So I Finally Played Yakuza... And I'm HOOKED
Вставка
- Опубліковано 10 жов 2024
- So I’ve played a ton of games in my life, to the point where it’s almost concerning. But one series that I’ve always wanted to play that’s just been sitting on my endless backlog for years is the Yakuza series. I’ve always seen clips of the wild combat, the various minigames, and the more comedic elements floating around and thought they looked awesome, but for whatever reason, I just haven’t sat down to actually play them… that is until this last week. After seeing the reveal of a certain pirate game, I decided that it was finally time to track down a copy of the original PS2 title and check this one off the backlog. So how did I get on with Yakuza, and how well does the original hold up nowadays? Well, let’s talk about it.
Full Yakuza Series: • A First Timer's Journe...
Yakuza is a 2005 action-adventure game developed and published by Sega for the PlayStation 2. It was released in December 2005 in Japan and in September 2006 internationally. The story follows Kazuma Kiryu, a yakuza who spent ten years in prison for a crime he did not commit. After being released, he learns that the criminal underworld is searching for 10 billion yen that has been stolen from the Tojo clan. He comes across an orphan named Haruka who is being targeted by the clan. She is believed to have the key to their lost money and Kiryu resolves to protect her. The game takes place in Kamurocho, a realistic recreation of Tokyo's Kabukicho district.
✪ CONNECT WITH ME ✪
Subscribe ➤ / @notcole
Membership ➤ / notcoledrakulich
Twitter ➤ / coledrakulich
Discord ➤ / discord
TikTok ➤ / notcoledrakulich
Patreon ➤ / notcole
#yakuza #likeadragon #龍が如く #yakuza0 #yakuzalikeadragon
I can’t wait for next yakuza video. “This video is part of a series on the yakuza games. In perpetration for Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii”
10 YEARS IN THE JOINT MADE ME HAPPY FOR THIS REVIEW, LET'S GOOOOOO!!
It's almost like people liked that Majima guy (Sweats in Kiwami's "Majima Everywhere system")
@@OmegaEnvych yeah…
i can still hear "Kiryu-chan" when i go to bed
FINALLY a youtuber who starts with Yakuza 1 not 0
I already liked your MGS series but i somehow love u even more now lol
Is starting with 0 really that bad?
@@Snakeskin94 not their fault the original isn't that accessible
so a fan actually made an Undub for Yakuza 1 called Yakuza Restored that's basically a translation patch for the original Japanese dub with some other quality of life improvements and is basically the definitive way of playing OG Yakuza 1, so while you missed the boat on that one, this person also made a "Restored" version of OG Yakuza 2. While Yakuza 2's US release uses the Japanese dub, the patch fixes up some inconsistencies in the translation and spruces up FMVs and textures and whatnot, so I'd recommend this patch for when you move on to the sequel
...also, unfortunately, the encounter rate isn't really ever fixed in the series, it's always a persistent problem in the series (and in certain entries is far worse than in Yakuza 1) though several entries have side-content rewards that lets you turn them off, so it's not all bad
1:44 he said the thing! HE SAID THE FUNNY!
Welcome to the Yakuza fandom! You might already know this, but just in case, Yakuza 0 came out after 5 and before 6.
Pretty sure people will know that from the graphics alone. It's a series that has actually gotten better with each release.
I know that should be a given. But I look at assassin's creed and wonder how the heck has it downgraded so much?
@@teneesh3376 Graphics shouldn't matter near as much these days in a time of diminishing returns. Content matters and that is the thing killing games, not bad graphics. As much as that messes with Gen Z brains.
@@blumiu2426 Doesn't gen Z like ultrakill?
@@blumiu2426 Bro got beef with gen z (they haven't done anything)
@@Nachachus You took offense instead of understanding what was said. Gen Z cares about graphics over the content of the game majority of the time, otherwise the marketing push toward them wouldn't be so strong in that direction while the quality of the game goes down. You see it in comments and reactions to trailers; they are far more raised on hype than learning about the game itself.
