Ryu Ga Gotoku

it290 · Post by **it290** » Sat Feb 25, 2006 5:41 pm

I've kinda been following this game for a bit, but I didn't realize it had been released. This review makes it sound pretty good:

http://www.deeko.com/ps2/reviewdetail.asp?id=484

I was just wondering if any forum members had played it, and if so, what they thought about it.

PaCrappa · Post by **PaCrappa** » Sat Feb 25, 2006 5:43 pm

dcharlie says it is the best game ever. I guess you'll need some Japanese to get anywhere in it from what he says. But he can't stop saying how dope it is.

Pa

Turrican · Post by **Turrican** » Sat Feb 25, 2006 7:11 pm

it's coming in Europe too, and it will be titled "Yakuza".

Sounds like a good game to me... Always thought a GTA Tokyo would be cool.

incognoscente · Post by **incognoscente** » Sat Feb 25, 2006 8:58 pm

Also coming to America with the title "Yakuza".

Shacknews mirror of press release.

Bingo · Post by **Bingo** » Sat Feb 25, 2006 9:48 pm

Indeed a cool game, almost entirely reliant on immersing you in the story and atmosphere. Reduced to pure gameplay it isn't much, fun but repetitive. The story kicks major butt though and easily drives the game, very very well done. Many games throw the film-like monicker around like they mean it, this really is like one. If you're into the yakuza genre the effect is doubled. Voice acting, camera, everything generating atmosphere is first class. It feels rather limited at the beginning but quickly branches out into one wild ride that leaves you plenty of opportunity to be all a real "player" should be. Managing several ladies via cell phone and getting them presents to get them laid? Hanging out in cabaret bars sweet-talking them into quickies? Petty thugs trying to pull a fast one on you on every corner? Faces begging to be rearranged? And most of it absolutely optional? Welcome to the world of Ryu ga gotoku. It's the ultimate chivalrous tough guy versus the world story, replete with blood brothers, father figures, scores of wannabes in need of a lesson, traitors, and a gazillion fistfights. There are setups where it's literally you against an army.

If you like the genre, like its characters and moods, play it. The fight system isn't deep, but it's conveys the sense of street brawling perfectly. Plus it has an RPG-like experience mechanism that keeps you motivated to unlock more moves and skills. Tons of mini-games and side-missions too. I had an absolute blast, loved every minute of it to death.