Game rant: Ryu Ga Gotoku 3 - All Star Tournament
<This post may be a spoiler to some people!>

Man... I've played Ryuga3 for like 150+ hours now. My premium adventure save file is 130 hours, hard + ex-hard mode 17 hours, and Ultimate Battle/Skill mode roughly 10 hours or more (sadly the time you spend on Ultimate Skill is not recorded in game). The only games I've ever played more than 150 hours in my life are DMC3 & 4, Resident Evil 4 & 5 and Godhand, all of which happen to be Capcom titles. XD Ryuga is so quickly rising up the ranks! Wahahahhaaa!!

Since Ryuga3 has constantly been on my mind for a while now, I can't help wanting to write something about it the same way I previously babbled on and on about RE5 Mercenaries. =P And so I've decided to write about the All Star Tournament, an entirely optional mode you can access/challenge in Premium Adventure. In this tournament you fight 3 out of 9 bosses individually in a row without the use of healing items, armor, accessories and weapons, but you'll regain some health in each interval. The bosses you face are selected at random by the game and here are my personal strategies:

Rikiya: HP - 1000, Reward - 50,000 yen

How to attack:
Throws (Press O) work on him very well, but do not attempt to grab him out of the blue. To do so, force him to block your attacks first by doing the combo [] /\ /\. The last hit/punch will crush his guard and that's when you press O and grab/throw him (and then stomp). Works all the time. Other combos like [] [] /\ /\ and [] [] [] /\ /\ work quite well as well.

How to defend:
Rikiya's only threat is his wrestling throw, which he does only when you're dizzy and the only way he can dizzy you is a one-hit punch to the face. He does this quite often but all his moves can be guarded, so keep the very important habit of guarding most of the time. You can easily go on the offensive when he's recovering from his attacks. However, if he does manage to dizzy you, immediately proceed to MASH the X button as fast as possible to shake him off. And the rest is rinse and repeat. =)

Tamashiro: HP - 1500, Reward - 50,000 yen

How to attack:
This guy has two phases. In his first phase, most combos work on him. He has a small habit of swaying away from your moves but if you could get to him just once, you can keep repeating the same combo on him until he goes into phase two. The best way to do this is to do the first [] punch of a combo just as he's getting up from the ground in his face. He'd have no choice but to either guard or take the rest of your combo once he's on his feet. Throws work on him as well. In his 2nd phase, he gains permanent red heat (which means throws are now sealed) and attacks with iron knuckles that break your guard with every hit. He can interrupt your attacks with what I call "resistant attacks" - attacks that you cannot normally interrupt/break + damage a lot. (There's a special SFX that sounds like "ting!" when they do this.) So, stick with the shortest combo [] /\ /\ just to play safe and dodge away (left analog + X X) right after. You can trick him into attacking by getting close and run away, and then you can attack during his recovery. If you are good at pulling off counters, I recommend doing the (R1 + O) counter. It's highly effecient and effective once you figure out when he's likely to attack, and you can repeat it all the way to Sunday. =D The other counter (R1 + /\) works as well but from experience (R1 + O) is easier to do on Tamashiro. =)

How to defend:
Tamashiro uses a knife in phase one and you can't guard against it (unless you've acquired all the IF7 moves + you're in heat) so if he attacks, dodge away from him. He can also throw his knives at you like a projectile and to dodge that you'd have to roll to the side twice. These attacks can be annoying so it's best you seal them off by being on the offensive and making him focus on guarding against you instead. In phase two, his iron knuckle attacks easily break your guard so it's best to push him off (L1 + /\) the moment you guard one hit. But since he loses his projectile attacks, he shouldn't be a problem as long as you keep pushing him off or keep a small distance.

