I'm a yakuza/like a dragon player so I went in thinking, okay I can finish main storyline and then go finish my side quests after the credits!
Bitch what??? KK is gone, Mari is gone, Rinko is gone, THE WORLD IS BASICALLY RESTORED if we take the final credit roll of the ambiance and most atmosphere returning as a sign that everyone's bodies received their spirits again.
So Akito is alone, probably traumatized and probably has the minimal amount of "the affinity" to perceive Visitors and yokai. I like to think that he might still have some ethereal weaving capabilities but who's to say. Maybe his line "Next time we meet, I'll have lived a good and full life-" is implied that he's probably not going to resume/join the paranormal group's efforts.
Which is kinda good? I mean, Akito's whole issue is that he runs away from the issue and self-isolates. The whole game is isolation from peers, loved ones and family. Legitimately. All of Tokyo gone? You are possessed by another man who self-isolates. You two become inseparable over the course of trying to connect with the one person that is left to matter in your world. Seriously. The few times KK and Akito are separated, they're aren't just glad for have their respective vessel/abilities back, they genuinely grow a sort of connection over the course of the game. KK learns that Akito cooks rice with ramen and is baffled for a hot minute as to why. Akito is a little confused about KK's comment about DVDs. I don't know why but the silly little choice to have KK compliment Akito when he fulfills a branch on the ability tree is so fun. The choice to have KK ask, HE ASKS Akito if he can take over fixing Rinko's motorcycle because he knows what to do is PEAK. Seriously. First chapter, he's ordering Akito around and basically taunting him (also attempting to strangle him to give up his autonomy) but by chapter 5, "hey, can I take over for a bit? I know what to do with the parts." He doesn't demand it. He doesn't say "alright let me do this kid, you're just gonna fuck it up" or something along those lines. He asks.
But that's not all. KK??? KK YOU'RE GONE??? I'm sorry, but I'm just sad?? While KK does fulfill the trope of sarcastic, pessimistic old mentor - we can see bits and moments where he's kinda more optimistic (or at least playful) with Akito. Like I'm sorry, the fact he said Akito must've been a descendant of ninjas when you sneak attack so often and well, is just.. fun. While KK is self-proclaimed "bad dad" and his death serves as something of a redemption from it, I did not need his final lines to fuck me up. I did not need him to pull the "..just feeling a bit tired kid.." UH NO, WE'RE GETTING SOME MONSTER ENERGY DRINK RN!!! I was already tearing up when Akito pulls out the photo holder/wallet?? and we see KK's wife and son but FLIPPING IT OVER???? KK?? KK!!! KK WITH HIS FAMILY???!!!
Also I'm not gonna get into the whole KK v. KK dialogue in the 2nd to last boss fight. Shit had me sobbing.
Since I'm a yakuza/like a dragon player, clearly I'm going to play every single side mission before even furthering the chapter objectives. BOY WAS I GLAD. Apparently we get additional info when we defeat Hanako and close the portal at the middle school. It's kinda a shame that you don't get that piece of information (unless there's another's cutscene that does fulfill it somewhere else) but it's kinda special and it makes sense with the side mission. Like oh, you have people beyond the "veil" of fog.
I'm just sad. This game was supposed to be my fucking break from the sadness that was the yakuza/like a dragon series and it set me back.
