ERASE YOUR PAST TO PROTECT YOUR FUTURE Once a legendary yakuza, Kazuma Kiryu faked his own death and abandoned his name for the sake of protecting his family. Now, he is thrust into conflict by a mysterious figure attempting to drive him out of hiding.
The game features a return to the real-time action combat that the Yakuza series is known for, as opposed to the turn-based RPG combat introduced in the previous mainline entry. Players take control of Kazuma Kiryu, who operates under the alias "Joryu", and can dynamically switch between two distinct fighting styles during combat.
Players can unleash powerful, aggressive attacks and combos by tapping into Joryu's incredible strength and martial arts prowess. This style focuses on brute force, allowing players to seamlessly chain together devastating strikes to take down hordes of enemies.
In addition to the classic Yakuza style, Joryu has access to an entirely new "Agent" fighting style. This style is more technical and precision-based, enabling players to utilize a variety of high-tech gadgets and tools to control the flow of battle. Weapons like electrified bind wires allow Joryu to stun opponents before launching them into the air for devastating air combos. The Agent style offers a more tactical approach to combat compared to the raw power of the Yakuza style.
Reviewers praise the fluidity and responsiveness of the combat, noting that it represents an improvement over previous Dragon Engine titles. The ability to seamlessly transition between Yakuza and Agent styles allows for a varied and engaging combat experience, with players able to adapt their approach to different situations.
One of the standout elements of the combat is Joryu's impressive crowd control capabilities. The Agent style in particular excels at managing large groups of enemies, with gadgets like the Hornet drone allowing Joryu to lock down and incapacitate foes. Reviewers highlight the satisfaction of effortlessly dispatching waves of enemies using the game's diverse combat mechanics.
A key gameplay activity is the Colosseum, where players can participate in structured battles against teams of enemies. These encounters offer an additional layer of strategy, as players must carefully construct their own team of fighters to take on increasingly challenging opponents. The Colosseum provides a compelling endgame grind for players seeking to master the game's combat systems.