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Discord for Japanese-style role-playing game (JRPG) discussion: https://discord.gg/vHXCjzf2ex
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Only ones of those I tried were Pillars and Divinity (and its sequel). I found Pillars rather obtuse early on so I didn’t stick with it very long. I liked how fresh Divinity felt, having its own ruleset that was still simple to understand. Didn’t like how super strict the level differential was and the quantity of traps in the game was beyond sadistic. In hindsight, I don’t think that one was very good overall.
On the other hand, I thought D:OS 2 was incredible. It was still way more strict on XP than I’d like, but that’s the only thing I would have changed about the game. Looks like it came out just before Kingmaker did, so I’m not surprised it got buried. Larian’s just on another level, and Baldur’s Gate 3 ended up fixing that one issue I had (while elevating almost everything else at the same time).
I still am enjoying Kingmaker so much, though. Probably would have blown my mind if I’d played it before BG3, heh. Hoping for a little bit more character writing, but in any case, I’m really enjoying the battles.
Started Pathfinder: Kingmaker and I got sucked into it big time. Just finished the prologue last night. Reviews for this were not great, so I don’t know if the game improved dramatically after release or if there are rough spots in the campaign coming up.
I guess it’s also possible its old-school feel contributed to some of that. I really do feel like I’m playing a fresher version of Baldur’s Gate 2, complete with unfortunate quirks.
This sounds ambitious for a small studio. It doesn’t help that both Northgard and Dune: Spice Wars felt feature-light to me, maybe due to their signature genre blending.
Could be they’ve scaled up (and trust me, I’m yearning for more space games in the AA category), but too many of these projects are shooting for the moon and falling short. I’d love to see a stretch of releases with smaller scope–like Everspace 2–that the industry can build on, because space games are not where they were in 2000. Chris Roberts is off in his ivory tower doing his thing, and the big devs are either planetbound or obsessed with procgen.
Yeah, my gaming experience lately has been a bit of tension between sticking it out and learning when to drop stuff.
I didn’t like the Trails series at first but the fourth and fifth games ended up being all-time favorites. This one’s not going to get to that point, but it’s also part of a larger series that could have a lot of fun gameplay to mess around with.
Just started Disgaea 1. For whatever reason I’ve bounced off this game half a dozen times since first trying it all the way back at release, but I’ve more or less settled into a groove with it now.
Having a good time with it, though I’m wondering if I should pick up a manual or something somewhere. Kind of obtuse systems and details I’d normally be able to get out of the UI, but not here.
Following up on this conversation since I just saw this PC Gamer article:
I played a whopping 23 city builders in 2024, and here are my 5 favorites
I’d add They are Billions as another evolutionary branch that’s doing something different. Starting to see some clones of this formula.
That said, I don’t think Against the Storm or Manor Lords are the kind of games Pottinger is talking about. Against the Storm doesn’t even have combat. Those are more in the city builder realm.
I think there are too many JRPGs that still use their battle system in support of their narrative for it to be considered anything other than a core system in those games. That’s especially the case in lower budget games in the genre.
Larger budget projects are branching more and more into side content/worldbuilding, but I’d argue it’s still highly underdeveloped in the genre when compared with western RPGs, in quality if not also in quantity. Persona and Yakuza are exceptions, rather than the rule. Persona is doing something entirely different (and well enough that it’s being emulated now) while Yakuza, as you say, carry a lot of that over from prior development into its RPGs from the series’ action games.
Unfortunately, Cyberpunk is exactly the kind of product that is going to keep driving the realistic approach. It’s four years later now and the game’s visuals are still state-of-the-art in many areas. Even after earning as much backlash on release as any game in recent memory, it was a massively profitable project in the end.
This is why Sony, Microsoft, and the big third parties like Ubisoft keep taking shots in this realm.
I had an intense love affair with this one earlier in the year that fizzled out quickly once the credits rolled. Solid game, but the only thing that keeps it from being in my collection of 1000-hour games is that it’s a little too dense for my taste. Keeping track of what builds what (and which build I had currently unlocked) was taking up a smidge more brain power than I’d like once the difficulty started demanding it. By the end I’d started layering in how to evaluate cornerstones, the best way to do trade, map modifiers, and it became too much. Ironically, I’d probably get to a level of comfort just by putting more time into the game but it’ll just feel like work.
One of those “almost there” games for me.
Some heavy hitters in the genre here!
Don’t know how the narrative took hold in some spaces that it’s skippable, but I’m glad you didn’t skip Sky the 3rd. Hopefully you did most of the doors, especially Star Doors 8, 14, and 15. You’ll likely appreciate the game more as the series goes on, and after Zero, you probably are starting to see why.
I’m excited-by-proxy for your journey through Azure. Enjoy.
I made posts here on some of the games I was patient on this year, so I’ll include links to those in-line here along with the rest of my list, in chronological order:
Control - I ended up grabbing–and devouring–Alan Wake 2 very soon after finishing this, mostly because one of my favorite singers ever resurfaced on the game’s soundtrack, to my complete astonishment. The setting and a few of the dialogues remain fresh in my mind, but the rest of Control ended up buried under AW2, which is saying something considering I don’t like survival horror.
Lost Odyssey - Interesting timing, as Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was announced just a few months after I finished Lost Odyssey, a clear source of inspiration. I hear a lot from JRPG fans that wish there were more games with adult cast members and mature narratives, and LO fits the bill. “Letters from a Weakling” is still utterly devastating.
Xenoblade Chronicles 2 - Torna: The Golden Country - Mostly just more Xenoblade Chronicles 2, a new main character and some light changes to the battle system keep things fresh. Come for the soundtrack, stay for the emotional scenes. Despite being forced into hours of side quests, this was worth seeing through to the end.
Atelier Meruru - My favorite of the Arland trilogy, I was engaged by the alchemy and kingdom building throughout the game. Real fun sense of progression with city, world map, and music changes. Surprisingly touching scenes with returning characters.
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 (plus Future Redeemed) - A solid entry in a fan-favorite series I gave my thoughts on earlier, but what stands out in hindsight is how good the side quests were. A long time weakness of JRPGs, it’d be nice if the genre was spurred to step things up. The base game and Future Redeemed were sprinkled with enough Xenogears references to get my brain churning.
Atelier Ayesha - Ayesha changed the vibe in a dramatic way that I wasn’t entirely prepared for. Enjoyed that, the new cast, the story, and the soundtrack, not so much the gameplay. I’ve been proceeding through this series slightly faster than they get released, so maybe I’ll catch up some day.
Star Wars: Jedi Survivor - Plenty of spectacle and fun with lightsabers, yet all those hours spent running around are already fading from memory. The game’s focus on family and home still resonates with me in a way it wouldn’t have ten years ago.
Citizen Sleeper - Recent events have me turning this story over in my head a few times. I thought this had a strong anti-capitalist message, but I may have even underestimated it. This one’s earned a replay, and soon.
Ys IX: Monstrum Nox - I wouldn’t have made it through this game without the Ys brand, a series I grew up with. It did get better in the back half, but probably still not worth it. The city exploration did little for me and I never want to see a raid/Nox battle again. With the recent announcement of an “enhanced” version of Ys X, it’s going to be forever before I get to it. Monstrum Nox is going to be stuck in my craw for a while.
creator
toThat’s the original version of the game. It’s had enhanced ports but never a remake previously. From what we know, this is a full remake, with changes to gameplay, a new localization, and some additions for continuity. The game’s 20 years old. Hard to put that anywhere near modern.
Since it’s the first in a continuous series, it’s long seemed necessary to at least bring the game into full 3D for new players to come on board. For long-term Trails fans, the value of this remake (and the inevitable second one, at least) will probably depend on some of the details, especially the localizations for players that don’t read Japanese.
I don’t know what it is with Japanese devs and arbitrary multiplayer decisions. The way Capcom handles Monster Hunter’s multiplayer continues to baffle me.
From a PC gaming perspective, it feels like Western developers decided to just give players multiple options to play together all the way back in the 1990’s. This sort of thing always feels badly regressive to me.
Biggest surprise for length was Dragon Quest VII, the PSX version. Started playing it close to release, dropped it several times and finally finished it years later.
I’d played multiple games in the series before and I think the longest one topped out at 40 hours, so I really was not expecting a 100+ hour marathon like that was (although the very, very long prologue should probably have served as a warning).
It’s a meme at this point.
“Turn based RPGs are dead!”
points at, well, everywhere
“No, I meant turn based JRPGs”
points at Like a Dragon, Persona, Metaphor
“No, I meant turn based JRPGs developed by Square”
points at Bravely Default, Dragon Quest, countless remasters/remakes
“No, I want AAA mainline Final Fantasy to be turn based!”
🤷♀️
I don’t think these people will ever be happy, even if Sakaguchi came back to Square and brought the whole gang back with him.
I personally don’t think the monsters add much to the game. While I haven’t tried it, the “safe” mode seems like a fine way to play it. There is some atmospheric horror similar to Subnautica’s, too.
That said, SOMA is Existential Horror: The Game, and removing the monsters isn’t going to change that. So I’d tread carefully if you can’t handle horror.
Been considering jumping back into this one. I absolutely hate it when loot-oriented RPGs make it easy to find gear with level requirements, and boy did Everspace 2 ever do that. I was finding stuff level +5 or higher. The inventory system made it even worse.
I don’t know if there’s a mod now or a change that eased up on this, but it was enough to push me out of the game when I tried it earlier in the year.
I played the demo a couple months ago and have only played a few hours since release (the save carried over), but so far this is in the running to be my personal game of the year. I’ve discovered a love for these repetitive problem-solvers like Papers Please and Hardspace: Shipbreaker, and this has been absolutely brilliant so far, with a very solid plot hook and a mature, wacky, occasionally gross vibe that totally fits the setting.
It’s quite difficult, and the gameplay loop is clearly intended to be meta-progression driven, with player knowledge of how to repair the ships being the major factor. Hopefully it doesn’t fall apart once I’ve “solved” it, and also would be nice if the story holds up. It’s damn interesting. It’d be great too if this turned out to be as replayable as something like Papers Please, where a year from now I drop into the game from time to time to do some repairs.
Edit: Now that I’m in the late game, I’ve unfortunately discovered a couple of bugs that make things more difficult than they should be (or even impossible in one particular case). I’d say wait for a patch for this one at this point.
Citizen Sleeper, a light RPG with dice-based gameplay, feels like a classic sci-fi story with contemporary ideas and worries. It's tight gameplay; I felt on edge most of my time in this decaying space station, always a sense of urgency maintaining my body and getting enough scrip for my greater goals.
All this is underpinned by some great prose. It's not quite on the level of Disco Elysium or Planescape: Torment, but even after taking in positive initial impressions, Citizen Sleeper has a surprising amount to say. The developer said they wanted to tell a story about those on the fringes of capitalism, where many of us have had to learn to survive. I think they nailed it.
The player is a sleeper, a human-machine hybrid detached from the corporate network, having to start from zero. An interesting concept itself, the story is that sleepers came about as a loophole in AI prohibition: put a human to sleep and copy them into an artificial body for indentured servitude. The means of corporate control is a built-in body deficiency. You'll degrade without a very specific chemical. The sociological concerns presented by these concepts and putting these kinds of escapees in a "normal" society are also interesting. I never know who to trust as I try to survive, knowing that merely being off the corporate leash puts me at the mercy of someone looking for a cut of the bounty. Or, I might be taken advantage of by someone that knows I can't survive without stabilizer. That's just the start of it.
Very cool experience, and refreshingly compact (I was through the main story in under 10 hours). There's a sequel coming, and I'm eager to get more of a taste of the game world.
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I'm a little late, but I finally got around to taking on the demos that caught my eye during Steam's Next Fest this past month. All positive experiences, with one big stand-out.
**Uncle Chop's Rocket Shop** is a repair sim with a wild story driven by roguelite progression. Think of it as Papers, Please or Hardspace: Shipbreaker but with the grimy, whimsical styling of Spongebob Squarepants or (dating myself here) Ren & Stimpy. At first, I felt like a fish out of water and couldn't tell my encoder from my pancake, surely by design. It wasn't long at all before everything clicked in a big way--gameplay, story, themes, visual design--and I was happily clearing alien waste out of toilets. Very much looking forward to this release.
**Keep Driving** is a nostalgic road trip sim. Hitchhikers make up your "party" as you take on harrowing encounters such as slow tractors on country roads and birds that won't move. Great soundtrack and UI design that's all evocative of a low-information time when roads meant possibilities and places to discover. I think I'd need to get my hands on the full game to be more sure about the gameplay loop and the meta-progression. I'm also not entirely sure about the drunk driving quest.
**Keylocker** describes itself as an "unforgiving Turn Based Rhythm JRPG." This is timed hits turned up to 11. The game's combat doesn't integrate music like I was expecting, at least not as far as I got in the game. Lack of music is a plot point for the game, and most spaces have some great ambient sound design to fill in the soundspace. The difficulty is certainly challenging, but the visual and audio cues for it are designed well. The sprite art is gorgeous stuff, with plenty of animation and distinct character design. It's still rough around the edges, and the writing is a bit much (even for me, as someone with built-up tolerance for this sort of thing), but I'm interested after it gets a little more polish.
**Knights in Tight Spaces** is a high-fantasy follow-up to the well-received Fights in Tight Spaces. I loved Nitro Kid, a similar melee card battler with 80's styling, and this is right up my alley. I'm much more into the detailed environments and characters here than Fights' minimalist silhouettes. If the animations/camera perspectives get polished up a bit, it'll be a treat. That said, I do want to know how much content I'll get out of this before I buy, so the price point is going to be important.
