Kurohyou: Ryu Ga Gotoku Shinsho Review – More Than Just a Yakuza Spin-Off

Suffering from Yakuza withdrawal, I finally picked up Kurohyou.

After hearing fans praise this spin-off for years, I had high expectations. As it turns out, it is one of the best-written stories in the franchise, with a combat system deeper than many in the mainline. It was not without some minor issues and cut corners, but it is one of the finest PSP games I’ve ever played.

Story – From Thug to a Dragon

The story follows a new protagonist, Tatsuya Ukyo, a young outcast trying to survive on the streets of Kamurocho. The game opens up with a robbery gone wrong, where Ukyo unintentionally kills a member of the Tojo Clan. He is then blackmailed into participating in an underground fighting ring, with the promise that ten consecutive victories will earn him his freedom.

Due to the system limitations, the game’s cutscenes are presented in the comic book style. Although it was initially a bit harder to follow the narrative, the art direction grew on me, offering a very different storytelling approach from the mainline games. In time, I recognized the beauty of the art style.

While the mainline Yakuza titles got us used to playing as one of the “good” guys, Kurohyou turns the tables and allows us to embody a young punk. Tatsuya Ukyo is initially unlikable, making the eventual transformation much more captivating than just getting a good-hearted protagonist from the get-go. The evolution feels earned, hard-fought every step of the way.

But where the main story shines, the substories are lackluster. For a series known for wacky and bizarre side stories, Kurohyou presents them in a straightforward, uninteresting way. The day after completing the game, I can barely recall any of them.

Combat – Multiple Styles and Body Injuries

The combat system received a complete overhaul, making every fight feel more personal and brutal. Each style provides a different moveset, and with 20 of them, players can easily find the one tailored to their preferred playstyle or the upcoming encounter.

Both the enemies and Ukyo can suffer injuries from continuous attacks aimed at certain body parts (head, torso, arms, and legs). These injuries persist between battles if not treated and give the protagonist certain debuffs:

• Head: Lose control more easily.
• Torso: Gets tired more quickly.
• Arm: The guard is easier to break.
• Leg: Higher chance of kneeling.

Each style can be leveled up, improving certain attacks or abilities. Base stats of Ukyo can also be improved at the dojo, enhancing the power of punches, kicks, grabs, and Heat Actions, as well as increasing stamina.

Side Content – a Few Activities

Ukyo certainly doesn’t have as much fun as the Dragon of Dojima. Minigames are limited to the batting center, bowling, UFO catcher, casino, and karaoke (don’t expect Baka Mitai; the minigame is just mashing one button).

The Cabaret Club also returns, in the form known to series veterans. Tatsuya can take on different part-time jobs, each featuring its own minigame. The coin locker keys are replaced with a collection of cats; each milestone provides a small discount to stat upgrades at the dojo.

For those in need of extra money, you can take on the Kamurocho Strongest Ranking and climb to the top.

Kamurocho in the Pocket

To overcome the PSP hardware limitations, Kamurocho is pre-rendered, and exploration comes with set camera angles. While the recreation of the city is impressive, it comes with a few irritating features.

Tatsuya moves across the city slowly, and there are no taxis. It isn’t too noticeable early on, but toward the finale, running from one end of Kamurocho to the other becomes a chore. Set camera angles make evading the enemies difficult (and in some cases, impossible).

Regular street fights are only a minor setback, but if Ukyo encounters the police, he gets teleported to predetermined locations, prolonging the walk and risking more fights on the way.

Final Thoughts

Kurohyou is by no means a perfect game, but the excellent story and deep combat make up for most of the imperfections.

If you, just like me, can’t wait for the release of Stranger Than Heaven and are looking for something to scratch that Yakuza itch, Tatsuya Ukyo’s story will win you over and ease the wait.