Yakuza 6: The Song of Life

Yakuza 6 offers one of the finest, most realized crime stories of the medium. It also marks the conclusion of Kiryu Kazuma’s story, granting him an ending befitting such a well-rounded character. And the best part is that you don’t have to be a Yakuza expert to appreciate how it all ends.

Every part of the game was a delightful surprise and I’ve found myself absolutely addicted to the game, even post-story. Every time I come back to Yakuza 6, I find something else absolutely charming about it.

Technically and dramatically impressive conclusion of a unique Japanese epic.

Yakuza 6 succeeds because its core story is so compelling. Every seemingly disconnected part serves a purpose: Without fights, it’d just be a movie; without cutscenes, it’d just be a series of contextless fights; without exploration, it’d be an on-rails punching simulator. All of those unexpected pieces and the (oh-so-long) cutscenes interact to make an equal parts story- and punching-driven game that is heart-wrenching. This is so much more than that game about a crime guy that I had expected.

Yakuza 6: The song of life is the finest entry in the series yet. Although impressing with its open world aspect, we do miss some of the content from previous games.

The world is dense and rewarding to exist in, the dynamic combat system stays exciting even after you’ve kicked the crap out of five thousand enemies, and perhaps most importantly, Yakuza 6: The Song Of Life serves as a fulfilling conclusion to the turbulent, decade-long saga of its beloved icon, Kazuma Kiryu.

Yakuza 6‘s thematic consistency is impressive, though the game scarcely gives women the space to be more than props or damsels or to speak up when they’re shamed for having lives outside the constraints of possessive men. The game wants to be about parents in general, but in a series steeped in the kind of male bravado where expensive suits are cast off in one swift motion to reveal extravagant back tattoos, it’s mostly just about fathers.

alright but 10/10 just cos it got kiryu in it alright but 10/10 just cos it got kiryu in it

The gameplay feels sterile and never really asks for variety or skill. I honestly don’t even understand the reason behind this downgrade. It’s the weakest gameplay in the entire series. The story though، was excellent, and easily the best since Zero.

It maintains the line of the previous games, but for the jump from PS3 to PS4 I expected something better, the main city is completely built (since some sectors are missing), the final villain leaves much to be desired, it is the lowest of the saga

4/10

Since I've studied Japanese for many years, I know the importance of deferential language in social interactions in that country. Unfortunately, it makes no difference in this game because everyone wants to hurt you. Clearly, the game lacks for cultural understanding. Disappointing.