Also the social media conditioning that by studies shows their brains being rewritten in a sense to only be able to retain rapid form information, short term memory and have difficulty retaining and paying attention for extended periods of time; graphics, quick edits and fast action hold them over substance.
This is why we see big JRPGs defer to action combat rather than turn-based and other examples of gaming changing to the new market base. Fighting games now have instant super move buttons instead of learning, guided markers and yellow paint to tell them where to go. All of this is for the new gamer market because games need to be dumbed down for them because they have been made dumb by education system and time online. I don't like it for how much it changes things, but that's just the facts.
I'm happy to see someone getting into the series with the original. I started the series with 3 back when I found it on a Gamestop shelf and would play the games as they came out. I would later get my hands on the original copies and play them as well. Always love to follow people's journeys through these games and I cannot wait to see your Yakuza 2 video.
If you think Nishiki is the hardest fight, then you didn’t do all the substories or as they’re called in Yakuza 1 & 2 Missions, to unlock the secret Amon fight which is the true hardest fight( the only missions that you don’t have to do is the hostesses). I had the opposite problem with random encounters because there’s an experience cap, so if you do every substory/mission when they become available then no enemies will spawn until the next chapter unless you already hit that chapter’s exp cap as well. The finale or last chapter has no exp cap and so I finally experienced random enemies unrelentingly. There should be a item to turn off random enemies in almost every game( beads of good fortune), and there are items that increase random enemies as well( charismatic photo is one of them).
WHOOOOOOO YEAH BABYYYYY THATS WHAT IVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS IS WHAT ITS ALL ABOUT WHOOOOOO
0:13 thats actually from Lost Judgment with a Kiryu styles mod on lol, anyways welcome to the yakuza community were glad to have newcomers like you, and im actually suprised you started with the ps2 game! Your in a rollercoaster ride with this one.
10 years in the joint
You should also check out Yakuza Kiwami after Yakuza 0. There is stuff to see even if you've played the original.
I'd recommend sticking with release order (as you seem to be) but if for some reason you don't, make sure Kiwami still comes after Y0 (not before).
The Kiwami games will get their own videos! And yeah, we're sticking to release order :)
@@notcole honestly I respect that; most people (me include) start with 0 or kiwami (well some with lad which is the 7th game... but that is a whole different issue) and never really go back to the original titles
heck even I (a massive yakuza fan) have not yet played the ps2 titles, but I definatly will do that one day so I really respect you starting from where it actually all began and not hoping straight into the newer tiles
as palpatine once said "We Will Watch Your Career With Great Interest"
Yakuza 0 hits different if you've played the series in release order rather than chronological order. :D
@@notcole Sure but the plot will be a bit messy if you dont go with Zero
Kudos to you for starting from the very beginning. Most modern Yakuza fans (including me) started with Yakuza 0, and it made older games that don't have remakes yet like Yakuza 3 & 4 a little bitter to play. By starting with the PS2 version you'll get to appreciate the improvements from game to game a whole lot more.
The 100% streams will never end
the 100% streams will continue until morale improves
100% streams 10 years in the making!
CHOLE-CHAN!! thank you for delving into Yakuza! say hi to Majima for me
man I'm soooooo hyped for this new series!! I've never really had any interest in the yakuza games, I just thought they were stupid from what I saw from the fandom, but at the very beginning of this year I decided to give it a shot, it was possibly the best choice I've ever done in my life, to see you picking up the series and enjoying it makes me so happy! legit cannot wait for the rest of it!!
and I totally agree with you, to me, og y1 and 2 are games that every fan of the series should play it, may it be for the funny dub, to see the difference in combat or how the game is presented, the atmosphere in the ps2 games are just unmatched, Kiwami is a great remake, but its an experience different enough for me to say its 100% worth it to play both versions, also if you can/want to, I highly recommend getting into more substories as the series goes on, there's a mix of everything, its funny, some can be as deep as the main plot, but most important of all, they shine such a light on Kiryu's character that the main story doesn't have much context to do so
YOU STARTED ON THE VERY FIRST GAME I AM PROUD!!!!