How about you? Any finds from Next Fest?
I enjoyed Respawn's first Star Wars game, Fallen Order, a pastiche of present-day gameplay concepts on top of a venerable, popular IP. Eager for something with the potential to improve upon some of Fallen Order's shortcomings, I was interested in Survivor from the moment it was announced. There were damning reports about Star Wars: Jedi Survivor's performance on PC, so I held off until the recent patch. Happily, I can report a patient gaming win here.
Survivor ran well on my aging, mid-tier PC (3060Ti, overclocked i5-10600k), with some framerate dips here and there. It's interesting to play a Star Wars game that gives a sense of scale to the planets, and I think adding in fast travel this time created room to stretch things out a bit. Between that and how *Star Wars* the game feels by blending in distinctive architecture, character design, and fashion, this was a visual treat for me.
Some of that was a big dose of the prequel films, surprisingly. These two games are set in between Episode III and IV, and this one leans even more into the prequels by introducing a local faction that rose to power by taking over a Lucrehulk and its droid contingent. There are B1 droids sprinkled throughout the game (you know the ones, wiry builds and rather chatty), and if you'd told me that ahead of time I would have groaned, not being a fan of the prequels myself. By the end of this one, however, I'm starting to think these games could rehabilitate the sequels in my mind, as I enjoyed this dose of flavor. I suspect they have a smart writing team being selective about what to pull from the established universe, seeing as how they also made the excellent choice late in the game to draw from the same well Andor has.
On the gameplay side, it's interesting that I have zero interest in any of the side content and Metroidvania-style exploration. Survivor does feel just as good in battle as any of the Jedi Knight games (massive praise coming from me, being my favorite melee combat in gaming until Souls came around). Maybe I'm okay with taking my lightsaber fencing fantasy in small doses. Cosmetics being exploration rewards is also a problem here--not interested--and running around wasn't always consistently fun for me. I had whiplash from how awful Jedha was at times and then suddenly being the best parts of the game. There's certainly a concerted effort to give the exploration-oriented players something to do, but I wonder if this would be a better overall experience if it were trimmed down.
Overall, I enjoyed Survivor more than Fallen Order. I'm excited to see where this trilogy goes with more iteration on this winning formula.
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I'm hearing the marketing for this one is on the spoilery side (as is frequently the case with Falcom), so beware.
Xenoblade Chronicles has been one of the broadly popular JRPG series as of late, particularly within my own social circles. I have heard mostly good things about the games, and some vocal criticisms about the second game in particular. After finally picking up a Switch last year, I have now made my way through most of the series.
Before trying Xenoblade myself, I had a mixed history with Xeno series creator Tetsuya Takahashi. He’s had quite a career, having worked on games in the Ys, Final Fantasy, SaGa, Mana, and Chrono series. Xenogears was his first project as a director, and I knew next to nothing about the game when I picked it up at release in 1998. It surprised me in a lot of ways, being my first real dip into the mecha genre, accompanied by a truly massive and thought-provoking script (both big changes from the SNES’s smaller scripts and censorship). My continuing experience with Xeno was less successful. Xenosaga’s move to a more cinematic style gave it a plodding pace, packed with jargon and word salad. I also didn’t connect with most of the trilogy’s characters, I found most of the gameplay boring, and I’d somehow missed the memo that Xenosaga was a reboot and not directly connected to Xenogears, souring me on the experience in general.
I didn’t have a lot of success with Xenoblade Chronicles for a while. I came to the first game late in 2017, spurred by positive word-of-mouth that had resurfaced after the announcement of XC2. While I got along with the characters better than I did in Xenosaga and enjoyed the excellent setting, I ultimately had to make an effort to avoid the game’s numerous sidequests. Being an MMO player, they would have felt dated to me even back at the game’s release in 2010, and their supporting elements in the UI were extremely basic. The game’s saving grace for me would be the gameplay, a fun romp with a squad that I enjoyed tinkering with.
My experience with Xeno changed with XC2. I had a rough start at first when I picked the game up last year, not really sure what to make of the main character and light-hearted tone of the game, a huge departure from the previous games in the series. But when the conversations with Pyra started, a deep hook set in. I immediately connected with this character, someone that seemed eminently competent but had a pensive demeanor, hinting at a darkness within. After I learned more about this character as her whole story unfolded in both XC2 and its DLC Torna, Pyra became my favorite character in the series. For the first time in 25 years, Xeno was finally starting to hit some of those same emotional notes it did for me in Xenogears. Hitting on that nostalgia also led to me thinking about interesting similarities between Fei from Xenogears and Pyra and Mythra.
In hindsight, making those connections across the series seems to be half the fun. Xenoblade Chronicles 3 and Future Redeemed are packed with little (and not-so-little) nods to much of past Xeno. I had a good time with this aspect of XC3, and in some ways it picked up where XC2 left off with getting me to be interested in this cast and world. I also really enjoyed the gameplay, seeing the results of refinements to the UI in particular that were sorely needed, culminating in my being thrilled at controlling A and seeing her flip around the battlefield in the DLC. An impressive achievement, considering I almost always hate playing healers in this type of gameplay!
I know fans of Xenoblade Chronicles have strong opinions about their favorites, but there were things that I loved (the setting in XC1, the cast in 2, the gameplay and Xeno callbacks in 3), and there were things that drove me nuts in each of the games. I’ve given up on the stories getting some much-needed pruning (every Xeno game and DLC I’ve played has padding or spots that just don’t work), so I can roll with that. I also don’t know if I’ll ever get to XCX or Future Connected. Xeno isn’t exactly my top ongoing series at the moment, but I’m still interested in what Takahashi is cooking up next.
Any thoughts on Xenoblade Chronicles? Or the Xeno series at large?
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Game Information
--------------------
**Game Title**: Eiyuden Chronicles: Hundred Heroes
**Platforms**:
- Xbox Series X/S (Apr 23, 2024)
- PlayStation 5 (Apr 23, 2024)
- Nintendo Switch (Apr 23, 2024)
- PC (Apr 23, 2024)
- Xbox One (Apr 23, 2024)
- PlayStation 4 (Apr 23, 2024)
**Trailers**:
- [Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes Pre-launch Trailer (ESRB)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45hd-3SeU9A)
- [Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes Pre-Order Trailer (ESRB)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wavXUqxDgn8)
**Developer**: Rabbit & Bear Studios
**Publisher**: 505 Games
**Review Aggregator**:
**[OpenCritic - 76 average - 58% recommended - 34 reviews](https://opencritic.com/game/16605/eiyuden-chronicles-hundred-heroes)**
Critic Reviews
-------------
**[CGMagazine](https://opencritic.com/outlet/82/cgmagazine)** - [Justin Wood](https://opencritic.com/critic/8041/justin-wood) - [8 / 10](https://www.cgmagonline.com/review/game/eiyuden-chronicle-hundred-heroes/)
>Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is a worthy spiritual successor to Suikoden. Outside of some combat tweaks there is a lot to love here.
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**[COGconnected](https://opencritic.com/outlet/94/cogconnected)** - [James Paley](https://opencritic.com/critic/2831/james-paley) - [75 / 100](https://cogconnected.com/review/eiyuden-chronicle-hundred-heroes-review/)
>As far as homages go, Hundred Heroes is an exceptional one. That old-school sensibility is captured perfectly, almost to its detriment. The sprite art is exceptional, the voice work is fantastic, and the character designs are excellent. I wish the pacing was more modern, though. And I’d be fine with an updated approach to inventory management. But all that is what makes this such a faithful successor to the Suikoden series. Well, that and the establishment of your own kingdom full of heroes. If you’re looking for the next Suikoden game, this is it! Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is a worthy ascendant to the Suikoden throne.
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**[Cerealkillerz](https://opencritic.com/outlet/465/cerealkillerz)** - *German* - [8.3 / 10](https://cerealkillerz.org/review-eiyuden-chronicle-hundred-heroes-fest-fuer-suikoden-fans/)
>Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes offers excellent content, especially for fans of JRPGs from the 90s, looks great and also keeps you engaged in the long term with the many characters that can be found. Only the story sometimes suffers from pacing issues and the current objective is not always completely clear. But that doesn't stop the title from being a great new start for an almost forgotten series.
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**[Checkpoint Gaming](https://opencritic.com/outlet/563/checkpoint-gaming)** - [David McNamara](https://opencritic.com/critic/6998/david-mcnamara) - [7 / 10](https://checkpointgaming.net/reviews/2024/04/eiyuden-chronicle-hundred-heroes-review-the-jrpg-never-left/)
>Despite boldly declaring "the JRPG is back" and then doing absolutely nothing new with the genre, Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is a decent, traditional JRPG that will tickle anyone who adored the classic PlayStation titles of the late nineties. Its modern affordances in visual design and voice acting bring this nostalgic adventure into the present day, but it is let down by sluggish, repetitive combat and some missed opportunities when it comes to utilising its massive roster of characters. Fans of Suikoden will likely already have this pre-ordered - for everyone else, check this out if you're looking for a nostalgic romp and don't mind a few speed bumps along the way.
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**[Digital Trends](https://opencritic.com/outlet/124/digital-trends)** - [George Yang](https://opencritic.com/critic/7294/george-yang) - [3 / 5 ](https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/eiyuden-chronicle-hundred-hero-review-nintendo-switch/)
>As a Suikoden successor, Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is faithful to a fault.
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**[GAMES.CH](https://opencritic.com/outlet/762/games-ch)** - [Benjamin Braun](https://opencritic.com/critic/4867/benjamin-braun) - *German* - [75%](https://www.games.ch/eiyuden-chronicle/test/review-lVt/)
>Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes mainly delivers what the developers promised. It's a mostly very classical JRPG experience with beautiful graphics and great music. But while fans of the 90's JRPGs might get anything they love about these classics here, they also get nearly everything, that they might hate about them.
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**[GameBlast](https://opencritic.com/outlet/797/gameblast)** - [Victor Vitório](https://opencritic.com/critic/9556/victor-vit-rio) - *Portuguese* - [7.5 / 10](https://www.gameblast.com.br/2024/04/eiyuden-chronicle-hundread-heroes-analise-review.html)
>Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes was clearly made with dedication to deliver an epic experience about assembling a resistance army in the midst of an inglorious war. The narrative cannot give importance to such a vast cast, but, overall, it does a good job with what it has at hand, telling an engaging, well-written and well-voiced story. Translation does not follow the same level and several systems seem to be too close to the old productions on which they are based, missing the chance to modernize to allow for more efficient management. The end result is a good JRPG that suffers from limitations, which can still be resolved with changes here and there to systems, options and menus, bringing with it the potential to really shine in its environment.
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**[GameGrin](https://opencritic.com/outlet/436/gamegrin)** - [Alana Dunitz](https://opencritic.com/critic/7498/alana-dunitz) - [9 / 10](https://www.gamegrin.com/reviews/eiyuden-chronicle-hundred-heroes-review/)
>Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is for fans of turn-based RPGs. It's challenging, has great heroes, and a deep story. It will pull you in!
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**[GameLuster](https://opencritic.com/outlet/681/gameluster)** - [Nirav Gandhi](https://opencritic.com/critic/7034/nirav-gandhi) - [9 / 10](https://gameluster.com/eiyuden-chronicle-hundred-heroes-review-the-j-in-jrpg-stands-for-jaw-dropping/)
>I am shocked to my core; as a great lover of RPGs, this is one of the best ever. It's a must play for any genre fan out there.
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**[Gamer Guides](https://opencritic.com/outlet/733/gamer-guides)** - [Ben Chard](https://opencritic.com/critic/5325/ben-chard) - [80 / 100](https://www.gamerguides.com/eiyuden-chronicle-hundred-heroes/review)
>Eiyuden Chronicle is a fantastic first entry from Rabbit & Bear Studios in an attempt to bring back Suikoden. A by-the-numbers plot holds it back from truly achieving greatness, but a strong cast and exciting base building makes this a must-have for all fans of classic JRPGs.
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**[Gamers Heroes](https://opencritic.com/outlet/467/gamers-heroes)** - [Johnny Hurricane](https://opencritic.com/critic/6599/johnny-hurricane) - [85 / 100](https://www.gamersheroes.com/honest-game-reviews/eiyuden-chronicle-hundred-heroes-review/)
>Eiyuden Chonricle: Hundred Heroes is exactly what Suikoden fans have been asking for. Fans of old-school JRPGs or games about recurring characters shouldn’t hesitate to check it out.
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**[Gamersky](https://opencritic.com/outlet/597/gamersky)** - *Chinese* - [7.5 / 10](https://www.gamersky.com/news/202404/1735033.shtml)
>Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is sure to satisfy long-awaited fans of the series, but whether it will win over casual gamers is another story. It boasts a quality script and a large, unique ensemble cast, but its dated design and lack of side-quest guidance will detract significantly from your experience.
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**[God is a Geek](https://opencritic.com/outlet/111/god-is-a-geek)** - [Mick Fraser](https://opencritic.com/critic/572/mick-fraser) - [9.5 / 10](https://www.godisageek.com/reviews/eiyuden-chronicle-hundred-heroes-review/)
>Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is a truly memorable experience that absolutely will stick with you when it's over.
-------------
**[Hobby Consolas](https://opencritic.com/outlet/499/hobby-consolas)** - [David Rodriguez](https://opencritic.com/critic/1004/david-rodriguez) - *Spanish* - [82 / 100](https://www.hobbyconsolas.com/reviews/analisis-eiyuden-chronicle-hundred-heroes-ps5-ps4-nintendo-switch-xbox-series-xs-xbox-one-pc-1380644)
>Eiyuden Chronicle Hundred Heroes is a great journey back to the golden age of the JRPG and a tribute to all the good things Suikoden gave us. With nostalgia as its flag, this game manages to overcome its lack of innovation to deliver a great adventure that will take you back to simpler times.
