Trouble Missions & Street Fights
Beyond the main story and substories, the streets of Kamurocho, Sotenbori, Nagasugai, Tsukimino, and Kineicho are rife with random encounters and "Trouble Missions" that offer valuable experience, cash, and sometimes even unique items. Mastering these spontaneous skirmishes is crucial for character progression and funding your various endeavors.
Understanding Street Fights
Street fights are unavoidable and occur frequently as you traverse the cityscapes. They are indicated by a red arrow appearing above your character's head, followed by a group of delinquents, yakuza, or other unsavory characters rushing towards you. While they can be a nuisance, especially when you're trying to get somewhere quickly, they are your primary source of combat experience (EXP) and quick cash early in the game.
- Initiating Combat: Simply let the enemies approach you. Alternatively, you can often initiate combat by running into them or performing a preemptive strike (e.g., a strong attack before they fully engage).
- Combat Strategy:
- Heat Actions: Always prioritize building your Heat Gauge. Heat Actions deal massive damage and often finish off multiple opponents or single powerful foes. Look for environmental objects like bicycles, traffic cones, or even walls to trigger contextual Heat Actions.
- Weapon Use: Many street fights feature enemies wielding weapons. Disarm them with a grab (Circle/B) and then pick up their weapon (Circle/B again) to turn the tide. Weapons like the Metal Bat or Knife can be incredibly effective.
- Healing: Keep a stock of healing items like Staminan X or Toughness Z in your inventory. These can be purchased from convenience stores like Poppo or M Store. Don't be afraid to use them mid-fight if your health drops significantly.
- Finishing Moves: Once an enemy is knocked down, a quick stomp (Triangle/Y) can often finish them off, preventing them from getting back up.
- Rewards: Upon victory, you'll receive EXP for your character's stats (Strength, Agility, Spirit, Technique, Charm) and a small amount of Yen. Occasionally, defeated enemies will drop items like Small Change, Cheap Plastic, or even low-tier healing items.
Trouble Missions: The Dynamic Encounters
Trouble Missions are more structured than random street fights, offering specific objectives and often better rewards. These are indicated by a blue icon on your mini-map, typically a speech bubble or an exclamation mark, and involve helping distressed citizens or intervening in ongoing conflicts.
Finding Trouble Missions
Trouble Missions appear dynamically as you explore each city. They are not tied to specific locations but rather pop up in general areas. Pay close attention to your mini-map and the cries for help from NPCs.
Types of Trouble Missions & Walkthrough Steps
- The Mugging:
- Description: You'll often see a civilian being harassed by a group of thugs. A blue speech bubble icon will appear.
- Actionable Steps:
- Approach the group. A dialogue prompt will appear, giving you the option to intervene.
- Select "Help them out" to initiate a street fight.
- Defeat all the muggers. Focus on any enemies with weapons first.
- Reward: The grateful civilian will typically give you a small amount of Yen (e.g., 5,000 Yen) or a common item like a Tauriner. Sometimes, they'll offer a unique item like a Lucky Bracelet which slightly increases item drop rates.
- The Drunkard's Brawl:
- Description: Two or more drunk individuals are causing a commotion, often blocking a path or disturbing a business. An exclamation mark icon will appear.
- Actionable Steps:
- Approach the scene. You'll usually have a dialogue option to try and calm them down or intervene directly.
- Choosing to "Intervene" will lead to a fight. These enemies are often less coordinated but can still be dangerous in groups.
- Strategy: Utilize throws (Circle/B) to separate them and focus on one at a time.
- Reward: Similar to muggings, you'll receive Yen and potentially a healing item like a Staminan Spark.
- The Chase Sequence:
- Description: Less common, but sometimes you'll witness a thief running away from a victim. A blue running man icon will appear.
- Actionable Steps:
- Immediately give chase. You'll need to sprint (R1/RB) and navigate the environment, avoiding obstacles.
- When you get close enough, a prompt to tackle (Circle/B) will appear.
- Successfully tackling the thief will initiate a quick fight against them and potentially a few accomplices.
- Reward: The victim will reward you with a larger sum of Yen (e.g., 10,000 Yen) or a more valuable item such as a Platinum Plate, which can be sold for a good profit.
- The Gang Confrontation:
- Description: Two rival gangs are about to clash, or one gang is intimidating a lone individual. This is often indicated by a larger group of enemies with a blue icon.
- Actionable Steps:
- Approach the confrontation. You'll often be drawn into a larger-scale street fight.
- Strategy: These fights can be tougher due to the sheer number of opponents. Prioritize taking out enemies with ranged weapons (like bottles) first. Use wide-sweeping attacks and Heat Actions that hit multiple targets.
- Reward: Higher EXP gains and more Yen compared to standard street fights. You might also find slightly better item drops, such as a High-Grade Plastic or a Mystery Stone.
General Tips for Trouble Missions & Street Fights
- Equip Accessories: Consider equipping accessories that boost your attack, defense, or Heat Gauge accumulation. The Rage Talisman (increases Heat gain) or Brawler's God Amulet (increases attack power) are excellent choices.
- Upgrade Your Abilities: Regularly visit the various training masters (e.g., Tatsu in Nagasugai for Kiryu) to unlock new moves and upgrade your stats. This will make all combat encounters significantly easier.
- Food Buffs: Before heading into an area known for frequent encounters, consider eating at restaurants. Many dishes offer temporary stat boosts, such as increased attack or defense, which can be invaluable. For example, a bowl of Ramen might boost your attack for a short period.
- Save Frequently: While not directly combat-related, saving at phone booths regularly ensures you don't lose progress if a particularly tough street fight goes south.
- Grind for Money and EXP: Don't shy away from these encounters. They are an excellent way to accumulate wealth for equipment purchases and to level up your characters, making the main story and substories much more manageable.