New Super Lucky's Tale PS4 Review

 

New Super Lucky's Tale is a 3D platformer game for PS4, Switch, XBONE and PC which was developed and published by Playful Studios. 

It is a enhanced version of the 2017's original game, and it is a sequel to 2006's VR title Lucky's Tale for Oculus Rift.

First of all, this game is one of the first title that came out on both PCs and Consoles mainly focused on non-VR aspect, unlike the first game, which I think it is a smartest way to gain more audiences that fully preferred more on gaming home consoles over the VR headset.

The game is kinda just like the classic 3D platformer from the mid-90s with similar design and mechanics which reminds me of Super Mario 64 which is one of my all-time favourite N64 classics back in my days, so I am very glad to see the developer team wanted to make their own 3D platformer series to attract more attention to those who mainly loves the 3D platformer in general.

The original version that was exclusively for Microsoft platform including XBONE and PC released in 2017 had gained mostly average scores which the developer team was hoping for the game's success that sadly it didn't work out for them till they decided to enhanced the whole game making it a first title being featured for multiplatform releases including PS4 and Switch in between 2019 and 2020 had gained much better reception than the original and improved the overall sale figures which is likely believe this franchise had gained nearly 3 million players.

The enhanced version has fixed the issues that was found on the original including improved camera system, enhanced visuals, re-written plot, remixed levels, and all content from original game included which I believe they have acknowledged the original game's faults thanks to fan's feedback which is the reason it took 2 years to revamped the whole game making look entirely new from the original.

     

I had such fun of spending time playing this game because it feels like it's a reminiscent of classic era of 3D platformers since I've played stuff like Super Mario 64 and Banjo-Kazooie which I had a blast playing these stuff from my childhood days.

This game is somewhat pretty solid that has all the charm it's deserves featuring nicely animated presentation, lovable little protagonist, unique worlds filled with adventurous levels, great showdown with bosses, and solid controls, but some parts like the game's length, the actual difficulty, and overall replay values which I will explain further more on the review. 

So without go further do, let's start the review.

Presentation

The game starts off with Lucky's siblings and parents belonging to the Guardian Order who exist to protect the Book of Ages until the evil Jinx then betrayed the other Guardians to claim the book for himself causing Book of Ages reacts to Jinx's magic by pulling Lucky into the book which separates his older sister Lyra who struggled to save him. 

Lucky is now on a quest to find his way to reunite his family by collecting lost pages to reopen the portals to the other worlds within the book.

The opening story in the game is remarkably simple and easy to follow that involves the evil wizard, who are formally been a Guardian and close friend of Lucky's father, taking revenge on the Guardians after his world been vanished, leaving him and his children becoming the lone survivors which is the reason why he's plotting to capture not just only guardians, but Lucky been dragged into the Book of Ages as Lucky sets off his adventure to reclaim all the pages that been stolen by Jinx's villainous children dared to challenge him. 

I believe the idea of the story concept is kinda almost reminds me of how Gex the Gecko got dragged into TV station from Gex, then you have 4 college students being strucked into video game world from Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, and of course seeing Macaulay Culkin turned into cartoon like illustrations from Pagemaster which I liked the idea of having main characters being dragged into different worlds and their quest to find the way to return back at the real life world kinda worked pretty well in the game. 

Lucky as a little fellow in the game is quite lovable fox with big huge eyes and his swifty tail which also shares with his curious personality and being cutesy which I got to admit it's actually an decent looking character that could have been a another perfect video game mascot if the 2017's original version doing well on the Xbox platform which sadly did not happen after making decision to re-release the game as the expanded port on non-exclusivity platform instead.

Along with cool protagonist, it also has the cast of bosses such as Master Mittens the Ninja Cat, Tess the Tinker, General Buttons and his clumsy sidekick Lt. Fluffinstuff, Lady Meowmalade the Diva Cat, and lastly Jinx the big fat wizard are pretty solid in the game.

I do really appreciate the concept of the whole presentation that is almost just like the classic era of 3D platformer you're expecting from the game. It has 5 different worlds locations such as the floaty worlds of Sky Castle, the old country land of Veggie Village, the grand canyon of Wrestful Retreat, the sunny tropical of Gilly Island, the spooky nightmare of Hauntingham, and the relaxing hut of Foxington which is quite an appealing to look at during the exploration of both level portals area and in-game action. 

It also shares with really cool themes in each levels such as the old farm house, countryband concert, tropical beach area, disco dancefloor, man-made stone that moves, atlantic underground, sandy bridge site, carnival festival, choo-choo ghost train, and 80's retro-neon style stage.