-------------
**[IGN](https://opencritic.com/outlet/56/ign)** - [Jess Reyes](https://opencritic.com/critic/8573/jess-reyes) - [7 / 10](https://www.ign.com/articles/eiyuden-chronicle-hundred-heroes-review)
>One you get past its slow start, Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes mostly succeeds in weaving the stories of multiple countries and characters together into a sprawling epic.
-------------
**[IGN Korea](https://opencritic.com/outlet/809/ign-korea)** - [Jieun Koo](https://opencritic.com/critic/10414/jieun-koo) - *Korean* - [10 / 10](https://kr.ign.com/eiyuden-chronicle-hundred-heroes/12943/review/baegyeongungjeon-ribyu)
>Another great title with immersive classic JRPG roots. Players will be busy with their hearts being engulfed with a tsunami of emotions when the game’s protagonists with all differences in races, culture and relationships eventually come together as one to share an ultimate goal. Players must build cities and defend against waves of invasions which brings enough motivation to show that even heroes still need everyone’s support to grow and be strong. Truly motivating once the players understand that maintaining positive relationships with other adventurers is key to advance forward in their journey. The 2.5D-esque graphics paired with dynamic action camera work is surely eye-candy and the sound design that focuses on epic 1-on-1 duels will be music to every gamers’ ears.
-------------
**[INVEN](https://opencritic.com/outlet/805/inven)** - [Kwangseok Park](https://opencritic.com/critic/8135/kwangseok-park) - *Korean* - [8.5 / 10](https://www.inven.co.kr/webzine/news/?news=294847)
>A love letter to classic JRPG fans' would be the perfect description for this game. It's filled with various elements that evoke nostalgia for JRPG enthusiasts. However, despite its efforts to recreate the nostalgia of the past, maybe the absence of convenience feaures was too much.
-------------
**[Infinite Start](https://opencritic.com/outlet/825/infinite-start)** - [Mark Fajardo](https://opencritic.com/critic/4910/mark-fajardo) - [8.5 / 10](https://infinitestart.com/2024/04/eiyuden-chronicle-hundred-heroes-review-a-legendary-rpg-reborn/)
>Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is a heartfelt homage to the Suikoden games, seamlessly blending nostalgia with fresh experiences. While it effectively captures the essence of Suikoden, offering familiar storytelling and visuals that resonate deeply with fans, the presence of bugs and occasional performance issues may detract from the overall enjoyment. Nevertheless, these minor setbacks do not overshadow the game's true strength—its ability to evoke a sense of nostalgia while delivering a new and captivating adventure. With its rich narrative and familiar gameplay elements, Eiyuden Chronicle feels like a true Suikoden game with a new title, making it a must-play for fans of the beloved series.
-------------
**[Kakuchopurei](https://opencritic.com/outlet/788/kakuchopurei)** - [Jonathan Leo](https://opencritic.com/critic/7505/jonathan-leo) - [90 / 100](https://www.kakuchopurei.com/2024/04/eiyuden-chronicle-hundred-heroes-review-kkp/)
>Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes perfectly captures the zeitgeist period of Japanese role-playing games of the late 90s, faults and all. [...] Players who yearn for the days of an epic fantasy story with solid turn-based combat & dungeon puzzle shenanigans most immersive will find a lot to love in this heartfelt tribute from the late Yoshitaka Murayama and his team Rabbit & Bear Studios.
-------------
**[LadiesGamers.com](https://opencritic.com/outlet/734/ladiesgamers-com)** - [Margaret David ](https://opencritic.com/critic/10415/margaret-david-) - [Loved](https://ladiesgamers.com/eiyuden-chronicle-hundred-heroes-review/)
>It won’t take long to fall in love with Nowa and his initial teammates on the Watch, and the bittersweet story beats come achingly fast in the first act of the game. Those who played the prologue game, Eiyuden Chronicles Rising, won’t have to wait long to meet some familiar faces and learn the answers to some of the questions left hanging there. From there, the journey is a comfortably familiar but emotional one, where power-hungry villains separate friends and family under the banner of a war that threatens to grow out of control.
>
>It’s a beefy game, too, with backers who already got their copy claiming that they’re clocking 60 hours on a fast-paced playthrough, and I’m suggesting that around 80 is going to be a fair hour count for most players. Chock full of stuff to do, things to explore, and characters to meet and collect; for some of us, this is the game we wanted when we were teens and still enjoying our last free summers. Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is a fantastic JRPG, wearing its old-school quirks like a badge of pride, with even its deliberate annoyances feeling like a wool flannel shirt. I can safely say it’s a terrific game and one its backers will welcome home with delight.
-------------
**[Niche Gamer](https://opencritic.com/outlet/298/niche-gamer)** - [Fingal Belmont](https://opencritic.com/critic/6865/fingal-belmont) - [9 / 10](https://nichegamer.com/reviews/eiyuden-chronicle-hundred-heroes-review/)
>Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes perfectly captures everything it set out to achieve. While the “love letter to JRPGs” phrase gets thrown around a lot these days, and sometimes makes me cringe despite my adoration for the genre, I have to hand it to Rabbit & Bear Studios. They made a promise and delivered with in amazing ways I never thought possible – Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is a love letter to classic JRPGs.
-------------
**[Nintendo Blast](https://opencritic.com/outlet/774/nintendo-blast)** - [Ivanir Ignacchitti](https://opencritic.com/critic/7341/ivanir-ignacchitti) - *Portuguese* - [6.5 / 10](https://www.nintendoblast.com.br/2024/04/analise-eiyuden-chronicle-hundred-heroes-switch-review.html)
>Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is an RPG that actively strives to go against the market's quality of life efforts in pursuit of an old-school ideal. However, the result is a game that closes in on itself and caters only to the most die-hard fans of the genre. It's a shame, because even simple adjustments, like a mission menu and occasional changes to the menu, would be enough to maintain the challenge without the part that is purely inconvenient.
-------------
**[Nintendo Life](https://opencritic.com/outlet/136/nintendo-life)** - [Mitch Vogel](https://opencritic.com/critic/924/mitch-vogel) - [6 / 10](https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/eiyuden-chronicle-hundred-heroes)
>Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is the epitome of a flawed gem-the kind of game that does a lot of things right and we're sure will command a dedicated legion of fans, but has legitimate problems that are tough to overlook. The expansive narrative, gorgeous spritework, and addictive combat all help make it an easy recommendation to any classic JRPG fan, but bear in mind that it can feel dated in its design philosophy and that the Switch version has a lot of performance problems, at least at launch. If you can get past those issues, this is an enjoyable and immersive RPG that mostly achieves what it set out to do.
-------------
**[NintendoWorldReport](https://opencritic.com/outlet/138/nintendoworldreport)** - [Jordan Rudek](https://opencritic.com/critic/5065/jordan-rudek) - [5 / 10](https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/66949/eiyuden-chronicle-hundred-heroes-switch-review)
>Were I not reviewing the game I would have put it aside after a few hours and never thought about it again. Eiyuden Chronicle comes after scores and scores of excellent and successful turn-based RPGs from which it could draw inspiration. Instead, it neglects so many of the lessons learned throughout the years in favor of outdated, tedious gameplay.
-------------
**[Noisy Pixel](https://opencritic.com/outlet/711/noisy-pixel)** - [Azario Lopez](https://opencritic.com/critic/2507/azario-lopez) - [7.5 / 10](https://noisypixel.net/eiyuden-chronicle-hundred-heroes-review/)
>Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is a beautiful JRPG from beginning to end. It captures the wonder of discovery and adventure in every scene, with an added dose of tension as you navigate the complexities of a nation at war. Still, much of the weight has been removed from the player to the point where it feels like the entire experience is on autopilot and you're simply participating when it wants you to, like in a boss battle or environmental puzzle. That said, if I look at this game through the lens of it being Murayama-san's adventure and not mine, I'm just happy that he allowed me to accompany him on this path. While it's a brilliant showcasing of retro meets modern, there are areas to improve, and I can't wait to see what comes next.
-------------
**[One More Game](https://opencritic.com/outlet/811/one-more-game)** - [Vincent Ternida](https://opencritic.com/critic/8412/vincent-ternida) - [7 / 10](https://onemoregame.ph/2024/04/eiyuden-chronicle-hundred-heroes-review/)
>Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes pays homage to the beloved Suikoden series, which left an indelible mark as one of the most memorable JRPGs during the PlayStation 1 era. The game’s expansive design and nostalgic elements evoke fond memories for fans. However, nostalgia can be selective, often glossing over past flaws.
>
>The revival of dated mechanics, including random encounters, fixed savepoints, and lengthy world map treks, hampers the overall pacing. Additionally, new features like gimmicks, war games, and forgettable characters miss the mark. The resulting package falls short of the (unreasonable) highs set by its inspirational source material.
-------------
**[PSX Brasil](https://opencritic.com/outlet/514/psx-brasil)** - [Thiago de Alencar Moura](https://opencritic.com/critic/3868/thiago-de-alencar-moura) - *Portuguese* - [85 / 100](https://psxbrasil.com.br/analise/eiyuden-chronicle-hundred-heroes-review/)
>Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is a beautiful love letter to RPGs. It has an excellent story and characters, a challenging and entertaining combat system, as well as a vast amount of content to explore, all wrapped up in a package with great graphics and soundtrack. It's a must-have title for fans of the genre.
-------------
**[Push Square](https://opencritic.com/outlet/25/push-square)** - [Khayl Adam](https://opencritic.com/critic/5874/khayl-adam) - [8 / 10](https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps5/eiyuden-chronicle-hundred-heroes)
>Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is the true spiritual successor to the Suikoden series, capturing what made those games magical and expanding on the premise a hundred-fold. It tells a well-written and verbose tale of courage and endurance, but adherence to some fairly brutal old-school design precepts means it won't appeal to everyone.
-------------
**[RPG Fan](https://opencritic.com/outlet/37/rpg-fan)** - [Zach Wilkerson](https://opencritic.com/critic/5784/zach-wilkerson) - [80%](https://www.rpgfan.com/review/eiyuden-chronicle-hundred-heroes/)
>Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes might be a poor imitation of the games that came before, but it still has plenty to recommend it.
-------------
**[Rock, Paper, Shotgun](https://opencritic.com/outlet/270/rock-paper-shotgun)** - [Ed Thorn](https://opencritic.com/critic/7538/ed-thorn) - [Unscored](https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/eiyuden-chronicle-hundred-heroes-review)
>A turn-based JRPG that accommodates those familiar with Suikoden or those who don't know what a Suikoden is. Embrace the old-school quirks and there's a wonderful journey to be had here.
-------------
**[Shacknews](https://opencritic.com/outlet/62/shacknews)** - [Lucas White](https://opencritic.com/critic/3680/lucas-white) - [7 / 10](https://www.shacknews.com/article/139581/eiyuden-chronicle-hundred-heroes-review-score)
>Maybe Hundred Heroes doesn't have me ready to run outside screaming about miracles, but I'm plenty satisfied and ready to go back and fill in some old, classic JRPG blind spots. Well, after I replay Tierkreis.
-------------
**[Spaziogames](https://opencritic.com/outlet/502/spaziogames)** - [Gianluca Arena](https://opencritic.com/critic/3759/gianluca-arena) - *Italian* - [7 / 10](https://www.spaziogames.it/articoli/eiyuden-chronicles-hundred-heroes-recensione)
>Old players who have grown up with the first two episodes of the Suikoden franchise and backers of the Kickstarter campaign will be the most pleased by Eiyuden Chronicles Hundred Heroes, and old school JRPG through and through.
>Divisive game design choices aside, what we have here is a solid effort, but also one that looks too much to the past and much less to the future of the genre.
-------------
**[TechRaptor](https://opencritic.com/outlet/329/techraptor)** - [Andrew Stretch](https://opencritic.com/critic/2010/andrew-stretch) - [5.5 / 10](https://techraptor.net/gaming/reviews/eiyuden-chronicle-hundred-heroes-missed-expectations-and-mismanaged-scope)
>Eiyuden Chronicles: Hundred Heroes hits the right notes on paper but in practice, the story is poorly executed, battles are bland, recruitable characters are beyond forgettable, and the game itself is sluggish. The style and audio design do a good job, but not enough to save the overall experience.
-------------
**[The Beta Network](https://opencritic.com/outlet/844/the-beta-network)** - [Anthony Culinas](https://opencritic.com/critic/8928/anthony-culinas) - [6 / 10](https://thebetanetwork.net/articles/eiyuden-chronicle-hundred-heroes-review/)
>Being a homage to the classic Suikoden series, Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes contains a PS1-like nostalgic appeal, a decent story and varied dungeon designs throughout. However, it’s held back by tedious recruitment processes, lacklustre battle systems and pacing issues that drag down the potential level of enjoyment.
-------------
**[Wccftech](https://opencritic.com/outlet/304/wccftech)** - [Francesco De Meo](https://opencritic.com/critic/1717/francesco-de-meo) - [8.5 / 10](https://wccftech.com/review/eiyuden-chronicle-hundred-heroes-review-the-last-bow/)
>While its premise, story beats and main characters echo Suikoden II a little bit too much, Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes manages to stand on its own with a compelling tale, excellent characterization, classic JRPG gameplay and great presentation, which make it easy to look past some of its shortcomings, such as balancing and minor gameplay issues. The world of Allraan may never get into the spotlight again due to the unfortunate departure of its creator, but it is undeniable that it couldn't have been introduced to JRPG fans in a better way.
