The Sega franchise left Kiryu Kazuma aside for the first time to introduce a choral cast in a installment that evolved on the basis of the third to offer a story less stuck to the present and more focused on action.
Yakuza Collection brings back with Yakuza 4 a chapter that was probably key to the later evolution of the saga. Although technically and playable we have a title that is dedicated to evolve on the basis established by the third installment, in the narrative we find a delivery that tries to break with the above and leave aside the history of Kiryu, although finally this ends up being a pivotal character in the plot.
A plot that in turn departs from the most realistic style and stuck to real concerns of the third installment to offer us a story that turns more towards fiction, and that stands out from all previous deliveries for its more choral character.
For the first time since the beginning of the franchise in this fourth installment we put ourselves at the helm of a choral cast. Thanks to this we will get to know Akiyama, a lender, former banker and former beggar who is dedicated to offering interest-free loans to those who pass their tests. To Saejima, an inmate on death row after having been able to kill 18 people in a restaurant in cold blood and armed literally to the teeth. To Tanimura, a policeman with an interesting past. But the protagonism of all of them ends up eclipsing Kiryu, who starts here as a secondary to end up becoming a protagonist.
Own styles
This commitment to a choral cast helped introduce for the first time a variety of differentiated combat styles, one for each of the characters, adapted to their physical abilities and personality. Thus Akiyama will be able to kick any enemy with a balanced agility and strength. Tanimura on the other hand is personalized agility, while Saejima, on the other hand, feels like a tank: slow, but of an enormous force, and capable of loading its attacks for superior damage. Kiryu for his part returns with his house brand style.
All the characters stand out for having interesting backgrounds, although much more implausible than presented in the third installment, more close to reality within the standards of the franchise. From the origin of Akiyama's fortune to the impossible life of Saejima, Yakuza 4 seeks more emotion than realism. This is therefore one of the deliveries with some of the most sub-realistic moments of the saga.
In exchange for enjoying a more varied cast, we will have the limitation that the improvement of skills that we can improve each of them works separately, as we can control them. This translates into more limited possibilities of evolution of our character compared to other installments of the franchise. The inventory, on the other hand, is also independent for each and has the limitations of these deliveries, in which the objects are not grouped by the same type. We will therefore have to be careful to have enough space and to take with us what we really need.
Kamurocho at all levels
Kamurocho also grows, although this delivery becomes the only place we visited (beyond a brief stop by Okinawa). For the first time this installment allowed us to explore the rooftops and the underground world of the alter ego of the Tokyo district of Kabukicho. These additives serve to give a depth greater than that of the third installment, although the limitations of movement are still noticeable, with some invisible barriers, which the saga suffered before the change to the dragon engine.
Nor was in this installment the submissions system introduced in subsequent deliveries, which does not prevent a multitude of secondary events with which to distract from the main plot, to which are added the many secondary activities typical of the saga. This time the minigame of managing a girl from Kyabakura (dating places with girls to talk and drink) that was already present in the third installment is maintained and expanded.
We will also have the classic mini-games in the saga: the batting center, bowling, darts, golf and fishing, as well as karaoke, as well as the minigame "boxcelios" and its sequel to the arcades. A variety that stood out at the time but pales before the offer of subsequent deliveries.
Technically, this port is again a simple face lift at a higher resolution and doubling the frame rate. However, an improvement is noticeable especially in the modeling of the characters with respect to the third installment, especially the secondary, although the recycling of some scenarios is noted. Despite this, the result looks pretty good, sometimes not far from current releases and will delight those fans who could not prove it in their day, or who seek to relive one of the most curious stories of the franchise.
CONCLUSION
Yakuza 4 meant an evolution in the technical and a return to the world of crime and unlikely characters after the more "realistic" Yakuza 3. While some playable aspects are obviously a step back from more recent entries, the simple improvement of resolution and rate Soda makes the game look great graphically, while maintaining everything that made this title a little gem at the time.
THE BEST
- The minimum technical face wash does not prevent the game from looking very good, especially thanks to the more refined modeling than in Yakuza 3.
- The presence of several characters with differentiated fighting styles continues to work well.
- It is a must for fans of the saga.
WORST
- As in the Yakuza 3 remaster, for those who are accustomed to the most current deliveries, many elements are a step back.
- This delivery is especially limited in mini-games and side missions compared to the most recent.
- The script is a bit below other deliveries.
Very good
Remarkable game that we will enjoy and remember. A good purchase, highly recommended for lovers of the genre. It is well taken care of at all levels.
