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[Nankatsu]

​

 

[Majima Everywhere System]

Only an hour in and loving snake style. I finished Judgment this summer and I was ready to dig into a sequel only a couple months later. It's a great series.

 

[JohannCK]

Just posting some interviews

Lost Judgment: Release Interview with Producer & Director

In this release interview for Lost Judgment, producer Hosokawa Kazuki and director Ito Yutaka discuss the development process and more.

www.frontlinejp.net

Lost Judgment: Developer Interview with Nagoshi and Hosokawa

Yakuza series director Nagoshi and producer Hosokawa discuss the story and gameplay of Lost Judgment, the latest game in the Yakuza series.

www.frontlinejp.net

Nagoshi says that he is feeling uneasy about, but also looking forward to what players think upon clearing the game, as even the staff had big arguments about the ending. He says that while they could agree on how the story should be and what they wanted to do, they could not agree on how to express it and how to wrap it up. He thinks that different players will have different thoughts on the story.

People complained a lot about the tailing sequences but they explain why they were adamant about keeping them in:

Ito says that they spent a lot of time and effort on the tailing sequences at the start of the first chapter. The tailing sequences in the previous game were divisive, and they received a lot of feedback from players outside of Japan who said they wanted to hurry up and get to the fights. As such, they put effort into showing how tense and fun the tailing is, test playing it over and over again. He thinks they spent an entire year working on it.


The interviewer asks why they wanted to include the tailing so much, and Hosokawa acknowledges that many people had things to say about the tailing, and some staff members were also of the opinion that they should not start the game with it.


However, private detectives are commonplace in Japan, doing backgrounds checks and looking for lost pets. They wanted to depict Yagami’s daily life as such a detective, and show a story starting with a tail, and he says that this portrayal was necessary to construct the characters and story. He also says that they felt that they should not cave to overseas pressure and change it, because making things that are quintessentially Japanese that might turn out to invoke a sense of wonder for foreign players is one of their strengths.

 

[NewYork214]

Only an hour in and loving snake style. I finished Judgment this summer and I was ready to dig into a sequel only a couple months later. It's a great series.

I am in the same exact boat as you. Finished first game few months ago and loving new one. Have only been using snake style and making me feel like I'm not playing the game right. Lol.

Disarming weapons and evading attacks at last second is so fun. Just Finished chapter 2 and can't wait to play more. Love this series.

Whole going Undercover in school story was turning me off a bit pre-launch of the game. But really digging the story so far.

 

[kingwingin]

Just made it to chapter 7 and loving it.

Snake style is so much fun and the skateboard is a much welcome addition!

 

[Touch fuzZy. get BizZay]

Alzheimer's is still out there dammit!

 

[SkylineRKR]

Great game, about halfway through. Less original than LaD for numerous reasons, also using the same map ofcourse. And the school is rather fantastic. At first I wasn't sure about it but you can largely dismiss it after the opening chapters outside of a few story beats taking place there.

However the clubs are cool. At first it seems there is only dancing, which is a decent rhythm mini game. But unless I'm doing it wrong you have to grind it out quite a bit before your social stats open up the other clubs (this is heavily borrowed from Persona by the way). But they're fun. eSports was neat but very short. Boxing is fun and skateboard club is pretty good. Not feeling the robot stuff and I think as far as side activities go the karting in Like a Dragon was better than Drone Racing.

Tailing isn't bad. At least you can hide almost everywhere now, its absolutely better than it once was. You can buy the perks to make it piss easy anyway. What I dislike are the chase sequences, they go on and on accross the same course. Its about depleting their health, not doing good and catching them early.

The Skateboard is cool for quick traversal, but letting loose of LS immediately puts it away. But its more efficient than running and it also keeps you out of battles.

 

[Nankatsu]

Man the combat is so smooth, heat actions feel better than never imo, even more coming straight from playing Like a Dragon.

The balance between the 3 styles is really good. Snake style is amazing. Yagami feels like Ultra Instinct Goku, ahah.