Overall, it has good opening story, decent protagonist, and appealing level presentation.

Gameplay

You take control of Lucky in 3D platform perspective of world select which has locations of levels and puzzles to visit as you entered into portal that leads you into the main level where your goal is to collect many 4 missing pages per objectives such as obtaining hidden pages that can be found in secret areas, gather 300 coins as possible, collect 5 Lucky's letters can be located somewhere in level, and being able to complete the stage which rewards you with missing pages that are required to reach at the new areas.

You move Lucky around with the left thumbstick and using the right thumbstick to move camera that will help you to navigate around the area, and he has ability to double jump used for platforming play, swift attacking enemies with his tail, ground pounding objects, and being able to dug burrow underground.

There are many of hazardous environments and smaller enemies may attack you in some levels such as stinging bee shoots you with homing stinger, a scary looking flower can squash you like a pancake, canon shootouts ball of flames, bug can hurt you with charge attack, a huge-ass egg can roll into you, and try avoid touching hazardous stuff like moving flames and spikes, as well as falling into pits from folding panels.      

Each of the levels has different kinds of platforming segments that involves stuff like hitting switches to unlock sealed door, carrying your headless friend Geovanni safely at the finishing line, gather 3 chickens into farm-fence, recruiting 3 missing musician safely to concert, destroying sound equipment that hypnotising people, defeating many foes as possible resulting into next path, flip the coloured panels to get across through paths, and win many prize ticket to gain prize as reward.    

I also liked the segments in 2D side-scrolling levels such as changing the level dimension from foreground to background perspective, evading away from launch canon and hazards, and endless race through to the finishing line while collecting many coins and diamonds. 

The game also shares with cool puzzle-solving levels such as the underground segments where you need to place a matching statues into the correct spot and then you have marble puzzle game where you take control of Lucky inside the marble as your goal is to collect many coins as possible to complete the puzzle, then finally it also has small puzzle time attack such as collecting all coloured coins as possible in time limits which rewards you with the nice bonus such as extra lives, diamonds, and letters. 

So far, the rest of the levels are quite as fun which I had a blast of collecting many missing pages as possible to gain entry at the next area is just like playing good old retro-style 3D platformer. 

I love the design of the structures that is easier to explore around the levels while searching and collecting stuff in the game as well as discovering the hidden secrets area and solving puzzles that feels quite engaging to play especially having the whole level being re-designed for this version is also keeps the game look more refreshing and new at the same time.

I do find the game is ridiculously easy for most part such as the boss battle which is a good showdown, but it can get easily damaged after 3 hits as well as the rest of the stages are bit simplistic which is fine for younger players, but I don't think it will appeal to serious pro gamers which it could have been a bit better if the game comes with 3 difficulties options, and the game is rather short compared with any of 3D platformer games which only takes 5 to 6 hours to beat the game due to game only has 5 main worlds, so it would have been nice if they added 3 more worlds in the game to expand the game's length as well as adding some playable characters would benefit the game's replayability.                     

The best part in the game is the Foxington mini-game area where your task is to beat the challenging levels to obtain all the 16 medals which is a decent bonus being packaged in the game.

The gameplay mechanics controls pretty well for most part which I had no issue with controlling the character like being able to run around, double jumps, ground pounding, and dug burrow underground works pretty nicely in the game, so I am glad this version has fixed the camera controls that makes it easier to navigate the level's surrounding which really adds up the overall playability. 

Overall, it has great platforming segments, nicely made level's structures, cool puzzles, and decent controls. 

Graphics

The graphics is nicely redone which is a huge stepped up from the original version featuring a better use of colours details and lighting effects, the environmental level design is looking comical and appealing that made the whole area handles beautifully. The character's design is remarkably cute and adorable that made both heroes and villains look more recognisable throughout the game thanks to charming animation style, which the developer team did a great job on the overall game's design that appeals to the fans of the 3D platformer in general as well as the young children would liked these kinds of setting that fits perfectly for their taste. 

Overall, it has better colour details and lighting effects, comical level design, and adorable characters.

Music and Sounds

The game does have a solid soundtrack for most levels has a fair shares of both orchestrated as well with some catchy tunes. It sound like it came almost from typical Nintendo's platformers like a bit mix of Yoshi's Woolly World and Super Mario Galaxy crammed together which is kinda sounds awesome for most part and I also liked the sound design in every levels which is also has great use of atmospheric noises and actual in-game sound effects.

It did had the voice narration at the opening scene which is actually okay, but not perfect as any platformer game can do lot better when it comes for the character's voice.

