Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise
- March 8, 2018
- Ryū Ga Gotoku Studios
Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise can be fun for someone invested in the series, but has too many hurdles that can prevent a new player from enjoying it.
Hokuto Ga Gotoku is a video game by Sega scheduled to be released for the PlayStation 4 in 2018. It is a 3D action-adventure game by the developers of Sega's Yakuza series (known as Ryū Ga Gotoku in Japan) and features the voice cast of the Yakuza series portraying established Hokuto no Ken characters. The story takes place in an alternate universe, as Kenshiro wanders into the post-apocalyptic ha…
Reviews
- The game successfully combines the beloved elements of the Yakuza series with the Fist of the North Star universe, providing an engaging and fun experience for fans of both franchises.
- Combat is satisfying and over-the-top, with a variety of moves and abilities that make battles exciting and visually impressive.
- The game features a wealth of side quests, mini-games, and an interesting story that keeps players entertained for hours.
- The game suffers from pacing issues, with long, unskippable cutscenes and tedious fetch quests that can detract from the overall enjoyment.
- Some gameplay mechanics feel repetitive and less polished compared to mainline Yakuza titles, leading to a less rewarding experience.
- The graphics and character design are criticized for being dated and lacking the quality expected from a modern game, which can impact immersion.
- story32 mentions
- 34 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The story in the game is engaging and accessible, blending elements from the original manga with a mix of humor and action, though some characters may feel shallow. Players appreciate the balance of main quests and numerous side missions, which add depth and variety to the gameplay experience. While the narrative may not be as intricate as other titles in the genre, it remains enjoyable and complements the overall beat-em-up style of the game.
“The story is interesting and I’m excited to see where it takes Kenshiro, the main protagonist, and his allies and enemies.”
“Even though some things may feel repetitive, you will have a fun time with an engrossing story and fun side minigames.”
“Very cool story to play through and a good amount of humor to balance it out without becoming ridiculous.”
“The story is very bare and the activities aren't as nuanced as a regular Ryu Ga Gotoku game.”
“This one bombs you with busy work and weak story.”
“Did the tutorial, was cool, but then maybe forty minutes of mandatory fetch quests where I was just trying to find out who I was supposed to talk to next, a fight, more dialogue, then more tutorials.”
- gameplay22 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The gameplay in the Yakuza series, particularly in Yakuza Kiwami, is characterized by a semi-open world filled with engaging quests, mini-games, and a mix of action and RPG elements. While many players appreciate the nostalgic mechanics and fun combat, some criticize the repetitiveness and occasional frustrations with certain activities, such as driving. Overall, the gameplay offers hours of entertainment, though opinions vary on its execution and freshness compared to other titles in the franchise.
“Yakuza Kiwami is the only Yakuza game I've ever played, but this game feels almost exactly like it in terms of gameplay and existing in a semi-open world/city with various quests and mini-games thrown in.”
“The fighting mechanics are top-notch and fun, but if you’re trying to do something important and you aren’t in the mood to fight, it can be a little obnoxious.”
“Great gameplay, all of the goods of a Yakuza game but in Kenshiro's world.”
“Errors and slow gameplay with monotonous fights against the same 4 enemies.”
“Having to complete certain activities like racing is frustrating to me, especially since the driving mechanics are dreadful.”
“Gameplay is very repetitive and boring and not rewarding at all.”
- graphics7 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 29 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising the aesthetic redesign that aligns with the popular manga/anime series and noting enhancements on the PS4 Pro, while others criticize the character design and environments as amateurish and lacking effort. Overall, opinions range from fantastic visuals to disappointing and poorly executed graphics.
“This game is essentially a Yakuza title redesigned aesthetically to fit the long-time, popular manga/anime series.”
“Graphics 8/10 - Playing this on a PS4 Pro, I am glad to see that super-sampling is enabled, as Yakuza 0 did not have any enhancements despite being released in 2017.”
“The graphics are fantastic and wonderful to look at throughout the game; Kenshiro looks totally phenomenal out of everyone in the game (probably because he’s the main character).”
“Amateurish and ugly graphics, boring environment, and poor gameplay.”
“Graphics and character design are really bad; you'd think they were drawn by a child.”
“They didn't put any effort into the art and graphic design of this game.”
- humor6 mentions
- 83 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a mixed bag; while it features enjoyable scenes and techniques that draw from Yakuza's comedic style, some players find it lacking in consistency. Mini-games provide initial laughs but can become repetitive, diminishing their comedic impact over time. Overall, the humor strikes a balance with the story, offering moments of shameless hilarity, though opinions vary on its effectiveness.
“Bartending is more enjoyable, with some humorous scenes and even more humorous techniques.”
“Very cool story to play through and a good amount of humor to balance it out without becoming ridiculous.”
“It's shameless and hilarious, and I love it.”
“It's not funny; send another game.”
“The humor falls flat and feels forced.”
“I expected more laughs, but it just didn't deliver.”
- music4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received high praise for its quality and integration with the overall experience, particularly highlighting Sega's knack for creating memorable soundtracks. Reviewers appreciate the Japanese voice acting and the way the music complements the game's themes, with some even finding the club music soothing enough to fall asleep to. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature that enhances the gameplay.
“Sega always has produced good soundtracks to go with their games, and I really like their Hokuto-style version of 'Receive You.'”
“The music is great, the voice acting is excellent in the Japanese version (skip the dub, who even asked for it?). They really married the feel and tone of 'Fist of the North Star' and 'Yakuza' perfectly; it really is something to behold.”
“Great storyline, great music, just great all in all. I'd even say this is better than most Yakuza games I've played simply because of the character progression and the freedom you get with the driving feature.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious, particularly due to frequent random fights and unskippable cutscenes that disrupt the flow of gameplay. While some more patient gamers may appreciate the experience, many feel it detracts from overall enjoyment.
“You also get into random fights, which are tedious.”
“More patient gamers might enjoy this game, but I found it tedious due to the unskippable cutscenes and frequent character dialogue scenes.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The stability of the game is generally well-received, with players enjoying the seamless experience of engaging in battles against multiple enemies while navigating the environment, indicating a smooth performance during intense gameplay scenarios.
- character development1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The character development has been criticized for its poor graphics and design, with some users likening the visuals to those created by a child, indicating a lack of depth and quality in the character portrayal.
“The character development feels shallow and uninspired, making it hard to connect with anyone in the game.”
“I was disappointed by the lack of meaningful choices that affect character growth; it feels like a missed opportunity.”
“The characters are one-dimensional and lack any real depth, which makes the story feel flat.”
Critic Reviews
Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise Review – Looking for Water In The Desert
Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise can be fun for someone invested in the series, but has too many hurdles that can prevent a new player from enjoying it.
60%Review: Fist of the North Star - Lost Paradise
Slightly above average or simply inoffensive. Fans of the genre should enjoy them a bit, but a fair few will be left unfulfilled.
60%Fist Of The North Star: Lost Paradise Review - Be The Tough Boy
80%