The Most (Turn) BASED Yakuza Game

Yakuza: Like a Dragon, or Yakuza 7/RGG 7, was the first turn-based RPG for the Yakuza series. It was also the game that added the feature where you can call a cab and fast travel from anywhere on the map. I don't need to say anything else. That literally proves it's the best game in the franchise.
Also I'm sure it's obvious but I recorded this video on two separate days and for some reason on the second day it was really echo-y I dunno why I'm sorry :(
Scientific analysis of Dropkick and Ruffian's Kick: • Yakuza Abilities You W...
Yakuza: Like a Dragon OST:
open.spotify.com/album/7I23Oz...
Playlist link:
• Yakuza Retrospective S...
Join the channel and become one of the LADs (Like a Dragons):
/ @snowiestangeman
Songs (all from Ace Combat 7):
444th Airbase Hangar
Dual Wielder
Awakening
Long Day
Magic Spear I
Siren's Song
DLC New Arrows Air Base Hangar
Anchorhead Raid
Homeward
Sol Squadron

[@SnowiestAngeman]

The thumbnail for this vid is just the box art for Yakuza Like a Dragon, nothing special unfortunately :/ although, looking at it now, I never noticed that the box art has Franklin from GTA V on it Also I dunno when this happened but thank you all very much for 28k subscribers!

[@adilrashid9884]

No problem bro keep making BASED 💪 videos one day you’ll be huge KZbinr don’t worry Edit : I just realised the amount of characters bro added to the thumbnail bro really put everyone in there😭

[@screvo]

this comment made me triple check the thumbnail, good work on it!

[@akiyomer]

ERIC ANDRE TOO

[@renlumfao]

"I Just Came By To See If There's Something I Can Help You With"

[@JunGaGotoku]

Did you see the Shinada leak

[@jack0slack]

One note: Ichiban's suit isn't a reverse of Kiryu's, which I think is important. Kiryu's suit is grey and his shirt red, showing a stoic exterior masking a passionate soul. Ichiban's suit is red, but the shirt is white: A fiery personality masking a *pure* soul. Also Nanba is best offsider character in Like a Dragon history. When he comes back? TEARS, MAN. TEARS.

[@Michael_K_Brown]

I realized that you can apply this analysis to Nishikiyama’s suit in Yakuza 1/Kiwami 1. Even in the prologue and flashbacks, Nishiki wears a white suit with a black shirt, a style he maintains for the entire game. The black shirt is clearly a symbol for how he’ll eventually be corrupted; and even in the prologue, we can see that he and Kiryu are becoming distant. I suppose the white suit could be Kiryu’s perception of Nishiki, because he is his oath brother, after all. Though eventually Kiryu must accept that a conflict with his brother is unavoidable.

[@lautaroescarlon7501]

​@@Michael_K_Brown But then what about Akiyama 🤔 always wondered why his shirt is black

[@Michael_K_Brown]

@@lautaroescarlon7501 Hmm, I wonder if there is any meaning behind that design choice, or if the designers/director thought it looked cool. My opinion: Akiyama looks cool because he is cool.

[@allgerfan]

Kirus suit definitely looks white

[@akiyomer]

Judgment has 100 critic reviews Lost Judgment has 200 critic reviews based.

[@deepflare1028]

You think Last Judgement gonna have 300 critic reviews?

[@akiyomer]

@@deepflare1028 FOR SURE!!!

[@yourguysheppy]

game critics aren't real people their opinions don't count (unless they agree with my own, of course)

[@Cryptico7]

Man...Franklin was the best character in this game. 👏👏👏 10/10 character

[@deepflare1028]

That dude from GTA5 is also in this game? Damn I can't believe I never found him

[@xranth]

A big difference between the JP and Western versions of the game is that New Game Plus, Legend difficulty & the true final millenium tower were paid DLC, with the localizers choosing to include them in the base game Why they didnt do the same for the job dlc is a mystery

[@FeetLavers69]

It was probably some sort of compromise with sega. If some of these dlc are free, some must be paid.

[@ShermTank7272]

I'm glad we got at least _some_ of it free, but I wish that Japanese players also got it free. Kinda like the Persona 5 Royal DLC; some of it was free in the West, but all of it cost money in Japan.