Overall, it has solid soundtrack, impressive sound design, and fine voice narration. 

Special Features

The enhanced version packaged with all content from the original's DLCs such as 1 new world (via Gilly Island) and challenge mode (via Foxington) which is a nice bonus, but then again I wish they add 3 more world and some playable character could have been bit better.

It does have in-game unlockable costumes to pick your favourite outfit which is also nice too. 

Overall, fine content.

Advantages

Good overall presentation on levels

Cute and adorable protagonist 

                    

Great platforming gameplay with additional camera system           

Charming graphic design

     

Solid in-game soundtrack

Fine additional content

Disadvantages

Short length playthrough

Ridiculously easy to beat 

Small replayablity

Final Verdict

Presentation 8/10 - good opening story, decent protagonist, and appealing level presentation.

Gameplay 7/10 - great platforming segments, nicely made level's structures, cool puzzles, and decent controls.

Graphics 7.5/10 - better colour details and lighting effects, comical level design, and adorable characters.

Music and Sounds 8/10 - solid soundtrack, impressive sound design, and fine voice narration.

Special Features 7/10 - all content from the original's DLCs included and unlockable in-game costumes.

Overall 7.5/10 - We all know the original version is quite an misfortune at the beginning, but as a now re-released port with many enhancements and couple in-game content did give the game a second chance that is now becoming a charming 3D platformer that I actually enjoyed it because it's takes me back to my old days of retro gaming where I've spent more time of playing Super Mario 64 and Banjo-Kazooie on my N64. 

This game is surprisingly fun to play thanks to numerous of levels to playthrough, great playability for platforming and puzzles, charming graphic design of colours and design, and it's perfect for younger players will able to get a hands on with the game pretty well, so I am glad that the New Super Lucky's Tale feels more definitive than the 2017's original version thanks to improved camera system, re-designed levels, and additional enhanced visuals which really helps the game a lot. 

It's an overlooked 3D platformer title that could have deserved much love from those who grew up playing an particular genres, so I say it is a solid recommendation to all classic 3D platformer fans.

     

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Shenmue 3 PS4 Review

 

Shenmue 3 is a action-adventure title for PS4 and PC, which was developed by Ys Net and published by Deep Silver. It is a follow-up sequel to 2005's title Shenmue 2 which was originally released for SEGA Dreamcast and Xbox Original, and was later for re-released port in 2018 for PS4, XBONE and PC. 

It's been for 2 decade since I've played the first two of Shenmue titles because it is one of my favourite game that defining not just only the SEGA Dreamcast's own library, but also defining the legacy of Yu Suzuki, a creator behind his own series was very known for its his own successful SEGA's arcade classics that started in the mid-80's to early 90's such as the likes of Space Harrier, After Burner, Outrun, Hang On and of course Virtua Fighter.

The series was started out as the Virtua Fighter RPG which was intended to develop for SEGA's own 32-bit hardware such as SEGA Saturn, but the idea was completely dropped that led SEGA AM2 had shifted to Sega's upcoming console, as well as being renamed the title as Shenmue with completely different new connection that has nothing to do with SEGA's own 3D fighting game series.

It's one of the first title that the creator wanted to create an unique genre mixed with open-world style adventure, interactive quick time events, and brawler battling system, as well as introducing the newer elements such as numerous interactive objects, a day-and-night system, variable weather effects, non-player characters with daily schedules, and various minigames.

These two games had becoming critically praised at the release in both 2000 and 2001 which was credited for pioneering game systems including quick time events and open worlds, and had gained the cult following as being the greatest game of all-time. Despite with the positively, the series went into with development hell due to poor sales figures had led the creator aren't able to make another sequel till it was finally made an comeback when Yu Suzuki appeared at E3 2015 Sony's Press Conference had confirmed the third entry of the series for PC and PS4 through Kickstarter campaign. It finally met the main goal of $2 Million as well as managing to raise $6.3 million of additional stretch goal from over 69,000 backers, becoming the highest-funded video game in Kickstarter history at the time. 

Shenmue 3 finally got a release in holiday 2019 which I was originally intended to get a copy for PS4, but I wasn't able to get it till a year later after the game's release.

After being able to beat the whole game, did it live up to my expectations after the 20 years of long wait? the answer is that the game is considered as the decent entry in the series but not quite legendary as the previous two titles which I will discuss further more details on my review including some positives and negatives parts of the game.

So without go further do, let's start the review.

