Japanese action-adventure 'Judge Eyes' is compelling and a visual spectacle like 'Yakuza'
From the creators of acclaimed action-adventure game Yakuza comes Judge Eyes, another drama-filled foray into Japanese culture
From the creators of acclaimed action-adventure game Yakuza comes Judge Eyes, another drama-filled foray into Japanese culture, in which players steps into the shoes of Takayuki Yagami (played by popular Japanese actor Takuya Kimura), a disgraced ex-lawyer who now makes a living as a private detective. The game drops on December 13, but Young Post got to play with a demo at the 2018 Tokyo Game Show last month.
The game starts with Yagami tailing a man through the busy streets of Tokyo without arousing his suspicion. Following at a discreet distance and hiding behind things when he looked around, you get a great look at the re-created and beautifully designed shady Shinjuku district.
The graphics are gorgeous and, as with the Yakuza games, really make you feel like you’re in a Japanese city. From the neon signs advertising restaurants to the faithfully rendered convenience stores that sell everything from manga to oden soup, this game is a feast for the eyes.
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Upon arrival at the man’s final destination, a new gameplay mechanic is introduced: the drone. Switching to a bird's eye view, the player is tasked with flying around the scene looking for clues and taking photos. Though it wasn’t part of the demo, drone racing will be one of many side activities in the game.
After gathering enough info and watching a cool cut scene, the situation quickly escalated into a brawl Yagami has to fight out of. Impressively, the fighting system is smooth and responsive, and the signature, over-the-top finishing moves from the Yazuka series are back, and as fun as ever. In this game, Yagami will also be able to master different fighting styles and make use of environmental objects as weapons.
The game is shaping up to be a winner, so get ready to do dispense your own brand of justice soon.