Free Step Dodge

Will admit, I was skeptical at first before I completed it because I wasn't sure if I was going to like the main character. But grew on me after the first sets of chapters and changed my mind.

I 100% had a blast with it. Like FoN mentioned, I highly recommend it to anyone as well.

YLAD is one of those games where its first impressions don't quite do the game justice. It's deceptively well-rounded and solid in its overall design. Gameplay, graphics, presentation, narrative, characterization, content, along with some very impressive voice acting (in both languages!) makes it a very underrated title. Should've been a GOTY candidate.

Yeah, I think part of it was also probably the turn-based RPG shift to the game too. There's a few people I know that didn't even want to touch the game because of it. Which I can understand, but honestly I thought it was worth the experience and that the turn-based can be overlooked due to how fun and enjoyable the story was.

The criticism on the change to turn-based combat was dumb. It was executed well in YLAD, maintaining the "Yakuza vibe" and effectively shook up the franchise. There are 8 Yakuza games with "Beat 'em up" combat: Yakuza 0-6 & Judgment, and the change of pace is welcome. Out of the turned-based RPG's I've played up late, I'd give YLAD an easy edge over DQXI and even P5R (though I loved fusing personas).

On a different note, one thing that YLAD does better than other RPG's is pacing. When I have limited time frames to play with, I really appreciate games that nail pacing and don't drag things out and become a slog *coughsTalesWitchercoughs*. It's also a reason why it's easier to go through multiple Yakuza games. Going to try out Judgment on the XSX this evening when I get a chance.

I just can't, thanks to the turn based gameplay. I love xcom but yakuza always was this great arcady brawler with great story. The turn based combat is also just standard jrpg fare. Now the story is all that warrants the grind. But then, i quit rpg overall. Loved them my whole life but noticed that i never finished...or started any of the latest ones, such as divinity or solasta

You're doing yourself a massive disservice. The "turn-based" gameplay is about as Yakuza as you can get. Still hard-hitting and very satisfying. There have been 8 Yakuza games (including Judgment) with similar "brawler" combat, the change of pace is quite frankly welcomed and well implemented. You still needed to "grind" for technique upgrades anyway in previous Yakuza's.

Considering how many people like games like DQXI & P5, I'm surprised at the hate on turn-based combat.

I think it's also the sudden shift to it rather than a distaste for turn-based. Originally it was even an April Fools joke when they were developing Like a Dragon. It's one of those moments that if Yakuza suddenly turned into some rail shooter, i'd probably still buy it due to previous great receptions of previous games in the end that was worth overlooking it.

Because of previous game's history and how well they did, I can totally be optimistic for follow up games to be RPG turn-based format, as long as the story is superb and intact.

Yeah, fair enough. It's just that the brawler combat was a fun diversion from the story in the Yakuza games, but a change of pace was kinda welcome. I'm impressed with how well RGG studio implemented the RPG system in YLAD, and it really enhanced the overall gameplay experience. Having a party with you made the game exponentially more enjoyable for instance.