Presentation

The game sets after the event of Shenmue 2 which takes place in China. The story continues off with Ryo Hazuki has a quest to find his father's killer in the mountains of Guilin, as well as searching for Shenhua's missing father Yuan who worked as a stonemason in Shenhua's hometown of Bailu Village which was captured by group of thugs went looking for the phoenix mirror which Ryo has brought from his father's dojo.

I got to say the story in the game is still pretty good that involves an young man seeking his revenge on cold blooded killer named Lan Di, a leader of the Chinese mafia known as Chi You Men, who murdered his father Iwao Hazuki and retrieved Dragon Mirror that has already happened in the event of the first game which is the reason why the opening intro of the first game had caught my attention to keep continuing the ongoing quest throughout the sequels.

In this game, you had Ryo and his friend Shenhua, who already discovered a large mural of the magical mirrors in Stone Quarry from second game, went out to search for her missing father that was being captured by groups of thugs, which is likely believed that they are also working with the Chi You Men, went after for Phoenix Mirror that Ryo had carries. 

As the story continues, it also learns that Ryo had discovered the history behind the mirrors that been linked to the local Verdant Bridge, constructed to honor the visit of a Chinese envoy which is really interesting to know everything about what was the mirror created for and why any of gangs went after it? that kept the story quite mysterious.

Ryo Hazuki is still a kick ass fighter that did a tons of forklifting job, gambling at game of lucky hit, playing favourite arcades classics, collecting toy capsules, and went out finding for sailors is what made me liked him a lot, so now you are spending time to chop out some woods, practicing horse stance, and chasing after chickens which is kinda cool. 

Aside with his outside job, I really liked his ambitious motivation when it comes with practicing kung fu and chances to battle with the bigger gang that is harder to defeat is what builds up his confidence and I also liked his relationship with Shenhua with friendly personality is what makes the characters also important as part of the game during the conversation between two. It's good to talk about the topics like their family history, the locations in Home Village, and some advices that really adds up the overall friendship. 

I'm also surprised to see an returning character Ren which you might know him from the second game who is also bit of jerk sometimes, but it's good to see him teaming up with Ryo once again during the quest.

Aside with great heroic characters, the game fair shares with some okays new villain such as Longqi Ge and Yanlang are the only redeeming two villains in the game except the small supportive gangs, but it wasn't good as the returning villain such as Lan Di which shares with his shadowy martial arts style which made him quite deadly and then you have Chai up to trouble again which I'm quite surprised to see his return since he first appeared from the first original game.

The presentation in this game is surprisingly gorgeous in both locations such as Bailu Village which took place in Guilin. It has beautifully scenery of outside view which filled with blossom trees, green fields, blue rivers, hills and mountains, cloudy sunrise, dojo temple, village shops, bridges, and bell tower which is very calming place to discover what the village is really like in Guilin. Then you have Niaowu which is slightly big looking places filled with hotel, food market, valuable pawn shops, fishing port, small warehouse, fight club, arcades and gambling, outside restaurants and of course the big huge temple which is quite amazing to explore around the town. 

I also liked the dynamic use of environmental system in the game which the series are also credited for utilizing the real-time day and night system where it slowly turns daylight into night sky depending on the time system during open-world gameplay.

Overall, it has good storyline, impressive cast of characters, gorgeous locations view, and great real-time environmental system.

Gameplay

You take control of Ryo in open-world environment in which your main goal is to complete the each of these tasks that's been written on the notepad, so you will start investigating with NPCs to find out the info that was linked to stuff like Shenhua's missing father or group of thugs whereabouts. Sometime it's takes awhile to get used too depending on which people can able to give you a information for newer clues or some other may not able to know what you're asking a question, so once you get the information from people then the newer clues can be added to your notebook so you can able to go specific places that the clues been written on the notebook such as taking down gang leader in Bailu Village which requires practicing powerful kung fu attacks as well as gathering a info from them during the interrogation.

The clues are also involved with puzzle solving such as finding important items that can be found at different rooms, so you can able to find key items by interacting the objects such as drawers, closets, boxes, cabinets and shelves.

The game also involved with fighting gangs which can be played on different sequences such as QTE events where the command buttons can be appeared on the screen as the player has to quickly press the correct command button to avoid accidental during the fight sequence as well as chase sequence, so if the button been pressed incorrectly which leads into epic fail sequences in the game so you had to start back from the beginning.

Then you will have battle segment where you fight off against them similar to 3D fighting game, so you have basic punches and kicks to attack them, while the game added the block button which helps you deflecting against the enemy's attack. 

