PixlBit

I played a lot of Yakuza 3 today. I'm really enjoying it. This is the remastered version that came out recently with 4 and 5 all on Game Pass on Xbox as well as other systems. I've only dabbled in the Yakuza series here and there. This is the first game I've spent a lot of time with. Let's take a look. 

I don't know what went on in Yakuza 1 and 2 but our main character in this one has decided to leave his Yakuza organization and go run an orphanage in Osaka, Japan. Of course, he can't quite get away from these criminal organizations and is continually drawn back into conflicts between rival clans. But, a lot of your time in Yakuza 3, at least in the first 8 hours or so of the game, has you managing the kids in the orphanage, doing good deeds, and defending the helpless in his new hometown of Osaka. 

The story is a little bit funny to me because the hero is yakuza but also has a heart of gold. In western terms, it would be like the head of a gang of highwaymen becomes a knight and follows a strict code of chivalry, and ran an orphanage. It feels a little bit unbelievable to me. However, there are many touching moments with the kids as they learn how to live and deal with life's problems. I think, even with the borderline ludicrous plot, the dialog and relationships are well written and engaging. 

The fighting is fun. Third-person brawling and special moves result in hilariously brutal takedowns that miraculously don't kill anyone. Enemies vanish when taken down in fights but at the end, they come back just beaten up and apologize. There are boss fights that take more skill to win. You have to use blocks, grab objects and use your powered-up state to execute special attacks. You also level up by doing side missions, eating food, and doing special tasks which you can use to unlock new moves and better health. You can equip three weapons and three items of defense. 

One special mission was to recruit a new hostess for a nightclub and then manage her. You have to dress her up, give her a hairstyle and makeup and accessories in order to please the customers who request different qualities every time you enter the club. I had some difficulty trying to figure out which makeup and hairstyle meant classy, or cute, or gorgeous but it was fun trying. 

I'm certainly going to continue with this game. I've done almost everything in Osaka and am about to return to Tokyo. I'm sure the open-world environment will get even bigger with even more missions when I get there.