@1georgekitchen yes I'm 32 and I'm so glad I just found out about this game! I'm also very happy with FF16 having adult characters. I don't want to play teen characters.
“uM aCtUaLlY iTs BaSeD oN dRaGoN qUeSt” In all seriousness, it’s kinda weird seeing Persona 5 Strikers (an action RPG Persona game) and Yakuza: Like a Dragon (a turn-based RPG Yakuza game) existing at the same time
The gta games and the yakuza games are a prime example of why im so envious of America and japan when it comes to video games Like i wish my country had such a thriving videogame industry so i could indulge in some local and relatable content like this
I do really appreciate Kasuga as a protagonist, so many modern Male Heroes are incredibly bland action heroes, but Kasuga is someone who is just unapologetically positive and it really does help make him someone I want to see succeed and he's just so easy to root for.
@@eurothug4000 I did! Very thorough breakdown of all the mechanics/themes with the consistently personal touch stopping things from ever becoming dry. Great work!
I appreciate that you took a moment to comment on Ichiban's age and the way it plays into his story. Being a gamer who is in Ichiban's age range, that part early on when he and Nanba resolve to turn their lives around and make a fresh start hit me pretty deeply.
Okay disclaimer I love Kiryu as a main character. But I love Ichiban so much more due to just how expressive and funny he is on his own rather than just the situations he gets into. Like Kiryu is goofy in the side stories but Ichiban is goofy in the main story and it still works
I feel it's because Ichiban's able to be himself at the moment, he copes using his imagination and his friends who are always around. Kiryu's "Dragon of Dojima" is basically a persona he uses to make sure everyone he loves are protected and that his emotions are in check, when the deeds are actually done he can be himself around everybody. Unfortunately, Kiryu's Dragon dreams (what he mentions to Kazuma in 0) becoming a reality meant abandoning the dream of a normal life so that nobody gets hurt. Most of his friends are away and can't come back or in the thick of it with him but not the comforting he needs. Short version? Ichiban is basically Kiryu without the big burden of being everybody's hero weighing in and dragging his happiness down yet. I mean did you see Ichi in the second half nearly imploding because he isn't used to controlling his emotions like Kiryu and then being absolutely obliterated when he tried fighting him with no self control? Ichiban only started down his road. Kiryu had a massive headstart but, depending on how you read his appearance in 7, is never done walking that road until he drops or gives up.
You make a comment early on about the non-interactable buildings, and I found myself going "But that's just just like real life!" I walk past dozens of restaurants, shops, and businesses daily that I've never even considered going into. They may as well not even have doors, yet there's something about having that option to enter in reality that makes virtual environments feel so constrained. Seeing Japan portrayed in fiction so frequently made it feel like this far-off place that I'd never really see or wouldn't be how I'd imagined it, but having come to Japan it's been magical how spot-on games like Persona 5 and Yakuza are. I can't help but wonder if people who live in these places have that same experience of realized fiction or if it's a completely different experience for them.
Seeing a real space you've spent a lot of time in be recreated in a virtual setting is bizarre. Indie horror game Cry of Fear takes place in Stockholm, Sweden, and there were many times I looked around and said "wait, I've been here" as I spent a lot of time in and around Odenplan for school, and work later in my life. It really elevated my experience to something extra as I wanted to see how faithfully recreated everything was.
Ichiban's "hair cut" looks like something from Akira Toriyama (DBZ) who does the character designs for Dragon Quest. It's spiked look can also be attributed to spikey hair of shonen protagonists in-general. Obvious Cloud relation. The final boss in the original Dragon Quest is a blue dragon. Final boss in this game (the one that actually puts up a fight) has a blue dragon tattoo. Nanba learned how to run from Cid Highwind. The reason why you have to go back to Hello Work each-time to change jobs is from DQ3 and other titles in which you would have to travel to the abbey to change "vocations" Honk. Honks = Puff Puffs. An enemy screwing up a hammer attack where they fall over backwards is straight out of any Dragon Quest game with Hammerhoods. Ichiban's resurrection hero skill that has a 50% chance of working is basically Zing. Enemies in safes are Mimic's. Enemies have puns for names. Red eyes on enemies is directly from DQIX. Ichibans first hero weapon is a wooden bat. Like wooden swords as a starter weapon from.... I forgot what series.
The wooden bat as a starting weapon for ichiban is a reference to another jrpg being Earthbound/Mother 2 where the main protagonist ness starts off with a bat as a weapon and not to mention most of the weird side stories could also be jabs at this cult classic as well as previous yakuza titles
i love whenever a new eurothug vid hits cuz then i can immediately add it to my watch later, saving it for later knowing this is an event unlike any other. a proper dinner or drink is needed for optimal viewing!!!
I completed it 3 months ago and I've been thinking about it since then on a daily basis. I can't help it. Didn't play anything else since then neither, knowing for sure none other game on the market will blown my mind and deeply mark me out like it did. It was my very first Yakuza btw. I'm glad to see I'm not the only one to pay adoration to it. It's really a remarkable game, in my top 5 (and I play for 35 years now).
36:41 I will always love that line, "You can't force people to be like you". Yakuza Game Franchise will always be a Action, Drama, and Comedy genre for me.
What an absolutely beautiful tribute to Yakuza: Like A Dragon. I love how you not only celebrate its brilliance and the joy that the game gives, but also appropriately hold it to task on its shortcomings. Still, one of the best games of 2020 and this is easily one of the finest videos on it. Excellent job, Maria. 10/10.