Those are rookie numbers in this racket. You gotta pump those numbers up
I keep seeing Dojima in the subtitles of the background footage. I can only think of that one comment on your MGSV video
Oh my god, I'm so excited for your journey throughout this series! Especially for the spin-off Judgment games starring Takuya Kimura, one of the most popular celebrities / idols in Japan.
You sound like the guy who explained the Hotline Miami lore and I love that
Thank you for covering in release order. People starting with 0 tend to get a wrong impression of the series and get annoyed when X or Y doesn't happen (covering up spoilers). I'll be watching the series with interest.
New viewer here, great video!!! One major thing to note regarding voice acting is that the series doesnt get a dub again until Yakuza 7/Judgement.
Theres a great undub patch of Yakuza 1 floating in the internet if you want to experience it again with the Japanese voice acting, the casting is phenomenal and the talent of the VAs really adds a lot to the mood of the game. I hope you enjoy the rest of the series! Its my personal favorite game franchise and I think the way the games evolve is a really fun and interesting process to experience, Yakuza 2 is a fantastic sequel in particular and is my second-third favorite game in the series. Enjoy!!!!
3:53
"Well, new adventures awaits, buddy."
I'm super excited to be seeing you play this series! I got into the series when Kiwami was being offered for free on PS+ in... I think around Winter of 2019?
Admittedly, Kiwami didn't immediately hook me into the whole series, but it got me interested enough to try 0, and that did the trick, haha.
I'm looking forward to seeing your thoughts on the whole series!
I think it’s awesome that you’re playing in release order! A lot of fans miss out on certain details because they skip 1 & 2.
0:13 modded moveset btw
Also, yakuza mentioned
I will be watching your experience with great interest
Ohh nice series to dive into man. I knew about Yakuza from so long ago but I only had time to get through 1/2/Zero/K1/K2.
Yakuza 1 was absolutely brilliant. I bought it the first day it was released. I still play it to this day. I highly recommend getting the Yakuza 1 restored edition, it has the original Japanese dub with English subtitles.
Im so glad i started with this one, especially because Yakuza 2 is one of my favorite games
Nice. Probably one of the unnest and strangest game series of all time. the wacky characters to dramatic scenes and then you are dancing and singing. fun times. enjoy, Can't wait till you get to yakuza 3 and 0.
I love the Yakuza series. Been a fan since Yakuza 2 on PS2. But I got to admit..once you play 1 game, you've played them all with small changes amongst every new entry. But still a blast to play!
It’s so good honestly the first one I played was yakuza 7 a couple of years ago and decided to go back and play all the old ones and I’ve been hooked since can’t wait for the pirate one next year majima is honestly one of my favorite characters also can’t wait for the Amazon series coming out in a couple of weeks
If you have a tolerance for playing older games, I believe playing in release order would be the best way to experience the series. The Kiwami remakes are great but the switch from Kiwami 2 to 3 is very jarring and it makes it harder to appreciate 3 while it's actually a really good game. Also, 1 and 2 on PS2 have unique content not available in the Kiwamis.
YES! I know you'll love this series. And i appreciate you giving yakuza 1 and 2 their respect. I still prefer them over the remakes.
I enjoyed my time with the PS2 Yakuza games for the atmosphere alone. They nail the vibe of a grungy and dangerous urban underbelly
Man, play it from 0 to Infinite wealth(including the judgement titles). The story is just well written.
Woah, didn't expect you to start the Yakuza series! I've watched your Armored Core and Metal Gear Solid videos as a massive fan of those games, and recently I played Ace Combat 4 and 3 for the first time and was pleasantly surprised to find you've gone through the Ace Combat series as well (looking forward to playing AC5 in about a month and watching your video on it haha).
