PREMIER LEAGUE MONTHLY REPORT - FEBRUARY

 

I come bearing gifts. And those gifts are me talking yet again about the Premier League. Only this time, the gifts are quite good. Really good!

We start things off with my beloved club Manchester United, who have been phenomenal since the start of 2023.

Their performance throughout the month has been nothing but a win after a win AFTER A WIN!!! They just can't stop winning at the moment.

The only draw they had in the League was during their game against Leeds United on 08.02.2023, with the score being 2-2, and goals from Sancho and Rashford for good measure.
Casemiro... No. THE ENTIRE TEAM deserves praise for their performance this month. Organized play, good defending, deadly strikes. It feels like the whole team is playing how they used to during the Sir Alex era. And I couldn't be more happy.
THEY ALSO KNOCKED OUT BARCA FROM THE EUROPA LEAGUE AND WON THE CARABAO CUP!!!

With all things said, United should feel proud and march on forward with their head held up high. The upcoming matches are quite tough, so the Cup win should not make the team feel like they're invincible. There's still a lot of work ahead for "us", so we better deliver.

Meanwhile, the top 2, Arsenal and Manchester City, are continuing their successful 2022/2023 campaign with wins at every corner on the field. However, cracks are starting to show up.

Most notably with City, whom they lost against Spurs with a score of 1-0, drew against Nottingham Forest, and in the Champions League, against RB Lepizig. All the draws ended with the score being 1-1.

In my humble opinion, the downgrade of performance for City can be attributed to their gameplay focusing purely on Erling Haaland, who has been on fire this season. Now being on fire is all good and fine, but that creates problems not just for you, but for your team as well.

Same goes for Arsenal, except their issues lie mostly on their choice of players. Martinelli, Trossard and Saka are a good strike force, but it seems that the midfield is a bit of an issue. This was evident with their game against Brendtford, where they used 3-5-2 to play, and still managed to scrape away with a draw. Not a good sign when you scrape from a draw against a side that's sitting... Actually, Brentford are good.

The laughing stock of February are Chelsea and Liverpool.

I don't think I need to go into detail how bad they are this season. Chelsea have been shit for a while now, but Liverpool? They make Chelsea's bad run look like it's nothing. And they're above them in the table.

The overall chemistry of the team doesn't work all too well.  Ever since Mane has left them to join German giants Bayern, Liverpool are having trouble trying to breach into the opponent's 16 yard box. And an embarrassing 5-2 loss to Real Madrid on home ground in the Champions League? For shame!

And the less we talk about Chelsea, the better. If Liverpool are struggling to find a way to adapt with their current squad, then Graham Potter's side is all over the place. They are in shambles at the moment.

THEY MADE SOUTHAMPTON, a team that is not having the best of seasons, LOOK WORLD CLASS! That's saying a lot.

I dunno who else to mention... I was very excited watching my team play so well that I forgot what to write about the others.
I guess I could say that Newcastle has dropped their form. Going from 3rd to 5th is a significant drop in performance, I'll tell you that. But even with their current loss in form, they're doing pretty good. Not too far behind from Spurs when it comes for a Champions League spot, reached the Carabao Cup Final, in which they played well. Have nothing else to say really.

The bottom teams change their positions after each game. Everton still managed to run into issues and are threatened with relegations. Actually, all the teams after Leeds United are at risk from dropping positions. Those 27 points that Palace have are not 100% guaranteed safety. 

STANDINGS

MONTH'S HIGHLIGHTS

That will do it for now, I suppose. The month was really on our side, and I couldn't be happier. We need to keep the momentum going if we want to make the season special. Erik ten Hag is doing a wonderful job so far. I don't want to jinx my beloved United, so I'll stop here with the praises. The other teams are also doing great, except Chelsea and Liverpool. Those two are the black sheep of the League at the moment.