Just wow, this was a great video and a great breakdown on Like a Dragona and Yakuza as a whole, Saturday evening well spent :) I look forward to your next video.
Your End + Outro section really hit it's mark with me, because I felt the same way but didn't know how to articulate it as well as you did. Really great and earnest video
the way u got into this series is exactly how i got into it as well. i bought this game at an impulse then realized theres so many references, backstory and callbacks to the previous games that i had to stop my playthrough at chapter 9 and truly experience it all chronologically. so i bought all the games on sale and started with like a dragon 0. i absolutely fell in love with everything i was experiencing and this is EASILY my favorite game series/franchise of all time. i just finished like a dragon 7 and i remembered that i didnt complete ur video cause i didnt want any spoilers so here i am again. love ur video so much!! i share the same love for this game!!
You concluded exactly how I felt finishing this for the first time. I wasn't sad because of the plot end of the game, I was sad because through the entire story I was gripped and held into it, through the drama and intrigue and chaos, and then it told me that it was all over. I have high hopes for Yakuza 8 and the continued story of Ichiban and I can only wish that the story will continue to have that effect on me.
i never really played a yakuza game before, this was my first one aswell. the credits are rolling on the second monitor and im absolutely baffled and speechless. this game was beyond amazing, i loved every bit of it. now im going to play the other games and just handle it all like im watching a prequel to a movie :D i totally understand what you mean with this video.
I've been looking for a good video on this since I beat it. Thank you so much for giving such a good reflection piece. It def helped highlight the themes this story tells and strengthen my love for this game even more.
28:52. Hot damn, it hasn't even been 10 seconds. I love the wildly exaggerated homage to pulling the Master Sword from the pedestal and how perfectly references to other games fit into the game to excentuate Ichiban's love for games, while working so perfectly as a cheeky wink to those in the audience who play the same sorts of games as Ichiban.
I just finished this game and for a bit of context my dad passed away this year in a freak accident. I've never emotionally connected with a protagonist like this before. Infinite Wealth is installing right now.
This video came up in my YT feed just after I had played through my first PS5 playthrough (my PS4 save files didn’t transfer over). Ichiban’s story really sticks with me now since I just went through a life shakeup in my later 30s including a move and relying on friends to restart my life. Glad to see such a dedicated analysis of this great game.
I'm so glad to be playing through the Yakuza series, but at the same time it's upsetting because I won't be able to watch this, let's be honest, probably amazing video until I'm done with them. I swear I'll come back when I'm done, Euro. 5/2/24 I'm back~ Took **looks at watch** almost three years, but I did it. And yes, you were right. The game _is_ peak.
i think one of the things that hindered Eri's implementation into the main story proper is that her name and likeness are a fictionalized version of the actress portraying her. The real Eri Kamataki was a contest winner who, along with the other romance options aside from Saeko, all won a contest to be featured in the game. That makes it harder to establish a bigger character when the actor playing them is in all likelihood not going to appear in future entries. Does that mean her lack of presence isn't felt? Of course not, she's been a mainstay in my party and it frustrates me that we don't see more of her in cutscenes, but I get why they couldn't do more with her.
it was disheartening by they tried and they did impart one thing that made her stand out Eri is kind of a screw up (Russian roulette was fuuuuuuunnnn.)
its so funny that eri is one my most used party member because of her really good early crrowd control skills and she is just not present in any of the story stuff
This was an outstanding documentary of one of the best games I have played in recent memory. I love this game! You hit everything, and more, of why this game resonated so much. This was my first Yakuza game, and I was very intrigued by the turn-based RPG. I too left Japan awhile back, and started initially playing this to just reminisce, but was hooked with a deep story and much deeper characters populating this story. I love the details that you pointed out that many folks who never been in Japan may have miss (such as the perfect recreation of a konbini). Just great excellent work here! Thank you (as Kasuga-san would say if you heal him in battle)!
Just got to finish a game and have so many feelings for few days now. Like want some closure, and this video certainly did. It's such an experience to be able to play this game. You totally have an exact feeling as mine and I'm glad to know that!
To be fair the meaning of money is nailed both in Y0 and Y7. Y0 takes place in the bubble Economy with ridiculous amounts of money. Probably even has a lot to do with Inflation. The other Yakuza game that captured poverty like Y7 was Y5 when you played as Shinada a washed out Ex Baseball player who had many debts but was able to get by with his Nightlife journalism.
I adore this game and love your analysis. Literally teared up when the outro music played again (and on seeing some scenes again), which goes to show how much you get invested in these characters and the world as you play. As a side note: I will say, even though i hadn’t played previous Yakuza games, they really hyped up returning characters to the point where I just knew they had to have been in old games.
The portion of your video where you talk about the environments really speaks to me, as a good friend of mine has always said that you get to be a virtual tourist of these games. I too have to admit that I've gone in first person mode and checked out the products in the convenience stores! Such a fun way to experience the game!
I love that game so much. Characters are perfect. And the end destroyed me. I have a stone heart, but the end is moving, I cried all the night after finishing the game.