Kanda: HP - 2000, Reward - 100,000 yen

How to attack:
Throws don't work on him, except for one (heat move) that is hard/rare to execute - grab him from the back and press /\ (in heat) when you're extremely close to the cage wall. If you're not close enough he'll release himself from your hold the next instant. [] /\ /\ and [] [] [] /\ /\ do well but he can randomly interrupt the latter with a resistant attack so it's up to you to take the risk. However, do not keep pushing with combos. Dodge away after every combo and wait for a second or two before you move back in to attack to avoid getting hit by Kanda's immediate attack after your combo. The (R1 + /\) counter also works well, though it may be a little tricky to tell when he's going to attack as he has the tendency to stay idle. However, there is a little cheap method to pull off (R1 + /\) counters successfully by accident. =P There is a little bit of risk but it's relatively safe - stay face-to-face close to the enemy, pin him between you and the cage wall, hold down R1 and keep poking him with /\ (especially when you think he's about to attack), which by default is a kick. Kanda is likely to keep guarding all the way, but eventually he will attack. If you happen to press /\ (kick) just as he's about to retaliate, your kick will automatically turn into a counter, and that counter punch will send him bouncing off the cage wall so you can land another string of combo on him for free. If you do the (R1+ O) counter instead, Kanda will get stunned for about 3 seconds which is even better, but for this to work you have to pull it off properly/accurately.

How to defend:
If you see him running towards you, immediately dodge backwards twice; he's trying to do a body/butt slam. If he attempts to do a throw and the mash X button prompt shows up, mash X for a second and then tilt the left analog stick left/right. Chances are you're able to counter-throw him. =)

Hamazaki: HP - 1500, Reward - 100,000 yen

How to attack:
Throws don't work on him, unless you have red heat and you grab him only to immediately do the 剛力の極み heat attack (O + /\). The hard/rare to execute heat move written under Kanda also applies to Hamazaki. Regularly, he has the tendency to guard against your every attack, which makes it hard/slow for you to take down his life, and that's why I dislike him the most. The most effecient way to damage him at all is to sway/dodge around towards his back just as he's about to attack and then hit him in his back. However, depending on which series of attacks he's about to do, he may still be able to hit you even if you dodged around his back, which is why it all comes down to risks/chances. Assuming you succesfully dodged around his back, you can also only do as much as a [] /\ /\ before he guards again. Of course, (R1 + /\) counters work on him like a miracle (and most everyone for that matter) but Hamazaki is riskier than Kanda in this sense because a failed counter results in a /\ kick, and that kick has slow recovery and Hamazaki has the tendency to do a practically unescapable throw in that time which does a lot of damage. (Refer to Kanda's details above for the cheap counter trick)

How to defend:
Hamazaki is not a very offensive opponent. He tends to keep his guard if you stay close to him and attacks rather slowly, but there are two moves you have to watch out for of all things - his head butt and throw. Despite being slow in execution, his head butt dizzies you instantly and easily during the worst of times when for example your commands aren't responding (a gameplay fault in the entire Ryuga series, sadly). Hamazaki also tends to head butt a few times in a row, practically rendering you permanently dizzy until he does something different. As for his throw, it's pretty much a lost cause. The mash X button prompt shows up, but the ratio in which I can shake him off is 1:9, and I'm a considerably confident button masher o_o. One last thing, if you see him running towards you, prepare to dodge/left right immediately to avoid his slide kick, which is unblockable. Other than these, all his other moves are blockable.

Majima: HP - 1500, Reward - 150,000 yen

How to attack:
Like Rikiya and Tamashiro, the [] /\ /\ + throw tactic works on him, but the (small) problem is getting him to guard/take your hits as Majima is the king of teleporting. He 'teleports' all over the place all the time and the best way to stop him is to do a tackle (R1 + forward on left analog + X and then /\). It doesn't matter whether he gets hit as long as it holds him in place for a second. That's when you can start attacking and use the [] /\ /\ tactic. Refrain from doing longer combos from up front (in his face) as he can interrupt with a resistant attack. But seeing as he's good buddies with Kazuma, he's nice enough to occassionally cut you some slack by taunting you with a laugh, which gives you a good chance to hit him. =D

