There's been a lot of commotion over the revelation that Yakuza 7 will feature a turn based battle system. The series has boasted action combat for so long now that thought of such drastic change has taken many fans by surprise -- but how does Yakuza: Like a Dragon (as it's called here in the West) actually play?
Well, one thing's for sure: it certainly doesn't sound like your average role-playing game. Director Toshihiro Nagoshi has shared a number of details -- as translated be Gematsu -- and they all add up to a very unique-sounding system.
Okay, so the bottom line is that this is still a command-based system in which characters take turns to attack. However, you're free to move your party around during a fight. And it's not just a case of selecting an action, watching it play out, and then repeating the process until you win or lose. "If what you’re picturing is an old school command RPG, then that’s the wrong impression. This will be completely different," says Nagoshi.
It sounds like the whole thing's very dynamic. Battles begin right there and then with no load screens or any kind of cutaway. Attacks and movement can be interrupted by other enemies, characters can trip and fall over objects on the ground, and according to Nagoshi, "there are some tricks here and there, and if you learn them, you can play with the same habit of playing an action game". There are also "attack inputs" for additional blows, and Nagoshi reckons that "if you didn’t know what it was, you would think you’re playing an action game".
Going by what we've read, we think that it's more about selecting an action and then making snap decisions as all kinds of mad stuff unfolds based on where your characters are, where the enemies are, and the kind of environment you're brawling in. Again, it all sounds very dynamic.
Other details include the option to have main character Ichiban's party members act on their own (Nagoshi says the artificial intelligence is pretty good), and according to Nibel on Twitter, you can even assign jobs to your pals, supposedly altering their specialities in combat.
Oh, and apparently, Yakuza: Like a Dragon is going to be longer than previous Yakuza titles, presumably because it's more of an RPG. Hopefully it doesn't outstay its welcome.
What are your thoughts on the next Yakuza? Sound good? Bad? Whatever your opinion, select a command in the comments section below.
[source gamestalk.net, via gematsu.com, ryokutya2089.com, twitter.com]
Comments 19
Gimme this gimme this (after I've completed all previous games...)
Well i will see how good it is when its ready.
"Oh, and apparently, Yakuza: Like a Dragon is going to be longer than previous Yakuza titles, presumably because it's more of an RPG. "
Uhhh, given how long Yakuza is normally, just how long is this game going to be? 200 hours? Not that I am complaining mind, as long it is as fun as previous games.
... Sounds interesting! Love to see it in action though!
@MS7000 Yeah it's gonna be... Long. Not sure Yakuza needs to be even longer, to be honest!
From the sounds of it, it’s going to be like Dissidia or Kingdom Hearts, melding command based combat with action-RPG gameplay. I’m in.
Did people honestly expect a Yakuza RPG to not add its own flair to the genre?
Anyway, the more I hear about this game, the more I desperately want it right now.
Well Judgement supouse to be a completly diferent game than a Yakuza, and while there are some "new" elements it is basicly still a Yakuza game. So I will wait and see if 7 will be realy that mutch diferent than 6.
And play the remastered collection meantime
@nessisonett that would be pretty good actually
@FullbringIchigo It actually raises some really interesting thoughts about the Heat Action system. Since you can move around, does that mean your position in the battle arena affects which Heat Actions you can perform or moves you can pull off? That would be a really neat spin as the whole pointless moving thing kinda annoyed me about DQ XI.
I'm really interested in the combat system. I like RPG turn based combat. Heck, I even loved FF13's combat system lol.
Cool. Combat sounds more like Xenoblade Chronicles than Dragon Quest.
Also good to hear they're doubling down on the RPG elements. Yakuza 0 already felt like a JRPG of sorts with its random-ish encounters, customization, ample side-quests, etc.
@nessisonett well we will see as more info comes out but i'm quite intrigued as to how it's going to be
At least it has a third person mode right??
Playing through fist of the North Star now. Sat at 5 hours and it's a touch over 3% completed in game.
How big is this thing?
It sounds really interesting to me, i'm yet to try the series but will give Kiwami a try soon, i like the sound of this new battle system, but then i've always enjoyed turn-based battles and this sounds like a fresh twist on that, interesting to see it in motion, i think that'll be the best way of understanding it properly.
@kyleforrester87 😂 always love it when you comment.
Longer? Yakuza games are already some of the longest games...
“You wouldn’t know you’re not playing an action game”
“Characters take turns attacking.”
The second quote says all we need to know. Stop trying to act like you’re not making what your making. You can’t action game this. Dynamic or not it’s terrible for the series.
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