Wow, this is so much work and really a way of really showing your feelings towards a game, kind of unique if you tell me, people often just tell why they liked the game not how the game made them like it
This video was so good, your analysis is spot on!! As i was playing this i imagined how would a newcomer take this game, it's such a distinct story from the others, it's great to see a thought out essay from someone whose first major exposure was through 7. I love the story in this game, ichiban is so emotional and genuine and he drives the tone somewhere completely different than kiryu usually would. They're both good characters, but ichiban is instantly more relatable and outspoken about his values, while kiryu's most personable moments have been in optional substories, and in the main games has a huge lone wolf complex. Also I loved your observation about his friends boosting him up into ryo's bus so much. fun fact about eri kamataki is that she's played by... eri kamataki. She's a real person that won an audition to be in the game, which i guess is why she has such a limited place in the game and is omitted from the main story? But it would be great to have a 2nd female party member that was actually involved in the plot (seong hui would be amazing) The series was always amiss with major female characters imo (sayama in y2 starts strong but her arc gradually drifts down), and while i don't think the series will ever stop being about masculinity, the tone of this game makes me think the ichiban saga has potential wrt the female cast. being able to fight as a woman that had main stakes in the plot for the first time was great, and i hope we get to play other kinds of female MCs (again sega. let me be badass mob boss lady)
I've finished Like a Dragon after playing the previous entries and I loved hearing your thoughts about Like a Dragon! Ichiban definitely stands tall as his own character and they nailed making a new protagonist that feels fresh and is also very endearing. Beginning to play this series almost 2 years ago was definitely the best decision
You can just feel the love and dedication that placed on this game. It's been a while since, at least myself, had played a game with such a positive vibe and wholesome as Kasuga is, and yet being such a complex individual. I hope we can get some more of Kasuga and the gang in the future
Same! So many games nowadays come out buggy or rushed or made with very poor writing and direction. Not sure if its a testament to Japanese devs in general, but rgg has always nailed every game they've made and improved upon each entry. This in particular ticks every box that makes yakuza great and adds in all the fun persona elements as well! Overall tho icchi and the rest of the gang are amazing and relatable characters for old folks like us grinding in real life to get in all the hours we can to play games lol 😄
Thanks for making me tear up haha! Absolutely fantastic video and tribute. Honestly couldn’t agree with you more about all you shared! I goddamn love this game and best boy Ichiban so much!
The point about the districts not existing for Ichiban's (or Kiryu's) story is brilliant. That's exactly it - they feel like their own real, *independent* places in which these stories just happen to take place. This is crucial, and it really nails down an essential aspect of the je ne sais quoi that these games have. Surely the fact that they are hyper-realistic yet fully mundane settings is a huge component of this. These are not bespoke playgrounds like Hyrule or puzzles like Shadow Moses, they're just there, you're there, and things happen.
One of my most favorite RPG's and games ever since i played and completed this game. I was a huge fan of the Yakuza series and played them all, but i had my doubts before and decided to give it a chance and it instantly became my favorite one.
I just finished the game. Beautiful from start to finish. Love how you’re alone and boom you have life long friends. Ichiban is a hell of a character 🙏🏼
If Yakuza Like a Dragon is your favorite game this year. This in-depth video about Yakuza Like a Dragon is by far my favorite Yakuza video that came out this year as well. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and enthusiasm regarding the game. Hoping to see more of these kind of videos for other Yakuza titles in the future!
I used to live in Japan for 3 beautiful years. I do understand what you say about it, it is immersive and it is like going back to those real places. To me, Yakuza 5 is my favourite game in the series, and one of the reasons is I was living in Nagoya, 5 minutes walk from the stadium, where part of the game takes place. Sega put so much details in those games...it is and always will be my favourite series and my personal treasure. I'm glad you feel the same way.
I can't stop thinking about Yakuza 7, even after several months since I finished the game. I know why. Because I was 41, almost 42 when I played it, and it's a game about men and women in their 40s and 50s who have lost everything, but found hope and meaning in their brand new friendship. I didn't lose everything, but I quit a long-time job and used the little money I had saved to start my own small business: a candy store, not that different to Eri Kamataki's store, Ichiban Confections, which our Hero helps save from bankruptcy. It was scary, quitting a job like that. But also exciting. Almost a year later, I can say for certain it was the right decision for me to make. The downside is I'm eating more candy than I should! It felt weird to quit a job when I was about to turn 41, to force myself to start over. But when I played this game a few months after I started the confectionery, I understood that your age doesn't determine how you should act, where you should be in life. It taught me to not be ashamed of my previous failure (if you can consider being unable to stand capitalism's working conditions any more a failure) but proud.
I was going to do house chores and decided to have this on the background but it was so good that I had to stop and watch it in it's entirety, so I'll blame you for not allowing me to finish what I needed to do. Also, I subbed, this is great stuff
Really well made video! You summed up my feelings and thoughts about this game very well and now I can find the words to express how much I love this game!!
I've never played a single yakuza game but I keep seeing my friends talk about the series with so much excitement, I loved watching this video and now I'll for sure be on the lookout for a yakuza game to buy. Great video as always eurothug!!! I also want to know what your other games of all times are other than yakuza now lol
Thanks to this awesome video I go into shops and everything in first person 😂 I will look at everything on sale wishing I could but it all. Amazing video 👍🏻💜
That was beautiful. I'm honestly in a bad space right now, but hearing this hour long review of a game I haven't played yet was so soothing. I know bad times won't last and there's a world of possibilities, but this truly affirmed that. Thanks for this, eurothug.
