Lost Judgment
Like a dragon? Love this…
You didn’t think Takayuki Yagami was finished, did you? The disgraced-lawyerturned-private-detective is back, and ready to serve up his own brand of justice once again. This time he’s going to reach beyond the limits of the law in a new case that’ll push him beyond his own boundaries – or at least out of Tokyo’s Kamurocho and into Yokohama.
That’s right, Yagami is heading across the bay to investigate within the setting of Yakuza: Like A Dragon. He’ll be able to travel freely back and forth between the new destination and Kamurocho.
There’s nothing wrong with reusing locations. In fact, Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio is the master of it, and has recontextualised and evolved locales over the Yakuza series to the point that regular players know the streets like they’re their own turf.
COBRA KAI
Where Yakuza: Like A Dragon took the series in a turn-based direction, the Judgment series is carrying on the beat-’em-up encounters. Once again teaming up with his partner, ex-Yakuza Masaharu Kaito, Yagami isn’t afraid to use his martial arts prowess to get results. Switching fighting styles on the fly, his combat feels his own, and the new Snake style – built around deflecting attacks – adds nuance to scraps.
The first game had some ropy-yet-fun detective mechanics that appear to have evolved here, including parkour moves to get around the bustling city, and a coin toss right out of Agent 47’s briefcase. This time in classic detective style Yagami will need to go undercover in a school, solving sub-mission School Stories to help the students find their way in life. As usual, expect serious crime drama peppered with some truly laugh-out-loud goofiness.
IMPRESSIONS
It’s great to see Judgment getting a sequel so soon, and for RGG to finally be targeting a worldwide release date for a game. Case closed: we’re excited.