Until next time

Ѓорѓи „GioGio“ Илиев

YAKUZA 5 REVIEW

 

Developer: Ryu Ga Gotoku
Publisher: Sega
Series: Yakuza
Release date: December 6, 2012 (Japan), December 8 2015 (Rest of World)
Platforms: PS3, PS4, Xbox One, PC
Genres and Modes: Single player

 

Yakuza, yakuza, yakuza! I'm not going to lie: I freaking love this franchise. And I am aware that this may be borderline annoying with how I only talk about these games, but hear me out. We're nearing the end of this journey of epic games where you go through thrilling and gripping storylines, occasionally interrupted by a moment or two that resemble a South Park or a Family Guy episode.
Yakuza 5 is no different. Just like its predecessors, the storyline is serious, dark and melancholic, but the side-quests are there to cheer you up, or make you go through hell, as this is the first game in the series to go OVERBOARD with the content it has to offer. Using a brand new engine to expand and enhance the Yakuza experience, many see this game as the absolute best of the best, or worst of the worst. This is something that 4 & 5 have in common, but fans tend to forgive 5 a lot more than 4. And the reason for this divide and forgiveness is going to be explained in the review.
Anyhow, as Nishkiyama infamously said back in 1988: MUSIC!!! START(O)!!!!

 

We're no longer Yakuza 4. We're Yakuza 5

PLOT

Unlike my review for 4, where I started off with the characters and then the actual plot, here I will briefly summarize what the shtick is all about in Yakuza 5. And then mention the characters and why they decided to become Yakuza 5.

In the year of 2012, the world was said to be doomed according to the Mayan calendar, but thankfully, The End didn't happen. And this opening line isn't part of the official story. I just wanted to mention that the game's events take place in 2012.
As the Yakuza become more and more corrupt, dangerous and abandoning honour and dignity, a war between 2 of the biggest clans in all of Japan, the Omi Alliance and the Tojo Clan, seems to be unavoidable. The Omi Alliance, while in a state worse than before, are still a foe you don't want to face against. If they pick a fight with you, consider yourself done. The Sixth chairman of the Tojo Clan is completely aware of this fact, thus decides to ally himself with families from other cities in the hopes of aiding the Tojo in the unavoidable war against their enemies.
As these powerhouses prepare for an all out brawl, a specific bunch are also withdrawn against their will in this conflict. Separated from their beloved homes and their close ones, these legends have no other choice but to tackle every single obstacle that's in front of them in order to achieve their dream.
Omi's dream is to crush the Tojo and rule over Japan's underworld. Tojo's dream is to crush the Omi and establish a more balanced and fair criminal underworld. And the main characters have a dream of their own. Who will prevail in the end? The good guys or the bad guys? The Omi or the Tojo?

KAZUMA KIRYU (桐生 一馬)

Theme: Isolated Fight

Yakuza's main protagonist, and the first one you get to play as. This ex-Yakuza who once used to be the 4th Chairman of the Tojo Clan, and later washed off his hands from his criminal past in order to run an orphanage with Haruka, is now situated in Nagasugai, Fukuoka (city based on Nakasu), working as a taxi driver under the alias Taichi Suzuki. Being told that he might endanger the lives of his children and their dreams a year prior, he has no choice in the matter and decides to leave his home in Okinawa to work in a different city and support them with the money he earns from work. And fun fact: He mentions to Haruka during the events of Yakuza 1/Kiwami that having his own men to lead is something he always imagined. And look at him now. Kiryu is one of gaming's best parents.
Aside from that, no matter how hard he tries to escape his shadow, it will always be there, lurking from places unreachable or unnoticeable by man. And when least expected, drag him back to the former life he abandoned. Being the legendary 4th Chairman does have its cons, and being dragged by force to participate in a conflict that can endanger not just the yakuza, but civilians too, Kiryu is YET AGAIN left with no choice but to leave his new life behind and return to his former self. With the legendary gray suit and red shirt dawned, an angsty and depressed Kiryu marches onto the conflict, but for neither Tojo nor Omi. But for himself and for the dream of his daughter...

Kiryu is back, angry, upset, depressed and is not giving a shit anymore. He may actually cross the line this time around...