Really glad we can have both approaches (this and turn-based) in the Yakuza universe. Both shine on their own. Nowadays is kind of rare a studio managing this in my opinion.

I'm about two hours in and I'm just randomly walking the streets and kicking ass. It's just that good.

 

[TGO]

Nice OT, I would probably have put a shadow behind that white text or an outline with the transparent background though
Hard to see with the classic theme

 

[nowhat]

classic theme

Heretic!

 

[TGO]

Heretic!

old school, plus you can't see shit in daylight outside with the black theme

 

[xellos2099alpha]

Just finish the game, overall i love it. Ending is a bit weak but i wonder if the dlc will address that. Can we blame

Spoiler

Daigo

again for this mess. I know he meant well but the creation of

Spoiler

RF

happen because both

Spoiler

Tojo and Omi

disbanded in LAD.

Spoiler

Tojo and Omi disband because they don't want to be used by police but police end up creating their own essentialy black ops thugs.

I wonder what happen to RK at the end anyway as it one thing they didn;t address.

 

[PumpkinPie]

I want to play the first game before this, but for some backwards reason the first one is only playable on Series X, while Lost Judgement is playable on Xbone

 

[xellos2099alpha]

I want to play the first game before this, but for some backwards reason the first one is only playable on Series X, while Lost Judgement is playable on Xbone

That is a bit weird. I am guess they launch it same time as ps5 version and made it seires s/x only which is... super bone head i guess.

 

[RNG]

I‘m in chpt 2 or 3 so far… lol at beating up Gen Z high schoolers not once or twice but four times so far!

How does one simply trigger sub stories on the map (green icon)? Nothing happens when I go to one.

 

[Senhua]

I‘m in chpt 2 or 3 so far… lol at beating up Gen Z high schoolers not once or twice but four times so far!

How does one simply trigger sub stories on the map (green icon)? Nothing happens when I go to one.

Enjoy it when you can because after that segment (High School) the gameplay and settings suddenly became very boring (go to this/that fight thugs - repeat that 10x until the game end)

 

[Team Andromeda]

Loving this game, so much fun and also looks and runs great on the next gen consoles

 

[SkylineRKR]

The gameplay is repetitive if you skip everything. You can do a shit ton of things if you tap into the school sidestory. Like skateboarding, boxing, street races etc. The side quests also often let you use the gadgets, the dog is awesome. There is so much to do really. In the sidestories you're really playing a P.I.

I‘m in chpt 2 or 3 so far… lol at beating up Gen Z high schoolers not once or twice but four times so far!

How does one simply trigger sub stories on the map (green icon)? Nothing happens when I go to one.

They are NPC convos. Later on you'll get the ability to make use of it. It works a bit differently here, you're pretty much listening in on people, and that can open some quests or some handy information. But not every icon does.

 

[xellos2099alpha]

One thing i don't like is how Yagami is still believe

Spoiler

Emi death is cause by him. He is so preashy about it it get annoying. It was NOT his fault and the boyfriend didn't kill Emi

Spoiler: Ending

The way he said the the Kusumoto need to confess to her crime to be free and yet at the same time let Kuwana walk free. Also secret didn't kill Sawa, Soma did because he is mainly as asshat

 

[Rest]

Oh shit I didn't even know this was announced.
I will be getting this.

 

[Rayderism]

I've been playing it on PS4 Pro and one thing I've noticed that's odd is that the Playstation app on my phone always shows the last 3 games I've played, but it has never acknowledged that I've played Lost Judgment at all. I've clocked over 30 hours on it so far. It's not really a big deal, but it is odd.

 

[kingwingin]

Watching the credits roll now

Spoiler: Spoilers

Felt the whole trying to prove the dad wasn't a pervert really slowed everything down and made things more complicated than they needed to be.

Would have much rather just fleshed out a few more murders and had you tracking kitakata the entire time.

Judgment I never had a problem with the detective parts but this one really bugged me. How many times do I have to inspect an AC unit with bird shit covered pipes right above it before Yagami figures it out?

 

[Classicrockfan]

So I’m guessing this is the last game in the series after the dlc?

