Yakuza questions?

[dreamcast4ever83]

SoI have never really heard about this game till today that is. Crazy right?! Im aa hige sega fan but just never really had a ps3 so did not pay much attention. Anyways my question is this.

I here these have stuff in common with shenmue and they look quite fun. Do these game have a great story like ahenmue but where you wounder around doing stuff if you like? Meaning is it very story based also or is it some sand box with small lame story?

Also is it ok for me to start on 3 then 4 or do i need to go back to the ps2 era one's cause I don't wanna really.

[D.D.D.]

I haven't played them but in terms of size, I've often heard that their "sandbox" size is usually smaller than GTA's.

[flojocabron]

japanophiles arent happy with the games we got here.

Sega Removed certain apsects of the games because they thought that we would not understand some japanese culture. So some mini games are removed in the US versions.

I think theres some number skipping as well. Japan got a yakuza game that was based in olden japanese times and that one definitely didn't make it over here.

Other people werent happy with the english dialogue. But then again thats normal with sega games.

Dont know how sucessful this series is. Its not really talked about today.

My local Kmart has yakuza 4 for $15 bucks. So I may just buy it.

[jay_red]

Ive gotten into the series lately, having picked up the first for just a few bucks. It was an awesome game with a great story, it is very cut scene heavy. It has similarities to Shenmue in terms of there being a lot of side stuff to kill time with (arcades, host bars, restaurants etc...) But dont play it thinking its some spiritual successor or anything.

It is an open world game, but it is very small in comparison to other games, there is no driving, you can walk/run to anywhere in a matter of a few minutes, there are "random" battles that take place where a street thug tries to chase you down and it causes a fight that you have to do. You can sometimes out run or dodge them before initiating the fight, but be prepared to fight a lot when you are just trying to get somewhere.

I would recommend playing them in order honestly, since you will be kind of out of the loop on the story, and will not have the connection to the characters if you just go straight to 3 or 4. The first can be had for very cheap, while the 2nd is the most expensive of them, I paid $30 for a complete/excellent condition copy.

[brunoafh]

I here these have stuff in common with shenmue and they look quite fun. Do these game have a great story like ahenmue but where you wounder around doing stuff if you like? Meaning is it very story based also or is it some sand box with small lame story?

The plots are usually quite intricate and the stories can take the upwards of 60 hours to complete. It is aimed at an older audience than Shenmue is and can get pretty graphic and gritty. The games are absolute huge, and to 100% the later ones can take 100 hours or more. The sandbox isn't quite as big as later GTA games, but the games don't play like GTA at all and are mainly about plot and brawling.

Also is it ok for me to start on 3 then 4 or do i need to go back to the ps2 era one's cause I don't wanna really.

The PS2 games are great and worth playing, but yeah you'd be fine starting with 3. I'd recommend starting from the beginning though as you'll get the most out of the series that way.

Sega Removed certain apsects of the games because they thought that we would not understand some japanese culture. So some mini games are removed in the US versions.

This only applies to one game, 3. The hostess section as well as a few mini-games were removed. Some sidequests too. 4 has one mini-game removed, that's it. Sega has done a pretty good job with this series and gets way too much flak.

I think theres some number skipping as well. Japan got a yakuza game that was based in olden japanese times and that one definitely didn't make it over here.

No number skipping though, the game isn't a numbered entry in the series in Japan and is a side story unrelated to the main games.

[Luke]

Yakuza should have stopped with the second installment, which has one of the best video game endings, period. You would be doing yourself a disservice in my opinion by not playing the first two games.

It's not Shenmue by any means, two different games that like all games, share a characteristic or two.

Again, I would highly recommend playing the first two games first. They're not perfect, but they certainly are awesome, and heavy with characters and story. Not sure what everyone else thinks, but the Yakuza games should come with a big notepad and pencil, as I found myself having to take notes. There is so much to do, so many babes to flirt with, so many different liquors to drink, so many different dishes of food to eat.

The fighting gets repetitive in every game though. Still, going to a bar in the game, getting sloshed and then getting into a fight can be a blast.

I think I just talked myself into replaying this series.