Current Events > So I finished Yakuza 0; my first ever Yakuza game (spoilers)

(+) Yeah! (+)

Majima > Kiryu

that is all
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Yakuza 0 was absolutely Majima's game. Kiryu gets more character and fleshing out in the rest of the series, but it's a slow burn.

And of course, given that 0 was made after 5 came out, Kiryu had far much more characterization up to that point than Majima, so Kiryu really takes second banana status comparatively in 0.

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Yeah that is my biggest problem with it. Kiryu's story is so bleh, whereas Majima's is gold. If this was your first game you might assume Majima is the big main OP after it. I also HATED how Majima and Kiryu never met ONCE, until the end of the game when it's all over with. It does not lend credence to the aniki relationship they have because they develop it off camera. Biggest misstep in the game.

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Kiryu seems a bit like a blank slate, but in the ways that I'm used to video game protagonists feeling like blank slates.

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My thoughts:

OK so Y0 thoughts: it's an excellent game. The thing that lets it down is that Kiryu's side is (relatively!) meh. His story, as in the events that unfold around him, are arguably better, but his combat, his 'main' Minigame and even he as a character aren't as good as Majima's side. On the other hand, he does get the best boss (Kuze...everywhere!) which is a bit of a consolation I guess

It makes top 10, but not quite top 5

Antifar posted...

Kiryu seems a bit like a blank slate, but in the ways that I'm used to video game protagonists feeling like blank slates.

I don't get the feeling he's a blank slate; more so that he's static. Everything is happening around him and it doesn't affect/change him at all
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You gonna play Kiwami 1 next or 7?

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NeonOctopus posted...

You gonna play Kiwami 1 next or 7?

Cyberpunk 2077

But I think my next Yakuza game will be K1. I hear it has Majima in Many Locales
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Kaldrenthebold posted...

It does not lend credence to the aniki relationship they have because they develop it off camera

Just a theory, but I feel that the writers decided that no "developed relationship" they could come up with would be satisfying for the fans.

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Its been a while since I played this but I remember Kiryus story being interesting. Good game regardless but not my favorite Yakuza game

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CyricZ posted...

Just a theory, but I feel that the writers decided that no "developed relationship" they could come up with would be satisfying for the fans.

I actually think it's just cause he's like this in 0 - 2 and then becomes way more subdued and serious for 3 - 5. It's a lot more of a serious relationship in the games prior to 0 and Kiwami 1 / 2.

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MaxEffingBemis posted...

Its been a while since I played this but I remember Kiryus story being interesting. Good game regardless but not my favorite Yakuza game

The stuff that happens around Kiryu is interesting, but I think (and I think what TC is saying) is that Kiryu doesn't really develop in the course of the game. I think the closest thing to it is him changing from a lackadaisical low-level guy just doing collections to someone taking agency and having his actions have proper effects on those around him but really that's more just him having the opportunity to apply himself in a way he always was.

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CyricZ posted...

The stuff that happens around Kiryu is interesting, but I think (and I think what TC is saying) is that Kiryu doesn't really develop in the course of the game. I think the closest thing to it is him changing from a lackadaisical low-level guy just doing collections to someone taking agency and having his actions have proper effects on those around him but really that's more just him having the opportunity to apply himself in a way he always was.

Oh yeah I totally agree with you. Everything just kind of happens around him in this game

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