Ep 18. Yakuza 6: the Song of Life

In season 12 episode 18 of Zero Punctuation, gaming critic Yahtzee Croshaw takes on the latest installment in the Yakuza franchise: Yakuza 6: the Song of Life.

As always, Yahtzee's irreverent humor and biting commentary are on full display as he dives into the world of Yakuza 6. He starts by giving a brief overview of the series, noting that it's known for its "ridiculousness" and "over-the-top drama." From there, Yahtzee takes a look at the game's story, which follows series protagonist Kazuma Kiryu as he returns to his hometown of Kamurocho after a stint in prison.

One of the things that immediately stands out to Yahtzee is the game's presentation. He notes that the graphics are "gorgeous" and that the attention to detail is "staggering." However, he also points out that the game suffers from some technical issues, such as long load times and occasional frame rate drops.

Moving on to the gameplay, Yahtzee notes that Yakuza 6 offers a "unique blend of fighting, exploration, and narrative." He praises the game's combat system, which allows players to string together combos and perform dynamic finishing moves. He also enjoys the game's exploration elements, which include a variety of side quests and minigames.

As for the narrative, Yahtzee says that Yakuza 6 manages to strike a "balance between serious drama and absurdity." He notes that the game deals with some heavy themes, such as fatherhood and the role of organized crime in society, but also includes plenty of wacky moments. Overall, Yahtzee feels that the game's story is engaging, if somewhat predictable.

Of course, no Zero Punctuation review would be complete without some snarky commentary. Yahtzee pokes fun at the game's occasional use of "quick time events," calling them a "relic from the early 2000s." He also takes issue with the game's sometimes-clunky camera angles and its occasional reliance on fetch quests.

However, despite these criticisms, Yahtzee ultimately concludes that Yakuza 6 is a "solid entry" in the series. He notes that it's not a game for everyone, but that fans of the Yakuza franchise will likely enjoy it. He ends the episode by encouraging players to give the game a try and experience its unique blend of drama and absurdity for themselves.

Overall, Zero Punctuation season 12 episode 18 provides a humorous and insightful look at Yakuza 6: the Song of Life. With Yahtzee's trademark wit and criticism, the episode offers a balanced view of the game, highlighting its strengths and weaknesses. Fans of the Yakuza franchise, as well as those who enjoy Yahtzee's style of gaming criticism, will undoubtedly find this episode entertaining and informative.