 

[drganon]

Just got my copy yesterday. Only just beat the intro chapter but I'm already hooked. I really enjoyed the first game as well as all the yakuza games, so it's not much of a surprise though that I like it.

 

[SkylineRKR]

The Robot minigame is shit. But I beat it.

Here is how,

Spoiler

First matches are easy, but what you want to do, is make your controllable robot, Deus, a Speed unit. For yourself invest in speed upgrades only. Make the best engines available each time and the best body so that your cost limit is increased. Put Rotation speed chips as accessory, quick rotation is very important and roll with a hammer (its the thing that charges and hits once, mostly one shots if you're on par). Make Ex and Machina both Balanced units. And outfit them with the best possible stuff also, and both with shotguns. Whats very important is that you get Jammer AI and Chaser AI chips on their accessories (the rest I didn't bother with, but on the spare slots you can do ranged attack, speed up or something), otherwise they wont do shit. Some bodies have the Jammer AI as default perk, and you can't equip AI chips on them. With those they will attack and block the enemy robots while you speed around collecting blocks.

The first half is braindead easy and you can get by without upgrades. The general strategy for each match is that you speed around collecting blocks, and then place them starting from your base towards theirs. Just make a beeline. If just one blue block can be placed into the enemy base you have won. After that it spikes and you need to upgrade. You will also need items from the shop in the northeast section of the park, like Iron, wires, Metals etc. This is costly as you will want to buy loads of them just in case. Grind some practice games and look what items you need and which battles hand them out.

Once upgraded its pretty much the same, chase blocks and the AI will probably kill and block the enemies. in the final match you have a hybrid build, press touchpad right away to ditch the slow defense armor and go on as normal. I beat the final battle within a minute with an 8 star rated team. I had Level 3 AI chips and 2 level 5 shotguns on the other 2. Its very easy as long as you have good parts and AI chips.

Spoiler

Its probably the most frustrating club. Though the motorcycle can also be frustrating, upgrades there are very straightforward.

 

[Strider Highwind]

How you guys like it so far? I got it for PS5 but its gonna have to wait until I finish Tales of Arise, Diablo 2, and a few others.

I plan on making this, Astria Ascending, and a few other games be my Winter log for gaming :success:

 

[SkylineRKR]

How you guys like it so far? I got it for PS5 but its gonna have to wait until I finish Tales of Arise, Diablo 2, and a few others.

I plan on making this, Astria Ascending, and a few other games be my Winter log for gaming :success:

Lost Judgment better than the first imho. Its probably at the top with Y0 and Y6.

Lost Judgment has more meaty side cases, that utilize fun gadgets such as a dog. And a ton of minigames. The downside is, for some players perhaps, that a lot of side content is locked behind the school scenario which is fully optional. But contrary to my expectations I like that scenario a ton, and probably sank close to 20 hours into it already.

The story beats Judgment 1 as well I think. Its easier to follow and takes a different approach. Its an interesting theme. The gameplay is also improved, with an extra fighting style that focuses on disarming opponents.

I've put about 40 hours into the game since last week and still have a way to go.

 

[Nankatsu]

Man the school side cases are so damn cool. This is legit Persona vibe, but inverted. You're the teacher instead of the student.

Super hooked in the game. And yet again this game makes me realize how Yagami is one hell of a character.

 

[Classicrockfan]

I really wish this game had a strategy guide book,I just love having big guide books.

 

[SkylineRKR]

So Maze Hunter 3D actually does have a stereoscopic 3D mode. Get those old paper glasses out.

 

[Strider Highwind]

Lost Judgment better than the first imho. Its probably at the top with Y0 and Y6.

Lost Judgment has more meaty side cases, that utilize fun gadgets such as a dog. And a ton of minigames. The downside is, for some players perhaps, that a lot of side content is locked behind the school scenario which is fully optional. But contrary to my expectations I like that scenario a ton, and probably sank close to 20 hours into it already.

