PART THREE, CHAPTER TWO - A MOTHER'S LOVE Haruka wakes to thirteen substories and a text from Akari about a dance battle. In contrast with Kiryu, the very same photo of she, he and the kids has pride of place on her dresser. This is very likely the most immersive section in any of the Yakuza games. And the substories pick up right where the story left off. There are those stressing the perils of fame:
Some show the perils of the industry:
Others show the need for an ever-increasing range of skills:
Then there are the perils of false friendship - two girls from school wanting to hang out because we're famous. And a plus-size woman who hates us just because, eventually and hilariously leading to Haruka's Revelation: Even the IF8 has T-Set's Mai as the final boss, a fun end to an otherwise slow trudge against enemies who remain mostly off-screen. Then there's the impact on those left behind. Shown after a strangely pushy text from Ayako on your way to answer fans questions from an Okinawanan magazine. That damn piano music'll get you everytime... They all play into the main story. And the main theme. Chasing your dream sometimes comes with drawbacks. And we're not done yet. Upon arriving at the agency, there's an audition to be the poster girl for a restaurant chain. After which, it's time for our first lesson with Christina. And our first go at the song for the Second Round, Loneliness Loop. A lifeless dance number. Though a little trickier to perform than So Much More. Post-practise, as with the other protagonists, we've hit our level-20 max with abilities left over and activities remaining. Though unlike with Saejima, they all feed in to the main story so feel more worthwhile. And there are no unsolved murders here to make us feel guilty for hitting Club Sega. At least not yet... Meanwhile, Haruka's story with her friends Akari & Yui comes to a happy conclusion (haven't gone into this here because frankly there's too much else to cover, but it's a very nice story of three formerly lonely people finding friendship). Before one of the most emotional character-scenes in the entire series takes place. Haruka's picking out a brooch for Park when she's accosted by T-Set, who convince her their agency could squash hers and her dream along with it. Making her beg them not to. On her knees. In public. Stomping on the brooch too. Until Park comes to the rescue. Thereafter warmly accepting the damaged gift. Before taking the girl who's grown up with nothing shopping at an expensive boutique. And playing games at the arcade with the girl who never knew her mother. On the way home revealing that she herself had an abortion after becoming pregnant during her own failed Idol quest.
The two filling a gaping hole in the other's life. Haruka heading to bed with everything feeling good. The P League's going well, she's made some good friends, she's just spent a wonderful evening with the closest thing she's ever had to a mother... The last one she ever will. The next morning she wakes to a frantic call from Horie, rushing to the studio where police and public alike are swarming. Because last night while Haruka was sleeping, Mirei Park committed suicide. Cut to Shun Akiyama as the chapter ends. This is just brilliant storytelling. Subtle but clear, it's impossible not to feel empathy for Haruka: while she's being bullied, while she's finally experiencing a mother figure and upon losing her the next morning.
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AuthorNothing better than relaxing with a good game. Particularly one with great characters and a story to match. Hence my love for the Yakuza series. Archives
May 2023
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