Scripted by renowned japanese crime author Seishu Hase and brought to life by Hollywood voice talent including Michael Rosenbaum, Michael Madsen and Mark Hamill Yakuza coolly rises above the recent crop of gangster games, its brutal tale of vengeance and flawless presentation making for a gripping experience that will keep you focused until the end credits. In fact, the only detracting element is a strange attempt at a moral redemption plotline involving your gangland warrior bonding with an orphan girl.
The gangland sagas set-up is familiar crime novel territory; you are a devout lieutenant whos taken the rap and a ten-year jail term for his boss, only to be released into a full-scale power struggle. The main draw is its dazzling vision of Tokyos sprawling red-light Kabukicho district (although its a pity the games world doesnt spread further). Throbbing with life and awash with garish neon, it provides a thoroughly convincing backdrop for the martial arts action, and the chance to earn points to develop your heros fighting skills means youll
soon become inextricably wound into this digital drama.