Yakuza 6: Song of Life Review (PS4)
Introduction
This is the latest Yakuza game in the main series, originally released in 2016 for Japan, and 2018 for English audience. This is the first game in Yakuza series developed with the new engine called Dragon Engine, which may have more advanced capabilities compared to previous engine used for the previous Yakuza games.
Story
This game takes place after the events of Yakuza 5. Due to certain events in Yakuza 5, Kiryu Kazuma went to jail few years prior to Yakuza 6 events. Once he gets out from jail, he goes back to the orphanage in Okinawa, reuniting with the orphans that he raised few years back. Unfortunately, Haruka, his adopted daughter left the orphanage and somehow she ended up in Hiroshima during Kiryu's imprisonment. Kiryu resolves to find her, as well as unraveling a plot that involves multiple crime organisations that are also hunting for Haruka.
The game's story is pretty good. Good story, decent plot-twists, and many likable characters. As usual, Kiryu Kazuma is a really likable protagonist. The new cast of characters are excellent too, such as Nagumo, Someya, Hirose, and other characters as well. I like Kiryu's interactions with the Hirose Family members, especially with Nagumo, Tagashira, Matsunaga, and Yuta.
However, there are some story elements I dislike in this game, such as the mediocre reveal of Onomichi's secret, less likable characterisation of Haruka, not many returning characters from previous Yakuza games, and hit-or-miss bittersweet ending. I am however, can accept that this game is a suitable conclusion to Kiryu Kazuma's story.
Gameplay
The game plays like previous Yakuza games. You can explore between two different areas, which are Kamurocho and Onomichi. Unlike Yakuza 4 and Yakuza 5, Kamurocho do not have many new locations for you to explore. Like previous games, you will also need to complete specific battle sections to progress the game's story.
Using the new Dragon Engine, the transition between entering shops, bars, and other buildings is seamless with no loading times. You will also fight thugs in real-time, where you can engage enemies or run away from them during combat. You may also choose to eat at restaurants, play mini-games, or complete sub-stories before progressing the game's story. Story progression is simple, as you need to talk to certain NPCs and watch cutscenes, solve some puzzles, fight enemies in certain battle sections, as well as defeating bosses.
The leveling and customisation features are different than previous games. The leveling system is totally different than previous games, where you may earn five different categories of experience points by defeating enemies, completing Sub-Stories, completing main story objectives, completing mini-games, or by eating in restaurants. Each category of experience point can be used to earn stats boost, new passive abilities, and new combat abilities. Some abilities may require you to spend more than two types of experience points. For example, you must spend Strength EXP to gain Attack stat boost, but you must use more than three types of EXP to learn new Heat Actions. You should plan ahead before spending your EXP to learn new abilities or gain stats increment.
The equipment system is simplified compared to previous games, where you can only equip up to only two defencive equipment pieces, and you may not equip any offencive items other than in combat situations. You may purchase accessories from shops or getting as substory completion rewards.
The battle system is similar to previous games' battle systems, albeit with some alterations. The battle system feels a bit more realistic, where Kiryu and enemies can block attacks depending on which body part is hit. Kiryu can attack enemies using combo attacks, grab attacks, or using objects. Kiryu also can use special actions called Heat Actions when the conditions are met.
The Heat feature is changed slightly. This time, your Heat gauge is measured by orbs, and you can gain Heat by attacking enemies or using certain items. You may also spend Heat Orbs to use Heat Actions, or activate the Extreme Heat Mode where Kiryu can use more devastating attack combos or more powerful Heat Actions. The duration of Extreme Heat Mode depends on how many Heat Orbs that you have, but you can deactivate anytime you want.
Enemies come in different variety, with different fighting styles which set them apart. Mini-bosses and bosses have more unique variety compared to regular enemies in this game, where most of the story bosses have their own Extreme Heat Modes and unique fighting styles. You have to deplete their health to zero in order to win, but it is not easy as some bosses have special moves that can kill you easily in the game.
