Yakuza 3 (2009)

Yakuza 3 is the third main entry in the Japanese action-adventure video game franchise and was released in early 2009. The game has however aged surprisingly well thanks to fluid controls, fascinating locations and addicting story. The main story takes roughly twenty hours to complete but finishing the entire game with its numerous intriguing side stories could take more than one hundred hours. This game certainly offers value for money.

One interesting element here is that the game takes place in two completely different locations. Players will explore a more detailed map of Kamurocho in downtown Tokyo than ever before. As a contrast, the second and brand-new location is a fictional area named Ryukyu in Okinawa that impresses with sandy beaches, charming tourism locations and beautiful weather.

There are also more characters than ever before. Aside of charismatic protagonist Kiryu Kazuma and his closest allies such as adopted daughter Sawamura Haruka and adventurous young criminal Shimabukuro Rikiya, this game features up to three hundred sixty unique characters that offer much diversity and entertainment.

This game offers more three distinct modes. The adventure mode refers to more than one hundred unique side stories such as bounty hunter missions. Players also get to experience twenty dynamic mini-games varying from batting cage over karaoke to surf fishing. The event mode refers to cinematic sequences that are progressing the main story and add up to almost five hours of entertainment. The battle mode allows to access the Underground Coliseum where illicit mixed martial arts events are taking place. Another separate element worth mentioning are the numerous coin lockers available at both main locations where players can access creative, ridiculous and useful items.

The main story offers many twists and turns in the franchise's most ambitious approach yet. There are conspiracies and rivalries involving criminal families, foreign arms dealers, corrupted members of the police force, shady politicians and even mysterious members of secret agencies. The story of this game could easily make for three seasons of a captivating action-thriller television series and deserves to be discovered in depth.

The soundtrack to this game is also more diversified than ever before. This includes songs that can be heard and sung in the game but also tunes performed during the credits in the Japanese version.

As you can read, Yakuza 3 has aged particularly well and purchasing the boxed set of remastered versions including the third, fourth and fifth main games is highly recommended. This game is on the same high-quality level as the other instalments as only minor elements should decide which game you actually appreciate most. In my personal case, I have particularly liked the colourful locations in Okinawa and the tense story in this memorable game. Thirteen years after its release, it certainly wouldn't be exaggerated to call this game here a genre classic that is worth being discovered and rediscovered.

Detailed rating:

Atmosphere: 8 / 10 

Challenge level: 8 /10

Controls: 9 / 10

Game flow: 9 /10

Graphics: 8 /10

Length: 9 /10

Long-term fun factor: 9 /10  

Sound: 8 /10

Soundtrack: 7 /10

Story: 9 /10

Total score: 84 / 100