Saving & Loading
In the dangerous streets of Kamurocho and Onomichi, knowing when and how to save your progress is paramount. Yakuza 6: The Song of Life offers both manual and automatic saving options, ensuring you never lose significant progress, even when Kiryu finds himself in unexpected trouble.
Manual Saving
Unlike previous Yakuza titles that relied on specific phone booths, Yakuza 6 streamlines the manual saving process. You can save your game at almost any time outside of combat, cutscenes, or certain mission-critical sequences.
- Accessing the Save Menu: To manually save, press the button on your PlayStation 4 controller to bring up the Main Menu.
- Navigating to Save: From the Main Menu, select the "Save" option. This will present you with a list of available save slots.
- Choosing a Save Slot: It is highly recommended to utilize multiple save slots, especially before major story missions or challenging boss fights. This allows you to revert to an earlier point if a decision goes awry or you wish to re-experience a section. The game provides ample slots, so don't be shy about using them.
- Confirmation: After selecting a slot, confirm your choice. A small message will appear on screen indicating a successful save.
Pro-Tip: Always try to save before entering any marked story objective or engaging in a significant side quest (Substory). This gives you a safety net if you want to explore different outcomes or simply need to take a break.
Auto-Saving
Yakuza 6 features a robust auto-save system that frequently records your progress, minimizing the risk of losing data due due to unforeseen circumstances like power outages or accidental game closures. While convenient, it's crucial to understand its mechanics:
- Trigger Points: The game auto-saves at various key moments, including:
- Upon completing main story chapters.
- After finishing significant substories.
- When entering and exiting certain important locations (e.g., Kiryu's apartment, the New Serena bar, the Ryunan Shrine).
- Before and after major combat encounters or boss battles.
- Upon making significant progress in mini-games (e.g., Baseball, Clan Creator).
- Visual Indicator: Keep an eye out for a small, rotating icon in the bottom right corner of your screen. This indicates that the game is currently auto-saving. Do not turn off your console or close the application while this icon is present.
- Auto-Save Slot: The game typically uses a dedicated auto-save slot. While this is helpful, it overwrites itself regularly. Therefore, relying solely on auto-save for critical moments is not advised. Always supplement with manual saves.
Loading Your Game
To continue your adventure, you'll need to load a saved game:
- From the Title Screen: Upon launching the game, select "Load Game" from the main title menu.
- From the Main Menu (In-Game): If you're already playing and wish to load a different save, press to open the Main Menu, then select "Load."
- Selecting a Save File: You will be presented with a list of your manual and auto-save files, often displaying the chapter, location, and playtime associated with each. Choose the file you wish to load.
By understanding and utilizing both manual and auto-save features effectively, you can ensure a smooth and frustration-free experience as you guide Kiryu through his final legendary tale.