Judgement PS4 review - Yakuza studio strikes gold again with awesome PS4 exclusive (Image: SEGA)
It’s not surprising given that for over a decade the Ryu ga Gotoku Studio have been honing this formula in the Yakuza series.
But in those games players were on the wrong side of the law, albeit controlling a likeable anti-hero with a heart of gold.
Judgement, on the other hand, sees you take control of private detective Takayuki Yagami whose on the opposing side of the Kamurocho battlefield.
The former lawyer gets caught up trying to hunt down a serial killer that is gruesomely dispatching mobsters in Tokyo.
The tone of the main story of Judgement is a lot darker and serious than those seen in the Yakuza games.
But it’s also one of the strongest aspects of the game, with plenty of twists and turns that players slowly unravel in an intricate, clever plot.
If you’re a fan of films such as Infernal Affairs, Hard Boiled or Police Story then you’ll find plenty to love in Judgement’s story.
Combat, as you can expect from a game made by the Yakuza developers, is excellent.
Judgement PS4 review - Judgement nails what makes asian police dramas so appealing (Image: SEGA)
Fights flow freely and melee combat that uses objects easily found in the streets such as bikes, signs and traffic cones works extremely well.
One of the new mechanics that is implemented beautifully during fights are the EX Actions.
These are contextual actions that are triggered by pressing triangle when prompted, and pull off a slick cinematic showing Yagami dealing heavy damage.
It really adds an extra level of polish, and seeing Yagami kick an airborne bike into an enemy’s face never gets old.
Elsewhere Judgement changes up how the substories from the Yakuza series works.
Yakuza’s side missions could be stumbled upon as they unlocked at different locales at different points in the game.
But in Judgement it requires more leg work, with side missions unlocking when you're offered an extra case or by visiting local businesses.
With the former, these extra cases can be obtained by checking a notice board in your office, visiting a