The story beats Judgment 1 as well I think. Its easier to follow and takes a different approach. Its an interesting theme. The gameplay is also improved, with an extra fighting style that focuses on disarming opponents.

I've put about 40 hours into the game since last week and still have a way to go.

Thanks for the write up! Ima check it out soon, I got it installed on my ps5, I Just gotta make it through all these other games first lol. You saying its up there with Yakuza 0 is dope cause thats one of my fave out the series

 

[Classicrockfan]

Damn that mission abought the human model was spooky love this game,and the grudge reference.

 

[PsyEd]

What took yuo soo rong snaakuu style...I mean OT of LJ.

Got the first on XsX when it was on sale and was hooked....I am not even a fan of Yakuza series but gave it go to kill time during pandemic lockdown...loved it. So got LJ ultimate edition at launch from digital store....so show the dev's support. I finished the main story, within 40 hours which IMHO is better than the first and the combat & controls in LJ is way better than the first. And to get my money's worth I intentionally started on hard mode from the get go since I didn't struggle THAT much on the first in normal mode with any bosses apart from the cheap hidden one. I just love this new snake style and became too good with it...like it has become MC HAMMER style you can't touch this Tak...I can parry & dodge through anyone.

Here's a sample a very early in the game of how cool snake style is and a semi-mini boss character is so easy to take down due to the snake style and farm these nouveau riche guys...


Now the downsides...to me the side stories feels like lower in quality compared to the first and some missions within school stories feels like a drag...which I'm in the process of completing them after I finished the main story. Only standout to me is the mini boxing game...really enjoying it. And I was hoping LJ rewarded returning players in someway...like for the first I was a very popular guy in Kamurocho, with friends who were willing to risk their lives for me and say hello to boost my EX...not to mention I was playing the hearts of 4 girls in a row and never got caught in a small town!

Yet only 2+ years later seems Tak lost that special friendship with everyone along with his GF's and all that cash he made rolling that digital dice! Heck the Ibisu pawn guy, who's just one block away, doesn't seem to remember Tak or give the extra value on the pawned goods anymore. IMHO Sega could've at least rewarded returning players in some way than giving the cold shoulder like this.

Anyway to me LJ does feel a bit rushed and doesn't have the variety on the side story like the first but everything else seems alright. Now lets see what the expansion pass brings, hoping the Kaito files DLC deliver. So far I give it a 8/10.

 

[drganon]

Just finished the main story. Gotta say, I liked it more than the first game. Since I'm on vacation, I was able to blitz through the main story over a couple of days. Probably will check out the side content some more next.

 

[SkylineRKR]

I think I found a good way to earn a shit ton of cash. I was basically farming for the Free Play passes, one of them is in the casino. I had a Black jack boost item (I don't know how I got it). I bought 1000 chips, did blackjack with constantly going all in. I think it lasts for 5 rounds, I ended up with idk, 50k chips? I bought the pass for 10k and platinum items with the rest. Those sell for 200k a piece, I made about 2 million with them. So after that you can also burn a million on the wooden tags in the other gambling hall for a free play pass. The other 4 can be found and bought at the skater sidestory.

I think a blackjack item can be bought for 30k SP also at the homeless store. So it does cost SP, dunno if there is another way to get it. You can also abuse Poker like this. In fact I played Poker without cheat item, starting with 2k. I made 16k on the table. Then I saved and went VIP, went up to 65k. Poker is okay, I mainly hammer the Raise button if I have three of a kind, flush or something.

Apparently you can get cheat items with fighting while having a food boost active. So its worthwhile to spend SP on those perks.

 

[Nankatsu]

Is it just me or sometimes the roaming skate animation stops mid way even though you're speeding up?

 

[PsyEd]

On Xbox it seems the School Stories Expansion Pack, which was due late this month, is already out. Check your gift box thing in the office to claim them. 3 more gym opponents....nothing better than beating up your own friends!

Now you can use boxing style out in the streets...become Tak Balboa!


Even in legendary mode, the game's hardest mode, the bosses can be owned...

 

[SkylineRKR]

Is it just me or sometimes the roaming skate animation stops mid way even though you're speeding up?