TAIGA SAEJIMA (冴島 大河)

Theme: Hailstorm

The sworn brother of Majima, the Tiger of Tojo, Saejima Taiga. After the events of Yakuza 4, he finds himself in a somewhat better place than before. Learning that he didn't kill anyone back in 1985 must have been one of the best things to discover. He now has his own family, is old-schooled as all hell, and is a damn tank.
Deep down however, he feels that he isn't deserving the good life, as he feels breaking out of prison was not a good idea. Thus he spends list last moments of freedom in 2011 goofing around with his sworn brother, Goro Majima, before he's taken to prison to serve the remaining time.
However, is within the prison walls that he learns of how things have gone for the worse since his departure from dear old Kamurocho. A possible war between the yakuza, his sworn brother killed (allegedly), and people wanting him dead. Given how he broke out of an unknown to mankind facility in the last game, he does the same here. On his escape, he goes through a hunters village and all the way to Tsukimono (Susukino in real life), Hokkaido. The city may look cold but don't be fooled, the people are warm and welcoming. Except the thugs, hosts and the yakuza.
The short description doesn't distract Taiga from his main goal: Discover what the actual hell is going on with the world he lives in.

This gentle giant is always having it rough. While he can break away from prison, will he ever break away from the terrible fate the yakuza world is dealing him?

HARUKA SAWAMURA (澤村 遥)

The adoptive daughter of Kazuma Kiryu, Haruka has been by his side since the 10 billion yen incident all the way back in 2005. She and her Oji-san (Uncle Kaz in this case) are always side by side, never separated, always together. They have gone through a lot in the span of 7 years. And through thick and thin, Haruka has always relied and believed in her adoptive father to save her and others from peril. Whenever there's no trouble, she and the others from Sunflower Orphanage would spend the days playing, studying, or just enjoy life with their adoptive father.
An owner of a Sotenbori talent agency spots Haruka shopping in Okinawa one day. Stunned by her looks, and apparent gift for dancing, this person approaches Kiryu with a demand to cut all ties with her and the other kids in order for Haruka to have a shot at a life without trouble, without yakuza, but with a dream.
A parent's love is the strongest in the world they say. Kiryu leaves for Nagasugai in order to distance himself from the future idol star Haruka. But distance don't mean nothing to these two. Even from afar, their bond is as strong as ever...

Okay, hear me out: YOU PLAY AS HARUKA SAWAMURA!!! KIRYU'S ADOPTIVE DAUGHTER!!! THIS IS TRULY THE PEAK OF YAKUZA GAMING!!!

SHUN AKIYAMA (秋山 駿)

Theme: Affected Fight

The games themselves, nor the story of 5 wouldn't feel the same without this handsome & loveable lazy ass slacker. The owner of Sky Finance makes Yakuza feel complete.

And Sky Finance is perhaps the main reason why he ends up in Sotenbori. In order to expand his business, he sets up a branch in the city that gave birth to dance battles, all the way back to the 80s. As far as it goes, he is the same Akiyama as he was in the previous story. Lazy, always tired, mentions that he should quit smoking, etc.

Encountering Haruka changes his plans, as it turns out, following your dream (or someone else's dream) isn't as safe as it sounds. Even idols cannot escape the upcoming conflict.

For once, Shun decides to not be lazy and fight back and hard against the people that try to hurt him or Haruka. And that Kiryu might end up killing him if something were to happen to her as well, so that's another good reason to fight...

Shun doesn't bring anything new to the table, BECAUSE HE'S ALREADY PERFECT AS HE IS...

 

TATSUO SHINADA (品田 辰雄)

Theme: What a FUNKTASTIC Hit

In 1997, during a game against the Tokyo Gigants, Nagoya Wyverns brought on a substitute. A young and inexperienced Tatsuo Shinada made his first appearance at a professional baseball game. A gifted player, with 20/20 vision, he strikes a homerun that wins the game for his team and becomes a hero to the fans. The following day, when signing autographs, is arrested under the suspicion of match fixing. As a result, he ends up banned from professional baseball and labeled a cheat.
2012, Tatsuo resides in Nagoya, in a single room apartment, broke and lacks the desire to pretty much exist. Despite having a job as a writer for adult magazines, he barely makes enough money for food. He's on good terms with the locals due to his charisma and personality, but that doesn't mean much. One of the bright side, he has an on-off relationship with a masseuse that lives in Nagoya, so that's a plus.
This hermit-like life of Shinada will soon be disturbed after a visit from a childhood friend of his. This childhood friend tells Shinada of his plans to protect him from an upcoming war, and that he'd also take care of the people that ruined his dreams all those years ago.
To prove that the fire is still burning inside him, Tatsuo puts up his dukes and joins forces with his childhood friend, and the others to put an end to the war between the Tojo and Omi.