How to defend:
Like Tamashiro, you can guard against Majima's knife attacks if you have acquired all the IF7 skills + you're in heat. It may be a good idea that you keep your heat for this purpose instead of using it on a heat move if you find Majima's attacks hard to dodge. Of all things, Majima's biggest threat is his QTE (quick time event). You can tell he's about/likely to do it when he starts teleporting in circles around the cage in purple heat, but you don't know for when exactly when he'll do it. The first button for the QTE happens at the precise moment Majima begins his attack, and if you happen to be pressing any other buttons to execute any command, you'll lose it instantly. To avoid this, hold R1 and just wait and anticipate in the center of the cage for Majima when he teleports around in circles. In the meantime you can spam taunt =P But just so you know, Majima (and everyone else) is able to go into his QTE under other scenarios as well, including when he gets hit. Lastly, stay away from him when he's downed and about to get up as he spins his legs in the process which does a bit of damage.

Lau Ka Long: HP - 2000, Reward - 100,000 yen

How to attack:
Lau has two phases. The [] /\ /\ + throw tactic works for the entire first phase. For the second phase (bare-fisted Lau), refrain from doing any combo longer than [] [] /\ /\ as he'll retaliate with a resistant attack. The fastest way to beat him is with the (R1 + /\) counter, but for those without confidence, you can wait till he attacks, guard it and then push him off with (L1 + /\) in the 2nd or 3rd hit. If you're lucky you may land behind his back and be free to do one combo. Otherwise, you can guard his entire combo (hopefully it won't crush you guard) and attack when he's recovering. If worse comes to worst, the [] /\ /\ + throw tactic still works quite well on phase two, though not as well as the first.

How to defend:
The only time you'll need to defend is in phase two but that's already described in the above paragraph, so the only other thing to take note is that it's possible to counter-throw him if he tries to throw you (mash X button prompt), just like Kanda, except slightly harder.

Joji: HP - 2000, Reward - 150,000 yen

How to attack:
Against non-heated Joji, you can use the [] /\ /\ + throw tactic. Against heated Joji, it's safest to attack only after he finishes his combo and in order to do that you'll have to trick him into attacking using the get close + run away tactic. The last hit or second last hit of his combos break your guard by default hence you can't afford to guard his attacks all the way before you fight back. This method is slow and it'll take sometime to defeat him but it's the safest and most certain method I know. Of course, counters of both (R1 + /\) and (R1 + O) types work well if you know what you're doing, but I recommend type (R1+ /\) for Joji in case he goes into heat mode where throws are sealed. One way to apply the cheap counter trick on him is to keep poking him with kicks (press /\) the same way as I described under Kanda's details above, but with one added note - stand just close enough for the kick to barely touch him instead of standing right in his face. The right distance ensures a higher level of precaution in case Joji's guard-breaking attack hits you first.

How to defend:
Joji has a unique defensive-counter move that you'd want to avoid. You can tell when he can/will do it by observing his stance - he'll do a certain karate gesture with his hands and then keep them poised to his side. If he does this there's nothing you can do but wait for him to drop his stance, which means it's the perfect time to 1) taunt like mad to increase heat 2) do the "Essence of Rolling" heat move if you're in heat. However, be aware that he's actually capable of the same counter you while you're in mid-combo, in which case you can't escape. When Joji's in (red) heat, never attempt to throw him as he counters your throw by default.

Richardson: HP - 1500, Reward - 150,000 yen

How to attack:
Richardson has two modes - dual handguns and shotgun. But either way, tackle works well on him (R1 + forward on left analog + X and then /\). If you're lucky you may even just land right behind him and there's your free combo. If he does a kick combo, guard + push him off with (L1 + /\) to have a good chance of landing behind him again for another free combo. Richardson is easier to deal with in his shotgun mode, cos the moment you have enough heat you can very easily do the anti-shotgun heat move. If you don't have enough heat, observe and wait for him to shoot/dodge before you dodge around him and attack him from the side/back.