-------------
Other than a slew of Nintendo titles that maybe hopefully will come down in price (the patient gamers' bane), I have my eye on the next time Divinity: Original Sin 2 goes on sale. A friend who never plays anything other than WoW loved playing Larian's newest with me and I'm trying to get her to pick this up. Pretty sure she'd like it.
I was also watching Star Trek: Infinite's progress. I was quite interested in that one at launch but firmly decided to be patient. Naturally, it was discontinued last week. Oof.
Are there any games you're currently price watching? Or hoping for bug fixes/more content?
- •
- www.gamefile.news
- •
- 10M
- •
If there's that many, one of them better damn well be another Shandalar game.
- •
- opencritic.com
- •
- 1Y
- •
Game Information
--------------------
**Game Title**: Persona 3 Reload
**Platforms**:
- Xbox Series X/S (Feb 2, 2024)
- PlayStation 5 (Feb 2, 2024)
- PC (Feb 2, 2024)
- Xbox One (Feb 2, 2024)
- PlayStation 4 (Feb 2, 2024)
**Trailers**:
- [Persona 3 Reload — Opening Movie | Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=746zeHM5EA8)
- [Persona 3 Reload — The Meaning of Life | Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4py4V5xwXWE)
- [Persona 3 Reload - Meet the S.E.E.S. Trailer | PS5 & PS4 Games](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsMvSZeiKmw)
**Developer**: ATLUS
**Publisher**: SEGA
**Review Aggregator**:
**[OpenCritic - 90 average - 100% recommended - 53 reviews](https://opencritic.com/game/16094/persona-3-reload)**
Critic Reviews
-------------
**[Atomix](https://opencritic.com/outlet/458/atomix)** - [Sebastian Quiroz](https://opencritic.com/critic/6511/sebastian-quiroz) - *Spanish* - [95 / 100](https://atomix.vg/review-persona-3-reload/)
>With a series of large and small improvements to its story, visuals and gameplay, Persona 3 Reload is the definitive version of the PlayStation 2 classic. This is one of the best remakes of the year.
-------------
**[COGconnected](https://opencritic.com/outlet/94/cogconnected)** - [James Paley](https://opencritic.com/critic/2831/james-paley) - [87 / 100](https://cogconnected.com/review/persona-3-reload-review/)
>I loved this game when it first released on the PS2. It felt almost too cool for console gaming, too crisp for the era in question. Even now, Reload carries a timeless charm that keeps me engaged. The battle system has been polished, the visuals are totally overhauled, and the game is bigger than ever. There’s pacing problems to be sure, and the gameplay loop isn’t for everyone. Plus, fans of certain versions will find this edition somewhat lacking in features. But maybe that’s okay? I’d rather judge this game on what it is, rather than what it isn’t. And Persona 3 Reload is an excellent evolution of a PS2 classic that fans new and old will almost certainly love.
-------------
**[Cerealkillerz](https://opencritic.com/outlet/465/cerealkillerz)** - [Nick Erlenhof](https://opencritic.com/critic/8745/nick-erlenhof) - *German* - [8.7 / 10](https://cerealkillerz.org/review-persona-3-reload-absolut-grossartiges-remake-mit-luecken-in-den-schatten/)
>Persona 3 Reload is such a splendidly reworked version that it can almost feel like a completely new Persona. Gorgeous visuals, a perfectly remixed soundtrack, an improved battle system and a finally updated, albeit still in parts boring, trip through Tartarus really leave little to be desired when embarking on a trip to the Gekkoukan school. It's just a shame that the female protagonist and the additional chapter "The Answer" are still missing.
-------------
**[Chicas Gamers](https://opencritic.com/outlet/773/chicas-gamers)** - [Raúl Pinto](https://opencritic.com/critic/7386/ra-l-pinto) - *Spanish* - [Unscored](https://www.chicasgamers.com/2024/01/analisis-review-persona-p3-reload-ps5.html)
>Persona 3 Reload is a turn-based RPG, as well as a narrative adventure, that brings back the acclaimed ATLUS game in a magnificent remake full of content. We find a game that is based on Persona 5 in terms of gameplay and appearance, having incredible gameplay and graphic style, in addition to a very good job with the old soundtrack and the new pieces introduced. The only problem is being completely overwhelmed by the FES content, an aspect that should not happen in a remake.
-------------
**[ComicBook.com](https://opencritic.com/outlet/862/comicbook-com)** - [Logan Moore](https://opencritic.com/critic/3791/logan-moore) - [4.5 / 5 ](https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/persona-3-reload-review/)
>Persona 3 Reload definitely still feels dated in some areas, which isn't always expected from a modern remake. Despite this, some of these older aspects of Reload are what I came to appreciate the more that I played.
-------------
**[ComingSoon.net](https://opencritic.com/outlet/845/comingsoon-net)** - [Tyler Treese](https://opencritic.com/critic/65/tyler-treese) - [9 / 10](https://www.comingsoon.net/games/reviews/1512082-persona-3-reload-review-ps5)
>Remaking a legendary title is often a recipe for failure, but Persona 3 Reload lives up to its legacy and wonderfully updates the 2006 gem.
-------------
**[Console Creatures](https://opencritic.com/outlet/798/console-creatures)** - [Matt Sowinski](https://opencritic.com/critic/10367/matt-sowinski) - [Essential](https://www.consolecreatures.com/review-persona-3-reload/)
>Persona 3 Reload is a fantastic way to experience a classic. The graphical and gameplay enhancements are meaningful, while the base story still shines years later. While the missing features from FES and Portable are missed, this is the definitive way to experience Persona 3.
-------------
**[Dexerto](https://opencritic.com/outlet/863/dexerto)** - [Noelle Corbett](https://opencritic.com/critic/10364/noelle-corbett) - [5 / 5 ](https://www.dexerto.com/gaming/persona-3-reload-review-a-fresh-and-faithful-return-to-s-e-e-s-2503726/)
>If the goal of Persona 3 Reload is to modernize a classic JRPG from the PlayStation 2 era for a new generation of players, then it is undeniably a success. While there may be some legitimate disappointment over the lack of content from Persona 3 FES and Portable, what is here is more than enough to cement Reload’s status as a solid remake that delivers the now definitive version of Persona 3.
-------------
**[Digital Chumps](https://opencritic.com/outlet/96/digital-chumps)** - [Will Silberman](https://opencritic.com/critic/8342/will-silberman) - [9.5 / 10](https://digitalchumps.com/persona-3-reload-review-ps5/)
>Persona 3 Reload is not a carbon-copied remaster of Persona 3 Portable or even Persona 3. It’s a refreshed perspective of Persona 3 that removes a good bunch of pain from older RPGs while retaining the charm and character of the original. It feels like many thoughtful decisions were made to better the game’s flow without compromising on its core experience or watering it down. My only concern is that owners of 2023’s Persona 3 Portable might feel like there aren’t enough changes to warrant a replay. But, if you haven’t yet experienced its source material, Persona 3 Reload is without a doubt the best version of the game to play.
-------------
**[Digital Spy](https://opencritic.com/outlet/24/digital-spy)** - [Jess Lee](https://opencritic.com/critic/5607/jess-lee) - [4 / 5 ](https://www.digitalspy.com/tech/a46504329/persona-3-reload-review/)
>It's dark at times, but has a hopeful message. Through all the devastation, the cast learn to be there for each other and try to make the most out of life.
-------------
**[Digital Trends](https://opencritic.com/outlet/124/digital-trends)** - [George Yang](https://opencritic.com/critic/7294/george-yang) - [4.5 / 5 ](https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/persona-3-reload-review-ps5/)
>Persona 3 Reload is a win-win of a remake for old and new Persona fans alike.
-------------
**[Digitally Downloaded](https://opencritic.com/outlet/65/digitally-downloaded)** - [Matt Sainsbury](https://opencritic.com/critic/1604/matt-sainsbury) - [5 / 5 ](https://www.digitallydownloaded.net/2024/01/review-persona-3-reload-sony-playstation-5.html)
>While I personally prefer the more textured narrative of Persona 4, the unrelenting focus and intensity of Persona 3 means that it still stands out as one of the greatest and most intelligent video game narratives. The developers haven’t done too much to mess with that (the decision to leave out a “post-game” chapter that was both technically unnecessary but yet well-regarded notwithstanding), and have otherwise focused on modernising both the look and flow of the game to make it the most enjoyable and “clean” version of Persona 3 yet. Persona has a habit of attracting purists, and I foresee the discourse around this remake being particularly volatile. However, personally, I’ll be over there looking forward to the inevitable announcement that Persona 4 will get this treatment too.
-------------
**[DualShockers](https://opencritic.com/outlet/285/dualshockers)** - [Emma Ward](https://opencritic.com/critic/9766/emma-ward) - [9 / 10](https://www.dualshockers.com/persona-3-reload-review/)
>Dive into the Dark Hour and awaken the depths of your heart. Persona 3 Reload is a captivating reimagining of the genre-defining RPG, reborn for the modern era with cutting-edge graphics and gameplay.
-------------
**[Eurogamer](https://opencritic.com/outlet/114/eurogamer)** - [Kaan Serin](https://opencritic.com/critic/8833/kaan-serin) - [4 / 5](https://www.eurogamer.net/persona-3-reload-review)
>Reload adds welcome modernisations to the wonderfully deadly coming-of-age story that captured hearts in 2006, though visual tweaks undermine the thematic coherence.
-------------
**[FandomWire](https://opencritic.com/outlet/886/fandomwire)** - [Osama Farooq](https://opencritic.com/critic/10252/osama-farooq) - [8 / 10](https://fandomwire.com/persona-3-reload-ps5-review/)
>Persona 3 Reload takes the concept of remaking a beloved title and goes all the way through with it, especially when it comes to the visual finesse and the excellent presentation. The social simulation, interactions, and activities are some of the best ever put into a video game, making it feel immersive from the very first day at Gekkoukan High School.
>
>There is always something to do in this wonderful city, ranging from the grand reopening of an old bookstore at the mall to heading to numerous restaurants to spend time with friends.
>
>While the social links stand out as the undisputed highlight in Persona 3 Reload, it is the monotonous Tartarus and generic enemy designs that ironically slow things down and make the combat feel a bit dull compared to the other aspects of the game. The storyline is gripping and intriguing at the beginning and stays that way later on too, but because of the more serious elements that are never fully realized, it starts to lose its hold as time goes on.
>
>However, the stunning animation, fluid gameplay, wide palette of character types, great soundtrack, and bustling setting make Persona 3 Reload a highly enjoyable remake.
-------------
**[GAMES.CH](https://opencritic.com/outlet/762/games-ch)** - [Sven Raabe](https://opencritic.com/critic/6038/sven-raabe) - *German* - [90%](https://www.games.ch/persona-3-reload/test/review-lIig/)
>Persona 3 Reload is a fantastic remake of an already great cult game. All kinds of clever gameplay innovations and an enormous amount of style make this a gripping JRPG that you shouldn't miss out on. The remake of the PlayStation 2 classic is even now a hot contender for the best role-playing game of the still quite young year.
-------------
**[GGRecon](https://opencritic.com/outlet/828/ggrecon)** - [Ben Williams](https://opencritic.com/critic/8152/ben-williams) - [5 / 5 ](https://www.ggrecon.com/reviews/persona-3-reload-review/)
>Persona 3 Reload is one of the best remakes I’ve ever seen - a faithful but stunning reimagining of a classic JRPG that will please Persona veterans and newcomers alike.
>
>With the only small negatives coming from Atlus’ dedication to recapturing the experience of the original, fans will without a doubt debate this being the best in the series after being reminded why Persona 3 is so spectacular.
-------------
**[Game Rant](https://opencritic.com/outlet/60/game-rant)** - [Drew Swanson](https://opencritic.com/critic/10366/drew-swanson) - [4.5 / 5 ](https://gamerant.com/persona-3-reload-review/)
>Overall, Persona 3 Reload is a fantastic package that offers enough new content to satisfy fans of the original, while remaining faithful to what made that entry so special. It's also an incredibly approachable entry for newcomers thanks to the myriad of enhancements to the Persona series' combat and social mechanics. It's clear that Persona 3 Reload isn't just a remake of an outdated game, it's an entry that is entirely its own and signals a bright future for the franchise in the post-Persona 5 era.
-------------
**[GameBlast](https://opencritic.com/outlet/797/gameblast)** - [Farley Santos](https://opencritic.com/critic/7342/farley-santos) - *Portuguese* - [9 / 10](https://www.gameblast.com.br/2024/01/persona-3-reload-analise-review.html)
>Persona 3 Reload stands out as an example of how to modernize a classic, remaining faithful to the original while introducing significant innovations, such as revamped visuals, additional events and new mechanics. However, some concepts remain in the past, such as repetitive dungeon exploration. With its strengths far outweighing its flaws, the game is a recommended experience for both longtime fans and newcomers to the Persona series.
-------------
**[GameSpew](https://opencritic.com/outlet/408/gamespew)** - [Richard Seagrave](https://opencritic.com/critic/2754/richard-seagrave) - [8 / 10](https://www.gamespew.com/2024/01/persona-3-reload-review/)
>Even with the issues you can pick at in this remake, though, there’s no denying that Persona 3 Reload is one hell of game. Its story is as engaging as ever, and now its gameplay has been notably improved, giving you more options in combat and out. Along with the new visuals and soundtrack, Persona 3 has never looked, sounded or played as good. It’s just silly that it’s arrived so close to the remaster of Persona 3 Portable: if you’ve played that recently, it might not grab your attention throughout due to its authenticity. For those who are yet to jump in or are keen to relive the classic yet again, however, simply play and enjoy.