As hopeless as he is, he's a very relatable character. He's essentially an upgraded version of Akiyama (personality wise). Optimistic, fun, and a goofball. And he also does 5000 SWINGS, 1000 PUSH-UPS & 1000 SIT-UPS EVERY SINGLE DAY! Dude's a beast underneath all that clothing...  

 

GAMEPLAY

Holy shit we have arrived at the Gameplay section of the review.
As said in the beginning, Yakuza 5 is often considered the best by many when it comes to how it handles its combat. While it's like the previous games, what makes it so much fun this time around is the endless amount of cancel moves a character can pull off at any given point. On top of that, for the people that started with Yakuza 0, they will feel right at home here, as Yakuza 5's engine is used all the way up to Kiwami. But instead of style switching, you get 4 characters that have unique fighting styles that are all just so much fun to play. Makes Yakuza 4's fighting look tame in comparison.
The game is also noteworthy for having the biggest amount of cities. Nagasugai, Tsukimono, Sotenbori, Kineicho and Kamurocho. All characters can wander around Kamurocho, but the other 4 are limited only to the characters that belong there: like let's say Akiyama can go to Sotenbori only, and can't visit Tsukimono.
This game also has A SHIT TON OF SIDE STORIES!!! Unlike the substories, these are similar to the Real Estate and Cabaret Czar sidestories in Yakuza 0, except here they're way longer and harsher. Kiryu's story revolves around taxi driving and racing (yes, Kiryu racing is a thing), Saejima decides to dawn his own hunter's suit once he ends up in the Hunter's Village (hunting animals with a double barrelled shotgun), Haruka's story revolves doing reconciling with a friend and doing side jobs, and Shinada tries to restore his former baseball skills. And Akiyama does nothing.
While we're still describing the characters, Haruka is the only playable character that does not fight, but rather, does completely something else: she engages in street dance battles to obtain cash, experience or items. Basically you're just dancing, but you are not at the disco, nor are you using Majima's Breaker style to really dish out some pain on your opponents.

And fishing. Can't forget that...

GALLERY

SOUNDTRACKS

Yakuza 3
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLF3187C350AEDA048


Yakuza 4
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU_iZ-e4vsqznFH6AUYrxke2SXPn21VbC

Yakuza 5

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqB3HAKIygF5i1OMFZUnprgpDLGkAs8fP

THE YAKUZA REMASTERED COLLECTION
https://store.steampowered.com/bundle/18730/Yakuza_Remastered_Collection/

If you can't afford all 3 games at once, you can purchase them separately. Each game costs 19.99 Euros.

CONCLUSION

Yakuza 5 has certainly left a mark on the franchise. From its upgraded visuals, enhanced combat mechanics, additional changes to how characters speak (they no longer talk during pre-rendered cutscenes, but rather both in pre-rendered and in-game cutscenes), the presence of TOO MANY things to do, and most importantly, the story itself, Yakuza 5 is a game that has so much to offer. For dedicated players, this game is heaven for completion, but for the average player, it will take a long time to either do a full 100% of the game, or do just enough to satisfy their needs.
Regardless of that, the game was a smash hit in Japan and received near perfect scores upon release. That can't be said for the west unfortunately, where the game got released 3 years later, after the then small Yakuza fanbase wanted Sega to release it onto the other side of the world. And as it turns out, it was a smart move, as players got to experience what's essentially the predecessor of the "Like A Dragon" boom. If Yakuza 3 set the standards for how a Yakuza game can work in 3rd person, then Yakuza 5 enhances that formula up to extreme levels, or should I say, Kiwami levels.

The Roar of the Winged Dragon will produce a sound similar to that of a violin. And once you hear it, you'll know that it's time for you to face your destiny and end it once and for all...

For that Roar is The Song Of Life...

Ѓорѓи „GioGio“ Илиев

РОДИТЕЛ: НАЈТЕШКАТА, НО НАЈУБАВАТА РАБОТА НА СВЕТОТ

Кога дојде на овој свет,

Се почуствував како најсреќниот човек.

