Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Ryū ga Gotoku: Kenzan! adheres closely to the action-RPG template fans of the Yakuza series have come to love, while transplanting its mechanics into the richly detailed world of Edo‐period Kyoto. Players control Miyamoto Musashi, under the alias Kiryuu Kazumanosuke, as he navigates through winding streets, tea houses, and the famed Gion district. The game encourages free exploration, with dozens of side quests and mini‐games—ranging from gambling and pachinko to sake tasting and even landscaping errands—that help flesh out the historical setting and offer diversions from the main narrative.

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Combat in Kenzan! retains the visceral, beat‐’em‐up style combat that characterizes the Yakuza franchise but adds the nuance of bladed weapons. Musashi can engage foes in three main weapon styles: one‐handed, two‐handed, and dual‐wielding, each with its own combo strings, counters, and stamina management. This diversification elevates the standard hand‐to‐hand brawls, demanding more strategic choices when facing groups of samurai, bandits, or theatrical bosses. Heat Actions, the series’ signature quick‐time events, are reimagined for swordplay—delivering cinematic finishers that feel satisfying without ever overstaying their welcome.

A notable addition is the sword‐training dojo system, where players can hone Musashi’s skills in controlled duels against AI opponents. Each duel teaches new techniques or unlocks powerful weapon upgrades that carry over into the open world. The gradual mastery of sword styles and the thrill of landing a perfectly timed parry keep combat fresh throughout the 30‐hour campaign. Between missions, the game nudges players to rest at inns, purchase new equipment from merchants, or challenge local strongmen in underground fight clubs—ensuring that there is always something to do, even after the main plot reaches its climax.

Graphics

Kenzan! takes full advantage of the PlayStation 3 hardware of its era to render a vivid, historically grounded Kyoto. Narrow alleys glow with warm lantern light, temple gardens reflect delicate cherry blossoms, and the bustling markets teem with NPCs carrying rice straw bales or hawking wares. The attention to architectural detail—from wooden latticework to tiled roofs—grounds the player in 1602, creating a believable world that contrasts starkly with the neon metropolis of modern‐day Yakuza installments.

Character models in Kenzan! benefit from the series’ face‐scan technology, giving familiar Yakuza actors a convincing samurai makeover. Facial animations during cutscenes are remarkably expressive, capturing the intensity of blade clashes and the subtlety of emotional beats in dialogue. Even in heated tavern brawls, sweat beads and the glint of steel are rendered with an unexpected level of polish, reminding players why the series has long been praised for its production values.

Environmental effects further enhance immersion: dust motes drift in sunbeams, rain slicks the stone pathways, and embers flicker in the night skies over Gion’s lantern‐lit houses. Dynamic lighting is used sparingly but effectively, especially during boss encounters set in shadowy temples or bamboo forests. While textures may appear slightly dated by today’s standards, the game’s art direction more than compensates, creating a cohesive visual identity that feels both fresh and faithful to the period.

Story

Ryū ga Gotoku: Kenzan! weaves its plot around the legendary figure of Miyamoto Musashi, imagined here as Kiryuu Kazumanosuke, whose path intersects with a young girl named Haruka. Her plea—to hunt down an imposter tarnishing Musashi’s name—serves as the catalyst for a journey that delves into themes of honor, identity, and redemption. As Musashi navigates Kyoto’s underworld, players encounter geisha houses, yakuza enclaves, and scheming warlords, all vying for power in the fragile aftermath of Sekigahara.

The narrative unfolds through richly produced cutscenes, peppered with moments of lighthearted banter and darker, more introspective interludes. Characters are well‐delineated: from the stoic swordsman whose legendary reputation precedes him, to the rival ronin whose grudges cut deeper than any blade. Side stories augment the main tale, introducing colorful townsfolk and fleshing out the city’s social strata. Haruka’s unwavering faith in Musashi adds emotional weight, driving the hero to confront not only external foes but also internal doubts about his legacy.

Dialogue is delivered in a period-appropriate register that balances archaic formality with occasional modern humor—a narrative choice that helps the game feel authentic without becoming overly stilted. While some plot twists can feel predictable to veterans of the Yakuza series, the historical backdrop and grounded personal stakes provide enough novelty to keep the story engaging. The final act culminates in a grand duel that ties together Musashi’s personal quest with the fate of Kyoto itself, offering a satisfying conclusion to this side‐story adventure.

Overall Experience

Ryū ga Gotoku: Kenzan! strikes a compelling balance between familiar Yakuza formula and a fresh historical milieu. For longtime fans, the shift from urban Tokyo to samurai‐era Kyoto provides a welcome change of scenery without sacrificing the franchise’s trademark mix of over‐the‐top action and heartfelt character drama. Newcomers to the series will find a self‐contained narrative that serves as an excellent entry point, with tutorials and guided mission structure smoothing the learning curve.

The game’s pacing—anchored by its main storyline but buoyed by abundant side content—ensures that players rarely run out of things to do. Whether you’re honing your Kenjutsu in secluded temples, sampling Kyoto’s finest kaiseki cuisine, or simply soaking in the atmosphere of 17th‐century Japan, Kenzan! offers a richly layered experience. Even repetitive combat encounters are enlivened by weapon upgrades and dojo challenges that promise incremental rewards.

Despite its age, Kenzan! remains a standout entry in the Yakuza catalog, thanks to its meticulous worldbuilding, engaging story, and satisfying gameplay loop. The game’s English localization, while serviceable, sometimes stumbles over cultural nuances, so players with a passing knowledge of Japanese history will gain extra appreciation. Overall, Ryū ga Gotoku: Kenzan! is a must‐play for anyone intrigued by samurai lore or fans seeking a unique twist on modern action‐RPG conventions.

Retro Replay Score

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