Aside fighting with the enemies, it's one of the first game that has level up skills system where you can practice at the training dojo to master your kung fu skills depending on how many technique scrolls you obtained from the martial arts shops, so mastering these moves can level up your overall fighting style which allows you to beat the enemy lot easier for later battles and you can also master your endurances by performing horse stance and rooster step which upgrades your health capacity for long lasting health points.           

Speaking of health, your health points normally drops down slowly when running around the towns or practicing at dojo so you will need to buy a item that can increase your health points such as fruit and veg from food stand, drinks from vending machine, and medicine from store clinic.

 

The gameplay is fairly okay for some parts which I believe the development team are trying to add something new element that the previous games did not have, so I find controlling the player and camera system in open-world area is done quite smoothly that I can able to walk and look around in some places in towns as well as being able to interacting with the items and objects on first-person view is much easier to navigate things which is good, but there are some problem with the battle combat and QTE sequences that is little step back compared with the previous two games. The fighting system is kinda bit clunky to perform the various of moves which it will take sometime to get used with the fighting controls and it's kinda bummer that it didn't include the ability to throw enemies on the ground, running around, and using sidestep like from the previous two games, but it wasn't that bad as you may think because I really liked how the game has the ability to add and upgrade your fighting moves and health points is quite a nice addition thanks to training places and I also liked having to customise your move scrolls which is also quite useful before you are fully prepared for later battle.  

I got to say the QTE command input is poorly executed compared with the previous two games because it's felt very difficult to react the button sequence, so it felt like they adjusted the speed of the QTE sequence quite faster than the lighting which makes our react speed slower than the QTE itself. It made the player quite frustrating if they aren't able to master the QTE system which is the reason not to make the game so difficult to play.

Besides the fighting system and QTE sequences, the rest such as social jobs and gambling mini-games are actually pretty decent for most part such as chopping woods and forklift work is the best way to earning the wages which you can save these money for purchasing stuff from various of shops and I got to say the game of lucky hit is fun ways of gambling which helps you earning enough tokens so you can spend tokens on valuable prizes which you can sell it to pawn shops for earning enough higher savings. 

The game does have a decent list of objectives especially with the main quest is pretty straightforward filled with great investigation and puzzles are mostly the main highlight of the game had it right so far and this game also introduces the smaller side quest which is another nice feature to the game itself that keeps the fans satisfied with the newer addition. 

Overall, clunky fighting system and poor QTE sequences, but shared with decent open-world design, smooth player's controls, and various of objectives.                           

             

Graphics

The graphics is remarkably impressive for the whole presentation side. The weather effects is looking amazing with the use of detailed clouds, real-time system on day and night skies, and sharp looking sunlight, while the overall environmental design shared with great water rendering, smoother textures on buildings and objects, and animated particles of trees and grass is quite amazing to look, but I do find the facial animation on the characters is rather stiff looking during lip syncing which could have done it bit better, and I also wanted to point out some minor loading textures in some areas during the exploration that can only happen rarely just for less than 2 seconds which is not big of the deal, but I do appreciate with the design element in the game that the developer are trying to push the boundaries of the hardware to make the game look appealing as possible.

Overall, stiff facial animation and minor loading textures, but shares with impressive real-time weather effects, and great environmental design.

Music and Sounds

The original soundtrack still retains the same orchestrated style as the previous games which feels just like Shenmue as you expected. I really liked the mix sounding of villages and city which perfectly fits well on Chinese culture aspects, as the whole soundtrack was composed by Ryuji Luchi who has previously worked on his score for Shenmue 2 did a stunning job of creating his best track to date.

It also shares with great use of environmental sound effects that is so nicely done in both locations featuring outside background noises. 

I got to say the voice cast in the game is rather mixed bag compared with previous games. 

It was fine for characters like Ryo, Shenhua, and Ren which is sounds just like from the previous title except I'm bit disappointing on mostly NPCs as well as the several of villains especially Lan Di doesn't sounded as same it was before, so yeah I do really missed his sinister voice from the first game sadly. 

I don't really mind having a Japanese voice over in the game which is far more better than the cringy English dub which you might want to stick with the Japanese dub instead.

Overall, cringy English voice, but also has incredible soundtrack and rock-solid sound design.

Special Features

The game does have 3 paid DLC contents such as story pack comes with additional side quest, big merry cruise filled with many gambling games to play and many prizes to win, and battle rally where you had to race through the village to the finishing line as well as beat up the enemy along the way. 

The GAME places which is the location where you get to play some mini-games such as the returning QTE title 2 and Excite QTE 3, but it's a shame that the game sadly doesn't include the favourite SEGA arcade games like Space Harrier, Outrun, After Burner, and Hang-On, instead you'll end up playing with the generic stuff like miracle shooter, nice golf, whack a mole, smart ball, highway star, and Chobu Chan fighter which I finding it quite lackluster, so I rather play a game of lucky hit and spent chopping some woods than wasting time on these things.

