Lost Judgment

Lost Judgment starts strong and finishes with a bang, leaving a feeling of uncertainty of what justice actually means.

89%Game Brain Score

story, gameplay

grinding, stability

97% User Score Based on 4,034 reviews

Critic Score 81%Based on 62 reviews

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About

Lost Judgment is a single player and multiplayer hack and slash game with drama and mystery themes. It was developed by Ryu Ga Gotoku Studios and was released on September 24, 2021. It received positive reviews from critics and overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

Lost Judgment is a mystery hack and slash game that combines investigative sleuthing, noir narrative, and action combat. As private detective Yagami, uncover the truth behind a series of murders while utilizing an arsenal of gadgets and martial arts skills. With single-player and multiplayer options, dive into a thrilling, intriguing story in this latest offering from the makers of the Yakuza series.

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97%

Audience ScoreBased on 4,034 reviews

story792 positive mentions

grinding63 negative mentions

Incredible combat mechanics with four distinct fighting styles, making battles engaging and dynamic.
Compelling story that tackles serious themes like bullying and justice, with well-developed characters.
Rich side content, including fun school stories and mini-games that enhance the overall experience.

The pacing of the story can be slow, especially in the early chapters, which may deter some players.
Some gameplay mechanics, like stealth and parkour, feel underdeveloped and can be frustrating.
The reliance on school stories for side content may not appeal to everyone and can feel repetitive.

