THE BAD SLEEP WELL
Try as it might, Judgment cannot escape the fact that it is a Yakuza game in all but name. It shares no characters and little lore with the main franchise, yet it takes place in the same Tokyo district, Kamurocho, and borrows heavily from Yakuza’s established formula. Side stories, mini-games, and action combat are recycled almost wholesale, shaping a product that feels instantly familiar.
Which raises an obvious question: do we really need Judgment?
As a long-time fan of the Yakuza series, I’m hesitant to even ask. More of the same should be welcome, right? And maybe it is — at least on paper. But Judgment aims for a tonal shift that complicates things. It tells a grounded, earnest crime drama, largely abandoning the series’ trademark humor. As a result, the lighthearted side content feels oddly misplaced. The side stories are funny, and I recognize that they should make me laugh — but they clash with the gravity of the central investigation. The wackiness no longer feels earned.
At the same time, I have to admit that I’m starting to feel burned out by the Yakuza formula itself. Several recurring mechanics have long since worn out their welcome, especially the action combat, while some of the quieter diversions I still enjoy — karaoke, pool, dating — are either gone or diminished. For newcomers, Judgment might serve as a solid entry point into the concept of an “open district”: a small, densely packed open world grounded in realism. For veterans, it feels more like déjà vu.
Where Judgment truly distinguishes itself is in its story — arguably its strongest asset. The main plot is gripping, easily the most compelling since Yakuza 0. Even when the gameplay fails to excite me, the writing keeps my attention so effectively that I almost forget I’m bored — which may suggest that I’m not, at least not entirely.
This time, we view Kamurocho from the perspective of law enforcement rather than organized crime. The protagonist, Takayuki Yagami, is introduced as a young defense attorney riding high after winning an impossible case. His triumph turns sour when the man he defended murders his girlfriend shortly after his release. The shock destroys Yagami’s faith in the legal system. He quits his profession and reinvents himself as a private investigator, scraping by on minor cases with the help of his longtime friend Kaito, an ex-Yakuza.
The plot escalates when a series of brutal murders rocks Kamurocho. Victims are found with their eyes ruptured, allegedly by an ice pick, earning the perpetrator the nickname “The Ice Pick Killer.” When the police arrest a suspect tied to a Yakuza boss close to Yagami, he launches his own investigation — and the story spirals into a complex but surprisingly coherent web of ambition, corruption, and moral compromise. The writing team wisely supports the player with flashbacks and case files, keeping the narrative accessible despite its scope.
Unfortunately, many of the new detective mechanics fail to support this strong narrative. Tailing missions are the worst offenders: slow, overly frequent, and devoid of challenge. You follow suspects through crowded streets, occasionally hiding when they glance over their shoulder. These segments add neither tension nor depth — only tedium.
Other additions, such as lockpicking, crime scene investigations, drone surveillance, and interrogations, fare little better. They exist largely for flavor, and inadvertently make the detective profession seem dull. They certainly don’t justify Yagami’s stubborn refusal to return to the courtroom.
Combat remains largely unchanged from previous Yakuza games. It’s serviceable, occasionally fun, and punctuated by decent boss fights, but random encounters are far too frequent. Yagami’s two fighting styles — Crane (slower, kick-focused) and Tiger (faster, punch-focused) — are imbalanced, with little incentive to favor Crane. An especially irritating system involves recurring boss encounters with the Keihin Gang, who periodically ambush you and can inflict “mortal wounds” that permanently reduce your maximum health unless treated at great expense. It’s a needless frustration.
Still, Kamurocho itself remains endlessly compelling. The city looks phenomenal in this updated engine, and its density continues to impress. Ducking into restaurants to heal, grabbing a drink to build combat heat, or stumbling upon side activities feels natural and immersive. Exploration is richly rewarded, and I enjoy taking my time before letting the story pull me forward.
Some mechanics shine. Rooftop chase sequences are exhilarating, weaving seamlessly between streets, interiors, and vertical spaces. These moments finally make the detective fantasy feel alive. Likewise, befriending locals, uncovering secret skills via QR codes, and slowly building your character through everyday activities gives the city a lived-in quality few games can match.
In terms of overall enjoyment, Judgment lands somewhere in the middle of the Yakuza spectrum. The side cases are amusing, and I appreciate how minor characters reappear to resolve their stories. Yet many of these diversions still feel intrusive, interrupting the urgency of an otherwise excellent main plot.
My biggest disappointment is Yagami himself. He’s earnest, kind, and principled — but far less charismatic than Kiryu or Ichiban. His personality doesn’t evolve much, and his aloof, leather-jacketed appearance clashes with his moral seriousness. The side content doesn’t flesh him out enough to bridge that gap.
Ultimately, Judgment is worth playing for its gripping central mystery and refined storytelling. Fans of Yakuza should absolutely experience it. But I couldn’t shake the feeling that something essential was missing — that wild, unhinged soul that defines Kamurocho.
Maybe this game simply needed a new setting to escape the weight of expectation.
I want to do crazy Kamurocho shit in Kamurocho.
Maybe this district just isn’t big enough for two heroes.
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