Judgment

Judgment is an action adventure game developed by Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio and published by Sega. Released in Japan in December 2018, it reached Western markets in June 2019. It takes place in Kamurocho, the fictional Tokyo entertainment district familiar from the Yakuza series, but introduces a different central protagonist.

That protagonist is Takayuki Yagami, a former defense attorney who becomes a private detective. His legal career collapses after a client he helped acquit, Shinpei Okubo, is accused of murdering his girlfriend. Yagami subsequently runs a small detective agency with Masaharu Kaito, a former member of the Matsugane yakuza family.

The main investigation concerns a series of murders involving members of the Kyorei Clan, whose bodies are discovered with their eyes removed. Yagami's inquiries draw him into conflict with organized crime and uncover connections to the Advanced Drug Development Center, where research into an experimental Alzheimer's treatment conceals deadly misconduct.

Yagami's investigative work shapes the gameplay. Players examine crime scenes, photograph evidence, follow suspects, pursue fleeing targets, and use disguises. Conversations can require selecting evidence to support an argument. Alongside the main case, optional side cases introduce smaller mysteries and eccentric clients, expanding the portrait of everyday life in Kamurocho.

Combat remains central. Yagami switches between Crane style, suited to fighting groups, and Tiger style, focused on individual opponents. His acrobatic moves include wall jumps and vaults, while EX Actions deliver cinematic finishing attacks. Certain dangerous attacks cause lasting damage that ordinary healing items cannot remove, requiring specialized medical treatment.

Japanese actor Takuya Kimura provides Yagami's likeness and Japanese voice, while Greg Chun voices him in English. The game offers both language tracks. Its music includes the opening song "Arpeggio" by Alexandros, whose song "Your Song" also appears. These contributions give the production recognizable connections to Japanese television and music.

The original Japanese release featured actor Pierre Taki as Kyohei Hamura. After Taki's arrest in March 2019, Sega suspended Japanese sales and replaced his performance and character likeness. Actor Miou Tanaka took over the role, and the revised version was used for the game's subsequent Western launch and Japanese rerelease.

Judgment originally launched on PlayStation 4. An enhanced edition followed in April 2021, bringing the game to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, and Stadia. A Windows release arrived in September 2022. Its sequel, Lost Judgment, released in September 2021, continuing Yagami and Kaito's adventures beyond their original investigation.