This game also removes several of the classic side-activities from previous Yakuza games, but there are some new ones such as RIZAP training, bar conversations, baseball missions, Troublr missions, and Clan Creator. Sub-Stories also return in this game, where you can complete for more experience points.
The gameplay system is good. I enjoy exploring the two areas seamlessly, the few loading times, changed battle system, the new leveling system, and the new side activities such as Clan Creator and Snack Bar conversations. There are some issues I have with the gameplay however, such as Extreme Heat Mode causes you to automatically pick up objects, some control issues, no equipped weapons like previous Yakuza games, fewer Heat Actions, less epic boss fights, less advanced enemy behavior such as running away if you beat them all up except one, and the absence of some of the classic side-activities such as Coliseum and Komaki training.
Graphics
The game's graphics are amazing. I love the new graphics using the Dragon Engine, and it seems that cutscenes use the in-game character models very seamlessly. The environments are gorgeous too, especially Onomichi. The game has some technical issues however, as I notice that there are screen-tearing issues when running in enclosed areas. Not a game-breaking issue, however.
Sound
The game has great voice acting, by every voice actors. Kuroda Takaya does amazing job as Kiryu Kazuma as always, as well as other voice actors such as Beat Takeshi, Oguri Shun, and Miyasako Hiroyuki.
The music doesn't stand out much in this game compared to other Yakuza games. There are some good battle themes, but other themes doesn't strike me to be memorable.
Replay Value
Despite the absence of many side-activities from previous Yakuza games, this game still has high replay value where you can play the game again in higher difficulty modes, explore the game in Premium Adventure mode, complete all Sub-Stories, complete all Awards requirements, play Baseball, play Clan Creator mode, and many other activities.
Conclusion
This is a very good game. The Dragon Engine showcases the improved visuals and character models, different battle system and etc. However, probably because of the new game engine, content from the previous Yakuza games did not make it in this game. This game serves a decent conclusion to Kiryu Kazuma's story, but it may not sit well with other Yakuza fans. Overall, this is my fourth favourite game in Yakuza series, due to more focus on Kiryu Kazuma's story. Recommended for Yakuza fans to play before playing the upcoming Yakuza: Kiwami 2.
Score
Story: 8/10
Gameplay: 8/10
Graphics: 9/10
Sound: 8/10
Final Score: 8.3/10 or 33/40
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Interesting story.
- Decent conclusion to Kiryu's story.
- Many interesting new characters.
- Seamless transition between outdoors and indoors exploration.
- Interesting leveling system.
- Interesting battle system.
- Good variety of side-content.
- Excellent graphics.
- Great voice acting.
- High replay value.
Cons
- Mediocre reveal of Onomichi's secret.
- Absence of many characters from previous Yakuza games.
- Less likable characterisation of Haruka.
- Hit-or-miss bittersweet ending.
- Extreme Heat Mode issues, such as auto-picking up objects.
- Less advanced enemy A.I behaviour.
- Some control issues
- No equipped weapons like previous Yakuza games.
- Less epic boss fights,
- Absence of classic side-activities such as Coliseum and Komaki training.
- Some graphical issues.
**Screenshots are from DualShockers site.
This is the latest Yakuza game in the main series, originally released in 2016 for Japan, and 2018 for English audience. This is the first game in Yakuza series developed with the new engine called Dragon Engine, which may have more advanced capabilities compared to previous engine used for the previous Yakuza games.
Story
Kiryu Kazuma is back.
The game's story is pretty good. Good story, decent plot-twists, and many likable characters. As usual, Kiryu Kazuma is a really likable protagonist. The new cast of characters are excellent too, such as Nagumo, Someya, Hirose, and other characters as well. I like Kiryu's interactions with the Hirose Family members, especially with Nagumo, Tagashira, Matsunaga, and Yuta.
However, there are some story elements I dislike in this game, such as the mediocre reveal of Onomichi's secret, less likable characterisation of Haruka, not many returning characters from previous Yakuza games, and hit-or-miss bittersweet ending. I am however, can accept that this game is a suitable conclusion to Kiryu Kazuma's story.
