3/5 ★ – smellcaster's review of Yakuza 5 Remastered.

Finished (1/16/2021) Kiryu's story was kinda weak. He seems to be caught in the same rut every game, and it's starting to get a little old. Also didn't 4 end with Kiryu and Saejima agreeing to watch over the Tojo Clan? Did I make that up? I hope 6 mixes it up a bit. I did like the seen where he shows the nerdy guy that he is a true yakuza. Everything about Saejima's story was disappointing which is a shame because I really like that guy. Why did he not care that Majima died and then spend the last half of the game lecturing everyone on the bond between sworn brothers? Also Baba-chan sucks ass and I hate that the game spent so much time focusing on him. At least his gameplay was fun. Haruka's stuff was probably my favorite part of the game. I think the turn around on Park-san was a little too fast considering she threatens to cut off funding to Morning Glory like 3 days before she becomes Haruka's surrogate mom. Akyama-san rules, as always. His motivations are the only ones that make sense throughout the whole game. I really have nothing bad to say about his section. Shinada was an interesting character. I liked his section until Daigo made his appearance, and everyone started to talk about dreams constantly. He kinda lost me when he left the 20 mil, and still was scrounging for money because he needed to follow his dream. He can take them money and pursue his dream? He is suposed to be kind of himbo though so whatever. The finale was way longer than I thought it would be. Also the plot is so convoluted, even for one of htese games, that even with all that time, they didn't make most things make sense. I liked the fight with Majima, Shinada realizing he had people that cared about him did get me choked up, and the yakuza bowing to Akyama was cool. I liked Haruka's speech to Kiryu, but I don;t like thta she gave up on her career afterwords. I think she could still try to make it work. Also after all of the sacrifices everyone made to get her there, it kinda stinks that she gave it up. I am glad she decided her family wasmore important, but it;s wild to me thatr she didn;t wnat to at least try to carry on. Plus, it's kinda shitty to T-Set to just dip in the middle of their concert. Also, the ifnal battle was the worst fight in any of these games. I had to chese it pretty hard to win. Maybe if I spent more time grinding with Kiryu, it would have been easier, but still. Also absolutely abysmal choice for the big bad. I can't even remember the guy's name and it is less than 24 hours since I fought him. Just a random goon can go toe-to-toe with Kiryu? I don't car who's son he is, it is kinda silly. Bad cliffhanger, but that seems to be a common theme in these games. All in all, the game had some high points, but mostly not a great experience. I am glad I finished it, but I doubt I will ever play this one again. Current ranking: 0>1>2>4>3>5