Why I love Yakuza 3. Summed up in one image by 斤染.

A lot of people didn’t like the orphanage stuff in the beginning of Yakuza 3 saying it broke the pacing of the game. Personally, I loved it. It was good to see Kazuma after the events of Yakuza 2 trying to live a normal life. It set the tone for the game and later when the kids were in trouble you actually cared!

How often do we play a game where the protagonists child or love interest, that you’re not invested in, is kidnapped or killed and you’re expected to care? Yakuza 3 gave a character to every child, every person in Okinawa. Made you care for them by being a caretaker, provider and friend.

What some people consider the worst part of the game I think is one of the best story/character setups in the medium.