Gameplay
Explore Kamurocho and Onomichi.
Using the new Dragon Engine, the transition between entering shops, bars, and other buildings is seamless with no loading times. You will also fight thugs in real-time, where you can engage enemies or run away from them during combat. You may also choose to eat at restaurants, play mini-games, or complete sub-stories before progressing the game's story. Story progression is simple, as you need to talk to certain NPCs and watch cutscenes, solve some puzzles, fight enemies in certain battle sections, as well as defeating bosses.
The leveling and customisation features are different than previous games. The leveling system is totally different than previous games, where you may earn five different categories of experience points by defeating enemies, completing Sub-Stories, completing main story objectives, completing mini-games, or by eating in restaurants. Each category of experience point can be used to earn stats boost, new passive abilities, and new combat abilities. Some abilities may require you to spend more than two types of experience points. For example, you must spend Strength EXP to gain Attack stat boost, but you must use more than three types of EXP to learn new Heat Actions. You should plan ahead before spending your EXP to learn new abilities or gain stats increment.
The equipment system is simplified compared to previous games, where you can only equip up to only two defencive equipment pieces, and you may not equip any offencive items other than in combat situations. You may purchase accessories from shops or getting as substory completion rewards.
Beat up thugs.
The Heat feature is changed slightly. This time, your Heat gauge is measured by orbs, and you can gain Heat by attacking enemies or using certain items. You may also spend Heat Orbs to use Heat Actions, or activate the Extreme Heat Mode where Kiryu can use more devastating attack combos or more powerful Heat Actions. The duration of Extreme Heat Mode depends on how many Heat Orbs that you have, but you can deactivate anytime you want.
Enemies come in different variety, with different fighting styles which set them apart. Mini-bosses and bosses have more unique variety compared to regular enemies in this game, where most of the story bosses have their own Extreme Heat Modes and unique fighting styles. You have to deplete their health to zero in order to win, but it is not easy as some bosses have special moves that can kill you easily in the game.
Try out a variety of side-activities in this game, such as Clan Creator.
The gameplay system is good. I enjoy exploring the two areas seamlessly, the few loading times, changed battle system, the new leveling system, and the new side activities such as Clan Creator and Snack Bar conversations. There are some issues I have with the gameplay however, such as Extreme Heat Mode causes you to automatically pick up objects, some control issues, no equipped weapons like previous Yakuza games, fewer Heat Actions, less epic boss fights, less advanced enemy behavior such as running away if you beat them all up except one, and the absence of some of the classic side-activities such as Coliseum and Komaki training.
Graphics
Excellent graphics, despite some technical issues while exploring.
Sound
Excellent voice acting, decent music.
The music doesn't stand out much in this game compared to other Yakuza games. There are some good battle themes, but other themes doesn't strike me to be memorable.
Replay Value
High replay value, despite the absence of many side-activities from previous Yakuza games.
Conclusion
A decent conclusion to Kiryu Kazuma's story and a very good game too.
Score
Story: 8/10
Gameplay: 8/10
Graphics: 9/10
Sound: 8/10
Final Score: 8.3/10 or 33/40
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Interesting story.
- Decent conclusion to Kiryu's story.
- Many interesting new characters.
- Seamless transition between outdoors and indoors exploration.
- Interesting leveling system.
- Interesting battle system.
- Good variety of side-content.
- Excellent graphics.
- Great voice acting.
- High replay value.
Cons
- Mediocre reveal of Onomichi's secret.
- Absence of many characters from previous Yakuza games.
- Less likable characterisation of Haruka.
- Hit-or-miss bittersweet ending.
- Extreme Heat Mode issues, such as auto-picking up objects.
- Less advanced enemy A.I behaviour.
- Some control issues
- No equipped weapons like previous Yakuza games.
- Less epic boss fights,
- Absence of classic side-activities such as Coliseum and Komaki training.
- Some graphical issues.
**Screenshots are from DualShockers site.
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