Yakuza - it's like Shenmue, but actually fun to play - The Bear and Badger

Moot_Geeza

How to they churn out so many of these? Is the team humongous or does the existing template allow for extra speedy development times? There seems to be a new one (or a new spin off) every six months or so.

Moot_Geeza

Yak0 was released in the same year as BotW, right? Not directly comparable of course, but there must have been over half a dozen Yakuza/Judgement since then.

regmcfly

They're a really efficient team. Through the PS3 and 4 era they were using the same engine for a lot of the time, the map of Kamurocho hadn't changed etc.

They have recently jumped engines so there was a bit of a gap, but they filled that by getting used to the engine by putting out the Kiwami remakes etc, so that again is a lot of ready to go quest design / music etc.

The man who erased his name was allegedly done in like 9 months or something which is a bit insane, but does have a bit less excitement to its side quests.

I'd suspect the LAD7 team went straight into Infinite Wealth and things like Iishin and Man Who were smaller projects.

From the reviews, it does seem like the ideas / changes have been saved for this one, like the island building, but it is overall a case of just being smart with what they had.

EvilRedEye

There’s a lot of asset reuse except for when they change engine.

regmcfly

Correction, for TMWEHN, even shorter according to Wikipedia -

The game was developed in parallel with Infinite Wealth and Like a Dragon: Ishin!, and was finished within six months.

regmcfly

There's a good interview about how the team works here with this quote

Basically, we look at making Like a Dragon Gaiden and Like a Dragon 8 as being the same thing. If I’m in charge of a certain mini game for one title, I’ll also be in charge of it for another title. This is how we categorize tasks across different projects. If a certain type of mini game involves a lot of physics, one person will be in charge of them across all projects. If there’s AI, one person will handle AI in all projects. As projects move along vertically, everyone is crossing over from one to the other horizontally. The same goes for the two of us (Yokoyama and Sakamoto), we’re involved in all of the titles.

Kernowgaz

Sounds like a lot of crunch going on, if they’re that ‘efficient’

Moot_Geeza

Will check out the link later, ta. The Animal Crossing island stuff sounds crazy.

regmcfly

Kernowgaz wrote:

Sounds like a lot of crunch going on, if they’re that ‘efficient’

I suspect much like most other studios there is an element of crunch going on, but reading that interview it also just seems like they're working clever as well, reusing and reworking ideas as they go. Their games are all of a similar style, angle and with a lot of repeated animations. I think they're also just not embarrassed to go back and reuse things they've made with a twist..

optimark_prime

I have no sense of direction, so I love the familiarity of locations.

regmcfly

I really liked learning Kamurocho and subsequently Osaka / Sotenbori and Yokohama. Made it even better when I went to them IRL. Honolulu will be new for me, but Gamespot say it's pretty bang on with major attractions again

regmcfly

The big liner at Yokohama harbour is just there and there is a big park around it. Loved seeing it in the game

optimark_prime

regmcfly wrote:

I really liked learning Kamurocho and subsequently Osaka / Sotenbori and Yokohama. Made it even better when I went to them IRL. Honolulu will be new for me, but Gamespot say it's pretty bang on with major attractions again

I’ve just watched the Gamespot review. Super excited for this.

optimark_prime

My copy has been delivered!

regmcfly

I've got a fucking empty the night and it hasn't arrived from Shopto. Cursing the sky right now. Watch me bounce around on Game pass tonight in fury.

Wookienopants

I've got a DPD notification to say it's with them and will be delivered tomorrow.

EXCITEMENT

regmcfly

Minell be here tomorrow but I could have got 4 hours through likely 20 hour tutorial tonight

optimark_prime

It’s not a massive install, 43.29GB

Wookienopants

I'll clear some space tonight.
First to go is Pal world

regmcfly

I'm going to go back to Nier Automata. It's been calling me. Tomorrow is all Ichiban.

optimark_prime

So install finished. Noticed my Xbox had more updates.

Infinite Wealth was amongst them. 47.94GB! No idea what’s happening. Dammit.

It’s calling it an upgrade.

b0r1s

I'm getting FOMO for this but have to finish YakLad - may resort to a guide as I'm sure I'm stuck on the last but one (or two) boss.

regmcfly

If that's the one I'm thinking of it's an absolute bastard, harder than the final boss.

Wookienopants

Yep, he was a right prick

Wookienopants

My copy arrived, it's now installed and patch/updating is all done.
Now just to get to the end of the day so I can play

b0r1s

Have re-downloaded it and will have a bash over the weekend see if I can finish it.

afgavinstan

Ah, the "new yakuza game making me look at my yak pile of doom" feels. Nothing like it.

b0r1s

It's got to be done :-)

digi

I'm gonna be looking in here in envy till I have it myself.
Got too much on the go at the min and saving for new telly

regmcfly

afgavinstan wrote:

Ah, the "new yakuza game making me look at my yak pile of doom" feels. Nothing like it.

Keep up hup hup.

Anyway this should have arrived by the time I get home half cut from senior management team night out

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