I watched this video once before I played the game. Now nearly 2 years later, I can honestly say: "I get it!" It's honestly refreshing to go back to this after beating the game myself. And I couldn't agree more with your points.
Yakuza changed my life. My love for games. I get emotional about this game lmao. Im glad to see im not the only one. I pray they continue to produce more and more in due time.
I've had this video in my watch later list for a long while, and after 100% completing the game, finally got to watching it. :) This was a captivating video and I agree with everything you mentioned. The atmosphere of the Yakuza games is what really kept me invested, being able to visit different restaurants, chill with friends and look at all the immense details most wouldn't think too much about. I hope that Eri receives a bigger presence and is included in the bond chats for the next entry. :D
Great video, man! I usually can't sit through long videos like this but the love and appreciation for the game was contagious. Thanks for sharing the passion.
ONE HOUR!? Saving this for later but I can’t wait to watch it all in one go. Love your previous work so I’m excited to see a long form video from you. Cheers!
Without a doubt one of the best games in recent years and of the series in general. I'm glad to see someone else out there thinks so as well! 😄🙌✨ Btw this is my first time catching your channel and i gotta say i love your content already! You have such a beautiful voice too, I could listen to you for even more hours 😊💖
Your experience with getting into this game is just like mine. I went to walmart to pickup skyward sword but saw yakuza and randomly picked it up because some people i follow on twitter were hyping it up. I'm so happy i ended up buying this instead this turned into one of my favorite games of all time
I was sold on this game when I realized that Like a Dragon really meant Like a Dragon (Quest) and just ran with that concept. The other thing I greatly enjoy about the game is that your party members all have some trauma that happened to them, some self-inflicted. But the game never tries to rank who had it worse. It's all equally valid.
Ichiban is just perfect man. I thought he was a good character but not Mani character vibe (maybe cause he was coming from Kiryu) but after the last chapter he completely became the main character and future of the games for me. His speech to Aoki at the end have me goosebumps
28:42. Hmm. It's odd. Looking at it now, I can see 7th Heaven in Yakuza's bar, but my initial reaction was how much it reminded me of the café in Catherine. I love how the game can draw from so many previous locations and gameplay mechanics, while forging its own identity, in a way that heightens the experience of both in a really contemplative and unique way.
I love ichiban so much, its so nice seeing an adult main character so animated and happy and unabashedly himself
Facts. He resonates with a lot us older gamers. Like we'll always have love for gaming and anime etc no matter what the age.
I just turned 42, the same age as Ichi. Playing rpgs full of teens doesn't do it for me anymore. How lucky I am to have this game show up now.
I wanna be like Ichiban when I grow up
i'd say this video and a previous one i saw on Y7 sold me on his character. MIGHT even get the game
@1georgekitchen yes I'm 32 and I'm so glad I just found out about this game! I'm also very happy with FF16 having adult characters. I don't want to play teen characters.
1 hour of yakuza like a dragon from you is insane, so pumped for this
IM NEVER DOING A VID THIS LONG AGAIN
@@eurothug4000 I wouldn't mind if you did another one of these
Pick one:
A Yakuza style game in a Dark Souls/Bloodborne universe
or
A Souls-like game in a Yakuza setting
I love the fact that this video has more information on Yakuza like a dragon than the actual official wiki
When's the "8 yakuza-likes" video coming out?
It’s so funny how in 2020, we got a Final Fantasy game that played like Yakuza, and a Yakuza game that played like Final Fantasy.
“uM aCtUaLlY iTs BaSeD oN dRaGoN qUeSt”
In all seriousness, it’s kinda weird seeing Persona 5 Strikers (an action RPG Persona game) and Yakuza: Like a Dragon (a turn-based RPG Yakuza game)
existing at the same time
@@jomaq9233 Well. Yakuza like a dragon exist on 2017 while P5Strikers exist on 2019.
@TDFPL they prolly mean when the trailer for ichi first came out but even then that was for rgg online and not like a dragon
@@-Yu_Tsugami both yakuza 7 and p5strikers came out in 2020 my dude
The gta games and the yakuza games are a prime example of why im so envious of America and japan when it comes to video games
Like i wish my country had such a thriving videogame industry so i could indulge in some local and relatable content like this
I do really appreciate Kasuga as a protagonist, so many modern Male Heroes are incredibly bland action heroes, but Kasuga is someone who is just unapologetically positive and it really does help make him someone I want to see succeed and he's just so easy to root for.
He is a great character with such a nice personality. I am glad he didnt go sour while in jail.
@@TheVilmango Truly gotta love Ichiban. Such an inspiring guy.
Very excited to see such a massive video on The Best Game
I hope you enjoy it!!
@@eurothug4000 I did! Very thorough breakdown of all the mechanics/themes with the consistently personal touch stopping things from ever becoming dry. Great work!
Why is this the best game? I'm installing it now and I'm kind of excited.
@@z.s.n.How was it?
I appreciate that you took a moment to comment on Ichiban's age and the way it plays into his story. Being a gamer who is in Ichiban's age range, that part early on when he and Nanba resolve to turn their lives around and make a fresh start hit me pretty deeply.
Okay disclaimer I love Kiryu as a main character. But I love Ichiban so much more due to just how expressive and funny he is on his own rather than just the situations he gets into. Like Kiryu is goofy in the side stories but Ichiban is goofy in the main story and it still works
I feel it's because Ichiban's able to be himself at the moment, he copes using his imagination and his friends who are always around.
