Yakuza 4 is the fourth main game in the Japanese action-adventure video game franchise. Even though it was released almost exactly twelve years ago by now, it has stood the test of time very well with dynamic gameplay, intriguing locations and gripping story. The story revolves around a series of conspiracies and rivalries complexly connecting elements from the past with events in the present.
This game has four playable characters that add much diversity to the game. Players can obviously incarnate charismatic protagonist Kiryu Kazuma who is an intelligent gangster fighting for justice. Tanimura Masayoshi is an ambitious young policeman who is infamous for his corruption and gambling but actually has a heart of gold and supports struggling minorities in town. Akiyama Shun was once homeless but has become a successful businessman who loans money to people who are struggling with serious issues in order to make this world a better place. Finally, we have imposing former gangster Saejima Taiga who breaks out of prison just a few days before his scheduled execution for a crime he never committed. Each main character has a unique side goal that can to be completed throughout the game. The most interesting one is Akiyama Shun's goal to scout ladies for the cabaret he owns and develop their careers.
Most of the game takes places in fictional district Kamurocho that players have gotten used to throughout the predecessors which adds to the game's immersive atmosphere and tight pace. Memorable settings from the past have been kept while several fresh elements such as extended rooftop locations, several backstreets and a particularly gloomy sewer system with a society of its own have been added to the game. The main characters can also play different mini-games such as fishing, pachinko and table tennis.
As usual, this game convinces with easy controls, excellent graphics and wonderful soundtrack that add to the immersive factor. Even though this is already the fourth main game in the franchise, the team behind this release keeps adding creative new ideas that should equally please fans of old date and the next generation.
The main story might have many surprises but can be completed in just above twenty hours which makes for one of the shorter games in the franchise. In order to complete all side missions however, this game could easily entertain for more than one hundred hours of addictive entertainment. It's rewarding to explore the game's impressive map as there are surprises around every corner. Completionists and perfectionists will therefore enjoy this game even more than casual and occasional players.
At the end of the day, Yakuza 4 might not be the most memorable game in the franchise but solidly extends the elevated average quality of the franchise. This game should therefore please fans of old date as well as potential new fans who won't have any trouble appreciating protagonist Kiryu Kazuma while discovering the other brand-new main characters at the same time as everyone else which makes this game here a better choice for them than the chronological predecessor and successor that featured more characters, settings and stories connecting to past games.
