What's your favorite Yakuza game Dad? 🐉

From Silent Hill, to Yakuza; every time you make a video, it’s one of my deeply appreciated series. Your videos are simply the best, and you deserve all the success in the world. Thanks, Son.

Kiryu has actually been someone who I can look to when I need to be reminded that there is always something to keep you going. I have been where you were and playing yakuza again reminded me that even when things are at their bleakest and you have lost so much, there are still things and people in our lives we press on for. Kiryu reminds us to stand strong.

Nishiki is such an underated villain. We need more tragic villains in media.

Hey this is a thing no one else has mentioned, but when bosses get heat mode and heal, they have a certain color flame resembling your four stances. If you switch to the corresponding stance you can do the power heat move to stop them and do massive damage. It’s good once you realize and can easily make some bosses not annoying if you manage your heat or boost it!

"I'm sure we can all relate to wanting what's best for people who have wronged us, right dad?" Holy crap, what a line. What hidden depths does my favorite son have?

Kiwami 1 is like a repeated stab in the heart of Kiryu. Man..he loose Everything. He won Haruka but he loose almost everyone in his life.

Damn, Son. Your output with these retrospectives is seriously impressive ESPECIALLY right after the Silent Hill series. Very inspiring to see! Looking forward to this Yakuza series they’re games I’ve been meaning to get into for a whileeee now and this is a good way to learn about them before playing.

The only series to make you care about training a dominitrix into being good at her job, while also making you nervous of every manhole cover. Even if people only know it as the “Dame dane” game series, that still won’t prepare them for the insane rabbit hole they’re about to STEP & GO into.

I genuinely don't even know how you do this so consistently son. I'm equal parts proud and concerned. Are you getting enough sleep?

I will say that I kinda like the progression of the Dragon style. I barely used it at the beginning, really hating it. But as the game progressed and I got more into the story and upgrading it I found myself using it more than any style. It actually was like I was becoming the Dragon of Dojima once more.

I've been playing through all of the Yakuza games starting at 0 when they got released on Xbox and I'm currently on 4 as Kiriyu. I gotta say, this has to be my favorite series and I've loved them all so far

heres what i love about kiryu. he has the face of a very scary individual, he rarely emotes, and yet... a significant part of yakuza is the side content. and most of the side content is just, helping people. literally helping others. the reward at the end of the quest might be game-breaking, but i love how much this paints kiryu as an incredibly deep man. often giving advice or offering to help if he can. he doesnt care where you're from, what gender identity you have, how impossible the odds might seem to help you, so long as you're not throwing the first punch, or bullying those who cant easily fight back, he's actually a very kindhearted guy, the warm fuzzies you get at the end of most side quests are just as much rewards as the service you unlock/upgrade, the overpowered gear you unlock, etc.

Several years ago playstation had kiwami available as a free game with ps plus and I proceeded to play it ... and all the rest of the games (except dead souls). The main stories are always solid and the side stories often are surprising for how goofy they are willing to get at times.

“You need to make use of all three styles to win” **proceeds to use Beast in literally every clip for the rest of the video** You got a great sense of humor, son.

I started the series with Yakuza 0 and went in chronological order. You can tell kumping from 0 to Kiwami that the tone was not fully developed in the first game, but if you can appreciate it for coming earlier, it's still a blast, and the additions with Kiwami from the original, such as the '6 months earlier' scene at the beginning, do help to bring not onpy more narrative context but also to deliver on some of that tonal quality of the later games. I remember bursting with laughter, as I had done many times with 0, when the pickpocket pulled out the stance for his 'lost martial art' before the fight starts, and at that moment I knew it was still the Yakuza I had fallen in love with

Yakuza series is my personal favorite of all time. My heart and soul is with this series and the fact that you made this gem of a video makes me so happy. Thank You!! Subscribed

Now I see why the writing in these games is so good. They were written by an actual crime novelist. That's commitment.

Son i havent even finished your 8+ hour silent hill introspective yet.

