Sony Yakuza Remastered v OG

[Smacktard]

Paging @Fire Queen @VashTheStampede @Quagmire and @Raine

Various Yakuza remasters are being released for the PS4 and PS5. I'd like to get into the series at some point, and I'm wondering whether I should buy the originals or the remasters. Remasters can be hit or miss, so I thought I'd ask y'all because you know this series pretty well. Anyone else who played them can feel free to chime in.

 

[Fire Queen]

do you mean the remasters of 3-5? if so they’re definitely the superior versions of those games.

 

[Smacktard]

do you mean the remasters of 3-5? if so they’re definitely the superior versions of those games.

Okay yeah, because Limited Run is doing individual re-re-releases of 3-5 for PS4, but I see there's a collection that already includes them.

 

[Raine]

Okay yeah, because Limited Run is doing individual re-re-releases of 3-5 for PS4, but I see there's a collection that already includes them.

Yeah. Those will just be the same version*, and really mostly only exist because they're doing physical Xbox releases (for the first time) at the same time. Ostensibly the only "real" reason to look at LRG's PS4 releases is if you wanted their whole big, fancy Collector's Edition thing for the entire series - but Zero, Kiwami, Kiwami 2 and Y3R are already unavailable (and Y4R's last day is today).

Per the initial question though - there is seemingly no reason to pursue the OG releases of Y1 and Y2 over Kiwami, and the original Y3 had a variety of budget constraints leading to lots of hemming and hawing over "cut content" in the localized version, particularly with minigames and hostesses if memory serves. Y3R had a lot of that restored, plus bonus points for dealing with some sensitive topics in a significantly better way, and I don't think anyone recommends playing Y3 over Y3R.

I don't really remember anything noteworthy being said for Y4 and beyond back when I was initially looking into the games - 'cause lolactuallyplayinggames - so as FQ says, Remastered Collection would be the way to go.

* Trophy nonsense aside, since some LRG releases end up having separate stackable lists. But you'd have to 1) be super masochistic to care that much and 2) purchase blind because Zero and Kiwami aren't even shipping until March and nobody will know until then.

 

[Quagmire]

I have heard mixed things about the 3 Remaster, I hear the blocking is really broken on that version, I dont think it is present in the ps3 version

I guess you could turn down the difficulty if it gets too annoying

If you are a redditor r/yakuzagames will have better answers as I have only played the originals of 3-5

 

[Smacktard]

Yeah. Those will just be the same version*, and really mostly only exist because they're doing physical Xbox releases (for the first time) at the same time. Ostensibly the only "real" reason to look at LRG's PS4 releases is if you wanted their whole big, fancy Collector's Edition thing for the entire series - but Zero, Kiwami, Kiwami 2 and Y3R are already unavailable (and Y4R's last day is today).

Per the initial question though - there is seemingly no reason to pursue the OG releases of Y1 and Y2 over Kiwami, and the original Y3 had a variety of budget constraints leading to lots of hemming and hawing over "cut content" in the localized version, particularly with minigames and hostesses if memory serves. Y3R had a lot of that restored, plus bonus points for dealing with some sensitive topics in a significantly better way, and I don't think anyone recommends playing Y3 over Y3R.

I don't really remember anything noteworthy being said for Y4 and beyond back when I was initially looking into the games - 'cause lolactuallyplayinggames - so as FQ says, Remastered Collection would be the way to go.

* Trophy nonsense aside, since some LRG releases end up having separate stackable lists. But you'd have to 1) be super masochistic to care that much and 2) purchase blind because Zero and Kiwami aren't even shipping until March and nobody will know until then.

Cool, I'll probably just buy the non-LRG set, eventually, maybe, if I enjoy my time with Yakuza 0. I probably would've bought the LRG collection of they released them all for sale at the same time, or had some sort of box set collection, but they staggered the releases *just enough* so that you'd have to place multiple orders, pay for shipping multiple times, etc., and fuck that. That's such an asshole move.

 

[Quagmire]

Cool, I'll probably just buy the non-LRG set, eventually, maybe, if I enjoy my time with Yakuza 0. I probably would've bought the LRG collection of they released them all for sale at the same time, or had some sort of box set collection, but they staggered the releases *just enough* so that you'd have to place multiple orders, pay for shipping multiple times, etc., and fuck that. That's such an asshole move.

My biggest recommendation to anyone about to play these games is take your time in between games, you will get burnt out. Also I adore this series, I have never 100% any of these or even tried, you would lose your mind most likely

 

[Smacktard]

My biggest recommendation to anyone about to play these games is take your time in between games, you will get burnt out. Also I adore this series, I have never 100% any of these or even tried, you would lose your mind most likely

I tend to stagger my series naturally anyway. I know FQ has 100%'d all the Yakuza games, pretty much back to back, over like a 2 year period, but I don't think I could do that. I'm looking at my games shelf right now and realizing that I have way too much to get through. I think I'm already set for the next 2 or 3 years.

 

[Quagmire]

I tend to stagger my series naturally anyway. I know FQ has 100%'d all the Yakuza games, pretty much back to back, over like a 2 year period, but I don't think I could do that. I'm looking at my games shelf right now and realizing that I have way too much to get through. I think I'm already set for the next 2 or 3 years.

Look forward to hearing your thoughts as you go!

 

[Fire Queen]

I know FQ has 100%'d all the Yakuza games, pretty much back to back, over like a 2 year period, but I don't think I could do that.

lol it was more of a six year period

 

[Quagmire]

lol it was more of a six year period

View attachment 26836

I would have questioned your sanity if it were 2

 

[Fire Queen]

yeah i went in depth into how much of an ass each game was to get the plat in here:

Yakuza/Like a Dragon Games By Platinum Difficulty

long ago, in the summer of 2018, i made a decision that would go on to alter the very course of my life. since then, i have never regretted this decision, and in fact it has caused me to better understand myself as a person. i have learned many lessons, improved my skills in many different...

gwforums.com

thankfully not all of them required 100%ing the completion list. that probably would have broken me. 3-5 definitely feel dated and 4 has one of the most dud protagonists of the bunch (tanimura) but 5 is maybe my favorite yakuza game and that is saying something

 

[Smacktard]

yeah i went in depth into how much of an ass each game was to get the plat in here:

Yakuza/Like a Dragon Games By Platinum Difficulty

long ago, in the summer of 2018, i made a decision that would go on to alter the very course of my life. since then, i have never regretted this decision, and in fact it has caused me to better understand myself as a person. i have learned many lessons, improved my skills in many different...

gwforums.com

thankfully not all of them required 100%ing the completion list. that probably would have broken me. 3-5 definitely feel dated and 4 has one of the most dud protagonists of the bunch (tanimura) but 5 is maybe my favorite yakuza game and that is saying something

Like you, Yakuza 0 will be the first Yakuza game I play (and try to platinum).

After I finished Ass Creed 4, I'm trying to decide whether to play that, Mass Effect 1, or God of War 2018.