PlayStation 2 Critic Reviews
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75
Metascore
Generally Favorable
positive
37(64%)
mixed
19(33%)
negative
2(3%)
Showing 58 Critic Reviews
95
A long and riveting story, plenty of freedom and a fantastic battle system have earned it a spot on my all-time Playstation 2 top 10 list. [Sept 2006, p.52]
94
Unlike 99% of games, in Ryu Ga Gotoku you play as a guy who is pretty much the coolest, most badass, most likeable character in the world. He's the ultra strong guy with a heart of gold; the suave guy whom everyone wants to be friends with. So following Kazuma through his adventure tends to be extremely satisfying since he's such a great character. [JPN Import]
94
Despite a few flaws, Yakuza is the most enjoyable game I’ve played all year. It’s got a deep plot that keeps you guessing and features a deeper cast of fleshed-out characters than any other game I can recall.
91
Yakuza presents a pretty large storyline, and quite a few lengthy cut scenes. The story is generally straight forward, and most of the “twists” are predictable, but it’s still very enjoyable to work your way thru.
90
The gameplay may be a little convulsive but Yakuza more than makes up for that through engrossing story and attention to details.
88
Yakuza isn’t the cleanest title I’ve ever seen, but it is well executed and fun. I’d call this game an unqualified success.
85
I still enjoyed this game, for the character development and good storyline kept things interesting. I enjoyed the battles too, though they could have used some variety. It's almost too linear in its presentation, which makes it feel like 95 percent of the game falls under the "beat the hell out of thugs and go from point A to point B" scenario. [JPN Import]
85
With its compelling characters and story, Yakuza is still a remarkable game. [Oct 2006, p.72]
85
It should have been slicker, but there's no denying the entertainment value on offer. [Oct 2006, p.76]
85
Yakuza is a wonderful foundation for a new fan-favorite series. And as an entry into the ever-growing criminal underground genre, Yakuza is a wholly unique, high-quality package that, while possessing as many flaws as it does triumphs, is a crime drama worth mentioning in the same breath as "The Godfather" (the movie, not the game).