I started with Yakuza 0 in 2022, then mid 2023 decided to pick up Kiwami 1 on game pass. It snowballed from there and I ended up marathoning the entire mainline games in 58 days 😅 Now I'm fully caught up with the series minus the ones in PS3 jail (kenzan and dead souls, and og ishin), and og Yakuza 2.
I'm really looking forward to watching more of your RGG/Yakuza videos! It's such a beloved series for me, and seeing more people especially a youtuber I enjoy like yourself get into the franchise makes me really happy
I cant wait to see you play Riichi Mahjong and pull your hair out
oh boy, its my favorite franchise
Great review! First video I've watched from you and I already subscribed
Honestly congrats on playing the series in release order, I'm doing this as well (currently finished Yakuza 6), it is very rare to do this as the fanbase for some reason thinks that playing 0 first is the only way to start the franchise and every other way is wrong (which I find this thought a little deranged)
Yakuza 1 really is a great game and it really hooked me to the series, I wish more people would try it out instead of playing 0 first, and I'm glad you liked it; you will most likely fall in love with the franchise if you already liked Yakuza 1, so hope on, as this series is amazing!
I still stand by this fact and that is majima voiced by mark Hamel is still one of the best voice acting decisions I've ever heard while Kiryu's english voice actor in this game is the best he's ever been so much so that in the far future, they brought this guy back for 1 of the very very future games at the time when the series was popping off in popularity. As such aside from the very awkward script because they were trying to copy the gta brand there's something about this dubbing that just makes it feel good especially when it comes to Kiryu and Majima when they do finally give us english voices, a lot of times they just don't fit unless we go to judgment. Man seeing this is making me want to go back and play through 0 right now.
YESSSSSS!!!! YOU FINALLY PLAY YAKUZA🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
1:50 10 years in the joint
First time I'm seeing this chanel, great video!, I'm glad you decided to play the original Y1 Game from the start since a lot of people start from the prequel (a 2015 game) and end up complaining that the newer game plays better than the old ones.
I really hope that you stick to the series and play the original Yakuza 2, it's such an improvement over the first one that it's legitimately impressive that it is a PS2 Game with how fluid it feels
Fun fact: The voice actor for Yuya, Dave Fouquette, would later voice The Burned Man in The Phantom Pain
Wasn't expecting to see you jump into Yakuza, but I'm not complaining! I'd recommend that you also check out the spin-off games as well if you can, such as Kurohyō: Ryū ga Gotoku Shinshō and its sequel, Yakuza: Dead Souls and so on. Dead Souls is something of a black sheep in the series that I still think is worth checking out if only from the perspective of how it killed Yakuza's popularity outside of Japan until Yakuza 0 came around to fix things. As for Kurohyō: Ryū ga Gotoku Shinshō, it and its sequel were never officially released outside of Japan, but you CAN play fan translations of them via PSP emulation (which I recommend you do because the games run better via emulation than actual hardware, because higher frame rates are important for combat). Several key members of the development team for this game and the sequel would also later go on to work on later entries within the mainline series, having obviously made a good impression to SEGA with their work.
There's lots more spinoff games I haven't mentioned, so I'd recommend doing some research on them all if you want to do a deep dive into them in the future. Even if not all the spinoff games are all-round winners, you might be surprised by how good some of them actually are when stacked up against mainline entries in the series.
spinoffs are in the plans :)
Thank you for the great video! I also like that you actually started with the PS2 version of Yakuza 1. It's unique to see these days with everyone discovering the series with Yakuza 0 first. Nothing wrong with that either but going by release order always gives you an interesting perspective in how the games actually developed over time and how or if they still hold up today. I also feel like the PS2 versions are absolutely different enough from their remakes that it's worth it to check out the originals as well. I'm excited to hear your thoughts on the next games as well!
Totally forgot to mention, hope you also give the Kurohyou spin-off games a chance if you happen to find the time for them!