-------------
**[GameSpot](https://opencritic.com/outlet/32/gamespot)** - [Jess Cogswell](https://opencritic.com/critic/10365/jess-cogswell) - [9 / 10](https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/persona-3-reload-review-burn-your-dread/1900-6418171/)
>Persona 3 Reload succeeds in elevating an unforgettable story with smart combat changes and drastically improved visuals.
-------------
**[Gameblog](https://opencritic.com/outlet/450/gameblog)** - KiKiToes - *French* - [9 / 10](https://www.gameblog.fr/jeu-video/jeux/tests/test-persona-3-reload-remake-ps5-518156)
>Persona 3 Reload is an excellent remake and truly modernize the game by harmonize it with Persona 5. A truly impressive graphical leap that which brings new perspectives and brings some new features. The Tartarus still feels outdated and could have benefited from some tweaks. But Persona 3 Reload is still a memorable game and one of the best of the beginning of the year.
-------------
**[Gamer Guides](https://opencritic.com/outlet/733/gamer-guides)** - [Chris Moyse](https://opencritic.com/critic/4258/chris-moyse) - [75 / 100](https://www.gamerguides.com/persona-3-reload/review)
>One of the most esteemed and cherished RPGs of all time returns, smoother and smarter than ever. Unfortunately, Persona 3 Reload deals an incomplete hand, with disappointing omissions, stunted evolution, and a contentious price tag. Nonetheless, its indelible cast retain their infectious social spirit, set to break your heart and burn your dread all over again.
-------------
**[GamingTrend](https://opencritic.com/outlet/102/gamingtrend)** - [David Flynn](https://opencritic.com/critic/6536/david-flynn) - [95 / 100](https://gamingtrend.com/feature/reviews/persona-3-reload-review-midnight-strikes-thrice/)
>Persona 3 Reload is the best Persona game to date. It reimagines a fan favorite to be the best it can be, even if it does stumble in some ways. There are a few Social Links that could have used overhauling, and the game is a bit too faithful to the original in these ways. However, the overall experience is transcendent and took me straight back to hanging out with my virtual friends in high school, getting to know them and slicing up Shadows. There really is nothing out there like Persona.
-------------
**[Generación Xbox](https://opencritic.com/outlet/431/generaci-n-xbox)** - [Javier Gutierrez Bassols](https://opencritic.com/critic/4921/javier-gutierrez-bassols) - *Spanish* - [90 / 100](https://generacionxbox.com/analisis-de-persona-3-reload/)
>Persona 3 Reload is everything a remake should be. A title that respects the essence of the original game and that, in addition to presenting a new graphic section, has several new features. This respect for the original, even though it has been remade from scratch, allows us to focus on improving and expanding some elements that were already good.
-------------
**[God is a Geek](https://opencritic.com/outlet/111/god-is-a-geek)** - [Lyle Carr](https://opencritic.com/critic/6583/lyle-carr) - [9.5 / 10](https://www.godisageek.com/reviews/persona-3-reload-review/)
>Persona 3 Reload improves the original version of the game in so many ways, and is absolutely essential for all RPG fans.
-------------
**[Hobby Consolas](https://opencritic.com/outlet/499/hobby-consolas)** - [Álvaro Alonso](https://opencritic.com/critic/3755/-lvaro-alonso) - *Spanish* - [92 / 100](https://www.hobbyconsolas.com/reviews/analisis-persona-3-reload-remake-rpg-inolvidable-1360684)
>Although it lacks two key pieces to be the "definitive version", Persona 3 Reload modernizes a classic to the level of today's great RPGs and includes enough new features to tempt those who already knew it once again. The best of both worlds, as they say.
-------------
**[IGN](https://opencritic.com/outlet/56/ign)** - [Michael Higham](https://opencritic.com/critic/3617/michael-higham) - [9 / 10](https://www.ign.com/articles/persona-3-reload-review)
>With a stellar visual overhaul and countless small but impactful changes, Persona 3 Reload tells a timeless story of tragedy and hope with sharp emotional sincerity.
-------------
**[IGN Italy](https://opencritic.com/outlet/477/ign-italy)** - [Majkol Robuschi](https://opencritic.com/critic/7946/majkol-robuschi) - *Italian* - [9 / 10](https://it.ign.com/persona-3-reload/207980/review/persona-3-reload-la-recensione)
>Persona 3 Reload is a pleasure to play. Throughout the adventure you switch between fighting and school activities with great fluidity, and it is safe to say that the 2000s JRPG that defined the entire genre is back in better shape than ever.
-------------
**[IGN Spain](https://opencritic.com/outlet/471/ign-spain)** - [Esteban Canle](https://opencritic.com/critic/10154/esteban-canle) - *Spanish* - [8 / 10](https://es.ign.com/persona-3-reload/198914/review/analisis-de-persona-3-reload-reimaginando-el-material-original)
>Persona 3 needed a facelift, and Atlus has delivered. This adaptation respects the source material, and brings an iconic title that now has the opportunity to reach many more people into the modern age.
-------------
**[Metro GameCentral](https://opencritic.com/outlet/75/metro-gamecentral)** - GameCentral - [8 / 10](https://metro.co.uk/2024/01/30/persona-3-reload-review-social-role-playing-20195668/?ico=mosaic_gaming)
>A solid, if strangely incomplete, remake which matches Persona 5 for presentation and has some of the most interesting and varied social link options of the whole series.
-------------
**[Noisy Pixel](https://opencritic.com/outlet/711/noisy-pixel)** - [Bailey Seemangal](https://opencritic.com/critic/9686/bailey-seemangal) - [8.5 / 10](https://noisypixel.net/persona-3-reload-review/)
>Persona 3 Reload is a highly-anticipated remake that doesn't deliver on all fronts. Still, it tries to do so with plenty of meticulous care. The added character scenes and new activities make the experience even more compelling, while the modernized visuals and new English voice cast live up to this classic's legacy. However, some of the new gameplay features make the experience too easy and forgiving. Additionally, the exclusion of some elements, like The Answer from Persona 3 FES, makes this launch less definitive than it could have been.
-------------
**[One More Game](https://opencritic.com/outlet/811/one-more-game)** - [Vincent Ternida](https://opencritic.com/critic/8412/vincent-ternida) - [Buy](https://onemoregame.ph/persona-3-reload-review/)
>Persona 3 Reload is a triumph, considering the degree of difficulty that Atlus was challenged with when they decided to remake such a classic. Through a combination of thoughtful upgrades and leaving behind dated mechanics, this title is ready to satisfy the evolving taste of franchise fans while catering to newcomers and introducing them to the world of Persona.
>
>Persona 3 Reload proves that you can have both a challenging and accessible JRPG without losing Persona 3’s core identity, as it refines the dated designs and systems of the original by bringing it in line with Persona 5, offering a modern take that stands tall among its peers.
-------------
**[PSX Brasil](https://opencritic.com/outlet/514/psx-brasil)** - [Thiago de Alencar Moura](https://opencritic.com/critic/3868/thiago-de-alencar-moura) - *Portuguese* - [90 / 100](https://psxbrasil.com.br/analise/persona-3-reload-review/)
>Persona 3 Reload is an imperfect remake in which, although the lack of content from previous expanded versions bothers it, its novelties and the necessary (and very well executed) combat rework make this the best way to play the best narrative the series has ever had in a package with a great localization in PT-BR.
-------------
**[PlayStation Universe](https://opencritic.com/outlet/39/playstation-universe)** - [Joe Richards](https://opencritic.com/critic/10070/joe-richards) - [10 / 10](https://www.psu.com/reviews/persona-3-reload-review-ps5/#google_vignette)
>Persona 3 Reload is a flawless reimagining of one of the most impactful RPGs of the PS2 generation and manages to carefully preserve just about everything I loved about the original game in a stylish bombastic package. The approach to modernising the gameplay is a masterclass and should be the gold standard going forward for RPGs of this ilk. For players who have only experienced modern Persona through Persona 5 and Persona 5 Royal, you would be doing yourself a disservice by skipping this title. An equally wonderful cast and effective story lift this into one of the most impactful games that I have ever played and this new version means it can be enjoyed by a completely new generation.
-------------
**[Press Start](https://opencritic.com/outlet/491/press-start)** - [Harry Kalogirou](https://opencritic.com/critic/5119/harry-kalogirou) - [9 / 10](https://press-start.com.au/reviews/ps5-reviews/2024/01/31/persona-3-reload-review/)
>Persona 3 Reload is a confident remake of a truly seminal RPG that cements itself as the definitive way to play Persona 3. It's clear that careful thought and deliberation has gone into every aspect of Reload to respect the legacy of Persona 3 while preserving its timeless charm and atmosphere. An absolute must play for any fan of the franchise, and a great point to jump in for those looking to take the plunge into Persona.
-------------
**[Prima Games](https://opencritic.com/outlet/817/prima-games)** - [Patrick Souza](https://opencritic.com/critic/8864/patrick-souza) - [10 / 10](https://primagames.com/reviews/persona-3-reload-review-a-rebirth-of-joy)
>Reload feels like a new game without deviating from the original. Almost every aspect has been improved, and it might be the new best point of entry for the series.
-------------
**[Push Square](https://opencritic.com/outlet/25/push-square)** - [Robert Ramsey](https://opencritic.com/critic/932/robert-ramsey) - [9 / 10](https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps5/persona-3-reload)
>Persona 3 Reload is a brilliant remake. In terms of gameplay, it's easily the best incarnation of a classic RPG, boasting countless quality of life and mechanical adjustments that place it alongside the outstanding Persona 5 Royal. Storytelling enhancements make the plot even more impactful, and the remade visuals are a joy to behold. Reload is borderline essential if you're yet to experience Persona 3, while also providing a near perfect way for existing fans to relive a seminal release.
-------------
**[Rectify Gaming](https://opencritic.com/outlet/355/rectify-gaming)** - [9 / 10](https://rectifygaming.com/persona-3-reload-review)
>Despite being a remake, Persona 3 Reload is undoubtedly at the forefront of mainline Persona titles. Fans have been asking for a re-imagining of Persona 3 for the longest time and Atlus has finally answered their calls. The game appeals to both fans and newcomers of the series, as it offers a compelling story, memorable characters, and addictive gameplay, all through a modern lens.
-------------
**[Rock, Paper, Shotgun](https://opencritic.com/outlet/270/rock-paper-shotgun)** - [Matt Cox](https://opencritic.com/critic/1938/matt-cox) - [Unscored](https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/persona-3-reload-review)
>A repetitive journey through a year of quirky yet cheesy high school relationships, interspersed with tedious turn-based combat.
-------------
**[Shacknews](https://opencritic.com/outlet/62/shacknews)** - [Donovan Erskine](https://opencritic.com/critic/4485/donovan-erskine) - [9 / 10](https://www.shacknews.com/article/138489/persona-3-reload-review-score)
>Persona 3 Reload is a treat for not only fans of the 2000s classic, but newcomers as well. ATLUS does an excellent job at preserving everything that made the original game special while modernizing it for those that may be experiencing it for the first time. It’s JRPG excellence at every turn, and one I’ll be sinking many hours into between now and the release of the next mainline Persona game.
-------------
**[Siliconera](https://opencritic.com/outlet/793/siliconera)** - [Jenni Lada](https://opencritic.com/critic/342/jenni-lada) - [9 / 10](https://www.siliconera.com/review-persona-3-reload-is-the-best-version-of-persona-3/)
>While I miss the female protagonist and the dungeon-crawling element may feel a bit dated, Persona 3 Reload is a joy to play and offers everything I could want from it.
-------------
**[Spaziogames](https://opencritic.com/outlet/502/spaziogames)** - [Gianluca Arena](https://opencritic.com/critic/3759/gianluca-arena) - *Italian* - [8.7 / 10](https://www.spaziogames.it/articoli/persona-3-reload-recensione)
>We disagree with the people at Atlus and their decision to leave Tartarus as it was, but nonetheless this is one of the best JRPGs of the modern era, and this remake makes it shine like it deserves. The one for this review was our fifth run in eighteen years and we still didn't feel any fatigue playing it. Let's just hope the devs will include Persona 3 FES and Portable content later down the road.
-------------
**[The Games Machine](https://opencritic.com/outlet/497/the-games-machine)** - [Nicholas Mercurio](https://opencritic.com/critic/9047/nicholas-mercurio) - *Italian* - [9.5 / 10](https://www.thegamesmachine.it/persona-3-reload-ps5-ps4-xbox-one-xbox-series-x-s-pc/persona-3-reload-recensione/)
>Persona 3 Reload is a sensational work that is not just satisfied with being a remake but is, consequently, something that reformulates the development of ATLUS video games for an even wider audience. Choosing one of the greatest and most powerful works of the JRPG genre, thus forging a title to improve and revisit a work of the genre, was by no means an easy and immediate task. Indeed, it was something extremely complex. An incredible great return that can be summed up in the term "Masterpiece".
-------------
**[The Nerd Stash](https://opencritic.com/outlet/884/the-nerd-stash)** - [Nat Collazo](https://opencritic.com/critic/10363/nat-collazo) - [8.5 / 10](https://thenerdstash.com/persona-3-reload-review-striking-a-balance-between-enhancements-and-nostalgia/)
>Persona 3 Reload is perfect for new and veteran fans alike and is sure to get fans of turn-based JRPGs turned on to the rest of the Persona series.