story
2,213 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
59%
5%
The story of "Lost Judgment" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting that while it tackles serious themes such as bullying and justice, it doesn't quite reach the narrative heights of its predecessor, "Judgment." Some appreciate the emotional depth and character development, particularly in the school stories, while others criticize the pacing and convoluted plot points that detract from the overall experience. Overall, the game is praised for its engaging gameplay and side content, but opinions vary on the effectiveness of its story compared to the first game.
- “Both Judgment and its sequel set a very high standard in terms of the main story; I think they're among the best story-driven games RGG has ever released.”
- “The story is great, phenomenal even; it is emotional and easy to get invested in.”
- “Lost Judgment improves on everything the first game introduced and stands as one of the best story-driven action RPGs in RGG’s catalog.”
- “Even the worst game before had me trudging along just to finish, but the story here isn't even that captivating... it's just boring.”
- “Japanese have also mastered the pacing, adding so much useless filler and prolonging things with pointless dialogue that in 6 hours of main story basically nothing happens.”
- “The story is boring and forgettable; by the time I reached the ending conclusion with the high school students, there were no attachments with neither the resolution nor the characters.”
gameplay
591 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
59%
5%
The gameplay in "Lost Judgment" has received widespread acclaim for its refined combat mechanics, which include multiple fighting styles and improved fluidity, making battles more engaging and satisfying. While the game introduces new elements like stealth and parkour, opinions are mixed on their execution, with some players finding them underdeveloped. Overall, the gameplay is considered a significant improvement over its predecessor, offering a rich blend of action, detective work, and a variety of side activities that enhance the overall experience.
- “The gameplay is the best it has ever been.”
- “Lost Judgment is a thrilling detective game that combines a gripping story, engaging characters, and diverse gameplay.”
- “The refined and fluid fighting mechanics allow players to execute a dazzling array of moves and combos, making each battle feel exhilarating and satisfying.”
- “It feels like 'what if Yakuza had these forced bits where you had to look at stuff.' You can really tell they struggle to implement these detective mechanics too, with tailing appearing precisely once in the main story and lock picking maybe three times.”
- “Despite the repetitive combat system and gameplay loop and some jank in the combat, chasing, and platforming parts, the story is so gripping and interesting that it overshadows the game's system flaws.”
- “The detective gameplay is much less frustrating, and has many new tools, but the gameplay factor really falls flat in Lost Judgment as you spend about 80% of your time watching expository cutscenes which are important to the plot as a whole.”
music
283 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
47%
1%
The music in "Lost Judgment" has been widely praised as one of its standout features, with many reviewers highlighting the exceptional soundtrack that enhances the game's emotional and action-packed moments. Tracks like "Unwavering Belief" and "Dig in Your Heels" are frequently mentioned as highlights, contributing to an immersive experience that complements the gameplay and narrative. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a significant improvement over its predecessor, solidifying its place among the best in the series.
- “The soundtrack is absolutely amazing and has some of the best tracks in the series (personal favorites are 'Unwavering Belief', 'Viper', 'Dig In Your Heels', 'Kog', 'Fog', and 'Green Vibes').”
- “The music throughout the main story and the side cases/general world is tremendously successful at continuing to give the Judgment games their own vibe, while not straying too far from the mainline series OST's vibes.”
- “The combat is the best in the series, soundtracks are amazing and story is very good.”
- “A lot of the new music is also a bit of a letdown.”
- “The side content and especially the music is a step down from the original.”
- “Unfortunately the style themes are ungodly bland even without the comparison to JE's, but the rest of the soundtrack is about on par.”
graphics
162 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
54%
2%
The graphics in the game have received widespread acclaim for their beauty and realism, showcasing stunning visuals and smooth performance that enhance the immersive experience of exploring vibrant Japanese cities. Many reviewers noted significant improvements over previous titles, with detailed character models and environments that feel alive, although some minor graphical issues were mentioned. Overall, the game is praised for its exceptional graphical fidelity, making it a standout in the series.
- “The graphics are beautiful, the framerate is excellent – what more could you want from a game?”
- “Visually stunning graphics and exceptional sound design create an immersive experience that makes you feel like you're walking through real Japanese cities.”
- “The graphics are astounding and the sounds and music make you feel like you're actually walking around these cities in real life.”
- “1/10: outdated graphics, outdated gameplay, play like something from the 00s.”
- “☐ sub-par or outdated visuals for a AAA title.”
- “Graphics terrible.”
emotional
100 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
1%
The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised for its deep, engaging narrative that tackles serious themes such as bullying and justice, often leading players to tears. Reviewers highlight the balance between intense emotional moments and lighter, comedic side stories, creating a rich experience that resonates on multiple levels. The game's ability to evoke genuine feelings through its characters and story arcs is noted as a significant improvement over its predecessor, making it a standout title in the series.
- “With the dramatic flair of Japanese soap operas and genuine emotional impact, it's a refreshingly different approach for the series.”
- “What truly distinguishes Lost Judgment is its ability to weave a multifaceted story tackling serious themes such as bullying, corruption, and the quest for justice, all while maintaining an engaging pace filled with suspense and emotional depth.”
- “Lost Judgment weaves a complex and emotionally charged narrative that keeps players on the edge of their seats from start to finish.”
humor
82 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in "Lost Judgment" is a blend of lighthearted moments and serious themes, characteristic of Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio's style. Players appreciate the comedic interactions, particularly in side quests and character dynamics, though some feel the humor lacks the over-the-top wackiness of previous Yakuza titles. While the game features funny scenarios, such as a nearly 40-year-old protagonist engaging with high schoolers, some side content can feel drawn out or less engaging, and the localization of humor may not resonate with all audiences.
- “Just like other games from RGG Studios, it combines lighthearted humor with sudden flashes of seriousness and maturity.”
- “The high point is all the environmental combat which has a lot of hilarious interactions.”
- “I found myself laughing out loud at character moments and story developments because the timing of them was so fantastic.”
grinding
75 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
13%
84%
The reviews highlight a mixed experience with grinding in the game, noting that while the main story respects players' time and minimizes tedious grinding for experience or money, many side activities, particularly the school stories and certain minigames, can feel excessively grindy and repetitive. Players appreciate the variety of content but express frustration with the pacing and the necessity of grinding for upgrades and completionist goals, suggesting that some aspects detract from the overall enjoyment. Overall, while the game improves on previous entries, it still retains some grindy elements that can be tedious.