[@Kingdom850]

@@ShermTank7272 Persona 5 Royal came with all of the paid DLC from the original Persona 5 worldwide. Royal's OWN specific DLC cost money worldwide.

[@aboodsaad8790]

and now like a dragon 8 have dlcs for new game plus and dungeon and its for western too

[@MilkJugA_]

You can lean back and chill in this game only until you get to the majima fight. And also the second to last boss in the millennium tower with infinite health.

[@SnowiestAngeman]

You do indeed have to lean forward in your chair for the Majima fight because they apparently thought it’d be a funny prank to make him level 50

[@MilkJugA_]

@@SnowiestAngeman it was honestly pretty damn funny

[@ynotprimo]

A bit of trolling

[@happyboyproductions7]

​@SnowiestAngeman and the final boss too bro just wouldn't die until I spammed orbital laser

[@DaFro3713]

That note about going to the Sotenbori battle arena before heading to Omi HQ, isn’t a suggestion…it’s a threat

[@cleanzodiac6247]

One thing that I would point out is how insanely overpowered the agility stat is. With agility based accessories equiped on Joon-Gi Han, he can have like 2-5 turns before the enemy gets a turn. I remember equipping my entire team with military insole that has 16 agility, and everyone in my team had 2 turns before the enemy got theirs.

[@KARLOSPCgame]

Well you can do that Then Karma bites you an Kiryu uppercut your Ichiban 3 times in a row

[@cleanzodiac6247]

@@KARLOSPCgame The game gives you so many healing items that you can just heal the next turn or guard, there's nothing any enemy nor boss can do.

[@HeavySandvichGuy1]

10:42 Fun fact - Originally instead of "Etc." it was "More". Someone in the community suggested to the devs that if "More" gets changed to "Etc.", the letters will spell out SEGA. Dev liked the idea and "More" was changed

[@Grangolus]

Yeah, it's almost impossible for anyone else to do a great Majima, but, Kaiji Tang does an *amazing* job as Ichiban, even with the understanding that Ichiban is voiced by Nishiki's VA in Japan to further reinforce his juxtaposition with Kiryu.

[@YamaTO-Music]

I think why Japanese box art focus on Nanba, Arakawa and Sawashiro is their actors are famous in Japan.

[@Tybell702]

I think the bread physics carry this game holely

[@deepflare1028]

holesome in deed

[@xboxpenguin8705]

Yakuza 7 is one of my favorites in the series, and Infinite Wealth looks like it’ll improve on everything from 7 i CAN’T WAIT

[@FreedomFighterAsuka]

I really love this series. You're probably one of the only people who cover things like regional differences such as box art, translations, and other smaller things most other creators would ignore. Personally I find these sorts of trivia super interesting. Can't wait for the last instalment!

[@Dylamn]

I love this game SO MUCH! Ichiban is the best protagonist I've ever seen. Not just in Yakuza, not just in RPGs, but in gaming as a whole. He surpasses the likes of Sora, and that's personally a huge deal. I had the biggest grin through this whole game (minus the sad parts), and that will double with the next one. I'm so excited for LaD8.

[@user-ee8ki7zq1t]

without this game I has never played this game series in first place. This game is a reason, what I have now every game in franchise released on PC, and discovered such a community.

[@akiyomer]

yakuza fandom is so friendly

[@user-ee8ki7zq1t]

@@akiyomer yea, game series about organised crime sindicate with so friendly and supportive fanbase. Who will thought.

[@akiyomer]

@@user-ee8ki7zq1t yeah who'll thought that

[@Aerie1405]

I dont know if its a controversial opinion or not but I think this game has my favorite story and characters in the series, the cast just feels so down to earth and emotionally sincere. I love that Ichiban is just a regular guy (in comparison to the superhumans you play as in past games) trying to make the best of the pretty shitty hand life has dealt him.

