In the Japanese card game Oicho-Kabu, the worst hand you can have is a set of 8, 9 and 3. To win with such a hand requires the most amount of skill and the least amount of luck. Why is any of this relevant? Because 8-9-3, in the traditional Japanese forms of counting, is “Ya”, “Ku”, “Sa”, and it’ll take more skill than luck to make it through Yakuza
At first glance, you’ll find a solid beat ‘em up, but look closer and you’ll find an incredibly rich story and a surprisingly accurate look at Yakuza culture.
The game tells the story of former Yakuza, Kazuma Kiryu, who was expulsed from the family for murdering his own Oyabun (Family head). Ten years later, fresh out of prison, he returned to Tokyo looking to get his life back in order. Unfortunately for Kazuma, third Chairman Sera of the Tojo Clan has just been murdered and ¥10 billion has been stolen.
Already despised by other Yakuza, Kazuma quickly finds himself caught up in the whole messy affair. To make matters worse, Kazuma’s former lover, Yumi, has gone missing.
Eventually Kazuma encounters a small orphan girl named Haruka. At first she seems like any other child, but Kazuma quickly learns of her true importance. Haruka is the daughter of Yumi’s sister, Mizuki, is the key to finding the missing ¥10 billion.
Yakuza features a strong narrative that moves along in almost prefect sync with the action. Plot points develop at just the right pace to keep you interested, but without overloading you with information that you’ll forget during your many, many battles.
The game offers dozens of moves and weapons to use to dispatch your main rivals, but actually pulling the moves off can be a little difficult. Often you’ll miss an enemy and then find yourself caught in a combo, unable to defend against an incoming attack.
In battles with a large number of enemies you’ll occasionally find yourself overwhelmed by your number of attackers and won’t be able to pull off any attacks until you can escape the crowd.
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