Judgment Reviews
If you enjoy Yakuza games, action games, or detective games like Heavy Rain or LA Noire, you have to pick this one up.
Fantastic story paired with relatively simplistic game-play makes judgment a great starting point to beginners of the genre, but the lack of depth in the action elements makes me confident now that Yakuza series (there are 11 games including spinoffs on PS4) would be a far more entertaining and involving game series to partake in on my PlayStation 4.
Whether you're a long-time Yakuza fan or just coming to this series, Judgment is well worth the investment. Boasting a cracking story, oodles of content and a fantastic fighting system, this spin-off can keep you glued for days… possibly months.
Judgment is an exciting detective adventure that follows the paths of the Yakuza series. The new characters are all sympathetic, while the story is a motivating pacing. Thanks to the new game mechanics a fresh breeze enters Kamurocho, sweetening the return of Yakuza fans to Shinjuku. In a direct comparison with star lawyer Phoenix Wright, however, the Japanese detective gets the short end of the stick. The game never has a too big claim, we searched for tricky cases in vain. An English voice output, a completely self-sufficient storyline and the accessible level of difficulty make the title a successful entry point, especially for newcomers, that wonderfully shows what kind of games the guys and girls of Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio can create.
Review in German | Read full review
Judgement's pacing is off, and its way of tailing missions is tedious, but it makes up for that with one of the finest stories in the series and a very solid combat system.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
Whenever it's fully embracing its detective murder mystery identity, Judgment is a fantastic gritty action experience that takes Ryu Ga Gotoku Studios' formula into a refreshing new direction. The characters are likeable, the central mystery is intriguing, and even when it leans back on its own established formula, the gameplay remains satisfying and fun.
Judgment won't change your mind about the output of the Ryu Ga Gotoku studio. However, if you're already a fan and you enjoy modern crime stories as well, you can't go wrong here.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
Judgment is a weird, wild, and absolutely absurd journey through the streets of Kamurocho. While the mechanics can be clunky, and there are a few instances of gross writing, it's an excellent game to pick up and get lost in.
Judgment is a great entry point for people looking to get into the Yakuza franchise. There's no need to play any of the previous games, the story is solid, and the gameplay offers a ton of variety. Even if it can get a little repetitive, there's a ton of time to kill in Kamurocho.
Judgment definitely has the potential to become the first entry of a new series.
Review in Turkish | Read full review
Judgment is an excellent Japanese adventure that feels incredibly familiar, yet engrossing all the same. With Judgment, RGG Studio has managed to create an excellent entry point for the Yakuza series, and a fantastic standalone adventure. While it's familiar to myself and Yakuza fans, if you're new to the series this might just be the very best place to start. A wonderful, though sometimes slow, adventure from beginning to end.The links above are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, Wccftech.com may earn from qualifying purchases.
Absolutely fun game. The Game has a stunning story
Review in Turkish | Read full review
When you look back at the origins of the Yakuza series (the original was released way back in 2005). It’s a credit to think almost 15 years later we’re still seeing fresh content and looking to explore this world with new characters. Judgment definitely ticks all the boxes to be considered a top-quality ‘spin-off’ and hopefully with a few little tweaks we will see more of Yagami and perhaps other characters. Ryu ga Gotoku Studios have certainly found a formula to produce great games and it makes me very excited to see what the future holds, both for a potential Judgment sequel as well as the rumours we may be seeing some of the previously released spin-offs here in the west. My verdict is that Judgment truly deserves the Thumb Culture Gold Award and should be a part of any PS4 collection (especially if that collection contains Yakuza games).
The main story is wonderfully noir and entertaining from start to finish and the side stories are full of absurd situations. On the one hand, great mobility during combat is great fun, on the other hand, the detective mini-games sometimes disappoint and I hate the pursuits. All in all, it is a nice addition to the Yakuza universe, and the combination with Ace Attorney elements was a smart move.
Where the game goes in-depth, and where it clearly feels most comfortable, is in its omnipresent brawls.
It’s a bit rough around the edges, but Judgment is an overall worthy successor to the Yakuza game franchise. Yagami and Kaito are fantastic and entertaining main characters, and the detective-oriented story gives a unique new perspective to the usual Yakuza narrative. Some parts get old quick, but I’m hoping Yagami and co. will stick around for future Judgment games, as there’s plenty of potential.
Judgment is an excellent game that reminds me a bit too much of its origin. Yakuza fans will get a different, but familiar experience, while newcomers will have a great starting point to know the work of one of SEGA's best development team.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Judgment is the best Yakuza game ever...except for the fact that, formally, it is not a Yakuza game. Still, there are enough new gameplay elements to lure new players in, and enough old references for returning fans. Don't miss it.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
While it might not be the best entry point to the world of Kamurocho, and neither is it a giant leap from the Yakuza series to someone who might be fatigued at this point, it still is a good entry to the bewitching world of Kamurocho with enough differences to make it feel unique.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
Judgment is actually a sub-version of the original Yakuza series, but the title is so powerful that it can easily be enjoyed as much as the original. If you are a lover of adventure with a detective theme and also love the Yakuza series, the Judgment experience is a must.
Review in Persian | Read full review