[@deepflare1028]

Nah I've seen some people say that too, and I agree with you, this game probably has my favorite story alongside Judgement

[@roguenoise2718]

Kiryu kinda bullshit everything, he's too strong as a solo superhuman that still haven't dead from Yakuza 0 to 6, at least he got cancer on 8 nerf power a lot Ichiban is just a normal human, he face the dead by the gunshots, he can't fight alone, he needs help from friends and surprised he's more brilliant than Kiryu that just solving problem using brutal force everything

[@lunarescxpe]

@@roguenoise2718 kiryu is good at martial arts thats why hes strong, it's not superhuman , and his enemies across the whole series are nothing like those enemies ichiban faced..

[@mat8791]

@@lunarescxpe Kiryu has inhuman stamina though... Even a highly trained martial artist, against 100 people, some with rocket launchers and weapons, would be utterly fucked. Discipline is one thing but overwhelming strength and numbers is another. Yet even in those close to 0 odds Kiryu goes through it no problem and continues afterwards, sure a sniper shot does him in for some time. But he goes back up to fight again afterwards, wounded but still determined. The example I used is Yakuza 5 but Yakuza 0 also has a moment like this. Kiryu gets shot a few times by the assassin yet after a very short amount of time in the hospital. He's back up to his regular antics. It's a John Wick situation where you have to suspend some amount of realism to make the game feel logical. Don't question it. It's purely so we don't have to explain what happened after several months of intense physical care and the realistic consequences that length of time would have.

[@lunarescxpe]

@@mat8791 same thing happens with ichiban, he gets a shot near his heart then he recovers one day after, none is gonna question game's logic. and kiryu , saejima majima and akiyama all have inhuman stamina then not just kiryu. you get fight a bear as saejima in y5.. what are you even trying to prove?? ichiban needs his party cause he did lack power on his own, and it's for the story purpose , but like , that doesn't make kiryu a superhuman , he can fight on his own.

[@girandpiggy95]

as amazing as i think this game is, there's definitely room for improvement, so that makes me really excited for Infinite Wealth and its potential

[@TheDude-xp4vb]

Ichiban said he loves Dragon Quest so all the game with Ichiban as a playable character will be turn base

[@patrickbateman1660]

My only issue is the party members never really feel apart of the story. They each have their chapters but beyond thsg, nothing. Like would Saeko really care so much about everything going? I would love her opinion.

[@kaelinboone9218]

Love your videos keep on going! one of my favorite channels for sure 10 out of 10

[@TheCynicalGhost]

I do have some criticisms of the turn-based combat, mostly that party synergy isn't the best however I love this game to death. The gameplay is still good especially for their first time and its charm carries it. It has my favorite story in the series and Kasuga is definitely my favorite character.

[@RocketRacer2142]

lol that ending where you say how every Yakuza game was great until Lost Judgment came out - I recently completed LJ and I absolutely feel that

[@Tuschi17]

I was shocked at how much I enjoyed this game. Yokohama was great and the characters were incredibly lovable. The story was also a treat.

[@mage_43]

This was actually the first Yakuza game I ever played, and I enjoyed every second of it and it ended up becoming one of my favorite turn based RPGs ever and Ichiban has become one of my favorite protagonists ever. So excited to see where his story goes next.

[@apexofchaos5864]

If anything is BASED, it’s this channel. Am I not wrong?

[@SnowiestAngeman]

Thank you but unfortunately I am not turn-based :(

[@hakzource8660]

@@SnowiestAngemanyou are not like a dragon 7

[@xboxpenguin8705]

Ichiban, hurry up, we must play Yakuza: Like A Dragon and finally become (turn) based

[@yourguysheppy]

Based on what?

[@poggersbro5505]

So reddiy gold....

[@metalrob6713]

I cannot tell who MUCH I like this game, It's so fun to play and got me into turn-based jrpg genre in a first place (i started to play Dragon Quest XI at the same time😂) And after beating the game on a first time, i went to play it on NG+ run.

[@mintman3533]

I'm a huge JRPG fan, and picked up this game because of its similarities to Dragon Quest, and it blew my mind. Now I've played Yakuza 0-6 and the first Judgement game. Really love this series now. Infinite Wealth is the game I'm most looking forward to next year (Trails through Daybreak is my 2nd) and I'm going to replay this game again in preparation for it. Can't wait.