Како убав, бел и нежен цвет,

Ми го разубави овој очаен век.

Пиле мое, убаво,

Раните денови ги минувавме во хармонија,

Секој ден, нова авантура, нови откритија,

Цело време, тоа го правевме лабаво.

Под раката моја те носев,

Шетајќи се по дивината.

Сега веќе не си мало,

Па да можам да те штитам секогаш.

Веќе си зрело и умно,

И си имаш право на избор,

Искажувајќи го преку збор,

Но и преку твоите дела.

Не можам да те запрам,

Ама можам да те советувам.

Подоцна, со твоите убави крилја,

Кога и ти ќе станеш чувар на сопствената крв,

Ќе разбереш каква тешкотија и среќа е,

Да се грижиш за нејзе.

Секирацијата ќе ти трае бавно и мачно

А времето ќе си мине брзо, но лесно.

Ѓорѓи „GioGio“ Илиев

PREMIER LEAGUE MONTHLY REPORT - JANUARY

 

Hot damn it's been a while! The new year kicked off and we had New Years, Christmas, and depends on who you're asking, people enjoying the winter vacation, or lose their shit because of exams. It wasn't a pleasant month for motorsports fans, as the rallying legend and perhaps one of the most influential racers of the current generation, Ken Block, tragically lost his life in a snowmobile accident on January 2nd. A legend of rallying and gymkhana, his stunts, presence and overall laid-back attitude will never be forgotten. 

I apologize for starting off the report with a bit of sad news. He was someone that I knew from various pieces of media, and his videos on YouTube have also been a bit of an inspiration on how to pull off some amazing stunts in the racing games that I play. A little bit about him could do no wrong.

But back on topic, as we start the report with:

EVERTON (these lot are a lost cause)

Everton this season has been doing sweet, sweet fuck all. The entirety of their performance so far can be described as "John Terry fucking it up in Moscow" kinds of terrible. All of their matches, including against the sides that ARE in the Bottom 5, have been terrible with horrendous formation tactics, poor player choices, no real back up plans in case of hitting a wall. LIKE WHO EVEN MANAGES THESE GUYS?! 

Looks at Frank Lampard

That explains everything! Well I sure hope he finds a way to turn things aro-

Frank Lampard gets sacked

Well fuck! Looks like it took Everton a little while for them to sack the former Chelsea legend. He was a good rival to Gerrard at least... When they were players. Right now, former Burnley manager Sean Dyche is in charge of the "Toffees" on a two and a half year contract. His sacking from Burnley last season, in my humble (and honest opinion) was harsh and unfair. He is a good manager and I'm sure he can drag Everton out of the mud in no time.

SOUTHAMPTON

I just wanted to mention how shit they are this season. That's all.

LIVERPOOL & CHELSEA (and a bit of Brighton)

What can be said about Liverpool? A club with prestigious history, filled with trophies, medals, legends, and stories from rivals from the past and the present. They have been with us since the FA was established back in the 19th century.

AND YET NOW THEY SUCK ASS!!! No joke!

Liverpool this season has been the biggest shock so far. The first of the due that will be mentioned in this section, The "Scousers" have been on a L-streak for the last few months, not just January. As for the month itself, it's been disastrous. Being unable to find focus and strategy to do anything is perhaps their biggest issue for their current result. Or maybe the good luck charm is finally over and are now back to what they were 10 years ago: A MID-TABLE CLUB!!! They also lost to Brighton 2-1 in the FA Cup (shoutout to Brighton for being a good side this season. 6th on the table with 31 points. Nice one, "Seagulls"). Liverpool are a joke!

And Chelsea are as much of a joke as Liverpool. Graham Potter leaving his former side Brighton was a questionable move. He started the season with good wins. But his time at Chelsea could be cut short, should he continue to play with the current style at the moment: that style being lower-end table side with focus on luck over actual possession, passes, and keeping pressure, something Chelsea are known for.

NEWCASTLE UNITED

So. Newcastle. I have a question for you: WHAT DRUGS DO YOU DO? I want some too!

