Another Incredible Genki Masterpiece!
The latest in the line of Genki period pieces details the adventures of a local gang boss, when Yakuza meant 'protecting the people' and not 'organized crime' in the minds of many. Taking inspiration from popular period dramas and other hot-blooded accounts, this game is guaranteed to delight anyone who enjoys this uncommon subject for a game.

As usual, Genki takes a romantically-tinted approach of history -- the best way to do it, in my opinion -- and gives enough realistic details like extremely intricate fighting styles the player can combine, period-authentic items and settings, and clothes, to please those craving a believable setting. Of course the characters, situations, and the artistic framing all give it more of an adventurous fantasy feel, albeit one with roots in a slightly idealized portrayal of a real historical period. As most of Genki's historical games, it's mixes romantic idealism and adventure with a historical perspective, and does it well.

Controls are excellent and respond beautifully, especially when you take advantage of the detailed system of customizing your fighting style. Music is, as always, excellent, voice casting is superb, and visuals will blow you away. This is what every game for this system should look like; although Genki has used essentially the same engine for several historical games, they end up improving it every time, and it has looked stunning in each one. What is especially exceptional is that when people speak in the game, their faces move like people's do, and not puppets. Whiling away the hours with a geisha shows her delicate facial movements and idiosyncrasies, as well as astounding detail to her elaborate hairstyle and ornamentation there.

There is a need to at least be conversent in Japanese, to understand the large amount of text involved in this game. As part of it deals in reputation and essentially cool points, choosing the right missions and doing the right things are important here. However, trial-and-error, I would imagine, might work for the patient ones who really, enthusiastically, just want to play but can't understand the language. It's worth being patient for, as are all Genki historical games I've played. It's like watching the best period drama of your life, except with one detail better: you're the star!