[@kraye_]

Snowiest, you are my favourite Yakuza KZbinr, hope you have a nice day man

[@Mozz96]

This makes me wanna replay 7 in preparation for Gaiden and 8, and maybe that's exactly what I'll do, this was a great vid!

[@devilleon7]

This is indeed the most based Yakuza game

[@kiss_george]

This is my favorite game and the only game I 100% in the entire franchise. I also wish they added a shirtless ichiban. He goes shirtless at points in the game but never became a outfit you could choose

[@Qwayzar]

I was vibing to the ace combat music the whole video. I love yakuza and I love this video

[@ROBOHOLIC1]

I appreciate you putting Ace Combat music in your videos. It triggers an extra dopamine receptor in my brain.

[@googyta]

Even though the gameplay could use some adjusting, I think they had a good understanding of how RPG's can serve a narrative. Fighting with a large team feels more substantial than with the brawler style and the drink links increasing inactive xp gain and creating follow-up attacks is a great way to combine mechanics with character development.

[@OneTrueBelmont]

In playing the games with the three protags, this is the vibe I get Kiryu: Amasses allies and garners respect across the underworld as he goes about his adventures Yagami: Gathers up a team and makes friends around town to solve a mystery Ichiban: Knocked down to nothing and builds up his own family to champion the underdog Because Ichiban takes the time to have chats with his friends and they ALL have turns having stupid fun with each other, it's kinda why I like him more than the other protags.

[@JacobTheCroc]

Yakuza 7 is legit the first game in the series that legit made me tear up many times than just one. Ichiban as a character is really well done and he just works well with stories that can make you laugh, make you mad or even cry. Ichiban is not some kind of superhero like Kiryu, he's just a hero who wants to do the best and it works. And this is why I prefer him and love him the most.

[@carcinoGetenicist]

I was just thinking "wow the Yakuza 7 retrospective sure is taking longer than the others" and you upload it lmao.

[@cyrus2395]

Yakuza 7 is my favourite, and I'm really hoping people who were against or on the fence about the turn-based stuff will give the Y8 demo a try in Gaiden

[@jk4681]

Yeah, it's a great game. I just recently bought it after sitting on the fence for like 2 years. I quickly got used to the turn based combat.

[@RelaxAlexX]

JOYCONBOYZFOREVER!!! Great video man

[@taniks652]

When i soon start my lost judgment im gonna be very excited for the best game ever since you say it all the time its gonna be my last game on my list before the new ones come out

[@grambortino]

Love the smt4 rec. I hope infinte wealth will chill with the jobs. Fewer, more refined jobs would feel better to use.

[@GuruFromEHRPG]

Legit would not be into this series without this game. Love this game and it is just a blast to play. The classes while a bit on the small side, were fun to screw around with. And it allowed me to play the other games in the series And i'm super looking forward to the sequel in January

[@broombroom173]

Well Infinite Wealth gives a small circle for the characters to move around, thank god for that xD

[@Lishimian]

That cry scene in Gaiden is singlehandedly worth all the minigames that could have been in 34and 5 in terms of emotional payoff

[@liamstrand9295]

sotenbori being in gaiden makes it a lot more iconic as it’s the last kiryu main line game with real time combat

[@spoiRBLX]

This game was unique in that the team decided to go with Arrgeegee 7 as the title instead of 龍が如く7. Bold.

[@fatmanpez]

Just beat this and on Gaiden now, beaten 0-6 and the two Judgements and what I'll say is the story and presentation in Like a Dragon was Phenomenal, the gameplay felt unrefined however and I barely had to pay attention aside from three Difficulty Spike Boss Fights at different that were stupid because at no other point did I legitimately have to think about what I was doing in battle. Overall loved this game though and loving Gaiden so far, I'm curious how IW improves this gameplay.

[@derrickjohnson4952]

I love the game it was my first yakuza game + I’m not really a big turn based RPG guy but this game was just PERFECT.

[@MrGrimlocke]

I love the thumbnail lol

[@rosserm11]

The only turn based rpg I’ve ever played/completed.