-------------
**[The Outerhaven Productions](https://opencritic.com/outlet/335/the-outerhaven-productions)** - [Todd Black](https://opencritic.com/critic/2649/todd-black) - [4.5 / 5 ](https://www.theouterhaven.net/persona-3-reload-review-pc/)
>Persona 3 Reload is everything that fans of the franchise wanted from a remake and more. It doesn't change the story but builds upon the various gameplay elements that have become staples in the games that came after. Plus, the story and characters are incredible, and you'll love getting to know them more.
-------------
**[TheGamer](https://opencritic.com/outlet/731/thegamer)** - [Jade King](https://opencritic.com/critic/5922/jade-king) - [4 / 5 ](https://www.thegamer.com/persona-3-reload-review/)
>Inconsistent graphics and the lack of a female protagonist we had in Portable aside, however, this remains a solid means of enjoying one of the finest RPGs of the past two decades. Its writing is sharper, combat is more satisfying, and it brings this world to life in ways that just weren’t possible several generations ago. Reload might lack its signature rough edge, but those coming around for the first time will find plenty to love.
-------------
**[TheSixthAxis](https://opencritic.com/outlet/68/thesixthaxis)** - [Nic Bunce](https://opencritic.com/critic/5835/nic-bunce) - [9 / 10](https://www.thesixthaxis.com/?p=447126)
>Persona 3 Reload is a dream come true for Persona fans. With far more than just a visual uplift, this is very much the best possible edition of the game, even if it can't quite be called 'definitive'.
-------------
**[Twinfinite](https://opencritic.com/outlet/21/twinfinite)** - [Zhiqing Wan](https://opencritic.com/critic/80/zhiqing-wan) - [4.5 / 5](https://twinfinite.net/reviews/persona-3-reload-review/)
>Persona 3 Reload is an outstanding and worthy remake of a game that’s proven it can withstand the test of time. Welcome back to the dorm.
-------------
**[VG247](https://opencritic.com/outlet/549/vg247)** - [Alex Donaldson](https://opencritic.com/critic/1621/alex-donaldson) - [4 / 5 ](https://www.vg247.com/persona-3-reload-review)
>At a certain point you have to step back and judge a game for what it is rather than what it isn’t. After all, if you want the female protagonist there’s Portable, and if you want the epilogue there’s FES. But as a stand-alone thing – as a convenient, modern, and attractive way to experience a truly great RPG classic – Persona 3 Reload is a wonderful offering.
-------------
**[VideoGamer](https://opencritic.com/outlet/71/videogamer)** - [Antony Terence](https://opencritic.com/critic/10074/antony-terence) - [9 / 10](https://www.videogamer.com/reviews/persona-3-reload-review/)
>P3R’s poignant tale of acceptance is bolstered by smart combat refinements, deeper friendships, and a soundtrack you already love.
-------------
**[WhatIfGaming](https://opencritic.com/outlet/842/whatifgaming)** - [Ali Hashmi](https://opencritic.com/critic/8925/ali-hashmi) - [9 / 10](https://whatifgaming.com/persona-3-reload-review)
>Persona 3 Reload is a fantastic remake that cleverly integrates mechanics from subsequent entries to provide an experience that's polished, expertly paced, and full of heart. Its fast-paced combat, quality-of-life additions, and host of activities always keep you engaged no matter where you are in the story. The darker tone lends to an overall narrative that feels more consequential, and Tatsumi Port Island is a joy to explore. It's an excellent place for newcomers to the series and a must-buy for RPG fans.
-------------
**[XboxEra](https://opencritic.com/outlet/758/xboxera)** - [Genghis Husameddin](https://opencritic.com/critic/7705/genghis-husameddin) - [9.5 / 10](https://xboxera.com/2024/01/30/review-persona-3-reload/)
>"But what I think Persona 3 Reload does best is that it brings one of my favourite Persona games to a new audience and excels at it. The visuals are gorgeous, the pacing isn’t overtly stretched out, the combat is fun and fluid, and the story is still great. Anyone can get in on this game’s excellent blend of school life and role-playing genres and I can wholeheartedly recommend this game, not just because Persona 3 is a classic for me, but because Persona 3 Reload is genuinely fantastic."
-------------
Lost Odyssey is a JRPG that started as a collaboration between Final Fantasy grandfather Hironobu Sakaguchi's independent studio Mistwalker and Microsoft for the Xbox 360. With a script written by Sakaguchi himself, it's a by-the-numbers entry in the genre but with an inspired idea to insert a collection of short stories penned by best-selling author Kiyoshi Shigematsu. It makes for a brilliant, compelling synthesis early on that sadly can't keep the magic flowing.
Lost Odyssey has been called an "unofficial Final Fantasy" by series fans, and indeed, those who have played Final Fantasy X will feel comfortable right away. There are many visual and gameplay similarities, and Nobuo Uematsu is here again to compose the soundtrack. Tara Strong, the voice actor for Rikku, is also here in a similar role as legendary pirate Seth. Combat is fully turn-based, and it has a great visual presentation, even today.
Where the game diverges from the long-running series (and the genre at large) is its mature story. Death is a constant companion for Kaim, our main character, and through him, Shigematsu's *A Thousand Years of Dreams* delve into politics, war, sociology, unbridled greed and selfless acts of service, among other topics. It's an excellent way to take a cliché--the amnesiac protagonist--and bend it into compelling, emotional interludes. As expected, however, that part of the story resolves, and the player is faced with the fact that there has to be a game here, too.
I would have come away with a better impression of the game if there was an exceptional JRPG at this game's core--a reasonable expectation given the game's pedigree--but Lost Odyssey didn't get that. Aside from a couple of boss encounters with questionable difficulty tuning, it's never outright *bad*, but it does lean on a lot of old ideas. Sakaguchi's game scenario manages to connect well with Shigematsu's themes for the game's first third or so. Inevitably, it descends into the usual contrived JRPG scenarios, including a villain that did so much mustache twirling, he could power a small wind farm with his nefarious plotting. Don't get me wrong, I'm a fan of the genre and I'm always down for some warmed-over cliché soup. But the contrast in writing quality here between author and game scenarist (both as accomplished in their fields as they are) becomes all too apparent.
Lost Odyssey came out at a time when JRPGs were on the decline, and to this day it's still exiled on the Xbox 360, not a prime destination for the genre. There wasn't enough here to change any minds on that front either, so I'm not surprised nothing further came of the property. Being an emotional experience with some really touching moments, I'm glad I finally picked this up, even if I'll never go back to it.
Any thoughts on Lost Odyssey? Or other games that ran out of gas for you?
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- opencritic.com
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- 1Y
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Game Information
--------------------
**Game Title**: Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth
**Platforms**:
- PC (Jan 26, 2024)
- PlayStation 5 (Jan 26, 2024)
- PlayStation 4 (Jan 26, 2024)
- Xbox Series X/S (Jan 26, 2024)
- Xbox One (Jan 26, 2024)
**Trailer**:
- [Like A Dragon 8: Infinite Wealth | Teaser Trailer PlayStation®4, PS5 Xbox PC](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxHY8eW2cUI)
**Developer**: Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio
**Publisher**: SEGA
**Review Aggregator**:
**[OpenCritic - 90 average - 100% recommended - 60 reviews](https://opencritic.com/game/15906/like-a-dragon-infinite-wealth)**
Critic Reviews
-------------
**[Attack of the Fanboy](https://opencritic.com/outlet/116/attack-of-the-fanboy)** - [Diego Perez](https://opencritic.com/critic/6269/diego-perez) - [4.5 / 5 ](https://attackofthefanboy.com/reviews/like-a-dragon-infinite-wealth-review/)
>With a refined battle system, a stellar supporting cast, and the best side content the series has ever seen, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is one of the best RPGs of the modern era.
-------------
**[But Why Tho?](https://opencritic.com/outlet/722/but-why-tho-)** - [Eddie De Santiago](https://opencritic.com/critic/9637/eddie-de-santiago) - [10 / 10](https://butwhytho.net/2024/01/like-a-dragon-infinite-wealth-review/)
>Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth feels like a victory lap while simultaneously paving the way for the future of the franchise.
-------------
**[CGMagazine](https://opencritic.com/outlet/82/cgmagazine)** - [Justin Wood](https://opencritic.com/critic/8041/justin-wood) - [10 / 10](https://www.cgmagonline.com/review/game/like-a-dragon-infinite-wealth-ps5/)
>Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth sets a new standard for the Yakuza series with its captivating story, mesmerizing gameplay, and richly detailed side activities.
-------------
**[COGconnected](https://opencritic.com/outlet/94/cogconnected)** - [Jaz Sagoo](https://opencritic.com/critic/6460/jaz-sagoo) - [90 / 100](https://cogconnected.com/review/like-a-dragon-infinite-wealth-review/)
>With its touching yet hilarious story and intricate, deep combat system, we already have a game of the year contender.
-------------
**[Cerealkillerz](https://opencritic.com/outlet/465/cerealkillerz)** - [Nick Erlenhof](https://opencritic.com/critic/8745/nick-erlenhof) - *German* - [9.5 / 10](https://cerealkillerz.org/review-like-a-dragon-infinite-wealth-ein-urlaubstraum-von-einem-rpg)
>Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is an incredibly ambitious title that can be recommended without reservation. It has been improved in every nook and cranny compared to its predecessor, with the turn-based battles benefiting in particular. The story offers an ambivalent rollercoaster ride, especially from the halfway point onwards, and the side quests are more varied and sprawling than ever before. And there won't be a better nostalgia trip for Yakuza/Kiryu fans any time soon.
-------------
**[Checkpoint Gaming](https://opencritic.com/outlet/563/checkpoint-gaming)** - [Charlie Kelly](https://opencritic.com/critic/6051/charlie-kelly) - [9.5 / 10](https://checkpointgaming.net/reviews/2024/01/like-a-dragon-infinite-wealth-review-an-unforgettable-vacation/)
>Taking the franchise to new heights and new locales, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is the pinnacle of the longstanding franchise. The game magnificently pulls off the difficult task of giving new and loyal players the best of both worlds with a new Ichiban-led story while also nailing emotional pay-off years in the making with Kiryu's story portions. Providing quality side content that is addicting and seemingly endless, there isn't a single drip of the game that is dry, dull, or not worth your time. Never have I played a title this rewarding and satisfying with its delightful humour found in substories and over-the-top turn-based combat. It may be largely set in a different country with the picturesque and gigantic Honolulu but this is the Like a Dragon series through and through. Infinite Wealth is like an ocean. Let it all sink in. I promise it's well worth it.
-------------
**[Chicas Gamers](https://opencritic.com/outlet/773/chicas-gamers)** - [Juanma Luengo](https://opencritic.com/critic/8604/juanma-luengo) - *Spanish* - [Unscored](https://www.chicasgamers.com/2024/01/analisis-review-like-dragon-infinite-wealth-ps5.html)
>Ichiban has returned with a bang in one of the best Yakuza saga titles ever made. The charisma of all the characters and the almost absurd variety of missions, activities and mini-games make it a sink of hours at the controls that are impossible to resist. Of course, if you have not played any Yakuza before or the previous Like a dragon it may not be a game for you and you should decide to start with the recent Like a dragon gaiden or with the first Like a dragon starring Ichiban.
-------------
**[Console Creatures](https://opencritic.com/outlet/798/console-creatures)** - Dennis Price - [Recommended](https://www.consolecreatures.com/review-like-a-dragon-infinite-wealth/)
>Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is not just Ichiban's best game yet, but so far, it may be my favourite in the series, hands down.
-------------
**[Cultured Vultures](https://opencritic.com/outlet/537/cultured-vultures)** - [Ashley Bates](https://opencritic.com/critic/2584/ashley-bates) - [9 / 10](https://culturedvultures.com/like-a-dragon-infinite-wealth-ps5-review/)
>Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth sun-baked adventure expertly improves on the last game's formula, while giving enough space for both of its leading Dragons to truly shine.
-------------
**[Daily Mirror](https://opencritic.com/outlet/561/daily-mirror)** - [Scott McCrae](https://opencritic.com/critic/9324/scott-mccrae) - [5 / 5 ](https://www.mirror.co.uk/gaming/like-dragon-infinite-wealth-review-31944779)
>Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth features one of the series' best stories yet, all while packing in a wealth of fantastic side content
-------------
**[Destructoid](https://opencritic.com/outlet/90/destructoid)** - [Eric Van Allen](https://opencritic.com/critic/480/eric-van-allen) - [8 / 10](https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-like-a-dragon-infinite-wealth/)
>Among the wealth of Like a Dragon games we’ve had over the last year or so, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is easily the stand-out for me.
-------------
**[Dexerto](https://opencritic.com/outlet/863/dexerto)** - [Jeremy Gan](https://opencritic.com/critic/9894/jeremy-gan) - [4 / 5 ](https://www.dexerto.com/gaming/like-a-dragon-infinite-wealth-review-2491613/)
>Yakuza is a unique series, and for a long time, it felt like the only reason it worked in all its glorious surreality and heartfelt storylines was Kiryu. However, Infinite Wealth proves Yakuza can exist past Kiryu’s legacy, and Ichiban is the right man to bring about Yakuza’s new generation.
-------------
**[Digital Spy](https://opencritic.com/outlet/24/digital-spy)** - [Ben Rayner](https://opencritic.com/critic/1925/ben-rayner) - [4.5 / 5 ](https://www.digitalspy.com/tech/a46499092/like-a-dragon-infinite-wealth-review/)
>Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is another rich entry in this long-running series, which clearly still has more to offer before it runs out of steam.