This got a little long. ==== I can relate to having a game that got me through hard times. Silent Hill 3 was mine. When I was about six I'd sit with my dad and watch him play Playstation. One of my earliest memories with him is watching him play through Silent Hill, and it was really my big introduction into horror. My dad and I had a falling out after I came out publicly and it was rough. We'd basically argue anytime we spoke, and one Christmas I told him I wasn't coming home because I knew it'd end in a fight and I wanted us both to enjoy the holidays. He told me that I wasn't his daughter anymore. I picked up Silent Hill 3 (my first Silent Hill game) and decided to sit down and play it, only to find out that Silent Hill 3 was about the daughter of the first game's protagonist, and how she follows in his footsteps. Just as I was following in his, going from watching him go through the town to eventually traversing it alone, and without my father in my life any longer. I felt the loss that Heather felt as she entered her father's apartment, the anger. It helped me begin grieving. Accepting that he was gone from my life, and that I wasn't going to let myself give up just because I was alone. Today, Silent Hill 3 doesn't really have anything that fazes me. Both because I've played it multiple times, and because to me it's more a game about processing grief, at least in the later half. Wanting to give up, or to lash out in anger, but knowing that neither will help in the long run, and having to simply know how to keep going. If you shoot Claudia in the end scene of SH3, you die, you gave into that anger. If you do nothing, Heather never moves on, never embraces the truth of who she is. The only way through the pain is forward. So no, it's not stupid that a video game got you through hard times. And if it is, I'm right there with you.

Son I'm so glad you are covering this game. One of my top 3 favorite series of all time.

The ending Amazing Grace rendition is the only time I've ever cried from a video game

No way. On one of your recent Silent Hill videos, I commented on how it was uncanny that I’d been finishing replaying each game in order right before your videos. Guess what series I’ve restarted since playing the Silent Hills?

I just wanted to say your review of this game made me finally jump into this series. I've started with Yakuza 0 and will be going through all games and I'm looking forward to catching up on your other Yakuza retrospectives when I've finished them

Been checking out your videos after discovering your channel yesterday and I was thinking that the quality was remarkably high for a longform channel with so many videos, and then I looked at the release date for your first retrospective - All this in 8 months? You're a busy dude, glad I committed to that 4 hour Fable video!

Yakuza is the one of the few franchises from SEGA's post console era that has that distinct SEGA vibe, from things like the Music to UI this series feels like something that you would play on one of SEGA's consoles like the Dreamcast back in the 1990's.

1:12:02 Hey, it's not stupid if it works Son. Yakuza is a powerful series, and I'm glad it helped you in your time of need.

Hell yeah, I absolutely love this series, though I haven't played every single game due to being introduced very late. This can actually serve as a great refresher of the story when diving into later parts apart from just enjoying the review. 0 was definitely my favorite, though that might just have been because it introduced me to the games. I especially have great memories of Majima there, his story hits surprisingly deep sometimes. Had a blast with this one as well though! Looking forward to you continuing the series.

I saved this video to my watch later expecting this series to take yrs like other youtubers. Since you uploaded Yakuza 4 I was shocked! Guess I better start with the video series because its really impressive you are able to complete these videos in a quick fashion!

Son, I mean this in the most genuine, heartfelt way imagineable. You've quickly become one of my favorite creators of all time. Your content is outstanding, taking a good look at things I find genuine interest in. Yakuza is among that list. It's the first game series to make me cry. Make me genuine feel like I was being talked to through the game through its themes and stories of fatherhood and issues that I have faced in my life. To see you reviewing it has me more excited than anything I could ever think of. I'm so excited for this. Keep it up, son. This means a lot to me, thank you for reviewing the games, son.

I found out about your channel from a recommended retrospective you did on legacy of kain; a game from my childhood. But the real meat and potatoes for my love of your content came from this series. It truly is because of you that i started playing these games. Im am so grateful for this. Im also a patron, which support will not weign anytime soon. Thank you for your videos, all of them, especially yakuza. Looking forward to videos about the 3!!! games they just announced!

Yakuza is one of the few games with mini games I actually go out of my way to play. I spent hours just playing billiards in Yakuza 0 or the go-kart mini story in Like a Dragon.

I just finished a part of your Silent Hill reviews, but son, I gotta admit I came here for these. Keep up the great work and a person currently playing through the series myself, really looking forward to seeing your videos on the later games. Stay winning, son.

What the hell - I didn't expect a Yakuza retrospective! I'm super happy you decided to cover it. Love your content man and keep up the amazing work! Stay strong! May I ask, have you ever considered to make a Resident Evil recap?

I was pleasantly surprised to see you started on the Yakuza series. I got into it watching someone do a Let's Play on the first two games but stayed dark on the rest. Wasn't sure if I was gonna dig in on the rest here but I think I will since it'll be some time before I get to them. Nice job.

Awesome, didn't expect to see this series on here.

Im glad to know im not the only one to spend absurd amounts of time watching mahjong strategy videos late at night to try and fully finish a yakuza game

Nagoshi looks like a Yakuza.