- “An excellent story, great characters with shady morals, fantastic combat (the best in the series in my opinion, only the pirate yakuza comes close), lots of cool minigames, and no grinding for experience or money, unlike the problems in the previous game.”
- “It is incredibly easy and not very grindy to get all skills before you beat the game.”
- “Ultimately, it's always dragged down to the abyss by horrific pacing that, for no reason at all, forces you to interact with some horrifically dull and tedious side content of the game that you were trying really hard to ignore.”
- “The school stories were a blueprint for something incredible, but they had me so bored at times I thought they'd never end with how grindy and formulaic they are, and I almost gave up on them when I found out all 9 need to be maxed out before Amasawa lets you progress the investigation.”
- “While the combat is fun and the variety of different activities is interesting for a while, the number of times you need to play and win each minigame eventually feels repetitive and grindy, negatively impacting the pacing of the main story, which is usually a key strength of this franchise.”
optimization
50 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
44%
6%
Overall, the optimization of the game has received positive feedback, with many players reporting smooth performance and minimal technical issues across various platforms, including PC and Steam Deck. While some users noted occasional performance dips and bugs, the majority found the game well-optimized, with impressive graphics and fluid gameplay mechanics. The implementation of modern upscaling technologies like FSR and DLSS further enhances the experience, making it accessible even on lower-end hardware.
- “Its well optimized and has no serious bugs, glitches or crashes.”
- “The PC version is very well optimized and runs great.”
- “I've been at PC gaming about a year now and have run across a few janky ports, even in that small window; thankfully this game is well-optimized and I've run into zero issues.”
- “I only focused on the story because I didn’t like the poor console performance.”
- “However, performance might be an issue even on lower settings due to how demanding the game is.”
- “Would be better if the performance issues didn't randomly jettison my game down to < 10 fps which sometimes had me redo portions.”
character development
25 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
52%
12%
Character development in the game is a mixed bag, with many praising its depth, engaging storytelling, and complex characters, particularly in the original title. However, some players feel that the sequel lacks the same level of character growth, particularly for the protagonist Yagami, whose development is seen as bland compared to other characters like Kaito. Overall, while the game excels in character design and emotional investment for certain side characters, it struggles to maintain consistent character development across its sequels.
- “Lost Judgment is nothing short of delivering an engrossing blend of gripping storytelling, deep character development, and exhilarating gameplay.”
- “At first, some side characters rubbed me the wrong way, but character development kicked me in the heart, and I love them all.”
- “The storytelling and character development is fantastic; the action is great too.”
- “☐ Lacking depth or weak character development.”
- “The sequel offers nowhere near as much character development time: Yagami stays the same from beginning to the end, his character story is incredibly bland and frustratingly boring to watch.”
- “Whereas Lost Judgment, you are playing a guy doing his job, with a weak excuse for emotional investment into the case and basically no character development for Yagami.”
atmosphere
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
61%
22%
17%
The atmosphere in "Lost Judgment" is widely praised for its stunning visual fidelity and immersive sound design, effectively capturing the vibrancy and grit of modern Japanese cities like Kamurocho and Ijincho. Players appreciate the detailed urban environments, which blend various architectural styles to create a living, breathing world, while the engaging soundtrack enhances the emotional depth of the narrative. Overall, the game successfully balances its atmospheric elements with compelling storytelling and character development, making it a standout experience.
- “Visually, Lost Judgment impresses with detailed character models, atmospheric lighting, and meticulously recreated urban settings that capture the vibrancy and grit of modern Japanese cities.”
- “The stunning visuals and meticulously crafted audio design bring the bustling streets of Kamurocho and Yokohama to life, enveloping you in its vibrant atmosphere.”
- “The vibrant cityscapes and atmospheric settings contribute to an immersive experience that captures the essence of the game’s world.”
- “I believe the narrative plot is better, but I believe the atmosphere is less polished in the second episode.”
- “Another good thing is that something about the environment, the atmosphere, or whatever it was had some sort of appeal, which had me launch the game time after time despite the many times I got annoyed.”
- “The story of Lost Judgment is fantastic, while most people will definitely enjoy Judgment's story more than this game's, this story shouldn't be slept on since it's one of RGG's best stories out there at the moment, the school is an interesting part of the story, and yeah there are some pacing issues in the middle, but the villains of the story are incredible, and the final boss goes really hard in terms of both characters, atmosphere, moral, and its music.”
stability
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
6%
53%
Overall, the game's stability is a mixed bag; while the PC and Steam Deck versions are well-optimized and run smoothly with minimal serious bugs, some players report noticeable frame rate drops, glitches, and occasional crashes, particularly in specific modes or on certain graphics cards. Combat improvements are overshadowed by lingering bugs from previous titles, and while the game performs well on higher-end systems, issues like freezing during area loads and unresponsive mechanics can detract from the experience.
- “On Steam Deck, it runs great.”
- “The PC version is very well optimized and runs great.”
- “Well optimized too, runs great even on a 1060.”
- “It was buggy again; combat got improved but still had some flaws from the first Judgment game.”
- “You can obviously tell when a new area is being loaded because the game freezes for a couple of seconds, and this was a thing until the very end of the game.”
- “It's buggy, feels bad to play, and looks like it was taken out of a web browser game.”
replayability
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
50%
25%
Overall, the game offers high replayability due to its engaging substories, multiple endings, and a variety of mini-games and post-game content. Players can enjoy infinite hours of fun through side missions and activities, making it more than just a one-time experience. However, some reviews suggest that certain aspects may lack replay value, indicating a mixed experience depending on player preferences.
- “High replay value with plenty of post-game content.”
- “From engaging in drone races to participating in school club activities, these mini-games provide delightful diversions and enhance the game’s replayability.”
- “The substories add a lot of charm and replayability to the game.”
- “Some replay value, but mostly a one-time experience.”
- “Lacking replayability or post-game content.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players appreciate the game overall but find the presence of in-game ads on the phone feature to be bothersome.
- “Good game, but it's annoying that there are in-game ads on the in-game phone.”
- “The monetization strategy feels overly aggressive, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending money.”
- “I appreciate free-to-play games, but the constant prompts to purchase items ruin the experience.”