Kiryu's "Dragon of Dojima" is basically a persona he uses to make sure everyone he loves are protected and that his emotions are in check, when the deeds are actually done he can be himself around everybody.
Unfortunately, Kiryu's Dragon dreams (what he mentions to Kazuma in 0) becoming a reality meant abandoning the dream of a normal life so that nobody gets hurt. Most of his friends are away and can't come back or in the thick of it with him but not the comforting he needs.
Short version? Ichiban is basically Kiryu without the big burden of being everybody's hero weighing in and dragging his happiness down yet. I mean did you see Ichi in the second half nearly imploding because he isn't used to controlling his emotions like Kiryu and then being absolutely obliterated when he tried fighting him with no self control?
Ichiban only started down his road. Kiryu had a massive headstart but, depending on how you read his appearance in 7, is never done walking that road until he drops or gives up.
You make a comment early on about the non-interactable buildings, and I found myself going "But that's just just like real life!" I walk past dozens of restaurants, shops, and businesses daily that I've never even considered going into. They may as well not even have doors, yet there's something about having that option to enter in reality that makes virtual environments feel so constrained.
Seeing Japan portrayed in fiction so frequently made it feel like this far-off place that I'd never really see or wouldn't be how I'd imagined it, but having come to Japan it's been magical how spot-on games like Persona 5 and Yakuza are. I can't help but wonder if people who live in these places have that same experience of realized fiction or if it's a completely different experience for them.
Seeing a real space you've spent a lot of time in be recreated in a virtual setting is bizarre. Indie horror game Cry of Fear takes place in Stockholm, Sweden, and there were many times I looked around and said "wait, I've been here" as I spent a lot of time in and around Odenplan for school, and work later in my life. It really elevated my experience to something extra as I wanted to see how faithfully recreated everything was.
Hey man i actually live very close to Isezaki-Cho (basis of Ijin-Cho) and its not that far off lmao
Ichiban's "hair cut" looks like something from Akira Toriyama (DBZ) who does the character designs for Dragon Quest. It's spiked look can also be attributed to spikey hair of shonen protagonists in-general. Obvious Cloud relation.
The final boss in the original Dragon Quest is a blue dragon. Final boss in this game (the one that actually puts up a fight) has a blue dragon tattoo.
Nanba learned how to run from Cid Highwind.
The reason why you have to go back to Hello Work each-time to change jobs is from DQ3 and other titles in which you would have to travel to the abbey to change "vocations"
Honk. Honks = Puff Puffs.
An enemy screwing up a hammer attack where they fall over backwards is straight out of any Dragon Quest game with Hammerhoods.
Ichiban's resurrection hero skill that has a 50% chance of working is basically Zing.
Enemies in safes are Mimic's. Enemies have puns for names.
Red eyes on enemies is directly from DQIX.
Ichibans first hero weapon is a wooden bat. Like wooden swords as a starter weapon from.... I forgot what series.
Wait, toriyama made the designs for dragon quest?
@@Not_Claptrap Yes. He's been the character designer since the first game all the way back in 1986.
The wooden bat as a starting weapon for ichiban is a reference to another jrpg being Earthbound/Mother 2 where the main protagonist ness starts off with a bat as a weapon and not to mention most of the weird side stories could also be jabs at this cult classic as well as previous yakuza titles
@@Not_Claptrap never realised that but now that I see it mentioned it seems obvious 😅
@@tarpguy_ indeed, he was also the character designer for Chrono Trigger too.
i love whenever a new eurothug vid hits cuz then i can immediately add it to my watch later, saving it for later knowing this is an event unlike any other. a proper dinner or drink is needed for optimal viewing!!!
this one needs extra snacks to cover the length! 😤
Eurothug4000's filmography: Oops all Bangers
I completed it 3 months ago and I've been thinking about it since then on a daily basis. I can't help it. Didn't play anything else since then neither, knowing for sure none other game on the market will blown my mind and deeply mark me out like it did. It was my very first Yakuza btw. I'm glad to see I'm not the only one to pay adoration to it. It's really a remarkable game, in my top 5 (and I play for 35 years now).
36:41 I will always love that line, "You can't force people to be like you".
Yakuza Game Franchise will always be a Action, Drama, and Comedy genre for me.
This game dealing with people hitting rock bottom like it does is very motivational given the last year the entire planet went through.
What an absolutely beautiful tribute to Yakuza: Like A Dragon. I love how you not only celebrate its brilliance and the joy that the game gives, but also appropriately hold it to task on its shortcomings. Still, one of the best games of 2020 and this is easily one of the finest videos on it. Excellent job, Maria. 10/10.
Just wow, this was a great video and a great breakdown on Like a Dragona and Yakuza as a whole, Saturday evening well spent :) I look forward to your next video.
Great Video as always!!
That part about never being too old to make a new start hits really close to home and is exactly what I needed to hear
Your End + Outro section really hit it's mark with me, because I felt the same way but didn't know how to articulate it as well as you did. Really great and earnest video
the way u got into this series is exactly how i got into it as well. i bought this game at an impulse then realized theres so many references, backstory and callbacks to the previous games that i had to stop my playthrough at chapter 9 and truly experience it all chronologically. so i bought all the games on sale and started with like a dragon 0. i absolutely fell in love with everything i was experiencing and this is EASILY my favorite game series/franchise of all time. i just finished like a dragon 7 and i remembered that i didnt complete ur video cause i didnt want any spoilers so here i am again. love ur video so much!! i share the same love for this game!!
