Certainly, this is not the first time the series, best known for its fisticuffs, has been spun off into a different sort of combat – 2008's Ryu ga Gotoku Kenzan shifted the locale from modern day Tokyo to ancient Japan, trading fists for swords and a Samurai setting – yet guns have traditionally been used sparingly in the mainline Ryu ga Gotoku series. This time, however, they become the focus as an outbreak of the undead has hit Kamurocho, the fictional setting of the series.
Like Ryu ga Gotoku 4, the game is split between four protagonists who each excel in different firearms. Akiyama can dual-wield, Majima carries a shotgun, Goda has a mechanical arm that transforms into a machine gun and series lead, Kazuma Kiryu, well let's just say his section starts off with something of a nod to the previous games and has one other section with a specialist gun that is quite a bit of fun to use.
The plot concerns a zombie outbreak in Tokyo that is rapidly getting out of hand and, of course, it's up to our favourite ex-Yakuza, Kazuma, and some other familiar faces to tackle the problem head on. It doesn't have as deep a story as other games in the series, but a narrative does develop as the game goes on, which provides a welcome bit of context to the outbreak and, in turn, makes it more than just a game about mass zombie genocide. Like the other Ryu ga Gotoku games, there is also a nice amount of humour throughout, which helps show that the developers aren't trying to make the story too serious. Whilst importers will miss out on the details of the story, there is at most times a glowing dot on the map showing where to go next and so is relatively accessible for those without a grasp of the language.
A game with an emphasis on shooting in a series with a focus on fistfights was always going to take some getting used to, and the mechanics of the game aren't perfect. There is a lock-on system (holding R1 while shooting) but it isn't always effective. When presented with groups of enemies it essentially locks the direction of the gun and is used as strafing would be in other games. This generally works when using a machine gun, but when using a pistol, crowd control becomes more of a chore. In addition, R2 allows a fixed, first-person perspective useful for accurate targeting of explosive barrels or lining up headshots. As well as a dodge and kick button, there is a context-specific button. As enemies are killed, a meter just below the health bar gradually builds up; when full, a green reticle appears around certain items (gas canisters, pipes, overhead bars) and when triangle is pressed, the character targets this item and fires a shot prompting a one-button Quick Time Event. If performed correctly, the targeted item explodes or falls, clearing a group of zombies and boosting the player's score. Furthermore, non-playable characters will join the player at certain points and as well as being able to follow basic commands (stay in place, wait, move ahead) and be healed, they have their own context-specific attacks. This usually sees them throw grenades in the air which, when shot, clear the area of enemies. Although they don't show up too frequently throughout the game, being able to issue commands to an NPC provides a little bit more depth to the game, making it feel less of a one-man show.
The enemies themselves are a varied bunch. In addition to the standard, slow moving Zombie horde there are others with more attack variety that require a little more strategy to effectively kill. For example, some are fast moving and tricky to lock onto, some are airborne and spit acid whilst there are others that are covered in a layer of rock which has to be chipped away at before exposing their fleshy bodies. These enemies keep the player on their toes and go some way to breaking up the repetition of killing zombie after zombie.
Boss encounters are also littered throughout the game, requiring some thought to overcome. These will generally show up at the end of a chapter, although there are some mini-bosses as well. Not all of them are as simple as targeting a glowing, vulnerable spot though; one such encounter involves getting into an abandoned tank and loading a shell into the cannon after the boss has been stunned in order to finish them off. There are a number of these mini-games, including somewhat of a Shenmue reference that fans are sure to notice and appreciate, and they provide a welcome change of pace. Non-combat-related mini-games also make an appearance throughout and series veterans will be pleased to know that the massage, ping-pong, fishing and karaoke games make a return, as well as a handful of others.
The Ryu ga Gotoku series is one which, whilst on paper appearing to be just another brawler, is loaded with unique charm and character. Whether it is the lifelike city of Kamurocho with its neon lights, hostess clubs and drunkensalarymen, the top-notch voice acting which recalls classic Yakuza movies or just the fact that it is entirely possible to indulge in some Karaoke, fishing and golf before finally getting round to tracking down and beating up that shady character in order to progress the story, it never feels run-of-the-mill and goes some way to explaining why it has a dedicated fanbase. Of The End is a game that takes the core Ryu ga Gotoku cast and location and puts it into a different environment. As a result, those familiar with the characters and lore will find something to like here; it is essentially fan service, while also trying to capture a new audience more familiar with western third-person shooters. Those unfamiliar with the series and more versed in the likes of Gears of War or Dead Rising, coming into the game on the basis of its core gameplay mechanics, however, are unlikely to come away with anything overwhelmingly positive which is a shame really as there is a lot to like here, flawed as it may be.
Pros:
- Fan service for Ryu ga Gotoku fans.
- Four playable characters provide variety.
- Doesn't take itself too seriously.
Cons:
- Shooting mechanics could be better.
- Importers are likely to miss out on the story details.
- Not a good jumping-in point for the series.
Score: 7/10