W as always. Excited to watch my favorite son's Yakuza journey

You have a very likeable and listenable style when narrating the story or going into the gameplay and music. It's nice to have such extensive and retrospectives at this quantity without any content padding or self-aware quips distracting from the content. You're doing good, son. I am proud. Edit: 1:02:19 is extremely funny for how out of left field it sounded, because I was thought at first that by "grunts", you meant that the enemies make too many noises as you hit them, especially when there are so many of them around. Also, shoutout to the guy who recommended Redo of Healer to me when you were playing Neon White way back. Thanks, I feel ashamed reading it.

I also got into the Yakuza series after an incredibly rough breakup more than a year ago. I'm glad Yakuza is able to help heal people who finally decide to take the plunge. I've also just discovered your channel, but since I've hopped in during your Yakuza playthrough I was thinking of replaying them as your videos release. Hopefully I can be caught up to 6 by the time your video releases.

starting january of this year I have played every single yakuza game (aside from the zombie one) and they quickly became very important games to me! I have avoided all media surrounding the games because I didn’t want spoilers - this is the first video on the games I’ve allowed myself to watch, and I’m just so glad to hear someone who loves them as much as I did talk about them, even if I’m 2 years late!

I love all your videos and the chill wholesome vibes you throw out.

Now listen, son, I say listen, son The fact that you felt the way you did for the game is what drives someone like myself to want to make games. I wish I could contribute to someone feeling that burst, that drive to continue during a low point in life. A sanctum, a torch, a mirror, whatever they need to gain either a new perspective on something or get themselves back from the red. What I'm saying likely doesn't make sense, but all in all, good stuff, son.

SO excited for this video! I’ve always been interested in playing Yakuza after playing Sleeping Dogs but wasn’t sure if I wanted to take the plunge. This video is exactly what I’ve been looking for to see if I would be interested in the series. Thanks, Son!

I absolutely love these games ! The stories are gripping thank you sharing you’re feelings I didn’t know guys could be that emotional

As of November of 2021, I started my journey of Yakuza with 0 and so on (I’m on 6 now). This franchise mentally and emotionally helped me during the darkest times. Kiryu really grew on me, especially the journey you go through. Without spoilers, I highly recommend to give this franchise a go because it’s a trip!

I usually see your videos and i love them. I played all the yakuza games, and finished 6 some minutes ago. This video could not have come in a better time. I had to check the date a number of times to be sure it was not a strange coicidence haha.

Omg I never thought you'd make a retrospective on my favorite game series your awesome af

Hot dang man take a day off! Didnt think you'd be blowing my mind this soon after the Silent Hill vids

One of my absolute favourite series of games adore Kiryu and I'm looking forward to each and every installment

The timing on this is incredible, considering I just started playing through the series for the first time… I guess now I just need to desperately try and stay ahead of your impressive (and likely unhealthy) pace, Son.

thank you for doing this! For the past 10 years this series has been the only real reason I still game absolutly love this!

Son , i love you. Literally been playing them all. I am at Like A Dragon now. Going to play Judgment and Lost Judgment after

My Son, I warned you to stay away from gangs...But given this effort, I won't ground you.

Oh wee. You’re just gonna jump right into this. This should good!

I don't think it's stupid. I think art is art and art is life man. A good story is a good story.

My fucking favourite franchise, son i'm proud of you i Hope you Talk about the judgment games too

55:50 I always enjoyed this segment. It reminds me A LOT of Virtuacop, and I suspect they had at least one dev from decades ago who worked on this game.

Yakuza really helped my mental health during COVID. I had never paid much attention to the series but I had purchased Kiwami a couple years before COVID because I saw the steel book in a GameStop and I’m a sucker for steel books. I’ve fallen in love with the series and I’m looking forward to watching your other videos on the series.

I have notifications ON Son 😎 KIRYU-CHAN!

I’ve seen yakuza reviewed before, but damn, this is leagues above that. Truly a retrospective. Awesome job.

You got most of the Japanese names fairly right. We're proud of you, son.

Son, you need to take a break this is getting unhealthy lol

You mad man! So hype you decided to make a yakuza video!

Have you played the Metal Gear series son? It’ll change you just like Yakuza did. This was a phenomenal video essay and I think I’d like to see you do a retrospective on what i and many others believe is one of the most important gaming franchises of all time. Up to you, loved this video either way. Next to Snake, Kiryu is probably my number 2 favorite protag in a game.

I was literally looking for a video like this yesterday. This is why you’re my favorite son

The way you ended this retrospective, the reason for the deeper meaning for you, is so perfect and I couldnt agree more, Son. I have had this same experience with a fantasy book and honestly this makes me wanna go out and play this game now. Proud of you son.

Son is being a hardworking king

Very proud of you Son!

