Fist of the North Star feels like the perfect anime adaptation. It has the looks, the bloody combat sequences and the free roaming through the wasteland, with many collectibles, minigames and some surprises for Sega fans, although it doesn´t feel as polished as a Yakuza Game.

When it comes to making you feel like the coolest person around, Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise succeeds on every level. While its structure may borrow a little too heavily from the Yakuza series, combat is the real differentiator with unforgettable techniques that’ll really leave a mark and combos to finish off even the most foreboding of enemies. Those looking for their next dose of Japanese flair will most certainly be hooked, because Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise is everything we were hoping it would be.

Anime action with soul the of 80‘ and gameplay of the present. Crazy story and boatload of absurdity is marred by small technical difficulties.

The mix of brutal anime action and the core mechanics of the Yakuza franchise works surprisingly well, but it lacks consistency and depth, while definitely not looking as crisp as Yakuza 6.

Ultimately, Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise feels like a more ridiculous entry into the Yakuza series, but with less content and a smaller budget. As a result, it’s a fun excursion, especially for fans of the Fist of the North Star franchise, but it never truly impresses.

Fist of the North Star Lost Paradise is a nice tribute to the long and glorious legacy of Tetuso Hara’s masterpierce. But put aside all its fan-service, it’s all it has to offer.

I loved the mini-games, and found a lot of the substories delivered the quirky humor that I adore from the Yakuza series. I also enjoyed the combat for the most part, even if the various execution animations get a little tiring after the first dozen or so times you see them. But everything else surrounding those things is just a slog to get through. And the story takes some really weird, nearly non-sensical twists towards the end that I definitely had issues with. So I can’t say I would suggest this whole-heartedly, to either Yakuza or Fist of the North Star fans. Maybe check this one out via discount or rental, otherwise you should probably just go back and play more Yakuza.