Its pretty shitty but you have to hold forward on the left stick at all times. Even if you go a tiny bit off the road it stops too. Its pretty handy to use to get to some markers though, sometimes faster than calling a taxi and you'll avoid battles.

 

[drganon]

Gave up on the school story. I was having fun until the god awful robotics club. I looked online and sadly I need to do that one to get access to others. Whoever designed and or approved that mini game deserves a pay cut.

 

[drganon]

Took another crack at the school stories. So far I've beaten the e sport, dancing, boxing and motorcycle race ones. I even managed to get past the first part of the robotics club. It's still hands down the worst minigame in the game.

 

[MasterDerico]

My Goty actually are two games: This and Sor4 Mr.X Nightmare.

 

[The Cockatrice]

I just finished it. Safe to say that this will most likely be my GOTY. Stealth bits are very bad but other than that great game.,

 

[The Cockatrice]

Took another crack at the school stories. So far I've beaten the e sport, dancing, boxing and motorcycle race ones. I even managed to get past the first part of the robotics club. It's still hands down the worst minigame in the game.

I also hated it and almost gave up on the school stories. I'll give you a pro tip if you want. Practice matches are good to farm parts if you haven't yet noticed. Equip your main robot with the speedy armor and drill, make sure you also build speed chips. The other two robots just make them the one with two arms and build them a weapon like a sniper or AR and that is it. The most important tip tho is NEVER focus on having more blue blocks on the level but instead quickly build them towards the enemy based so you can capture it. It's insta win if you build even one block in their base. Also I'll give you one tip in advance for another school story minigame which you'll prolly hate and its will be a bike thing. It's boring as hell and speed does not matter. Just remember, always save a speed boost before finish and then use it. You will never be able to stay ahead of bosses so it's best to just do it before reaching the finish.

Enjoy

 

[Flabagast]

All evidence points to this being a big pile of turd, even for people interested in the series.

Of course Yakuza ultra hardcore fans will tell you that this is GOTY or whatever, but they say that every year so their opinion is literally absolutely worthless (it is like a FIFA or COD fan told you that their series was GOTY, sure mate we all believe you).

RGG Studio sûre needs to step up their game is they want to stay relevant in the future

 

[Mobile Suit Gooch]

I think I like this more than the last one.

 

[The Cockatrice]

All evidence points to this being a big pile of turd, even for people interested in the series.

Of course Yakuza ultra hardcore fans will tell you that this is GOTY or whatever, but they say that every year so their opinion is literally absolutely worthless (it is like a FIFA or COD fan told you that their series was GOTY, sure mate we all believe you).

RGG Studio sûre needs to step up their game is they want to stay relevant in the future

So you haven't played it or probably any game in the series. Good post. You clearly are an idiot.

 

[drganon]

Gave up again on the school story and just watched a YouTube video to see the ending. The robotics club isn't just the worst thing in the game, it's one of the worst things period.

Overall though, I'd give the a game a 9/10. Would've given it a 10 but some genius decided they needed to lock progress to another wise cool and big piece of content behind one of the worst minigames ever created.

 

[Reave]

All evidence points to this post being a big pile of turd, even for people interested in the series.

Fixed your post.

This game is great, and arguably better than the original game in terms of story and combat.

 

[Nankatsu]

All evidence points to this being a big pile of turd, even for people interested in the series.

Of course Yakuza ultra hardcore fans will tell you that this is GOTY or whatever, but they say that every year so their opinion is literally absolutely worthless (it is like a FIFA or COD fan told you that their series was GOTY, sure mate we all believe you).

RGG Studio sûre needs to step up their game is they want to stay relevant in the future

What have you been smoking man? Quit that shit.

Fixed your post.

This game is great, and arguably better than the original game in terms of story and combat.

Completely agree. The side content is miles better if you compare with the first one. For me it's a huge step up.

 

[plasmawave]

I'd say Lost Judgement is up their with RGG's best games.
Also it has one of the most interesting antagonists in some time.