>>75147126Probably a Hot Take nowadays but no, the fact that the optional side content is OPTIONAL is what made the Yakuza Games so good to begin with.
And actually, it wasn't the side content that made them good but the Brawler-style combat (prior to 7) and the over-the-top yet also heartfelt story each game had. The Side Content being that good too was just a Bonus. (At least initially, but now they're trying to make it the main focus.)
