Getting a second chance
When Judgement first released on the PlayStation 4 back in 2019 it was met with plenty of praise. The game took a familiar setting and infused it with great new characters, while also adding quality of life improvements to the already entertaining Yakuza formula. Fast forward to 2021 and now even more people are able to experience the game. Sega has spruced up the visuals among other pieces and released it across more than just one platform, giving other players a chance to experience this unique spin-off of the Yakuza franchise.
For those that don’t know, Judgement follows the story of Takayuki Yagami. He is a promising young attorney who wins a very high-profile case only to quickly find out the person he defended ended up murdering someone else after he got them off. This ends his legal career, and instead he takes on the role of a for-hire detective in the world of Kamurocho.
MSRP: $39.99
Platforms: XSX (reviewed), XSS, PS5
Price I’d Pay: $39.99
We have already reviewed the original game so I won’t be going into tons of detail about the game. You can take a look at my colleague Jae’s original review of the game, which goes in-depth with all the major systems and game play. There is a lot to cover in the game, and he did a great job of breaking down all its systems.
With this being a remaster of a game from 2019 expectations should be a little low. This feels more like a reason to bring the game to more platforms than a proper upgrade. That doesn’t mean nothing is better. With it being built for the latest consoles it does feature higher resolutions and faster frame rates. The game already looked good, but with the extra power the game runs a lot smoother than the original. The developers have also done a pass on the visuals that make it look a little different, and it has definitely sparked conversation among fans of the original. Some people prefer the style of the PS4 release, while I had no real issues with the new look. Kamurocho still looks incredible and lively.
Outside of the faster loading times on the new consoles there is not much to speak of outside of visual updates. The core game remains the same, and there are no features for Sony’s new Dual Sense controller. This is likely due to the fact that the game is also on Xbox and Stadia, and the developers just opted for a streamlined experience across all three platforms. This also means if you already played the game when it launched in 2019 there is little reason to come back. This feels more like a release aimed to introduce more people to the world of Judgement. With a tease of a sequel on the horizon the time has never been better to check it out.
For anyone worried about the connection to the Yakuza series, fear not. This is a pretty standalone game that is a wonderful introduction into the world. The characters and storylines are all new and outside of a few Easter Eggs this game has nothing to do with the Dragon of Dojima.
Judgement is a game that was limited by its one console release. It is great to see the team at Ryu Ga Gotoku bring it to a wider audience. If you have never played a game in the Yakuza franchise this is a great jumping off point. It captures what makes those games so great without requiring a ton of investment in older titles to appreciate the story. There is so much to love about these games and I am constantly impressed at the way the team is able to craft genuinely fantastic characters and still pump out hefty experiences on a regular basis. I hope the Judgement series gets to continue, but as it stands this game is one worth checking out.
Review copy of game provided by publisher.