[@slumpedzen]

Played like a dragon first when it was game of the month awhile ago knew nothing about it , single handedly got me into the franchise now I’m on kiwami 2 planning on playing the rest

[@JakeTheL3mur]

Great thing to Wake up to!!

[@BigBoss_893]

I cannot wait for the 4 hour long LJ BJ

[@ogPunkcln]

Yakuza LaD is so good Kiryu got canonized cancer in order to make Ichiban the next John Yakuza.

[@authurstretchygreenthing8464]

I saw the gameplay trailer, so I'm just gonna go ahead and say it. Yes, Snow, they addressed the movement issue. As far as we know, we have free movement with the updated combat system, and Kiryu has a skill reminiscent of Extreme Heat where he can say "fuck this JRPG shit, I'm going to literally destroy you," and can even switch between combat styles. Though that may be only when he's in his default job.

[@masterofbloopers]

This was my first Yakuza game. I loved it so much that it almost killed my desire to play the rest of the games because it set the bar too high. I love the turn-based combat, I love the characters, I love the story, and I love Ichiban! Going from 7 to 0 was more painful than I was prepared for, but I'm glad I stuck with the series! I can't wait for 8!

[@WastedFox-lv4zp]

Man i love this game

[@LeonardoPimentel20]

17:55 There are a lot of strategies to beat the True Final Millennium Tower

[@MrLemmy82]

As a JRPG lover, I really enjoyed my experience with this game. As you say, it's not the deepest RPG ever, balance is a bit wack (Hello, Head Trauma), status ailments are basically useless, and elements don't matter so much in general, but man does this game hit all the Yakuza notes and shines with its cast and all the situations they're put in! Also obligatory comment about the use of Ace Combat music and footage, always GOATed.

[@fraudhoward1409]

Now whenever I see the Yakuza 3 boxart where Kiryu is smoking, I just get sad. I hope Kiryu's going to be alright.

[@floorwatching]

One thing that I'll definitely miss from the beat-em-up games are the Heat Actions. The act of setting them up and the IMPACT of the animations are always satisfying to witness. Kiwami moves in Yakuza 7 (and by extension the Poundmates), however, while they're definitely the same process of execution (you literally just press one button in both Yakuza 7 and the beat-em-up games), idk it's just not the same for me. Idk the Kiwami moves in Yakuza 7 for me feel... bloated? It's so weird because I don't feel this sense of bloat in other turn-based RPGs that I play.

[@JohnRRyder]

Thanks for giving love to the Dub. Your points about Sub is exactly why my friend is playing it with that, despite me highly praising the Dub. Its not thay the Dub is bad, far from it. Id argue it is one of the better Dubs in anime/Japanese media content. I personally liked MM as Majima or Kiryu's OG dub coming back for this one (really helps go with the whole "passing the torch" thing) I loved the dub, and highly recommend it. I understand why picking the sub is usually a first, but id say atleast for NG+ or a new playthrough all together give Dub a try! You might be suprised

[@ElStink4K]

I agree about the game taking more time to develop relationships. Y7 had one of the best plots in the series, I'm really looking forward to 8

[@Hezzadude12]

Very based video on a very (turn) based video game. I do like a lot of elements of this game but man the gameplay is a bit how ya going. It’s quite easy. Except for the Majima fight, that actually is a HUGE gatekeeper in this game hahah. Looking forward to your retrospective on Lost Judgment, which is undoubtedly the biggest hit RGG have ever released to date. Man. Now I wanna play Lost Judgment.

[@Sav3_St4te]

Real Yakuza fans know you could get hit by a car as early as 5 (loving the video so far)

[@stevenkennedy6870]

zero was the game that got me into the series but if i can name the runner up for that #1 spot it be this game staring yakuza 5 in october alongside 6 before gaiden comes out

[@TehNewParalyzer]

Technically Yakuza 5 we could get hit by a car, it was an achievement/trophy to do so.... but it wasn't like getting hit hit ... Kiryu just kinda goes "woooaah" like he go pushed by something heavy

[@pomax8372]

I just made lunch, perfect timing brother

[@SnowiestAngeman]

Enjoy your lunch, brother

[@johnhammond6248]

I found ichiban very relatable. Hate to be cliche but hes literally me, which is why i loved this game and i cant wait for the new one this month!