-------------
**[Digital Trends](https://opencritic.com/outlet/124/digital-trends)** - [Giovanni Colantonio](https://opencritic.com/critic/6533/giovanni-colantonio) - [4 / 5 ](https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/like-a-dragon-infinite-wealth-review/)
>Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is the most emotionally impactful chapter in gaming’s best soap opera. It struggles to stay fully engaging from start to finish due to a supersized runtime filled with exhausting exposition dumps, but developer Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio delivers a deeply personal story that’s serious without sacrificing its heart. If any video game could leave you with a new lease on life, it’s this.
-------------
**[Digitec Magazine](https://opencritic.com/outlet/887/digitec-magazine)** - [Domagoj Belancic](https://opencritic.com/critic/10266/domagoj-belancic) - *German* - [Unscored](https://www.digitec.ch/de/page/31420)
>Infinite Wealth is a chaotic masterpiece. The game celebrates its silliness and just lets me have fun in its colorful open world. The revised combat system offers additional strategic depth and a highly entertaining, over the top presentation. The side activities are the best in the series. The addicting "Sujimon" and "Dondoko Island" mini-games in particular allow you to completely lose yourself and invest countless hours in them.
>
>Despite its silliness, Infinite Wealth manages to establish believable characters and evoke deep emotions. Kiryu's touching story in particular will bring tears to the eyes of long-time fans. Newcomers will quickly be overwhelmed by the countless characters, storylines and gameplay mechanics. If you want to get into the Like a Dragon series, I recommend you start with an older installment and save this wild work of art as the crowning conclusion.
-------------
**[Eurogamer](https://opencritic.com/outlet/114/eurogamer)** - [Kaan Serin](https://opencritic.com/critic/8833/kaan-serin) - [4 / 5](https://www.eurogamer.net/like-a-dragon-infinite-wealth-review?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=feed)
>Violent stakes once again meet zany shenanigans in Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth, the series' much-improved second RPG.
-------------
**[Everyeye.it](https://opencritic.com/outlet/425/everyeye-it)** - [Giuseppe Carrabba](https://opencritic.com/critic/7001/giuseppe-carrabba) - *Italian* - [8.5 / 10](https://www.everyeye.it/articoli/recensione-like-dragon-infinite-wealth-yakuza-folle-come-non-mai-63192.html)
>Infinite Wealth kept us immersed for dozens of hours in its world full of content, another testament to the talent of its creators.
-------------
**[FandomWire](https://opencritic.com/outlet/886/fandomwire)** - [Luke Addison ](https://opencritic.com/critic/10249/luke-addison-) - [9 / 10](https://fandomwire.com/like-a-dragon-infinite-wealth-ps5)
>The amount of content, time, and thought that has been put into Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is staggering, and it's inarguable that it is worth every penny for both fans of the franchise, but also those wanting to try it out for the first time. Even though I was lucky enough to have my copy of the game three weeks before this review went live, I can say there are still huge amounts of gameplay left for me to play, with the multiple mini-games, substories, and activities keeping me entertained. If I had to put a number on it, there are easily triple-digit hours worth of game here, and nearly all of it is incredible.
>
>There are a few bugbears to put up with, with the odd bug here and there, some character models do look poor - reserved for the infrequently seen side-characters or the NPCs on the streets -, and some parts of the city do feel empty, and not lived in. That said, not only are these all relatively minimal and inconsequential to the larger experience, but you'll quickly realize that the good way outweighs the small amounts of bad, and you'll have an absolute blast in what could be the studio's best game yet.
-------------
**[Final Weapon](https://opencritic.com/outlet/727/final-weapon)** - [Raul Ochoa](https://opencritic.com/critic/6667/raul-ochoa) - [5 / 5 ](https://finalweapon.net/2024/01/23/like-a-dragon-infinite-wealth-review/)
>Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is the mountaintop of the Like a Dragon series and a spectacular title that manages to impress from start to finish. This is a grand, momentous adventure that sees players control both of the series protagonists in a story that ultimately shapes the future of Like a Dragon. It's a masterpiece that improves gameplay systems from Yakuza: Like a Dragon while driving ambition in many other aspects.
-------------
**[GGRecon](https://opencritic.com/outlet/828/ggrecon)** - [Dave McAdam](https://opencritic.com/critic/8986/dave-mcadam) - [5 / 5 ](https://www.ggrecon.com/reviews/like-a-dragon-infinite-wealth-review/)
>Suffice it to say, Infinite Wealth has everything good about the Like a Dragon series going for it. The previous game was a revolution, a total change of what a Like a Dragon game is. Infinite Wealth is evolution, the ideas of the past polished and perfected.
-------------
**[GamePro](https://opencritic.com/outlet/488/gamepro)** - [Jonas Herrmann](https://opencritic.com/critic/9464/jonas-herrmann) - *German* - [90 / 100](https://www.gamepro.de/artikel/like-a-dragon-infinite-wealth-im-test,3407244.html)
>Quote not yet available
-------------
**[Gamer Guides](https://opencritic.com/outlet/733/gamer-guides)** - [Chris Moyse](https://opencritic.com/critic/4258/chris-moyse) - [100 / 100](https://www.gamerguides.com/like-a-dragon-infinite-wealth/review)
>Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is a sublimely designed celebration not only of its own storied past, but of the joys of gaming itself. Epic in scale, driven by an emotive story, and overflowing with compelling action and absorbing activities, Infinite Wealth’s bold ambition pays off handsomely, resulting in one of the finest open-world adventures ever made.
-------------
**[GamesRadar+](https://opencritic.com/outlet/91/gamesradar-)** - [Hirun Cryer](https://opencritic.com/critic/3422/hirun-cryer) - [4 / 5 ](https://www.gamesradar.com/like-a-dragon-infinite-wealth-review/)
>Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is a sublime RPG with a fantastic combat system, absorbing stories, and at-times fascinating story, if it wasn't let down by its drip-fed narrative nature and heavy nostalgic leanings
-------------
**[Gaming Nexus](https://opencritic.com/outlet/104/gaming-nexus)** - [Eric Hauter](https://opencritic.com/critic/4786/eric-hauter) - [9.5 / 10](https://www.gamingnexus.com/Article/13982/Like-a-Dragon-Infinite-Wealth/)
>The scope and depth of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth are stunning, as is the amount of addictive fun the game provides. With a ton of new mechanics, minigames that are more like full-sized games, and great characters, this enormous (and enormously entertaining) action/RPG title is one of the best values in AAA gaming. Like a Dragon is willing to do anything to entertain you. You should probably get on board if you aren't already.
-------------
**[GamingBolt](https://opencritic.com/outlet/297/gamingbolt)** - [Pramath](https://opencritic.com/critic/1195/pramath) - [9 / 10](https://gamingbolt.com/like-a-dragon-infinite-wealth-review-double-dragon)
>Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is a staggeringly massive RPG featuring the culmination of all that RGG Studios, and the Yakuza/Like a Dragon franchise, have worked towards over the last two decades. An incredibly high quality experience that doubles down on everything that was beloved about the previous entry, Infinite Wealth completes the series' transformation into a genre-leading JRPG franchise.
-------------
**[GamingTrend](https://opencritic.com/outlet/102/gamingtrend)** - [Henry Viola](https://opencritic.com/critic/9816/henry-viola) - [95 / 100](https://gamingtrend.com/feature/reviews/like-a-dragon-infinite-wealth-review-double-the-hero-infinite-times-the-fun/)
>Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is a triumph, and a worthy continuation of the Like a Dragon franchise. RGG Studio has managed to improve on the gameplay mechanics and features of the previous title in virtually every way whilst upholding the narrative quality and goofy nature of the series. The game is not without its flaws, but they are overshadowed by its strengths, and the game deserves praise for its ambition and innovation. Infinite Wealth is undoubtedly an early game of the year contender, and a must play for RPG lovers and Yakuza enthusiasts alike.
-------------
**[Generación Xbox](https://opencritic.com/outlet/431/generaci-n-xbox)** - [Gabriel Fuentes](https://opencritic.com/critic/7597/gabriel-fuentes) - *Spanish* - [93 / 100](https://generacionxbox.com/analisis-de-like-a-dragon-infinite-wealth-bienvenidos-a-la-cima-de-la-franquicia/)
>If something made you hesitant to buy it, I hope I've convinced you. It's worth every penny.
-------------
**[God is a Geek](https://opencritic.com/outlet/111/god-is-a-geek)** - [Chris White](https://opencritic.com/critic/582/chris-white) - [10 / 10](https://www.godisageek.com/reviews/like-a-dragon-infinite-wealth-review/)
>Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is the studio's best ever work, giving us one hell of a story, and gameplay that remains fun throughout.
-------------
**[IGN](https://opencritic.com/outlet/56/ign)** - [Tristan Ogilvie](https://opencritic.com/critic/236/tristan-ogilvie) - [9 / 10](https://www.ign.com/articles/like-a-dragon-infinite-wealth-review)
>Sprawling, enthralling, and packed with dynamic brawling, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth isn’t just the best turn-based Like a Dragon game, it’s one of the greatest games in the entire series.
-------------
**[IGN Italy](https://opencritic.com/outlet/477/ign-italy)** - [Francesco Destri](https://opencritic.com/critic/3495/francesco-destri) - *Italian* - [8 / 10](https://it.ign.com/yakuza-8/207826/review/like-a-dragon-infinite-wealth-la-recensione)
>Not everything is well-focused in Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, but the rate of cringe and exaggeration in narrative and gameplay is such that is almost impossible not being entertained.
-------------
**[Infinite Start](https://opencritic.com/outlet/825/infinite-start)** - [Mark Fajardo](https://opencritic.com/critic/4910/mark-fajardo) - [9 / 10](https://infinitestart.com/2024/01/like-a-dragon-infinite-wealth-review/)
>Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth surpasses expectations with its seamless integration of compelling narrative, diverse gameplay mechanics, and innovative features such as tag team attacks, or Sujimon Battles. The meticulously crafted landscapes of Yokohama, and Hawaii, complemented by the return of beloved characters elevate the narrative, captivating both series veterans and newcomers alike. Positioned as a must-play, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth offers an unforgettable journey through vibrant worlds that firmly establishes it as an early standout among the best games of 2024.
-------------
**[MonsterVine](https://opencritic.com/outlet/334/monstervine)** - [Spencer Legacy](https://opencritic.com/critic/2164/spencer-legacy) - [5 / 5](https://monstervine.com/2024/01/like-a-dragon-infinite-wealth-review-in-for-a-penny-in-for-a-pound/)
>Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is what all sequels should aspire to be. The gameplay is improved upon all-around, the story is riveting from start to finish, and the breadth of side content is second-to-none. It may be early, but I feel confident in saying that one of 2024’s game of the year frontrunners has debuted not even a month in.
-------------
**[Multiplayer First](https://opencritic.com/outlet/826/multiplayer-first)** - [James Lara](https://opencritic.com/critic/8659/james-lara) - [9.5 / 10](https://mp1st.com/news/like-a-dragon-infinite-wealth-review-right-on-the-money)
>Like a Dragon’s Infinite Wealth delivers a captivating RPG experience that surpasses its predecessor in every way. With refined mechanics and an expansive world bursting with content, players are treated to a gaming experience of remarkable depth. The emotionally charged narrative, filled with unexpected turns, adds a layer of poignancy, making the journey in Infinite Wealth a memorable exploration of both gameplay and storytelling excellence.
>
>It may not be on everyone’s list of games to play, but it definitely should be. As for this reviewer, it makes a strong early claim of being my personal Game of the Year.
-------------
**[PC Gamer](https://opencritic.com/outlet/162/pc-gamer)** - [Dominic Tarason](https://opencritic.com/critic/4546/dominic-tarason) - [80 / 100](https://www.pcgamer.com/like-a-dragon-infinite-wealth-review/)
>Stuffed with content and pathos, Infinite Wealth delivers a near-excessive amount of urban crime-drama adventure.
-------------
**[PCGamesN](https://opencritic.com/outlet/169/pcgamesn)** - [Harry Schofield](https://opencritic.com/critic/10353/harry-schofield) - [9 / 10](https://www.pcgamesn.com/like-a-dragon-infinite-wealth/review)
>Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is the end result of two decades of iteration from Ryu Ga Gotoku and the studio's best game yet. Sprawling but never bloated, it remains captivating from beginning to end across both its main narrative and bountiful side adventures, almost never missing a beat.
-------------
**[PCMag](https://opencritic.com/outlet/314/pcmag)** - [4 / 5 ](https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/like-a-dragon-infinite-wealth)
>Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is packed with the absurd humor, crime drama, and mini-games you expect from the JRPG series.
-------------
**[PSX Brasil](https://opencritic.com/outlet/514/psx-brasil)** - [Isabella Alves](https://opencritic.com/critic/9651/isabella-alves) - *Portuguese* - [90 / 100](https://psxbrasil.com.br/analise/like-a-dragon-infinite-wealth-review/)
>Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is, along with Lost Judgment, one of RGG's most ambitious titles. The union of the two dragons brings a mature plot, full of intrigue, with fun and exciting moments, but also a strong criticism of our society.
-------------
**[PlayStation Universe](https://opencritic.com/outlet/39/playstation-universe)** - [Joe Richards](https://opencritic.com/critic/10070/joe-richards) - [9 / 10](https://www.psu.com/reviews/like-a-dragon-infinite-wealth-review-ps5/)
>Despite changing the name of the franchise for us in the West, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is more of the same that we've come to love. A huge variety of content to dive into and an ambitious, heartening story help to bring this package into one that fans of the series will absolutely adore. RGG Studios have polished the foundations of the new RPG battle system to a shine in this new entry and the result is a game full of personality and refreshing spirit that is a joy to experience from beginning to end. This game is an ambitious jump into a new frontier for the Like A Dragon franchise and is all the better for it. For those who have experienced the story of Like A Dragon up until now, you be doing yourself a disservice to miss this.