After this video about Yakuza I might start thinking about some of my favourite video game series from the perspective of mythological creatures too
Obviously haven't had time to see the video yet so just throwing in a dumb joke for t h e a l g o r i t h m
HOLY SHIT SOMEONE MADE A YAKUZA 7 VIDEO LETS GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. I’m really glad the games getting so much love this is a really great vid!!!
You concluded exactly how I felt finishing this for the first time. I wasn't sad because of the plot end of the game, I was sad because through the entire story I was gripped and held into it, through the drama and intrigue and chaos, and then it told me that it was all over. I have high hopes for Yakuza 8 and the continued story of Ichiban and I can only wish that the story will continue to have that effect on me.
Feel free to play 0 in the meantime.
You can just feel her passion for the game
as someone who loves to turn off the HUD in games to look around- the little "L1" button always being on screen breaks my heart
i never really played a yakuza game before, this was my first one aswell. the credits are rolling on the second monitor and im absolutely baffled and speechless. this game was beyond amazing, i loved every bit of it. now im going to play the other games and just handle it all like im watching a prequel to a movie :D i totally understand what you mean with this video.
I can’t remember the last time I felt this much love for a protagonist in a game I haven’t played. Ichiban is too precious for this world!!
Such high quality, you deserve atleast 10x your current subs
I've been looking for a good video on this since I beat it. Thank you so much for giving such a good reflection piece. It def helped highlight the themes this story tells and strengthen my love for this game even more.
28:52. Hot damn, it hasn't even been 10 seconds. I love the wildly exaggerated homage to pulling the Master Sword from the pedestal and how perfectly references to other games fit into the game to excentuate Ichiban's love for games, while working so perfectly as a cheeky wink to those in the audience who play the same sorts of games as Ichiban.
I just finished this game and for a bit of context my dad passed away this year in a freak accident. I've never emotionally connected with a protagonist like this before. Infinite Wealth is installing right now.
Your videos are always amazing keep up the good work
This video came up in my YT feed just after I had played through my first PS5 playthrough (my PS4 save files didn’t transfer over). Ichiban’s story really sticks with me now since I just went through a life shakeup in my later 30s including a move and relying on friends to restart my life. Glad to see such a dedicated analysis of this great game.
I'm so glad to be playing through the Yakuza series, but at the same time it's upsetting because I won't be able to watch this, let's be honest, probably amazing video until I'm done with them. I swear I'll come back when I'm done, Euro.
5/2/24 I'm back~ Took **looks at watch** almost three years, but I did it. And yes, you were right. The game _is_ peak.
no worries! enjoy your journey through the series! :)
@@eurothug4000 i know am currently playing through 0-7 all of them.
i think one of the things that hindered Eri's implementation into the main story proper is that her name and likeness are a fictionalized version of the actress portraying her. The real Eri Kamataki was a contest winner who, along with the other romance options aside from Saeko, all won a contest to be featured in the game. That makes it harder to establish a bigger character when the actor playing them is in all likelihood not going to appear in future entries. Does that mean her lack of presence isn't felt? Of course not, she's been a mainstay in my party and it frustrates me that we don't see more of her in cutscenes, but I get why they couldn't do more with her.
it was disheartening by they tried and they did impart one thing that made her stand out Eri is kind of a screw up (Russian roulette was fuuuuuuunnnn.)
its so funny that eri is one my most used party member because of her really good early crrowd control skills and she is just not present in any of the story stuff
Oh boy where do i start now...
It’s honestly slow after chapter 8 but when chapter 12 hits, it literally *h i ts*
I'd say it really kicks up again in chapter 11, tbh.
Sotenbori is biggest hardle
Very good synopsis of the ways i felt about yakuza 7 myself. Great video!
This was an outstanding documentary of one of the best games I have played in recent memory. I love this game! You hit everything, and more, of why this game resonated so much. This was my first Yakuza game, and I was very intrigued by the turn-based RPG. I too left Japan awhile back, and started initially playing this to just reminisce, but was hooked with a deep story and much deeper characters populating this story. I love the details that you pointed out that many folks who never been in Japan may have miss (such as the perfect recreation of a konbini). Just great excellent work here! Thank you (as Kasuga-san would say if you heal him in battle)!
absolutely incredible video for sure the best hour of my day thank ya maria keep on being your wonderful self
This was a great first impression of your video style, love this game and the messages it convey.
Just got to finish a game and have so many feelings for few days now. Like want some closure, and this video certainly did. It's such an experience to be able to play this game. You totally have an exact feeling as mine and I'm glad to know that!
Not enough RUclips videos like this (about Like A Dragon) Thanks for making this appreciate appreciate
This is the video that got me into the series, Thank you ❤
Having just turned 30 yesterday, thank you
To be fair the meaning of money is nailed both in Y0 and Y7.
Y0 takes place in the bubble Economy with ridiculous amounts of money. Probably even has a lot to do with Inflation.
The other Yakuza game that captured poverty like Y7 was Y5 when you played as Shinada a washed out Ex Baseball player who had many debts but was able to get by with his Nightlife journalism.