My first yakuza game was like a dragon and infinite wealth, I was very surprised to find out the other games aren’t turn based… lol
I started with this one waaay back when the third game was still newly localized here, never looked back. Still my favorite video games series of all time, they just get better and better (Dead Souls notwithstanding).
I hope you also check the PSP Spin-offs, which were made by the guys who made the DEF Jam series (Aki Corporation who became Syn Sophia)
12:08 I recall one of the NPC's of the game (the one who says he was a student of Komaki) actually taught these mechanics. That's why I honestly recommend interacting with the NPC's often.
Yeah I interacted with most if not all NPC's I came across during my run... but somehow missed him...
I hilariously found him while starting up a new playthrough for stream yesterday and now have no clue how I missed him the first time 😂
@@notcole oh lol. It happens to the best of us.
Those 100% streams may unironically take 10 years.
I'm starting to think, just maybe, that this guy has good taste in video games.
14:58 oh boy i cant wait for you to reach yakuza 5
I've heard things...
Someone who started with the originals instead of the Kiwami remakes, Chad.
Great Video, love the ps2 yakuza games! By the way if you're gonna play yakuza 2 then I highly recommend the Yakuza 2 restored mod to make the game better
oh doing two game series at the same time? Between this and the re games wow
Ooh starting with the original Y1. Interesting. Something interesting here is your point about the side stories. Y1 has generally very boring ones, and yet one of the most renowned things about Yakuza as a franchise is how great it is with its substories. So that would probably be interesting for you to see as you progress.
I know it’s selfish but it’s always coincidental when I move from another game to be interested and I start seeing related posts. First it was Metal Gear then Ace Combat and now Yakuza 💀
What a Gigachad for playing the original and not Kiwami
man gonna play this on my new channel sometime.
We love Yuya 💖
and Yumi
👩🥃🎹🎶
9:05 "being in heat" lmao
Man, that "quijote" of yours really hurts my ears xD but great review, i played this game for the first time recently, i loved it but i really hate the combat, i hope that improves in the second game (i am writing this without a translator, so i should not call you out for a mispronunciation of my language 😅)
14:03 I pray for you whenever you play 5, then.
it is worth noting that most of the cinematography is somewhat the same in the remake. Other than some of the optional bonus cutscenes for side missions. And also Komaki's apprentice does tell you how to block and guard. Personally as a long time fan, I like the combat of 1, though not even close to my favorite. Shit gets so good as it goes on that 1 feels more tactile and defensive than the later games. And I wonder what you'll think of Yakuza 2 PS2 in that regard. I think it's better imo.
CHOLE YAKUZA ARC HELL YEAH
Yakuza 1 is the only PS2 game that I finished on my phone lol
Beating Amon in yakuza 1 was ALMOST as hard as ps2 Albatross Akagi
If you have 4 cursed sengetsu swords equiped you can cheese Amon to hell. Getting the swords becomes the most tedious task in the game tho depending on your luck
@@g2.a6 or do it without taking damage and without weapons 💀
I still prefer the original two games over the Kiwami ones
The boss fights are even worse in Kiwami 1
22:08, keep you ontheedge ofmy what!???!!
Kiryu never killed anyone
Original Yakuza on the PS2, is it awesome?
Yes.
But you should also play the Restored mod.
And even check out other Sega ips like Shenmue and Sakura Wars, you'll love them!
You're gonna struggle a little bit in the first three games, luckily the game's quality skyrockets from then onwards, another option is when you're done you can replay the first two but in their Kiwami versions; Essentially remasters that are really good.
18:32 Nishiki is what Kiryu always calls him, but I think most of the characters call him the full Nishikiyama in the Japanese dub so idk why they chose to stick to Nishiki 🤔
You know the thumbnail you made for the new series in which you'll play every Yakuza game to 100%?
It captures my reaction perfectly lol
Honestly, I thought the encounter rate was pretty reasonable in comparison to some of the later games. Especially Yakuza 5.
HELL YEAH
hell yea!!
