The DLC expansion for Lost Judgment is set to release later this week, and will explore the backstory of recurring ally Masaharu Kaito as teased in a new launch trailer. Players were first introduced to this gruff Yakuza lieutenant-turned detective in 2019’s Judgment, a spin-off to Sega and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio’s Yakuza series of open-world action titles. Judgment's former attorney Takayuki Yagami helps Kaito uncover the truth behind a robbery that led to his removal from the Yakuza, and in return, Kaito uses the fighting skills he gained in his time as a criminal enforcer to provide valuable back-up when Yagami trails a twisted serial killer named "The Mole." Naturally, Kaito would return in last year’s follow-up Lost Judgment, where he and Yagami work to solve the mystery surrounding a man accused of both murder and sexual harassment at the same time - a case that takes them behind the walls of a troubled Japanese high school.
DLC for Lost Judgment was announced shortly before the game was released to positive reviews last fall, with the first round of content featuring bonus Sega arcade minigames and side activities for Yagami to distract himself with when he’s not out working a case. A later, much larger Lost Judgment DLC expansion titled The Kaito Files was also revealed, one that will add 10 extra hours of story content to Lost Judgment and put players in the role of Kaito as he works to solve a new case and tie up loose ends regarding his past. In addition to these new missions, Kaito has two new fighting styles to unleash upon enemies who think they can take on a former Yakuza in hand-to-hand combat.
A Lost Judgment: The Kaito Files DLC trailer has now been released by Sega of America, with the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S release on March 29. The trailer features Kaito and a teenager, who might be his son, searching for his long-lost mother - a hunt that leads to many twists and turns as a fire erupts in an apartment building and people start dying at a high-class party. Along the way, viewers can see how playing as Kaito is different than controlling Yagami, as the trailer shows off an elbow-smashing stealth takedown and Kaito's hard-hitting fighting style.
The Kaito Files comes at an uncertain time for the future of the Judgment franchise, as legal issues surrounding Lost Judgment star Takuya Kimura have prevented both Judgment games from being ported to PC outlets like Steam. This in turn has led some people to wonder if Sega will decide to end the Judgment franchise or at least shift its focus to a new main character like Kaito. On the other hand, Lost Judgment was well-received by critics, and Takuya Kimura is set to reprise his role as Yagami in an upcoming live-action Judgment TV series, so perhaps everyone’s favorite cat-rescuing detective isn’t going anywhere.
Masaharu Kaito is a popular character in his own right, owning up to his gruff-yet-likable personality, complicated backstory, and impressive fighting skills in both Judgment games - and the upcoming The Kaito Files DLC looks to provide an even closer look at his background in Lost Judgment. Fans will be able to step into the shoes of this hardened former Yakuza when Lost Judgment’s The Kaito Files DLC finally launches later this week.
Source: SEGAAmerica/YouTube