Yakuza 3 Remastered
" Engaging action-adventure with deep narrative and varied minigames but tedious combat blocking "
Yakuza 3 Remastered Review
Yakuza 3 Remastered is a divisive entry in the Yakuza series, praised for its engaging story and emotional depth, particularly Kiryu's role as a caretaker at the orphanage juxtaposed with his yakuza life. Players appreciate the humanizing narrative and the compelling internal conflicts Kiryu faces, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of the character.
However, the game shows its age with clunky combat mechanics often criticized for excessive enemy blocking, dubbed "Blockuza." The pacing and structure of the story receive mixed reviews, with some finding the final act disjointed and the substories less impactful compared to other series entries. Despite these flaws, many find enjoyment in the minigames and side content, though some consider them tedious. Graphically, it reflects its PS3 roots, with noticeable engine downgrades compared to newer titles.
Overall, Yakuza 3 Remastered is recommended mainly for dedicated fans who appreciate its narrative and character moments, while others may find gameplay and pacing issues limiting their experience.
Highlights
The storyline is one of the game's strongest points, highlighting Kiryu's emotional journey and his responsibilities at the orphanage, adding depth and humanity.
Gameplay offers a variety of minigames and side quests, with some players enjoying the chasing minigames and detailed mini activities like golf and fishing.
The boss fights, especially the final ones, are praised for being challenging and engaging.
The game's setting, including Okinawa, is well-explored and adds to the immersive experience.
Character writing remains strong, delivering charismatic and memorable moments throughout.
Criticisms
Combat is frequently criticized for being clunky and frustrating due to enemies' excessive blocking, leading to drawn-out and less enjoyable fights.
The pacing is uneven, with the story's climax feeling rushed and lacking cohesion, and some plot points suffering from holes or weak motivation.
Substories are often seen as less engaging or meaningful compared to other titles in the series.
The save and map systems are regarded as outdated and inconvenient.
Graphical fidelity is noticeably behind newer entries, reflecting its older engine and causing a jarring experience when compared to remastered predecessors.
Pros
- • Engaging and emotional main story with strong character development.
- • Kiryu's dual life as caretaker and yakuza adds unique narrative depth.
- • Final boss fights are challenging and rewarding.
- • Varied and detailed minigames add enjoyable diversions.
- • Okinawa setting is immersive and well-realized.
- • Charismatic characters with memorable interactions.
- • Some minigames and side quests are fun and well-crafted.
Cons
- • Combat suffers from excessive enemy blocking, making fights tedious.
- • Pacing issues cause the story's final act to feel disjointed.
- • Substories often lack impact or meaningful character development.
- • Save and map systems are outdated and inconvenient.
- • Graphics show their age compared to newer series entries.
- • Random encounters can be annoying and interrupt gameplay flow.
- • Some minigames are considered boring or unrewarding.
Rating Criteria
Kazuma Kiryu has earned his retirement on the sandy beaches of Okinawa. But when a deadly power struggle arrives on his doorstep, he’ll have to walk the streets of Kamurocho to escape his past for good. Complete The Dragon of Dojima’s journey.