Overall, it's not as bad but not great.

Advantages

Good story and characters

Gorgeous presentation

Decent open-world design

Various of objectives

Impressive real-time weather effects 

Great environmental graphics

Incredible soundtrack

Fun social jobs activities and gambling mini-games 

Disadvantages

Clunky fighting system

Poor QTE sequences

Stiff facial animation

Cringy English dub

Lacking SEGA arcades

Final Verdict

Presentation 8.5/10 - good storyline, impressive cast of characters, gorgeous locations view, and great real-time environmental system.

Gameplay 6.5/10 - clunky fighting system and poor QTE sequences, but shared with decent open-world design, smooth player's controls, and various of objectives.

Graphics 7.5/10 - stiff facial animation and minor loading textures, but shares with impressive real-time weather effects, and great environmental design.

Music and Sounds 7.5/10 - cringy English voice, but also has incredible soundtrack and rock-solid sound design. 

Special Features 6/10 - Lacks SEGA Arcades, but does have 3 paid DLC packs.

Overall 7/10 - As I grew up playing the previous two games for SEGA Dreamcast as well the HD collection on PS4, this game is not quite as legendary as you might expected, but it's still a decent overall game that aren't as bad as many says.

I don't really understand their disappointment on the sequel which the developer team had kept the promise to bring back the franchise from the dead and delivering the whole Shenmue experience for fans that they been begging for years since the Shenmue 2's cliff-hanger ending, but I understand the whole Kickstarter funding isn't enough to make such quality action-adventure that the cult following series was very known for its innovative design elements and cinematic story back in early 2000s, but please give this game a chance because it is being faithful to the original franchise for its real-time environmental system, decent open-world design, various of objectives including puzzle-solving and investigation, participating the social jobs, and spending free time on mini-games which is pretty good, but I wish the fighting system, QTE sequences, facial animation, and English voice acting could have done something better doesn't mean everything is bad overall.

I know the sales figures isn't good on the PC platform due to one-year exclusivity of Epic Games Storefront as opposed to Steam Storefront came out year later resulted a weak overall sales compared with PS4 release which is kinda shame for Ys Net was hoping for the future next installment. 

Despite the game has some flaws and out of luck sales, I am very glad the game is existed because it's the reason we want the franchise making a comeback. 

I had a blast of playing the game over 20 hours of non-stop training, lifting up boxes with forklift, chopping down pile of woods, chasing chickens around, collecting toy figurine from capsules, playing various of gambling games, and battling with the ranked kung fu fighters is what made this game quite special and I do really appreciate with the storylines and characters as well as the whole presentation and graphic design are also a main highlight of the title which leaves this game an most underrated experience that could deserve a much love and appreciate.

I say this game is only just for the fans which is difficult to impress the newcomer of the series, so I'm hoping for Ys Net to make a better sequel in future because this franchise is not yet finished till we able to see how the Ryo's revenge saga finally ends to conclude the whole series, so that being said I still liked the game.  

                      

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Yakuza 6: The Song of Life PS4 Review

 

Yakuza 6: The Song of Life is a Action-Adventure game originally for PS4 in 2018, and then was later confirmed for the PC and XBONE release in late March 2021, along with Yakuza Remastered Collection on late January 2021 as well which I've already covered the game for PS4 last month before it was revealed for Xbox Game Pass and Steam platform. It was developed by Ryu Ga Gotaku Studio and published by SEGA.

After finishing my review on Yakuza Remastered Collection, I'm finally going to review this game that I will talk about the positives and negatives parts in the game because it is a last great entry of the whole series to conclude the saga of the Kazuma Kiryu as a main protagonist of the series.

I am impressed with the story writing, the characters, the combat system, and the graphic design which is the positive parts, while I will discuss some disadvantages parts in the game later on the review.

So without go further do, let's start the review.

Presentation

The game takes place three years later after the event of Yakuza 5. It involves Kazuma Kiryu, who fully recovered from hospital as well as being released from spending in three years of prison, wanted to discover the truth about the hit and run incident that left his adoptive daughter Haruka into coma and learns that she has a infant son Haruto in which he, unsure whether Haruka will recover from her injuries, made his promise to protect him from one of the Yomei Alliance's gangs had planned to kidnap the baby, as well as searching for baby's lost father linked to Haruka.

