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Lost Judgment, the sequel to the acclaimed Yakuza spin-off Judgment, plunges players back into the shoes of private detective Takayuki Yagami. Developed by Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio and published by SEGA, this action-adventure thriller expands on its predecessor with a larger world, intricate narrative, and refined combat system. Released in September 2021, Lost Judgment builds upon the foundations of the original, offering a compelling experience for both newcomers and returning fans. This review explores the game’s strengths and weaknesses, delving into its narrative, gameplay, and overall presentation.

Lost Judgment

The game opens in late 2021, with Yagami and his partner, Masaharu Kaito, continuing their detective work in the familiar Kamurocho district, inspired by Tokyo’s Kabukicho. After smoothly resolving a case, they are invited by their friends, Tsukumo and Sugiura, to Isezaki Ijincho (based on Yokohama) to collaborate on a new investigation. This seemingly straightforward case involving school bullying unravels into a complex web of intrigue, pulling Yagami into the murky underworld of Japanese organized crime, including the Triads and corrupt police officers.

Defining Justice: A Narrative Exploration

Lost Judgment tackles sensitive themes such as bullying, school violence, and parental neglect. However, its most compelling aspect lies in its exploration of the very definition of justice. The narrative presents a nuanced debate: Is justice strictly adhering to the law, even when it fails to adequately punish offenders? Or is it about retribution, an “eye for an eye” approach? The game masterfully presents this conflict through Yagami’s perspective, a lawyer turned private investigator, challenging his beliefs and forcing players to confront their own understanding of justice.

Lost Judgment

Mastering the Art of Combat

As a private detective entangled with dangerous criminals, Yagami relies on his martial arts skills to navigate the perilous streets. Combat in Lost Judgment retains the core mechanics of the Yakuza series, with light and heavy attacks, grapples, and dodges. Players can chain these moves together to create stylish and devastating combos. The EX Gauge, similar to the Heat Gauge in Yakuza, adds another layer of depth. As the gauge fills during combat, players can unleash powerful and visually impressive EX Actions.

Lost Judgment

Yagami’s versatility shines through his three distinct fighting styles: Crane, Tiger, and Snake. Crane and Tiger, returning from the previous game, offer crowd control and single-target damage respectively, with new enhancements in Lost Judgment. Snake, a new addition inspired by Wing Chun and Aikido, focuses on counterattacks, throws, disarms, and intimidating weaker opponents. The game cleverly integrates these styles into the narrative, with Snake emerging as a necessary tool for dealing with juvenile delinquents without resorting to excessive force.

Lost Judgment

The interplay between the three styles adds a strategic element to combat. For example, a powerful Tiger style move might require a stunned enemy, which can be set up by a Snake style technique. This encourages players to experiment and find their preferred combinations, enhancing the overall combat experience.

Lost Judgment

Beyond the Main Story: A Wealth of Activities

Lost Judgment offers a plethora of minigames and side activities to break up the action. From darts and baseball to drone racing and robot battles, there’s something for everyone. Many of these activities are tied to the School Stories side quests, encouraging players to explore the world and engage with its various facets. These minigames aren’t just one-off distractions; they often feature their own progression systems. For instance, Yagami can improve his boxing skills through training, unlocking new moves and facing tougher opponents.

Lost Judgment

Technical Performance and Presentation

Lost Judgment boasts impressive optimization, running at a stable 900p/30fps on PS4 and 1080p/30fps on PS4 Pro, a significant improvement over the previous game’s fluctuating framerate. On next-gen consoles like PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, the game targets 4K/60fps, offering a visually stunning experience.

Lost Judgment

Room for Improvement: Investigative Mechanics

While the investigative segments of Lost Judgment introduce new elements like stealth, parkour, and eavesdropping devices, the deduction sequences fall short. The game presents choices of evidence and arguments, but there’s no real penalty for incorrect guesses, diminishing the sense of accomplishment. A reward/penalty system would incentivize careful consideration and make Yagami feel more like a shrewd detective. Additionally, the lack of a rewind feature for dialogue can hinder players who miss crucial information, forcing them to rely on guesswork.

Lost Judgment

Conclusion

Lost Judgment delivers a compelling narrative that explores complex themes of justice and morality. Its refined combat system and wealth of side activities provide hours of entertainment. While the investigative mechanics could be improved, the game’s strengths lie in its engaging story, dynamic combat, and vibrant open world. Lost Judgment stands as a worthy successor to the original, offering a captivating experience for fans of action-adventure games.