Yakuza 3, known in Japan as Ryu ga Gotoku 3, is a third-person open-world game, similar in style to Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto series. The game is the third title in the Yakuza series which first began on the PlayStation 2. Players control the protagonist, Kazuma Kiryu, through areas in Okinawa as well as fictional locations in Tokyo. Aside from the main story, the game also includes twenty different mini-games, a battle mode in an underground coliseum, and a vast number of sub-stories. The kyabakura events have been removed from the international version, as well as several mini-games and sub-stories.
Kiryu is looking after the orphanage in Okinawa where he had grown up. Unfortunately, the land it rests on is of interest to the government to turn it into a seaside resort, which spurs several Yakuza bosses to take an interest and drive the orphanage out. After his friend and Chairman of the Tojo Clan is murdered, Kiryu must confront and deal with the yakuza bosses.
Yakuza 3 received positive reviews, both in Japan and abroad, with an average score of 85%, praised for its graphics, attention to detail, and vast number of available activities.
This game is a high 3-star rating. If you've played any of the GTA titles, then you'll have some idea of what's involved, only on a smaller map and without online play. Aside from requiring a minimum of two playthroughs - one on Hard and one on Extra Hard - there are also a ton of mini-games to complete, collectibles to find, hitman missions, eating food at all the different restaurants, as well as all the sub-stories to complete. On top of this, some of the bosses and even sub-stories can be tough and rather frustrating.
The Platinum is certainly doable for any average player, but will require a considerable amount of time and effort to unlock, with close to 100 hours of gameplay, depending on your skills and some luck.
NOTE: The Japanese version, Ryu ga Gotoku 3, includes 5 extra trophies that were removed from the international version, such as completing the sub-stories related to the kyabakura girls, as well as some extra sub-story missions and mini-games.
We highly recommend you begin the game on Hard mode. Not only will completing Hard unlock Extra Hard, but will grant you the "golden pistol" with infinite ammo, allowing you to simply whip through your second playthrough on Extra Hard with ease.
Completing the game on Hard mode isn't too bad. Just make sure your inventory is stacked with a few weapons and lots of energy drinks when going against the bosses, as some of them can be quite tough. Also, keep in mind that the game doesn't automatically save, so it's a good idea to visit a nearby telephone booth to save your progress every once in awhile.
The Sub Story Completionist trophy is the only one that is missable during your first playthrough. If you are playing the international version, make sure you complete the following submissions: Love Letter in a Bottle in Chapter 4 (which pops up again in Chapter 10), Dotting The Eye in Chapter 6, and Girl From Back Home in Chapter 6. If you are playing the Japanese version (Ryu ga Gotoku 3) then you'll also need to complete A Trip Before Marriage in Chapter 4, and The Couple Who Wouldn't Learn in Chapter 12, which are two sub-stories removed from the international version. All other sub-stories can be completed at any point in the game, including after finishing the story.
After you complete the story on Hard mode, you'll unlock a Premium Story mode, which is basically a free-roam version of the game. Here, is where you can mop-up all those miscellaneous trophies, any sub-stories you missed, battle in the arena, and those mini-games. Also, completing the final mission in the hitman series will award you with the "golden pistol" which will be available when you start your Extra Hard playthrough.
By this point, you should have nearly all the trophies. Next, you can start your Extra Hard playthrough to earn the Testament Of Strength trophy. With the golden pistol, this is actually quite easy to do. Just run through the story, firing away, and remember to dodge once in awhile when facing the bosses.
Last, is the Ultimate Challenger trophy, where you need to beat 34 of the 35 challenges. This is best left for the end, when Kiryu has been fully upgraded.
Congratulations! You've just earned a Platinum you can be proud of.