He also learned that his two of his fellow Daigo Dojima and Goro Majima from previous entries were wrongly arrested for the Little Asia burning incident, six months prior to his release, which is the reason why Kiryu himself went on the investigation to find out who was responsible for burning down the town of Little Asia that framed two members of Tojo Clan, as well as preventing the continuous gang conflict between Saio Triads and Tojo Clan. 

This game has well story written which covers with many surprising plot-twists, backstory, revealing secrets, and many mysteries that involves devastating events that has affected the clan family dealing with their gang rivalries that has threaten to destroy their family clan's life.

The story that focuses on Haruka's disappearance before hit and run incident, the search for the lost father of infant son, and confronting those who attacked Little Asia creating gang wars is what made the game got my attention. 

Kazuma Kiryu is one of my favourite protagonist in entire series still kicking everyone asses is what I liked about him. In this game, he is very humble when it comes with kids especially with caring with the Haruka's baby is what made the game quite important. 

Its one of the first game that included real-life actors that did such an amazing performance such as Takeshi Kitano, Shun Oguri, Hiroyuki Miyasako, Tatsuya Fujiwara, and Yoko Maki had really nailed their role that they looked really perfect on the cutscenes using the on-screen capture technology.

You have their supportive characters like crazy-ass gangster wannabes Tsuyoshi Nagumo, the young handsome Yuta Usami, the mature bartender lady Kiyomi Kasahara, the old-calming boss Toru Hirose, and the respected anti-villain Takumi Someya. 

The overall design of cinematic sequences is just fantastic to watch because it feels like watching a crime drama TV series mixed with non-stop action films is what made the in-game cutscenes very appealing. I also liked the dialogue between the characters is adding the in-depths of the storyline which is great, but I think they overdone it with the overall lengths of dialogue and scenes which is about 30 mins in some scenes are kinda bit long to watch, but it doesn't mean it made the story went out of place because I still appreciate with their story writing is still quite a top-notch overall.       

    

I got to say I really liked the locations of Tokyo which is just basically same as the previous entries as it still has the cool places like restaurants, pubs, dance clubs, karaoke, Club SEGA, convenient stores, streets, parks, and city towers, while Hiroshima is more of the small towns with some places like yacht boat, beaches, tiny buildings, cemeteries, and worship places which I finding it ridiculously small to explore compared with Tokyo has many things to discover, but I still liked the look of the presentation they put in the game.

Overall, it has outstanding story, amazing characters, stunning cinematic design, and overall presentation.

           

                         

              

Gameplay

Similar to previous game, your goal is to complete the mission throughout the story scenario which can be marked with the pink symbols on the map screen.

You get to run around the city to discover places you want to go, while you may be encountered by groups of thugs which forcing you to fight them in beat em ups segments.

You have the health bar and heat power bar at the top-left corner which representing character's health and heat specials.

You have basic weak attack, harsh strong attack, and grabbing attack are mainly used for attacking on opponents. The weak attack are pretty much quicker to attack enemies, while the strong attack can also perform much of the heavy damage as you can make the amount of combos attack by mashing these two buttons in different combination which allows the character to perform more variety of moves depending on the stats of your character's fighting upgrades.

Grabbing the opponent which allows you to throw them into grounds or beat the shit of them with the bare fists while grabbing them.

You can also pick up these objects to attack them such as trash bins, bicycles, boxes, and other random stuff, while you can also use weapons such as swords, knives, and firearms which are very useful for combat battles allowing the player to defeat the enemies much quicker.

After filling up your heat bar which allows you to perform much punishable moves on the sequences such as breaking their backbones against the wall, bashing their heads with small crates, stomping their faces, and pressing their jaws off so hard with the hands or feet in brutal way.

Defeating the opponents off or beating the missions will reward you with these coloured tokens which can be used for upgrading your character's ability such as player's strengths, styles, heat action, and social life which really helps improving your healths, defense, fighting moves, and some lifestyle stuff like digestion levels and hunger capacity which really motivates the player to boosting up the player's stats to become a better fighter.

Besides the story mission, you can also do the side-story depending on which area you went on.

There are 51 side-mission to complete such as helping Haruka's fan to buy merchandise, a strange girl who leapt through time, a two student that switched bodies, joining with baseball team, giving old man helping hands for spearfishing, and many random side-adventures to discover. The game also introduces trouble missions which is another side-task just like side-missions, so it involve stuff like calming baby Haruto, finding woman's missing child, tracking down pickpocketer that stole money, and others which you can able to access the mission by using the phone apps via Troublr.