[@IlyasToriyama]

It's crazy that I only gave the series a chance because of gamepass and then I ended up playing all of them, then buying them all plus judgement and lj.

[@monkeygamingify]

18:44 bang on the money... broke my right arm (had surgery today)... was excited to hear that line... because i was like thats me

[@pseudochel]

MAN, this game is so good it makes me want to buy 17 copies of it at least.

[@pigdude6323]

The only thing I'll disagree with you on here is the lack of passive job skills. There is ONE with the foreman job where if you equip on Ichi he can destroy weak walls

[@amitojsingh7583]

Best RGG story for me personally

[@blueblazer9991]

my favorite Yakuza game

[@mekka662]

SMT 4 MENTIONED!!!!

[@Spongedude1441]

Beautiful game

[@scottianson5133]

I'm currently on the idol sim part in Y5 and I really shouldn't be watching these videos but they're just too good.

[@Reggie21]

I didn't expect I'll hear Ace Combat song in Yakuza video. I love this game a lot. I love it more than Persona 5

[@kyleh636]

Best design change RGG ever made

[@Blumiene]

cant wait for the Best video on the Best Video Game ever and how it made a Video Game Series into the Best Video Game Series

[@rkroo]

common W goat

[@dennistfossettjr]

Favorite in the series

[@friedteto]

I somehow managed to beat a boss without a damege, also EPIC BREAD MOMENT. Plus Very basedest video

[@nootnewt9323]

Another thing I hope 8 does (other than allowing you to move the character around a bit like in ni no kuni) is to turn off the long animations like you can in fire emblem. It would save so much time in the fights.

[@deepflare1028]

Yeah that could help a lot with parts where you have to grind

[@only7348]

1:51 shinada jump scare

[@WINSTONECHAN]

mans going into maximum overdrive with the ace combat 7 ost

[@johnnylancenese]

I... did not know you could shortcut the skills. I REALLY wish I knew that.

[@Dr.Pootis]

14:01 Honestly, it would've been genious if instead of doing HP/MP like normal RPGs, you had LP(Life Points), and HP(Heat Points)

[@ChronoAlex]

I did not know that's how the escape mechanic work. I've already finished Infinite Wealth 😂

[@bebrasmachnayq5691]

Yakuza my favorite video game series bro, i played yakuza 0 last year and i loving it, Yakuza 7 i like more than ofhers because of characters and story

[@sgtkwan]

i feel like if the game leans more to weakness that would only increase the grind because now we actually have to level up the subjobs.

[@Luis-nn9ux]

mister angeman have you ever played project wingman? if not I highly recommend it since you've played ace combat before

[@optimus27000]

Okay so with the prevalence of all the Ace Combat music in these videos. When are we getting an Ace Combat retrospective video series?

[@SnowiestAngeman]

I am here to shamefully admit that while I’ve almost beaten Ace Combat 7 on Ace difficulty, the only other game that I have had a proper experience with was 6 ‘cause I watched my older brother play it years ago but I forgot all of it lol

[@anaveragefish_]

🔥🔥🔥

[@bushywushy6061]

You better be giving lost judgement the sloppiest toppy I've ever heard recorded, I'm counting on you

[@dastanovich2476]

For other languages, like Russian for example, the game gives you a prompt that it recommends you to play LAD with a JP dub, as all other languages were translating from JP

[@SnowiestAngeman]

I had heard that was the case but wasn't too sure but thank you for letting me know

[@felman87]

I only know of 2 Japanese people who have an xbox. Sakurai and Shuhei Yoshida of Sony fame. It's interesting that I cannot think of a single person from Microsoft Japan. Tomonobu Itagaki was practically defacto Microsoft cheerleader. He's used to be part of Team Ninja and it Xplains why the Dead or Alive and Ninja Gaiden franchises were exclusive to Xbox for a time.

[@zedreamcast4575]

RIP Head Trauma

[@tombraiserzombie2581]

of all the companies I've lost faith in over the years for one reason or another, this (and sega) is the only one I trust