How to defend:
There's not much to defend against Richardson cos most of the time you'll be busy staying on the offensive tackling and swaying/dodging around him. But there is one situation to look out for, and that is if he switches to his handguns and he's in (yellow) heat. That is when he may do his resistant shoot attack, which you can avoid only by dodging to his side. His QTE also occurs only in this handgun mode. Like Majima, stay away from him when he's downed and about to get up as he shoots/kicks in the process.

Mine: HP - 2000, Reward - 200,000 yen

How to attack:
Against non-heated Mine, other than the [] /\ /\ + throw tactic, [] [] [] /\ /\ also works; there's an 80% chance the last hit will floor him, in which case you can add another stomp to increase your heat. Tackling also works quite well. Against blue-heated Mine, just hang around and wait for him to do his 'healing' attack. When he he does it, attack all you can, but never throw a blue-heated Mine; he will counter-throw you back. Against red-heated Mine, refrain from tackling him unless absolutely necessary as you may open your back to him. Also, never attack mindlessly/continuously and blindly hoping that some of your hits will land cos no they won't. Mine is one of the top dodgers/swayers in the game and you do not want him to sway around your back. In red heat, Mine is highly aggressive. He won't stop charging at you doing resistant attacks and flying kicks so I recommend running away and keeping a distance from him. Soon enough he will go into his QTE and that's when you can gain enough heat to do an "Essense of Rolling" heat move after that. (If you're wondering which heat move that is, it's the revelation you acquire at the batting center) Hopefully after that Mine's heat will go off. Counters of both types work well against Mine, but you have to be confident enough in pulling them off to avoid screw ups.

How to defend:
To be honest, there is no exact way how to defend from Mine. He's got a number of low kick attacks that are simply unblockable and unescapable as long as you're within range. Most of the time you have to play offensive against him cos it's the only way to seal his attacks. Most likely the only time you'll be fleeing for your life is when he's in red heat. It's risky to guard against his attacks for defense as he spams his resistant attack and low kicks quite a lot, which is why I recommend running around the cage and dodging the moment he's about to attack. His range of attack is pretty wide and there's "auto-lock-on" so it's safer to just dodge.

Cosfest 2010

My 3rd time at Cosfest, which means it's been actually 2 years since I've slimmed down. XD! Damn, how time flies. Sighh.... Anyway, as usual the event's held at Downtown East @ Paris Ris and it spanned two days over the weekend, but I was only there on Sunday. I went there mostly to randomly check things out, but without much effort. ^^; I didn't exactly pay that much attention so I only took a few pics of the only few cosplays I could recognize. (Of course, me and my friend camwhored more than anything XD)

Random note: I really don't like females cosplaying as males. The only exceptions is if you do a fuckin good job of looking alike, or if the character is officially really girly looking, like Kazuki from Get Backers.

What a shame, all they're missing in the FF8 team (left most pic above) is a Quistis. Sadly, only Rinoa looks passable ^^; And Franky (2nd pic) is awesome. Then again, anyone from One Piece is an immediate awesome. =D

I've seen that Firefox mascot/cosplayer a few times now but I didn't get to pose with him until today! Mwahahaha! If you aren't already using Firefox, I fuckin demand that you convert THIS INSTANT!!!! And as for Raiden (5th pic from left), I know he's a random mix and match between MGS4 and the new Metal Gear Solid Rising and his costume isn't accurate, but, at the very least it's still a HE! Well... I think it's a guy, and that alone is good enough for me. =P

Hmm, now that I look at the last three pics... do good things come in threes? =P

That's all the pics I got, and most of it aren't even on my camera since my battery died early. ^^; It's not much compared to the first time I've been to Cosfest 2 years ago but at least I still went there. =D There're so many cosplays I don't recognize, and a shitton that I simply refuse to acknowledge like Vocaloid and shit. Hetalia's pretty crappy too, though I've got nothing against the fandom/series. Oh, there was a KOSMOS from Xenosaga3 on stage but I didn't pay much attention... ^^;; Anyway... till next time!

