The latest Yakuza spin-off is here, and Lost Judgment is the second installment of detective Takayuki Yagami's story. Following his adventures down the dangerous streets of Kamurocho, players are immersed in the bright and interesting world.

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There is a lot involved in Lost Judgment. Following on from the 2018 release of the same name, Judgment picks up with the same fighting styles and wacky side-quests. But be warned - there are some easily made mistakes that will (somewhat) hinder the game! Here's a set of frequently made blunders so that players can avoid them, and improve their own abilities.

10 Expecting An Instant Open-World

Anyone who has played a Yakuza game should know by now that it isn't really possible to go guns-blazing into an open world immediately. Lost Judgment is no different. While there is some room for exploration early on, it is best not to get too tied up with it for the time being.

Players are advised to stick with the story - through chapters three and four at least - before they attempt to go running around Kamurocho and its seedy streets. After this point in the story, the map will be unlocked and Yagami can run around any and every square inch as he pleases.

9 Resetting Conversations By Accident

Here's something that will stop a lot of players from getting quite irritated quite quickly. Lost Judgment, like any of the Yakuza games, is filled with speech and side-quests. It seems like every character wants to talk to Takayuki!

However: don't let the conversations reset. Moving at all - even small movements - while in the middle of a conversation will tell the game that the player has ended the chat. This means that any of the elapsed speech will need to be redone to complete it. Rule of thumb? Hands off the controller while in conversation.

8 Not Visiting Eateries

As well as stocking up on items in the inventory, it is recommended to stop by some restaurants and sample the offerings once in a while. Not only do the meals look (and probably taste) amazing, but they can add some extra effects.

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Certain meals can add extra buffs: these are known as Lucky Items. These meals can provide skill points, as well as stat changes and healing actions. While in the restaurants, buy some stacks of takeaway food, too, as Yagami can hold up to ten in his inventory at a time.

7 Forgetting To Upgrade Battle Bonus Tiers

Another common mistake that players make is spending their points unwisely. This includes forgetting to upgrade certain areas like the Battle Bonus! Found in the skills menu, it is one of many perks available for improvement by spending SP Points.

The Battle Bonus upgrade will earn players more SP after battles - which really helps in the long run as they will stack up quickly, and can be spent on other fight-related upgrades! Some players forget about this option, but really, it is a worthwhile perk to boost as soon as possible.

6 Ignoring The Tailing Skills Section

A point of contention in Lost Judgment is the less-than-impressive tailing sections of the game. The stealth aspect often doesn't fill players with glee. In typical fashion, however, the more players do the sections, the better their character will get at them and so makes them easier in the future.

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The Tailing Skills are needed for some side cases, too, so completionists should aim to get them out of the way quickly. Some skills can help ease the pain of the target tailing sections, such as the Master of Deception and Target Locked skills.

5 Ignoring Areas And Items

Yakuza series games are big. Really big. So it's understandable that some players might cut some corners and not want to spend extra hours traipsing into every dark alleyway. But... it is recommended that you do! Check every building. Every corner of every car park.

Loot pick-ups will keep any player going during their play of Lost Judgment. Interesting healing items, boosters, and lucrative objects can be found in every corner of the map, as can secrets and cool easter eggs. Heck, there's even a set of squirrel-shaped statues that can be found!

4 Skipping The Sega Arcade

A classic and recurring feature of Yakuza games and its spin-offs is the Club Sega Arcades: treasure troves of mini-games and machines to waste many a Yen in. These bright and boisterous buildings have a range of games available that players can actually have a go at within the game!

Recently, it was announced that Sonic the Fighters would be available in Lost Judgment's arcades - breathing life back into the 1996 title. This joins a cool lineup along with Space Harrier, Alien Syndrome, and Hama Of The Dead, reminiscent of pivotal House Of The Dead, made just for the Judgment arcades!

3 Forgetting To Unlock Wall Jumps

Here is a key ability that some players miss: wall jump attacks are not automatically available. Players will need to unlock them. It can be found in the Skills app on Yagami's phone and unlocked for a reasonable cost of 600 skill points.

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The wall jump attack is incredibly handy in fights for combat and escape - by moving towards a wall and pressing the jump button, Yagami will pounce upon his foes from an elevated height. The attack can also be used with EX actions!

2 Not Using The Skate Board To Move

Sometimes, as a high-profile detective, players might not want to get into every scuffle they see on the street. But how can they be avoided? Quite easily, actually. In chapter 3, Yagami gains the use of a skateboard.

Players can hop on their cool board and skate straight past enemies. It doesn't trigger a fight! Even if foes do start to come after Yagami, he can outrun them on the skateboard as it is quite fast! Note: don’t drink and skate. Not only is it irresponsible, but being 'drunk' in Judgment makes everything very hard.

1 Abandoning The Climbing Gauge

This is an unusual hint for a Yakuza game, it has to be said. But it is nevertheless an overlooked issue by a lot of players. Like a lot of the most beloved RPGs, Judgment features a stamina gauge.

Known in-game as the 'Grip Gauge', the stamina measure can be upgraded (thankfully). Players will need to use it for various quests, as well as spidering their way around Ijincho. The gauge can be upgraded three separate times in the skill menu, costing between 1,200 and 20,000 SP. We recommend doing this before losing grip on the story.

Lost Judgment was released on September 21, 2021, and is available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.

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