What you said about Yakuza pulling you through hard times really resonated with me, and I felt that. I'm with Yakuza since the beginning, when it launched for PS1. I lost touch with It when PS3 came out, cause I owned a Xbox360... but I never forgot. I did all I could to play 3,4 and 5. Then 0 and 6 were a given. Yakuza has been a staple in my entire life, always giving me joy, hope and inspiration. In retrospect, I cannot quantify how much that first chapter influenced my tastes, like my passion for noir atmospheres (I also blame Sin City for that), or my love for John Woo's and asiatic action movies and their themes. And, above all, Kiryu. It's stoicism, pursuit of the right thing to do and strenght of character becoming milestones in what I want my ideal self to be.

This is everything I've ever wanted. Your output is absolutely insane, son. Here's $20. I'm proud of you

It's crazy to me how you can't have more subscribers my friend! You're puttning out fire content, but please, don't burn out. I wan't your career to last ❤️

Son, I am proud of you for this series so far. Your narration and presentation are pleasant to listen to and I get now why you asked me to get you that game for christmas. Well done, my son, well done. But hearing you talk how you feel Kiryu is yur favorite character in games it got me thinking. Since you got me into games I am curious to hear your opinion on my favorite character thats in a game I actually loathe to play for more than an hour at a time. You know, that Red Dead Redemption 2 game. Arthur is my favorite character I've seen in games so far since heactually develops as a person in a way I have not really seen in games so far. And looking at the kind of videos you are uploading for me to watch, I feel like the Red Dead Redemption games (especially number 2) would fit wonderfully into this channel you build up. No pressure, just a little request froom a father to his favoriter son. Love you.

It still cracks me up that Kiryu was chairman for all of _one day,_ yet the story of _how_ he took the mantle was so legendary that he was still respected by the even the LOWEST Yakuza.

Son, I didn't expect another hour long retrospective so soon. Are you okay?

I just finished Kiwami 1 today. It was a great game and I'm glad I played Yakuza 0 before this. It gives you so much emotional context as to what Nishikyama and Kazama represent to Kiryu which made it a lot more impactful for me than if I started the series in release order.

Fancied getting into the Yakuza series and was looking for a good video series so I thought to myself " I wonder if YourFavoriteSon has done a video on it" and low and behold, here it is

The most UNDERRATED gaming channel ever

Let’s gooooo!!!!! Story wise this is one of my fav series. Thanks son!!

Finally, my son covers my favorite series!

I'm putting on my suit to watch this video

Might want to specify in the title that this is only for the first game and not the actual "Complete History and Retrospective" for Yakuza, the series.

regarding the gunslinger boss at minute 58, there's an easier way, if you have been doing side story stuff or picking locker stuff you can get a SWAT vest or at least a tactical vest _that stops_ gunners from able to knock you down. It makes the fights easier and I wish I'd known this on my first run of the game.

I can't front, the motiff of this channel is a huge win LOOOOL

I’m loving your game selection bro

YESSSS SON! great work. im so fkin ready for this series

Incredible retrospective Son, i've never got into the Yakuza series but constantly heard great things about it - and seeing this retrospective really pushed me toward giving them a go and playing for myself, thank you! I only have one gripe in all of this. Throughout the video you mention a few times how diverse the combat styles are and that they are best suited for various situations and have their strengths and weaknesses - at the same time you criticize the later fights as being poorly designed and literally had to be cheesed - but throughout the entire video and every single boss fight shown in it, you stay in Beast style 99% of the time and bash your head against the enemy without any sense of strategy or thought behind it - which felt really really unfair to the game's design. I'm pretty sure if you embraced the style system a bit more instead of brute-forcing your way through the game with one style only, you could've had a much more enjoyable experience with the bosses. Which is exactly what i'm gonna find out !

Our boy even got sponsors! So proud!

Oh this is gonna be a good one, great job Son.

oh my god i didn't expect this one, thank you so much

Lol, thank you. I finished 0-5 a couple of months ago. And just started lost judgement.

I'm proud of you son. I am just getting into this series and I'm glad I can play them with the videos

oh wow someone who is doing a complete retrospective and hasn't stopped at Yakuza 3, I have hours of content to look forward to now.

I love this video, nice work 🔝🔝🔥🔥

Damn Son! It's been awhile and you sound so grown up now!

Been here since Kain. You never disappoint!

I am watching this in preparation for Infinite Wealth and am amazed by the parallels between Kiryu and Ichiban Kasuga. It was obviously intentional but it makes me more interested in seeing how the next game carries on their stories.

Can’t wait for the resident evil series retrospectives. Great job son!

I'd really like to see you tackle the two Condemned games one of these days. I never hear people talk about it, but the first one was so good and the second one, while competent enough, really shat the bed in the story department.