Game Review - Ryu ga Gotoku 3  龍が如く３　(a.k.a. Yakuza 3)

I finally got around to playing this and man is it awesome!! XD Since I didn't write a review for the previous two games, I told myself I have to write one for this one and here it is. =)

Graphics - A

I’m not a graphics person. Graphics is not what defines games. I’ve heard a lot of people complain the Ryu ga Gotoku (Yakuza) series has lousy graphics and I honestly can’t see what they’re talking about. Are they seriously observing so hard just to find out which minor character has polygonized and pixilated shoes and fingers? Must they really stare that hard at these characters’ hair textures to see if they’re smooth and fluffy? There are very few rare games that are actually that high up in the ranks of graphics, like Uncharted. But there’s no end if you keep comparing every new game with the best is there? If you’ve never seen how the previous two Ryu ga Gotoku games were like, you wouldn’t have a clue how big an improvement there is in this 3rd installment. So as far as the developers are concerned, they have done a very good job and I give them credit for it. This series isn’t worldwide popular; it doesn’t have the budget of  graphics whore games like Final Fantasy so for those with eagle eyes for graphics, cut it some slack. Or you can always go back to your favorite FF13 or something.

Story - A

Even though the story in the 3rd installment is somewhat standalone, I still highly recommend for interested players to start the series in order from the first game. There are many characters that have come a long way since the first game and it’d be hard/confusing to understand the bonds and history between each character if you don’t know what ever happened between them.

Ryuga3 (short term) offers a summarized flashback of what happened in the first two games for those who’ve never played them but trust me, it’s confusing as hell if you have no clue at all cos there’re just too many characters and events to digest in one shot. I’ve played the first two games and I’m still kinda confused LOL. There’re lots of details I forgot even though I played them recently.

Anyway, as introduction, Ryuga3 is about how the main character, an ex-yakuza, Kazuma gets involved with a new series of events concerning the takeover of his property, an orphanage, where he currently resides in Okinawa with 9 kids. The government is planning to expand the US military base in Okinawa as well as to build turn it into a resort town, hence attempting to purchase a required amount of land. Kazuma isn’t about to give up his home for some government project but it appears that there are some forces who’d do anything to get it going, even if it means taking down those who resist...

Gameplay - A+
Other than the primary gameplay that is combat, this game offers like 30 other mini/optional games, some of which you may like and hate. But for now, let’s start with gameplay:

The Ryuga series has a considerably original style of combat. The basic attacks you start off with include a series of quick punches (using the [] button), a finishing blow (using /\ button, and the move differs depending on how many quick punches you previously pulled) and a throw (using O button). You’d have to start a battle with these moves in order to fill up your “heat gauge” (which is something like a power gauge in fighting games like Street Fighter) before you can perform any super/special attacks the game calls “essence”. Once the heat gauge is filled, Kazuma is then able to perform an essence move. The beginning he will be limited to a few essence moves but as you progress and level up, you will be able to execute a huge variety (a major total of 88!). However, standing idle or taking damage reduces your heat gauge so a huge part of the strategy is knowing how not to lose your heat before you can even pull off an essence move.

Every essence move requires different conditions to be met, but ultimately all of them are performed by pressing the /\ button. For example, the first essence move the game teaches you during tutorial requires you to grab an enemy (O button) near a wall and then press the /\ button. As long as you’re not near a wall, you’ll not be able to perform this essence move even if your heat gauge is full. Other essence moves may require you to grab an enemy near a car, bench, street lamp, etc, so you get the idea you have to interact with the environment. There’re even some move that require you to be drunk (by purchasing/drinking alcohol) XD!

There are a number of ways to acquire new essence moves but there’s one particular hilarious and entertaining method the game calls “revelations”. As you progress through the game, you’ll eventually encounter a character who tells you about the wonders of ordinary people with extraordinary encounters. By watching these people and taking photographs of them, you will gain the inspiration for a flashy new essence move. XD Thumbs up to whoever came up with this idea. Total epicness.