Great
Is there any reason to play the original over Kiwami though? It's pretty much the same game but with more content, I've played every game available on PS4 which is pretty much all the main series games besides the original 1 and 2 because we have Kiwami I've never really thought to go back and play them, maybe I'll grab them next time I'm in Japan but then I'll need a Japanese PS2 as well
Did you ply Yakuza 2? It's the best in my book
Play Yakuza Restored mod for PlayStation 2
Oh wait a second, you're going to play them on release order? Or what about the remasters? Hell, what about the prequel?
... you know what, good luck with figuring that out lol. But honestly with all the games in the franchise including spinoffs, I wouldn't blame you if you decide to play them in chronological order instead
Edit:
23:51 when you get to Kiwami 1 you WILL understand why people tell new players to skip the original entries
Release order is the most straight forward one.
And one should definitely not skip Y2, between it and Kiwami 2, rather skip Kiwami 2.
based gamer starts off with the original ps2 game instead of the pretty shite kiwami remakes
Dude, you are going to get SO burned out doing a 100% run of every Yakuza game. Lol.
The original PS2 versions of Yakuza 1 and 2 are ROUGH.
I thought the combat was immediately tedious, boring and repetitive. Couldn't stand it.
Oh my boy. If only you knew about the undub project. The English dub is... interesting. But if you actually want to take the story seriously, the undub is the way to go. More so if you got a chipped ps2. Emulation still has issues
I was aware of the undub before going in. I chose not to use it because I think it's much more interesting to take the "warts and all" approach when evaluating games. There's almost always one or two things that I could improve with mods in each game I cover, but then the version that I play and talk about here isn't really authentic to the one people experienced back when the games were first released.
I know not everyone agrees with that philosophy, but it's the one that I find the most consistent :)
@@notcole interesting but also iffy with this game specifically. Cause the dub is something added later and wasn't part of the original game. So it wasn't the devs original vision. Especially with some strange localisation. Like calling Kazama Fuma
There is a big contrast once getting to Yakuza 3, as that is when the author of the book left the games as an advisor and the tone shifts into silly territory far more. Nagoshi's flavor. My biggest issue is the dedication to depicting so much of the culture and locations, yet they couldn't to the same for the characters because it might be controversial and protag might not be so favored. I don't believe that considering how popular Yakuza films and characters have been, plus given the fact they hired such classic actors to be face models in such roles. Kiryu should have been a product of his time, and individual instead of an every man they made him be so he wouldn't offend sensibilities (namely in the West). Censorship took away a lot and only increased as time went on. I'd say the series is pretty sanitized now and has no edge or personality aside melodrama and silliness. Those two used to be elements nowhere near as drummed up and part of storytelling and adding variety to the gameplay, but now it's the identity pretty much. I've played every game but Lost Judgment and Infinite Wealth and truly feel the mainline should have ended with Song of Life with Nagoshi's departure. The ending rings hollow if Kiryu just comes back, and this is despite me being excited for The Man Who Erased His Name.
I see why you may think that, but I personally believe that Gaiden and infinite do make up for their decision of bringing back kiryu in those games, tho I must say.
Even tho Infinite wealth's story appears to be divisive at the moment, I for one personally enjoy it very much, and find it as a good end for Kazuma kiryu (what would be shitty now, is if they bring back to forefront in even later entries, then I will have an issue)
Majima as a pirate drew you in? Lol! It's as far removed from things as you can get lol
Oh, and no one plays Yakuza with dub on. What's wrong with you?
Maybe let people do what they want?
This is Yakuza 1. Playing with the dub is the best option.
@@morkgin2459 Amazing considering the Yakuza community is entirely against dub. I was a preteen when first played Yakuza 1 and I found it cringe with all the immature swearing. Hardcore dub adherents go that route and new fans, but the fanbase has always been sub over dub because of Japanese VA cast.
@@Norrabal I didn't know I had control to make people do otherwise and said I would do so. Make sense before commenting.
@@blumiu2426 you said there was something wrong with him for playing in dub.
You're trying to bring up a stigma.