17 YEN
I adore this game and love your analysis. Literally teared up when the outro music played again (and on seeing some scenes again), which goes to show how much you get invested in these characters and the world as you play.
As a side note: I will say, even though i hadn’t played previous Yakuza games, they really hyped up returning characters to the point where I just knew they had to have been in old games.
The portion of your video where you talk about the environments really speaks to me, as a good friend of mine has always said that you get to be a virtual tourist of these games. I too have to admit that I've gone in first person mode and checked out the products in the convenience stores! Such a fun way to experience the game!
This is still the best thing I had felt in a while, and I'm glad so many people share this feeling as a viewer more than simply a follower.
I love that game so much. Characters are perfect. And the end destroyed me. I have a stone heart, but the end is moving, I cried all the night after finishing the game.
Same here. Just beat it and it utterly destroyed me.
Wow, this is so much work and really a way of really showing your feelings towards a game, kind of unique if you tell me, people often just tell why they liked the game not how the game made them like it
This video was so good, your analysis is spot on!! As i was playing this i imagined how would a newcomer take this game, it's such a distinct story from the others, it's great to see a thought out essay from someone whose first major exposure was through 7. I love the story in this game, ichiban is so emotional and genuine and he drives the tone somewhere completely different than kiryu usually would. They're both good characters, but ichiban is instantly more relatable and outspoken about his values, while kiryu's most personable moments have been in optional substories, and in the main games has a huge lone wolf complex. Also I loved your observation about his friends boosting him up into ryo's bus so much.
fun fact about eri kamataki is that she's played by... eri kamataki. She's a real person that won an audition to be in the game, which i guess is why she has such a limited place in the game and is omitted from the main story? But it would be great to have a 2nd female party member that was actually involved in the plot (seong hui would be amazing)
The series was always amiss with major female characters imo (sayama in y2 starts strong but her arc gradually drifts down), and while i don't think the series will ever stop being about masculinity, the tone of this game makes me think the ichiban saga has potential wrt the female cast. being able to fight as a woman that had main stakes in the plot for the first time was great, and i hope we get to play other kinds of female MCs (again sega. let me be badass mob boss lady)
Wow! Eri is one of my favorite characters!
Honestly never imagined buying these games but looking at this has really opened my eyes
I've finished Like a Dragon after playing the previous entries and I loved hearing your thoughts about Like a Dragon! Ichiban definitely stands tall as his own character and they nailed making a new protagonist that feels fresh and is also very endearing. Beginning to play this series almost 2 years ago was definitely the best decision
You can just feel the love and dedication that placed on this game. It's been a while since, at least myself, had played a game with such a positive vibe and wholesome as Kasuga is, and yet being such a complex individual.
I hope we can get some more of Kasuga and the gang in the future
Same! So many games nowadays come out buggy or rushed or made with very poor writing and direction. Not sure if its a testament to Japanese devs in general, but rgg has always nailed every game they've made and improved upon each entry. This in particular ticks every box that makes yakuza great and adds in all the fun persona elements as well! Overall tho icchi and the rest of the gang are amazing and relatable characters for old folks like us grinding in real life to get in all the hours we can to play games lol 😄
Thanks for making me tear up haha! Absolutely fantastic video and tribute. Honestly couldn’t agree with you more about all you shared! I goddamn love this game and best boy Ichiban so much!
Glad I was recommended this video!! Definitely subscribing
Really liked this in-depth analysis and look into a game I just finished last weekend :D Keep up the good work!
great video, i come back to this one every few months. warranted a rewatch cause of infinite wealth. so, so sick
Every video you make is better than the last, and you ALWAYS make my day much better 💓
The point about the districts not existing for Ichiban's (or Kiryu's) story is brilliant. That's exactly it - they feel like their own real, *independent* places in which these stories just happen to take place. This is crucial, and it really nails down an essential aspect of the je ne sais quoi that these games have. Surely the fact that they are hyper-realistic yet fully mundane settings is a huge component of this. These are not bespoke playgrounds like Hyrule or puzzles like Shadow Moses, they're just there, you're there, and things happen.
One of my most favorite RPG's and games ever since i played and completed this game. I was a huge fan of the Yakuza series and played them all, but i had my doubts before and decided to give it a chance and it instantly became my favorite one.
I just finished the game. Beautiful from start to finish. Love how you’re alone and boom you have life long friends. Ichiban is a hell of a character 🙏🏼
If Yakuza Like a Dragon is your favorite game this year. This in-depth video about Yakuza Like a Dragon is by far my favorite Yakuza video that came out this year as well. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and enthusiasm regarding the game. Hoping to see more of these kind of videos for other Yakuza titles in the future!
I used to live in Japan for 3 beautiful years. I do understand what you say about it, it is immersive and it is like going back to those real places. To me, Yakuza 5 is my favourite game in the series, and one of the reasons is I was living in Nagoya, 5 minutes walk from the stadium, where part of the game takes place. Sega put so much details in those games...it is and always will be my favourite series and my personal treasure. I'm glad you feel the same way.
Why yakuza 5? I think it's one of the better written games. But I don't find it as engaging as 0
I can't stop thinking about Yakuza 7, even after several months since I finished the game. I know why. Because I was 41, almost 42 when I played it, and it's a game about men and women in their 40s and 50s who have lost everything, but found hope and meaning in their brand new friendship.