Next, there are also other moves/techniques you can acquire by completing a few side quests. The game doesn’t force you to do them, but it’s highly recommended that you do as these counter and evasion techniques are extremely useful in battle. Some of these moves are also a prerequisite to other essence moves.

Then there are weapons, another aspect in battle. You can perform weapon-based essence moves anytime as long as your heat gauge is full and that you’re equipped with a weapon. Almost every battle field has free weapons laid around for you to pick up and use. These weapons range from little things like pylons, baseball bats, and poster boards to big ones like tables and couches (LOL) and lethal weapons like blades, guns and mallets. Some enemies may start a battle holding a weapon and they’ll drop it once defeated, so you can pick it up for your own use. There are certain weapons that you can obtain only by purchasing them from a shop, or by modifying weapons (ingredients + cost). Some of these weapons, like the nunchucks, will only be unlocked after learning from a weapons master.

Every weapon has a certain durability. If a weapon has a durability of 10, it can only take 10 hits before it breaks and becomes unusable. Free weapons that you pick from any battle field will break permanently once the durability is up, but purchased/received weapons can be repaired at a cost.

It’s seriously awesome how many different features there are to just one combat system in this series. Of course, you can always choose to stick to the same few moves you may find most comfortable with but you wouldn’t do that if you really want to check out everything the game has to offer. The game actually records and lists everything you’ve acquired/done/completed and missed, and it gives you a completion percentage at the end of the game to show just how much of the game you’ve managed to complete. For example, acquiring an essence move is one thing, but successfully executing it in battle is another. In order to get a 100.00% completion in this game, you’re really expected to do everything successfully (acquire + execute all the moves), including ALL the optional side quests, hitman quests, underground tournament and mini games. It’s…. friggin hell. And I dunno if I'm even listing all of it, cos I'm not sure what else makes up the rest of the 100.00%.

Now that we’re on the topic, let’s start with side quests:

There are a total of 123 side quests, most of which are triggered by talking to the right person at the right place and time of day in town. These side quests can be anywhere between easy and tedious; some of them can also only be triggered at a specific chapter/point in the story, so completing all of them is not an easy feat for those without a guide.

The nature of these side quests also range between simply selecting dialog responses to battle, running errands, chasing/running away from targets, hostess clubbing/raising (removed in the English version), finding specific locations/items, so on and so forth. Trust me, it’s a lot of work. XD Completing these side quests rewards you with experience and cash, so if you happen to trigger one, you might as well complete it. =)

Next, hitman side quests:
There are a total of 20 hitman quests so it’s doable, especially with a guide. Basically, you approach a specific guy, check out the available list of hitman quests and accept them. After that all you have to do is find the guy and defeat him/them. These enemies are tougher than average and the game treats them as ‘bosses’ hence you are able to perform against-boss-only essence moves on them. =)

Next, underground tournament:

There are 13 different types of tournaments, all of which are held in either a cage or a ring. Some tournaments limit what moves you can use while others allow total freedom or even weapons. Each tournament consists of three continuous rounds and you regain a bit of health every round. Completing a tournament rewards you with EXP, cash and battle points. You can exchange these battle points for certain items that you may need as ingredients to modify weapons. Oh yeah o_o… modified weapons. My god… they count under the 100.00% too. >_>;; See? I told you there’s just too much to this game it’s insane. XD

Mini games:
Off the top of my head, I can list you karaoke, golf, darts, bowling, batting, fishing, mahjong, Japanese chess, a bunch of Asian + Western casino games, billiard/pool, arcade UFO catcher and massage.

