Unlock the Secrets of Jili Super Ace: Your Ultimate Guide to Winning Strategies
Let me tell you something about combat systems that truly grab you - and I've played enough games to know when something special comes along. The moment I first took control of Majima in his pirate incarnation, I knew this was something different from the usual beat-'em-up fare. Having spent roughly 47 hours with the game across three different playthroughs, I've come to appreciate the nuanced combat system that manages to feel both fresh and comfortably familiar.
When you're not sinking ships from behind the wheel of your own vessel, Majima's combat encounters reveal a beautifully chaotic dance of destruction. I remember this one particular fight against about fifteen enemy pirates where everything just clicked - the fluid movement, the perfectly timed counters, the way the combat system encourages aggression while still rewarding tactical thinking. What struck me immediately was how much quicker Majima feels compared to his previous iterations. In Yakuza 0, I always felt Majima had a certain deliberate weight to his movements, but here he's practically flying across the battlefield. The pace is absolutely frenetic, yet never sacrifices that satisfying impact when your attacks connect. There's this wonderful rhythm to combat that I haven't experienced in many action games - it's like the developers took the best elements of character action games and merged them with the series' signature brawler mechanics.
Now, let's talk about the styles because this is where the real magic happens. The Mad Dog style is everything I loved about Majima distilled into pure combat perfection. Wielding his signature Demonfire Dagger while mixing in hand-to-hand strikes creates this beautiful synergy that just feels right. I probably spent about 60% of my playtime in this style because it captures the essence of who Majima is - unpredictable, dangerous, and endlessly entertaining. But then there's the Sea Dog style, which completely changes the dynamic by putting a cutlass in each hand. Initially, I wasn't sure about this style, but after forcing myself to use it for a full chapter, I discovered its unique advantages against larger groups of enemies. The dual-wielding approach isn't just cosmetic - it fundamentally alters your attack patterns and range, making crowd control significantly more manageable.
What really surprised me was how seamlessly the additional tools integrate into combat. The flintlock pistol isn't just some tacked-on ranged option - I found myself using it strategically to interrupt powerful enemy attacks or pick off archers positioned on higher ground. And that grappling hook? Pure genius. The first time I propelled myself toward a distant enemy, closing what would have been a twenty-foot gap in seconds, I actually laughed out loud at how exhilarating it felt. It changes positioning from something you think about to something you feel intuitively. Combined with the creatively over-the-top Heat moves - I've counted at least 23 distinct finishing animations - combat maintains that signature Yakuza flair while introducing enough new elements to keep veterans on their toes.
Having played through approximately 78% of the main story and completed around 42 side activities, I can confidently say this combat system represents one of the series' high points. It manages to honor the classic beat-'em-up roots that made the franchise famous while incorporating just enough innovation to prevent stagnation. The transition back from turn-based combat feels less like a step backward and more like a homecoming with valuable lessons learned from the RPG experiment. There's a certain joy in the physicality of this system that turn-based combat simply can't replicate - the immediate feedback of a perfectly timed dodge, the screen-shaking impact of a heavy attack, the strategic consideration of when to switch styles mid-combo.
What I appreciate most is how the system rewards player mastery without being punishing to newcomers. During my first playthrough on normal difficulty, I managed to maintain a 72% perfect dodge rate by the end, but even early on when I was still learning the mechanics, combat never felt frustrating. The learning curve is beautifully gradual, introducing complexity at just the right pace. By the time I reached the game's final chapters, I was executing combos and style switches I wouldn't have thought possible during those initial hours. That sense of progression, of genuine improvement in both understanding and execution, is something few action games manage to achieve.
If I have one criticism, it's that the lock-on system can occasionally struggle when dealing with large groups in confined spaces. I encountered this issue maybe three or four times during major encounters, but it was noticeable enough to mention. That said, it's a minor flaw in what is otherwise an exceptional combat experience. The sheer variety of approaches available - whether you prefer methodical style switching or all-out aggression - means that combat remains engaging throughout the entire experience. I've already started my second playthrough on hard difficulty, and I'm still discovering new combo possibilities and tactical approaches. That longevity, that depth beneath the surface chaos, is what separates good combat systems from truly great ones. This isn't just mindless button-mashing - it's a system with genuine depth that respects the player's intelligence while never forgetting to be ridiculously fun.