Clan Creator is kinda like castle defense game where you take control of groups of your mens to fight against the rivalry gangs in strategy RPGs style requires levelling up several of employees to improve their skills such as HP, attack, and defense.

During the free time, you can visit any places in the city such as convenience store where you can purchase the variety of items that allows you to increase your health and heat bar which is handy for the later missions.

The restaurant or fast food is the place you can enjoy eating the amount of food and drinks which also rewards you just the same as defeating the opponents or beating the missions, but it is also extremely limited which you will need to keep an eye on hunger level which took time to digest slowly so use it wisely when ordering the food.

You can also enjoy the activities like Karaoke, baseball, batting cages, darts, mahjong, spearfishing, gym, and of course many SEGA arcade classics like Virtua Fighter 5: Final Showdown, Space Harrier, Outrun, Super Hang-On, Fantasy Zone, and Puyo Puyo which I got to say this game definitely has the best selection of SEGA classics. 

I am very glad with the game had turned out quite well thanks to countless of epic story missions, solid fighting system, and several of strangely fun side-missions which is a main highlight of the whole game that the Yakuza fans can able to enjoy themselves, but I do think the location of Hiroshima is ridiculously small compared with the city of Tokyo which I fully understand it is suppose to be smaller town, but the issue is that it didn't had much of the visiting places as you normally can do in Tokyo has way many things to visit in the game. 

Overall, it has epic story missions, solid fighting system, and fun side-missions.

Graphics

The game does have the better looking graphics over the previous games because it is one of the first game to utilise all new Dragon Engine which features a stunning results of game's clean textures, great use of draw-distances, colourful special effects, realistic looking environmental visuals, amazing level structures of open-world area, and the best of all the character's animation with fantastic lip syncing and facial technology felt like a human being which is the reason the game has well builted graphical design that looked very impressive for the PS4 hardware standards.

I got to love the gruesome parts on the finishing animation where I liked to see their faces get busted in slow-motion, while it has a bloody special effects on most of the cutscenes where these guys get stabbed to death is definitely looked brutal for action-adventures genres.

Overall, it has clean textures, great use of draw-distances, colourful special effects, realistic looking environmental visuals, amazing level structures of open-world area, and fantastic character's animation.

Music and Sounds

The original soundtrack is just as brilliant as the previous entry that keeps you more pumped for crazy Yakuza action, while there are some darker tone music that fits well on the cinematic scenes for atmospheres and mood.

The sound effects are pretty sounds good for most part with crowded noises in the city and has sharp sounds on guns and knives effects while the Japanese voice cast especially with the real-life actors that I have mentioned on the presentation segment made a wonderful performance that nails their character's role.

Overall, it has brilliant soundtrack and incredible voice performance.

Special Features

The game does shares with new game plus and premium adventure for replay values, and some DLCs such as free costumes and paid super rare cards for clan creator. The best of the feature that physical copy have is the "essence of art edition" which has several of the fan art illustrations booklet is looked very artistic and amazing to look through pages featuring very stylish art book.    

Overall, a solid overall features.

Advantages

Outstanding story and characters

Epic story and side missions

Solid fighting system

Fantastic visuals

Brilliant soundtrack

Incredible voice performance

Cool content

Disadvantages

Overdone cutscene lengths

Area of Hiroshima has limited exploration

 

Final Verdict

Presentation 9/10 - outstanding story, amazing characters, stunning cinematic design, and overall presentation.

Gameplay 9/10 -  epic story missions, solid fighting system, and fun side-missions.

Graphics 9/10 - clean textures, great use of draw-distances, colourful special effects, realistic looking environmental visuals, amazing level structures of open-world area, and fantastic character's animation.

Music and Sounds 9/10 - brilliant soundtrack and incredible voice performance.

Special Features 8/10 - new game plus, premium adventure, and some DLCs such as free costumes.    

    

Overall 9/10 - I am so happy to finally finished the whole Kiryu's saga, so what you get from this game is the well-written storyline, memorable cast of characters, great single player mission, and has many epic Yakuza action is what made the game a very last great entry in the series featuring original protagonist. 

Just love spending time brawling around the city, sing karaoke, playing mini-games, grab something to eat and drink, and having to walk around with the baby just made my experience quite positive overall that SEGA had never been disappointing which proves that the developer team behind the whole franchise did a remarkable job for keeping up with the series well over 15 years since this franchise had started back in mid-2000s.

To conclude with this game, this is definite recommended to those who likes the mix of crime-drama action-adventure is a solid must buy on PS4, but you can also get this game on PC (via Steam) as well as the XBONE (via Xbox Game Pass) which these two re-releases will be available on this late March 2021.  

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