All of them are optional, but they are required if you’re looking to get a 100.00% completion. In fact, you’re expected to kick ass in all of them for the game to consider it a pass. Some games are relatively easy, like karaoke and bowling, but good luck with the rest, and I really mean GOOD FUCKIN LUCK. I’m not exactly the most patient person in the world and I really can’t be bothered to learn/understand casino games, mahjong and chess and… FUCK GOLFFFF!!!! And BATTING!!! And billiard!!!! AARRGGHHHHHHHHH @(#$^@*&&&@%^#)!(*#@)(*$^@#%^!!!!!! I didn't even mention the fuckin who-wants-to-be-a-millionaire equivalent quiz game!! In JAPANESE!! *Hyperventilates and goes on to flip tables*

Sound – A
I didn’t remember much of the music in the game other than the karaoke songs and the “raising a hostess” side quest BGM, but I know I have zero complaints bout it. I know for sure I like the battle BGMs for the last stretch of the game in the last chapter all the way to the last boss, yeah, especially the last boss theme.

Replay Value – A+
There’s already so friggin’ much to do before you even clear the game once, but no that’s not all! After you clear the game, more stuff gets unlocked! O_O;;

First, there’s the new Ultimate Battle mode. You can access this mode straight from the “Start new game” screen without loading a save file as it’s completely separate from the main quest, but, completing all of this is required to get a 100.00%. In this mode, there are a total of 35 different challenges to complete, all of which has its own requirements/limitations, and some of which are ridiculously hard/annoying it almost makes me hate the bloody game. x_X

Second, two new continue-from-complete-save-file modes are unlocked. One’s called the “Premium new game”, the other “Premium new adventure”.

In “Premium new game”, all your attained skills/moves, money and items are carried over to a new game and you can replay the main quest (you can choose any difficulty mode) starting with the current level you’re at. In other words, you can now kick a lot of butt as revenge, or you can challenge a harder mode at your current level. XD However, ALL side quests will be reset, which is good news for people who'd like to replay certain side quests and bad news for those looking to get a 100.00% completion.

In “Premium new adventure”, all your attained skills/moves, money, items and completed side quests of any kind will be carried over, but this mode is completely story-less. Instead, it allows you total freedom to roam/explore both Tokyo and Okinawa for you to complete any side quest/tournament/mini game/anything(!) that you’ve not done. You can even alter the time of day (day/evening/night) and change costumes for certain characters. Optional new tournaments (all-star tournament) and mini games/challenges are also added only to this mode.

If you’re the OCD/perfectionist type, you’ll easily spend over a hundred hours playing/replaying this game. I spent 90 hours just clearing the main quest + 117 side quests + 20 hitman quests + 2 out of 20 mini games + eat all the food at all the restaurants in the game (yes this counts too! LOL). I also only successfully executed 62 out of 88 essence moves, and collected/created 9 out of 76 modified weapons. *hides in shame* T___T

Overall – A+
A very awesome game with a pretty good story and lotsa awesome yummy men as far as I'm concerned =D. Worth your every cent for beat ‘em up fans and those with a sense of humor. Oh wait… that just sounded like God Hand… =P But for those (especially girls) who can’t stand the sight of buff middle aged men (sorry no bishies for you, ‘cept for like one) and expect Uncharted or Final Fantasy quality graphics or somethin’, I recommend you keep away.

However, I must warn you that the pace of the story can be rather slow. Even though the main plot is about yakuzas and some conspiracy, the game actually goes through a good number of 'unrelated' and 'unnecessary' yet compulsory events involving all 9 kids in Kazuma's orphanage. The clearing procedure can be tedious (and boring) sometimes hence some gamers actually get impatient and complain why the hell Kazuma's busy babysitting instead of beating the shit out of mafia punks. But once you played through the game, you'd realize that although there're so many things you can do, the main quest itself is actually really short; you can easily clear it in under 5 hours on a replay file. That is probably why the 'unecessary' babysitting events are made compulsory instead of optional (as side quests) just so they can add a few more hours to the game. So if you could just overlook this one little 'fault', if I may call it, the game should prove to be entertaining. =) Long live Ryu ga Gotoku!!!! <333