I didn't lose everything, but I quit a long-time job and used the little money I had saved to start my own small business: a candy store, not that different to Eri Kamataki's store, Ichiban Confections, which our Hero helps save from bankruptcy.
It was scary, quitting a job like that. But also exciting. Almost a year later, I can say for certain it was the right decision for me to make. The downside is I'm eating more candy than I should! It felt weird to quit a job when I was about to turn 41, to force myself to start over. But when I played this game a few months after I started the confectionery, I understood that your age doesn't determine how you should act, where you should be in life.
It taught me to not be ashamed of my previous failure (if you can consider being unable to stand capitalism's working conditions any more a failure) but proud.
This was an awesome video. Encapsulates my feelings on the game entirely. Happy to have discovered your channel!
The story is incredible and yeah this was my first yakuza as well. U have a beautiful voice as well btw
I was going to do house chores and decided to have this on the background but it was so good that I had to stop and watch it in it's entirety, so I'll blame you for not allowing me to finish what I needed to do. Also, I subbed, this is great stuff
Another banger of a video, keep up the amazing work your channel's gonna hit it big someday
Really well made video! You summed up my feelings and thoughts about this game very well and now I can find the words to express how much I love this game!!
I've never played a single yakuza game but I keep seeing my friends talk about the series with so much excitement, I loved watching this video and now I'll for sure be on the lookout for a yakuza game to buy.
Great video as always eurothug!!!
I also want to know what your other games of all times are other than yakuza now lol
Now that's too quality content ❣️
Thanks to this awesome video I go into shops and everything in first person 😂 I will look at everything on sale wishing I could but it all. Amazing video 👍🏻💜
That was beautiful. I'm honestly in a bad space right now, but hearing this hour long review of a game I haven't played yet was so soothing. I know bad times won't last and there's a world of possibilities, but this truly affirmed that. Thanks for this, eurothug.
I watched this video once before I played the game. Now nearly 2 years later, I can honestly say: "I get it!"
It's honestly refreshing to go back to this after beating the game myself. And I couldn't agree more with your points.
This is the first video of yours I have ever seen, and I really liked it. Congrats :D
Thanks for making me love this game even more.
Yakuza changed my life. My love for games. I get emotional about this game lmao. Im glad to see im not the only one. I pray they continue to produce more and more in due time.
I've had this video in my watch later list for a long while, and after 100% completing the game, finally got to watching it. :) This was a captivating video and I agree with everything you mentioned. The atmosphere of the Yakuza games is what really kept me invested, being able to visit different restaurants, chill with friends and look at all the immense details most wouldn't think too much about. I hope that Eri receives a bigger presence and is included in the bond chats for the next entry. :D
Awesome video. I've never rooted for a character in a game as much as I have for Ichiban. The game is quite touching.
Can't watch the video because I want to play the game, but showed up to give a like anyway because an hour long video from you is HYPE
It took a while to get going, but I loved this game. A great continuation of the series and a great reinvention of the series
Wow, that was brilliant! Thank you so much for this :)
A great video about an incredible game in an incredible series, the yakuza series deserves it
1 hour eurothug video ? Now today is a good day.
Great video, man! I usually can't sit through long videos like this but the love and appreciation for the game was contagious. Thanks for sharing the passion.
ONE HOUR!? Saving this for later but I can’t wait to watch it all in one go. Love your previous work so I’m excited to see a long form video from you. Cheers!
Great video! I just recently beat the game on Legend difficulty. It was pretty difficult but still very fun.
The review was articulated very well and I enjoyed it a lot. Im not asking for a review on the rest of the series but, its there for you to dive into.
The moment for me that made this one of my favorite games was calling an orbital strike on a mugger
Without a doubt one of the best games in recent years and of the series in general. I'm glad to see someone else out there thinks so as well! 😄🙌✨
Btw this is my first time catching your channel and i gotta say i love your content already! You have such a beautiful voice too, I could listen to you for even more hours 😊💖
great vid loving seen vids with soo much depth about yakuza games thank you.
Great video, you really articulated my own feelings on the game.
Your experience with getting into this game is just like mine. I went to walmart to pickup skyward sword but saw yakuza and randomly picked it up because some people i follow on twitter were hyping it up. I'm so happy i ended up buying this instead this turned into one of my favorite games of all time
Very nice. So glad to see the series really getting the respect it _deserves._ And from it's makers as well as it's marks.
I was sold on this game when I realized that Like a Dragon really meant Like a Dragon (Quest) and just ran with that concept. The other thing I greatly enjoy about the game is that your party members all have some trauma that happened to them, some self-inflicted. But the game never tries to rank who had it worse. It's all equally valid.
Ichiban is just perfect man. I thought he was a good character but not Mani character vibe (maybe cause he was coming from Kiryu) but after the last chapter he completely became the main character and future of the games for me. His speech to Aoki at the end have me goosebumps
OK now I've finished the game I can finally watch your video can't wait to see your thoughts
goddamn, brb in an hour whewww I’m fuckin pumped
28:42. Hmm. It's odd. Looking at it now, I can see 7th Heaven in Yakuza's bar, but my initial reaction was how much it reminded me of the café in Catherine. I love how the game can draw from so many previous locations and gameplay mechanics, while forging its own identity, in a way that heightens the experience of both in a really contemplative and unique way.
I gotta say, this one really rose above my expectations. It was truly difficult to put this down.