Review: Yakuza 5 (PS3)

While senses.se has officially shifted its focus away from the previous console generation, we revisited the PS3 to evaluate Sega’s acclaimed Japanese title, Yakuza 5, now available to a wider international audience.

Yakuza 5 is one of the PS3’s best-looking games

The Yakuza series enjoys immense popularity in Japan, but its presence in the Western market has been relatively modest. Sega aims to broaden its appeal with the release of Yakuza 5, the final installment for the PS3, and the announcement of the imminent release of Yakuza 6 for PS4 (in Japan initially, with a European release to follow). While releasing a PS3-exclusive title in late 2015 might seem unconventional, Yakuza 5 originally launched in Japan in 2012, marking it as one of the last significant games for the platform. This release could be seen as a gauge for Western interest, informing Sega’s decision on a simultaneous release of Yakuza 6. However, it’s worth noting that a significant portion of Western gamers have already transitioned to the non-backwards compatible PS4.

In essence, Yakuza 5 evokes the spirit of Sega’s Dreamcast-era classic, Shenmue, a title recently revitalized by the announcement of a third installment. Yu Suzuki’s Shenmue pioneered open-world Asian adventures and popularized QTE (quick time event) sequences, influencing countless subsequent games. Fundamentally, Yakuza 5 embodies classic Japanese game design: a lone protagonist confronts a powerful antagonist (in this case, the Yakuza), with a narrative-rich experience delivered through text and cutscenes, interwoven with varied gameplay mechanics.

There are plenty of mini-games and side quests, such as dance battles for example

Players familiar with Shenmue will find familiar elements in Yakuza 5. You initially control Kazuma Kiriyu from a third-person perspective, navigating the world, interacting with characters, and engaging in combat with hostile individuals (without the ability to target innocent bystanders as in GTA). A significant portion of the game is dedicated to story progression, revealing Kazuma’s journey since the previous installment (prior experience is not essential, but the games are interconnected) and his adaptation to his new surroundings. As the game progresses, additional playable characters are introduced. Kazuma’s occupation as a taxi driver presents opportunities for multitasking, requiring players to adhere to traffic regulations while simultaneously responding to customer inquiries. Furthermore, players can participate in high-speed races against the Devil Killers, a rival group notorious for reckless driving.

The fighting is fun and well-made

Yakuza 5 showcases impressive visual fidelity, particularly considering the PS3’s age. The character models are remarkably detailed and realistic. While occasional visual compromises, such as dot-crawls and lens flare, are present to compensate for the lower resolution, the game demonstrates the PS3’s capabilities. Although it lacks the high resolution, advanced lighting effects, and 60 fps performance of current-generation titles, its visual quality rivals that of some contemporary PS4 games. The audio features Japanese voice acting (with English subtitles) and a soundtrack blending refined orchestral scores with energetic J-pop during action sequences. The narrative is intricate and deliberately paced, featuring a wealth of locations and characters reminiscent of anime and Japanese storytelling. While cutscenes are skippable (though generally well-produced and acted), character interactions can be protracted and dialogue often relies on stereotypical character traits, leading players to expedite conversations.

Yakuza 5 contains plenty of dialogue and a lot of archetypes

For enthusiasts of the Shenmue series, Yakuza 5 provides an enjoyable and nostalgic experience, despite not being a cutting-edge title. The taxi driving sequences, while aiming for realism, can feel tedious due to their deliberate pacing. However, the compelling storyline, character progression, and robust combat system, reminiscent of Virtua Fighter, offer engaging gameplay. Players can also earn money, assist non-player characters, and acquire items. For those seeking to recapture the charm of Shenmue and the Dreamcast era, Yakuza 5 is a worthwhile choice. Currently priced at 399 SEK on the PlayStation Network, its exclusive digital distribution on the PS3 may seem expensive. However, the game offers a substantial amount of content, making it a worthwhile investment for dedicated PS3 owners.