-------------
**[Press Start](https://opencritic.com/outlet/491/press-start)** - [Kieron Verbrugge](https://opencritic.com/critic/4101/kieron-verbrugge) - [9 / 10](https://press-start.com.au/reviews/ps5-reviews/2024/01/24/like-a-dragon-infinite-wealth-review/)
>Infinite Wealth is a stellar follow-up to Yakuza: Like a Dragon in just about every way. It's bigger, bolder and with some smart tweaks to combat it's a significantly better turn-based RPG. Series fans have a ton to look forward to in the larger-than-life story and emotional character moments, and though there are some glaring issues with its dungeons and post-game offerings, the end result is the franchise's best entry yet.
-------------
**[Prima Games](https://opencritic.com/outlet/817/prima-games)** - [Shaun Cichacki](https://opencritic.com/critic/8968/shaun-cichacki) - [10 / 10](https://primagames.com/reviews/like-a-dragon-infinite-wealth-review-double-the-protagonists-double-the-fun)
>Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth is a game all about heart. A main character with a heart of gold, a story full of heart-warming and heart-wrenching moments, and a world that showcases the heartbeat of what makes the Like A Dragon franchise as special as it is.
-------------
**[Push Square](https://opencritic.com/outlet/25/push-square)** - [Liam Croft](https://opencritic.com/critic/1009/liam-croft) - [9 / 10](https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps5/like-a-dragon-infinite-wealth)
>Like a Dragon fans will turn up in their droves for a new Yakuza story regardless of overall quality, but never has one been as utterly essential as Infinite Wealth.
-------------
**[RPG Fan](https://opencritic.com/outlet/37/rpg-fan)** - [Jonathan Logan](https://opencritic.com/critic/5783/jonathan-logan) - [94%](https://www.rpgfan.com/review/like-a-dragon-infinite-wealth/)
>Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth provides not just an incredible Yakuza and JRPG experience, but provides a darn near infinite amount of content as well.
-------------
**[Rock, Paper, Shotgun](https://opencritic.com/outlet/270/rock-paper-shotgun)** - [Ed Thorn](https://opencritic.com/critic/7538/ed-thorn) - [Unscored](https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/like-a-dragon-infinite-wealth-review)
>A colossal JRPG that improves on its predecessor in ways big and small, making for an unmissable Hawaiian retreat.
-------------
**[Saudi Gamer](https://opencritic.com/outlet/455/saudi-gamer)** - [عصام الشهوان](https://opencritic.com/critic/3299/-) - *Arabic* - [8 / 10](https://www.saudigamer.com/review/like-a-dragon-infinite-wealth/)
>The game builds on what Yakuza: Like a Dragon laid the foundation for, with a host of improvements and a much larger game. A proper send off for Kiryu and a new beginning for Kasuga.
-------------
**[Shacknews](https://opencritic.com/outlet/62/shacknews)** - [Lexi Luddy](https://opencritic.com/critic/10227/lexi-luddy) - [10 / 10](https://www.shacknews.com/article/138397/like-a-dragon-infinite-wealth-review-score)
>Despite this not being the traditional type of story we associate with Kiryu, Infinite Wealth is a fitting send-off to a legend of gaming. In the words of Kiryu, "Even if I'm not as strong as I once was, I'm still me. And I'm starting to think that's not so bad."
-------------
**[Siliconera](https://opencritic.com/outlet/793/siliconera)** - [Graham Russell](https://opencritic.com/critic/6365/graham-russell) - [9 / 10](https://www.siliconera.com/review-like-a-dragon-infinite-wealth-connects-old-and-new-eras/)
>As overstuffed as it is, we didn't want Infinite Wealth to end. It's such a high-effort package with tons of heart, and it's hard not to let that endearing feel sand down some of the game's rough mechanical edges.
-------------
**[Slant Magazine](https://opencritic.com/outlet/318/slant-magazine)** - [Justin Clark](https://opencritic.com/critic/1331/justin-clark) - [4 / 5 ](https://www.slantmagazine.com/games/like-a-dragon-infinite-wealth-review/)
>Infinite Wealth’s greatest accomplishment is how much of that work still involves a deep, eclectic sense of play.
-------------
**[Spaziogames](https://opencritic.com/outlet/502/spaziogames)** - [Gianluca Arena](https://opencritic.com/critic/3759/gianluca-arena) - *Italian* - [8.8 / 10](https://www.spaziogames.it/articoli/like-a-dragon-infinite-wealth-recensione)
>Like a Dragon Infinite Wealth is the golden bridge between the glorious past of the franchise and its bright future. It's a rich game and an epic RPG, a celebration of the videogame medium itself and a modern twist on both the Shenmue and the Earthbound games. It can be slow at times and it requires knowledge of characters and events from previous games, but it's still a monumental effort.
-------------
**[Stevivor](https://opencritic.com/outlet/424/stevivor)** - [Matt Gosper](https://opencritic.com/critic/2949/matt-gosper) - [9.5 / 10](https://stevivor.com/reviews/like-a-dragon-infinite-wealth-review-yakuza-on-vacation/)
>Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth is devoted to trying all-new things while still reserving time for celebrating its long and storied history.
-------------
**[The Outerhaven Productions](https://opencritic.com/outlet/335/the-outerhaven-productions)** - [Cody Perez](https://opencritic.com/critic/3942/cody-perez) - [4.5 / 5 ](https://www.theouterhaven.net/review-like-a-dragon-infinite-wealth/)
>Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth shows Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio and the entire Yakuza: Like a Dragon series at its finest. The best game in the series offers shocking and unbelievable content for players to experience across game modes like Dondoko Island, the brilliant and gut-wrenching story, and the intriguing new characters. Though it has some pacing issues here and there, and I still wish for slightly faster battles, this is the biggest, greatest, and most compelling adventure for Ichiban and Kiryu yet.
-------------
**[Tom's Hardware Italia](https://opencritic.com/outlet/861/toms-hardware-italia)** - [Andrea Riviera](https://opencritic.com/critic/9207/andrea-riviera) - *Italian* - [8.5 / 10](https://www.tomshw.it/like-a-dragon-infinite-wealth-recensione)
>Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is a bit of a culmination of everything the Ryū Ga Gotoku series has offered over the years. From the gameplay to the story to the activities and characters, the team has tried its best to present fans with a complete and level-headed experience, often succeeding and sometimes leaving a little bitter taste in our mouths due to some choices, especially narrative ones, that have not always convinced us.
-------------
**[VG247](https://opencritic.com/outlet/549/vg247)** - [Mark Warren](https://opencritic.com/critic/9435/mark-warren) - [5 / 5 ](https://www.vg247.com/like-a-dragon-infinite-wealth-review)
>It’s a game about finding out who your mates are, and that they’ll be there for you no matter whether you need a good laugh, a telling off or a helping hand.
-------------
**[VGC](https://opencritic.com/outlet/821/vgc)** - [Jordan Middler](https://opencritic.com/critic/8444/jordan-middler) - [5 / 5 ](https://www.videogameschronicle.com/review/like-a-dragon-infinite-wealth/)
>Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is one of the best RPGs we've played in years. Excellent combat, a wonderful cast of characters, and a willingness to be incredibly weird make it absolutely unmissable. Not only that, but it's so full to the brim with things to do, we could have probably spent another three weeks with it and not finished everything.
-------------
**[VideoGamer](https://opencritic.com/outlet/71/videogamer)** - [Antony Terence](https://opencritic.com/critic/10074/antony-terence) - [9 / 10](https://www.videogamer.com/reviews/like-a-dragon-infinite-wealth-review/)
>Infinite Wealth honours its dying dragon and rising star with a Hawaiian platter of side stories, memoirs, and dynamic combat.
-------------
**[WellPlayed](https://opencritic.com/outlet/382/wellplayed)** - [Mark Isaacson](https://opencritic.com/critic/4858/mark-isaacson) - [9.5 / 10](https://www.well-played.com.au/like-a-dragon-infinite-wealth-review/)
>Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth wears its title on its sleeve, a seemingly endless amount of content to explore wrapped in an emotional and entertaining story. It's Like A Dragon at its very, unique best.
-------------
**[WhatIfGaming](https://opencritic.com/outlet/842/whatifgaming)** - [Hristijan Pavlovski](https://opencritic.com/critic/10178/hristijan-pavlovski) - [10 / 10](https://whatifgaming.com/like-a-dragon-infinite-wealth-review/)
>Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth elevates the series to new heights. It takes existing ideas from the series, and adds layers of complexity, engaging content, and charm on top of it to create an unforgettable experience that walks a fine line between earnestly dramatic moments, and over-the-top hilarity. Ichiban Kasuga is one of the best protagonists in gaming, and I can't wait to see where Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio takes him next.
-------------
**[Worth Playing](https://opencritic.com/outlet/64/worth-playing)** - [Chris "Atom" DeAngelus](https://opencritic.com/critic/289/chris-atom-deangelus) - [9.5 / 10](https://worthplaying.com/article/2024/1/23/reviews/140517-ps5-review-like-a-dragon-infinite-wealth/)
>Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth is an overall fantastic entry in the franchise. Stuffed to the gills with content, there isn't a more fully packaged RPG on the market. The plot is charming and heartfelt, the characters are lovable, and the gameplay incredibly fun. It doesn't matter if you're a longtime Kiryu fan or jumped into the franchise with Kasuga; it's everything a Like a Dragon game should be.
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**[Xbox Achievements](https://opencritic.com/outlet/152/xbox-achievements)** - [Richard Walker](https://opencritic.com/critic/679/richard-walker) - [87%](https://www.xboxachievements.com/game/like-a-dragon-8/review/)
>After a bit of a difficult start, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth soon manages to hit the gas, its story proving an engaging affair amid an ocean of mini-games and other distractions. This is a massive game, but one you'll want to dive headfirst into.
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**[XboxEra](https://opencritic.com/outlet/758/xboxera)** - [Jared Tracton](https://opencritic.com/critic/4309/jared-tracton) - [9 / 10](https://xboxera.com/2024/01/23/review-like-a-dragon-infinite-wealth/)
>It’s not often that I’ll sit down and enjoy a game throughout the entirety of my playthrough. Even the best reviewed games will have parts of it that exist simply to extend the games length for no real reason (I’m looking at you, GTAV). Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth opens 2024 with a bang, showcasing the best of what the series has to offer and more.
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**[eXputer](https://opencritic.com/outlet/853/exputer)** - [Usama Mehmood](https://opencritic.com/critic/9988/usama-mehmood) - [4.5 / 5](https://exputer.com/reviews/like-a-dragon-infinite-wealth/)
>Like a Dragon Infinite Wealth is a JRPG powerhouse, delivering one of the most endearing stories to date and an aspiring open-world design.
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I finished Control last week, likely the best game to marry a creepy funhouse with a sprawling government office that you'll ever play. I was up and down on this one for a few months. There's a fun narrative and plenty of atmosphere, but I wasn't always enjoying the gameplay.
I hadn't played a Remedy game since Max Payne 2. The shift from comic book-style storytelling to something literally cinematic was a change for me, but I was still able to comfortably slip into the narrative right away. I particularly enjoyed what was going on with the meta-narrative. For example, I'd get so damn lost running around even with signs everywhere. Normally, the existence of the signs would feel like a change implemented after tester feedback, but then I would see stuff like "Janitor's Office" and think there's intentional thematic design at play. Constantly questioning that in various elements of the game was part of the fun.
Unfortunately, my tendency to get lost wore my patience thin eventually, and the new gameplay unlocks bored me. It was a blast at first--I haven't had this much fun with telekinesis since Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy forever ago--and the gunplay felt solid. But then, as more of the weapon options showed up, I didn't click with any of them and preferred chucking rocks. It's also a great looking game at times. This is the first game where my system has been able to handle more than basic ray tracing, but I'd get a lot of blurry textures. I even had to rollback my video driver to resolve a problem with the cinematics. It's weird to call a game where I'd get a solid 60 FPS a rough port, but I think this qualifies.
I picked up the game again last month and made some more progress until a certain late-game section completely stonewalled me. I simply didn't have enough health (or damage output, or both) for the encounter, and the choice was to either grind for skill points/mods or start looking at difficulty options. I quickly found a switch to an "Easy" difficulty wasn't possible but there was an Assist Mode. I started with reducing incoming damage, but after a couple more five-minute attempts I was frustrated enough to turn one-hit kills on. I couldn't tell you the last time I did something like that to get through a game. It was either that or likely drop the game permanently (a shame being that close to the ending). Still, I'm glad I kept playing, even if I'm not entirely sure in the end Control kept its end of the bargain. I don't think the story quite stuck the landing.
Any thoughts on Control? I seem to be down on it more than most. I imagine Remedy fans in particular got a kick out of it. Or on a game that pushed you into cheats or breaking another gameplay tradition you have?
This might sound a bit random, but Cyberpunk 2077 has this sort of warmup sound that plays through the game startup sequence that always gets me relaxed or psyched up to play. Another example is the title song in Trails from Zero. Calms me every time.
Whether it's a sound effect, music, or a loading screen, is there a game that does this for you immediately when you open it?
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A Final Fantasy Tactics remaster was part of the 2021 Nvidia leak.
Way too early to speculate. Until the cards are independently benchmarked, there’s no way to assess value.