Lost Judgment is an action-adventure video game developed and published by Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio and SEGA. It was released in Japan on September 24, 2021, and internationally on September 21, 2021 for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. It is a direct sequel to the 2018 game Judgment, which itself is a spin-off of the highly popular Yakuza series. Lost Judgment continues the story of Takayuki Yagami, a former lawyer turned private detective, as he navigates a new case involving school bullying, murder, and corruption.

Story and Setting:

Lost Judgment is set in Yokohama, a city in Japan that is familiar to players of the Yakuza series, and Kamurocho, the fictional district of Tokyo that is a central location in both Judgment and Yakuza. The game begins with Yagami investigating a murder that appears to be linked to a bullying incident at a local high school.

The game’s central plot revolves around a high school student who is accused of murder after the victim’s body is discovered near the school. Yagami is hired to investigate the case, and his journey leads him to uncover a web of dark secrets involving bullying, revenge, and a potential cover-up. As he delves deeper, he discovers a connection to a larger conspiracy involving powerful figures, further complicating the investigation.

Gameplay:

• Action Combat: Lost Judgment continues the fast-paced combat mechanics of its predecessor, offering two combat styles:
  • Snake Style: Focuses on defense, using counters and evasion to outmaneuver enemies.
  • Tiger Style: A more aggressive style with powerful attacks and combos that focus on offense.

  Players can switch between the two styles during combat to adapt to different situations, such as fighting groups of enemies or dealing with powerful foes.

• Investigation Mechanics: As a private detective, Yagami uses his investigative skills to gather clues and solve the case. These include classic detective tools such as:
  • Surveillance: Stealthily following suspects to gather information without being detected.
  • Interrogation: Using different techniques to extract information from witnesses or suspects.
  • Puzzle Solving: Solving various environmental puzzles to uncover hidden evidence.
• School Story: One of the major storylines involves a high school that has been experiencing serious bullying problems. Yagami goes undercover at the school to investigate and help victims. Players can engage in various school-related activities, from helping students to solving bullying cases, which are often tied to the larger mystery.
• Side Activities: Lost Judgment includes a variety of side activities and minigames. Some of the popular activities include:
  • Drone Racing: Compete in drone races to earn rewards.
  • Robot Fighting: Build and customize robots to battle other robots in a fight club.
  • Street Fighting: Take on various challengers in combat arenas.
  • Arcade Games and Karaoke: Enjoy various classic Yakuza-style minigames.
• Stealth and Parkour: In addition to the typical beat-’em-up combat, Lost Judgment introduces stealth mechanics and parkour sequences, where players can climb and navigate obstacles to chase down targets or infiltrate areas undetected.

Features:

• Character Development and Progression: As Yagami progresses through the game, he can upgrade his abilities through a skill tree system, improving combat skills, detective tools, and even school-related activities. There are multiple ways to approach solving the game’s challenges, from brute force to more subtle, investigative methods.
• New York Story DLC: A post-launch DLC titled The School Stories was released, allowing players to continue Yagami’s school-related investigations and expand upon the game’s story and activities in the school setting.
• Voice Acting and Performance: Lost Judgment features fully voiced characters in both Japanese and English, with performances from notable voice actors. The game includes a highly detailed representation of Japanese culture, adding depth to the story and world.