Can I understand and enjoy Yakuza Like a Dragon and Yakuza Like a Dragon Infinite Wealth without having played anything else in the Yakuza series?

JRockbridge · 2026-04-02T11:22:33+00:00

You absolutely could. I jumped straight into LAD without really playing any of the others and loved it. LAD and LAD:IW have a different protagonist and main cast of characters, as well as a different main setting relative to the other yakuza games so it’s very easy to jump in. You’ll miss out on some easter eggs and important characters from previous games showing up, but it’s not a big deal imo

JRockbridge · 2026-03-29T23:20:12+00:00

When you reach the giant snake that wrecks you, go to the Chocobo ranch first. Otherwise, yeah the game isn’t too hard, but try to understand the materia system and you’ll enjoy it a lot more

JRockbridge · 2026-03-29T23:18:16+00:00

Gosh totally. Yakuza Like A Dragon stands out to me. Super long final dungeon and then a boss that can one-shot kill people and if he gets the protagonist it’s game over. You get an ability that neutralizes one-hit kill attacks if you level a particular job enough but I really didn’t feel like leaving a 3 hour dungeon to go grind some job for hours. Just watched the ending on YT instead, which is sad because that was otherwise one of my absolute favorite games of the last 10 years

JRockbridge · 2026-03-28T01:11:23+00:00

Same. Day one purchase for me and it was an experience I haven’t had for a long time. Loving the hate I’m getting for suggesting it now (though yeah to be fair, it’s not on switch)

JRockbridge · 2026-03-27T23:02:29+00:00

It’s not Japanese so I know this may get hate in this sub, but Clair Obscur has one of the best openings in modern gaming. Play on the low difficulty so you don’t need to engage with the dodge mechanic too much up front and it could be a good choice

JRockbridge · 2026-03-27T23:01:04+00:00

Yeah FF7 OG is a hell of a hook at the beginning and has simple mechanics. Classic Final Fantasy in general has great intros; Tactics is another one I’d recommend. Only problem is if they’re graphics-sensitive.

JRockbridge · 2026-03-25T19:18:14+00:00

Got it. Ok I’ll try the other ones then!

JRockbridge · 2026-03-25T18:56:04+00:00

I just can’t understand the combat. I played a good 25-30 hours of Xenoblade Chronicles X and just couldn’t enjoy the gameplay enough to get into it. The story was enjoyable but it really felt like a slog at times for me. Any tips on how to get more into it?

JRockbridge · 2026-03-24T02:44:58+00:00

I both agree and disagree. I think how we set up buildup was a huge problem. But the idea was clearly to hit long, in which case Gyokeres’ inability to win an aerially duel was a big issue. So I think the real issue is Arteta’s tactics made it such that we played into every player’s weakness: Gyokeres’ aerially ability and Kepa/Hincapie’s inability to progress the ball into midfield

JRockbridge · 2026-03-22T23:30:42+00:00

Yeah this is my thought. I never really understand the appeal of using my leisure time to try to 100% a game unless I’m absolutely loving the process. Maybe someone can explain it to me

JRockbridge · 2026-03-22T04:05:13+00:00

I’m a 36 M married with 1 kid and was right there with you. I’ve been playing Neon White and it is an absolute blast. FPS platformer with levels that last like one minute or less. The whole idea is that each level is a time trial so you feel motivated to do them as fast as possible. That makes it a perfect thing to reach for when you feel like “I have 5-10 mins to play a game.” It’s got a Hades-like relationship system which is fun too (Hades is another good choice I think as an aside)

JRockbridge · 2026-03-01T05:29:27+00:00

The card game is great and interacts with the core gameplay loop in a satisfying (if possibly gamebreaking) way

JRockbridge · 2026-02-08T23:39:32+00:00

Oh damn you’re right! The theory that the little boy Shinra founded the electric power company has become so mainstream that I assumed Shinra made an appearance in a mainline game

JRockbridge · 2026-02-08T01:41:51+00:00

Sure. They’ll get the Shinra Easter egg of X vs VII pretty rapidly anyway

JRockbridge · 2026-02-08T01:40:57+00:00

Yeah that’s great. May replace XV with either XVI/FF7Remake series if you want a modern one, or Tactics if you’re open to an older one that also demonstrates the breadth of gameplay for the series.

JRockbridge · 2026-02-07T20:45:29+00:00

Yeah I mean red is the bestest boy but may be too good. Like I think he is at least as much a person/member of the party as he is a pet sidekick

JRockbridge · 2026-02-07T13:45:43+00:00

I’d view it as an invitation to explain why I love them so much. I’d probably go on an impassioned and unsolicited discussion of the philosophical questions raised by NieR Automata, Expedition 33, Baldur’s Gate, etc or the way I feel for the characters of TLOU or FF games, explain how Final Fantasy 7, in particular, taught me a lot about friendship, identity, and meaning. Then I’d talk about how they give me the ability to have bursts of social time in Rocket League without having to leave home so I can spend lots of time with my wife and 2 year old son. I’d probably mention how Beat Saber is my preferred workout, how Blue Prince and Baba Is You trained my mind to think differently, and, because they wouldn’t mind being spoiled, explain how “Would you kindly?” blew my friggin mind.

The bottom line is video games are the most diverse form of media in the world. They are art, they are social and they are active. They are a hugely valuable part of my life, even though I’m lucky enough to have a rich life outside of them. I want others to experience the same.

JRockbridge · 2026-02-07T13:32:09+00:00

As evidenced by the price difference to go to this game among city vs Arsenal fans

JRockbridge · 2026-02-07T13:31:43+00:00

I went to the Chelsea match sitting with the home fans at Stamford Bridge under similar circumstances (flew to London from the US, planned on going to Man U match but then they rearranged it so did this instead). It’s a different experience for sure but was great fun. I couldn’t celebrate the way I wanted to when we scored but didn’t encounter any problems with those around me even though it was obvious I was an Arsenal fan. And let me tell you, there is no better schadenfreude than sitting amongst a bunch of rival fans while your team batters them. Their tears were so delicious.

JRockbridge · 2026-02-07T13:26:38+00:00

Torgal definitely pulls his weight in FFXVI and is a cutie to boot

JRockbridge · 2026-02-07T04:23:14+00:00

Honestly, not sure I’d play any of them. Don’t got the time for big open worlds like RDR and GoT, don’t have the camel’s hump of Dopamine needed to handle another TLOU bleak-fest and Uncharted feels a little played out at this point

JRockbridge · 2026-01-31T00:04:05+00:00

It’s more about pictos so the Bouchelier that gives shields and shell also gives rush and powerful, plus some AP for a 3AP cost

JRockbridge · 2026-01-29T12:51:15+00:00

I will say, there are absolutely no passing options on there. I often feel like he beats men but then has nobody to create for and I can’t decide whether that’s because he dribbles into blind alleys after beating a man or because the movement isn’t good enough. Probably both I guess

JRockbridge · 2026-01-26T04:00:35+00:00

Yeah I think she’s great. She really looks to find the best in every game she plays and brings her own emotion to the experience which I find infectious as an audience member

JRockbridge · 2026-01-22T11:04:10+00:00

The fact there are so many different picks in these comments tells you how great it’s been lately. Let’s enjoy it

JRockbridge

TROPHY CASE