Jokes aside, Newcastle have been wonderful this season so far. Last year, they were in the Bottom 3, struggling to win games or even draw doodles. But now? THEY ARE AN UNSTOPPABLE TRAIN, WRECKING HAVOC WHEREVER THEY GO! They have plenty of draws, but even those can be considered as wins. 10 wins, 9 draws and 1 FREAKIN' LOSS? Jesus Christ!

Eddie Howe has taken the club and is transforming it into a powerhouse. Maybe a bit too much of a compliment, but I had to say something on their current performance in the Prem. Maybe the Arab buyout was a good move in the end. But nevertheless, Newcastle United are on a run this season, currently sitting 3rd in the League, sharing the same points as Manchester United. If they continue their form like this, they might become the new Blackburn Rovers. You know, like how Blackburn were back in the 90s, a strong Premier League side and winning trophies...

ARSENAL & MANCHESTER UNITED

And to conclude the report of the month, we have teams that are having a blast playing football right now. The first giant is from North London, the menace that is currently toying with the Premier League, and an actual weapon loaded with ammo, it's none other than ARSENAL.

Mikel Arteta must've told Arsenal to Run n' Gun everything and everyone, if they want to be #1. And it's working. Their playstyle is very efficient and straight to the point, except it isn't. It's wide, narrow and THEN it gets straight to the point. In simplified terms, that would be attacking from the sides, and pass it to the main attacker or just go for goal. In terms of their defence, applying multiple players to guard players that may have planned out a cross, a target for said cross, or a long shooter is something I WANT TO SEE IN MY CLUB. Question is: Are they doing that?

Nketiah (2x) & Saka, in what is considered a modern Premier League CLASSIC. This phenomenal game between the "Gunners" and the "Red Devils" was out of this WORLD. No actual highlights because Arena forgot to do it, and posting the actual highlights would prevent you from watching them on my blog. Has to be done on YouTube.

To answer the previous question: Are Manchester United doing good or nah?

YES!!! YES!!! YES!!! YES!!! YES!!!

YES!!!!!

They absolutely are! After the whole fiasco with Ronaldo having his contract terminated and joining Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr, Manchester United's form has never felt this good. Once "Big Ron" was gone, Erik Ten Hag cracked his knuckles and proceeded to show the team that football is a TEAM game, not based on an individual and their ego. Attacking, attacking and nothing but attacking. Fernandes, Rashford, Martial, the newest signing Casemiro, and fucking hell, even MAGUIRE, are all top class lads right now. Constant teamwork with the current squad has led United to have an impressive 7-win streak, stopped by Crystal Palace with their 1-1 draw on 18.01.2023. 

The only heartbreaking moment was our defeat from Arsenal on 22.01.2023, where after a fierce and epic match, it was Nketiah that broke us completely and K.O'd us with a heavy blow. But throughout the game we were fantastic. The better team won in the end, and that's just fine. What I cared about the most is for Manchester United to play good, win games, and earn back the reputation they lost years ago. It will be a lengthy process, but I believe now that we're on the right path of becoming the threat we once were.

Oh and we bullied Man. City and Haaland lmao...

United chose violence in this game. And it paid off. Lesson is: Violence is ALWAYS the answer to all your problems.

Rashford and Martinez scored the goals that pushed United to fight relentlessly against Arsenal. And despite the loss, it was ultimately a huge win for us, as we showed the haters that they need to lay off Twitter and touch grass...

TABLE

And this wraps up my report for January. I kind of didn't want to include EVERY side for this one, and only focus on the more memorable parts of the month. Featured less footage, but more info about the current trends happening in the Prem. That being said, it doesn't look too shabby. Talking about the interesting aspects of the League can also count as a report now, eh?

Also the lack of posts is due to me just not feeling that motivated to write at the minute. Had some things going on that made me kick it back for a bit and just release the tension... Through some RIPPING & TEARING (a foreshadow of sorts maybe?). Anyhow, it's February, and I am feeling the need for some writing. Might actually become active and procrastinate less and post some things I have in mind, whether they're poems, stories, reviews, and whatever the fuck will happen during this month with the Prem.

Sayonara, lads. Until next time!

Ѓорѓи "GioGio" Илиев