- 3: as stated, the game has some serious pacing issues. I get it, Kiryu is a family man running an orphanage - but that's not very fun now is it. Once the game gets going it's fun, but it sure does take its sweet time to do so.
- 1: I don't think it's controversial to say this is the weakest of the bunch. Having Majima harass you randomly (yay, Kiwami!) doesn't change the fact. The one big reveal in the plot was so bloody obvious from the start that I was constantly yelling at the screen "you fucking idiots!". If this had been my first Yakuza game, I probably wouldn't have played the rest of the series.
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