Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 13
  2. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. Apr 1, 2022
    85
    Lost Judgment The Kaito Files is a fantastic solo outing for Yagami’s sidekick, granting players a greater degree of endearing Kaito introspection alongside a mystery drama with thrilling action. While what’s offered here will likely not blow you away, this experience is one of substance and a reason to return to this series. The short runtime and high pricing may turn some away, but Kaito fans everywhere will leave satisfied when the credits roll.
  2. Mar 31, 2022
    85
    Lost Judgment was a superlative experience, and The Kaito Files DLC proves that Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio's future is in good hands. While this DLC should've been cheaper on its own, combined with the other content in the Season Pass, it is well worth grabbing for any fan of Judgment and its characters. I hope we don't have to wait too long for another Judgment game and would love to see a full game with Kaito as the lead.
  3. May 7, 2022
    80
    The Kaito Files is everything a DLC needs to be, bringing new elements to its combat, in addition to a very good story, which impacts the future of the franchise and justifies its existence. The only downside is its price and duration. If you're a fan of the base game, you'll really enjoy this expansion.
  4. Apr 11, 2022
    80
    Taken as a complete package, Lost Judgment and The Kaito Files serves as one of the best story offerings I can think of in recent memory. With as fantastic as the former’s story was, I’m overjoyed that the story in the latter at least maintains (and often exceeds) the standard we’ve come to expect from Ryu Ga Gotoku. While the somewhat steep price tag might be a bit high for DLC, the densely packed narrative and trademark gameplay helps take the edge off. It proves that Kaito is more than capable of carrying a story, and I can’t wait to see what his future holds.
  5. Apr 5, 2022
    80
    While it may lack the extra content fans of the series might expect to find, Lost Judgment: The Kaito Files is easy to recommend to armchair detectives looking for another exciting case to crack thanks to its satisfying combat and developer Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio’s masterful storytelling. If nothing else, it definitively shows that if the contract issues surrounding actor Takuya Kimura prevent him from reprising his role, the Yagami Detective Agency would still be in perfectly capable hands.
  6. Apr 1, 2022
    80
    Lost Judgment’s The Kaito Files story expansion DLC is well worth a playthrough, especially for players who already like Kaito. He is such a fun character all-around and his time away from Yagami here shows a man that has grown significantly from our initial introduction to him in the first Judgment. Of course, I would love nothing more than to see both Yagami and Kaito back as the main focuses in a future installment of Judgment, but if the Judgment series has to go on somehow without Yagami, I think The Kaito Files demonstrates that Kaito can muster up the strength to take over as the main character, despite how divisive it would be.
  7. Apr 1, 2022
    80
    Aside from the near total lack of side content, The Kaito Files has everything that you'd expect from a Yakuza-style experience. Its shorter length actually works in its favour, allowing for a well paced story that doesn't get caught up on overplayed plot points or filler missions. As RGG Studio's first crack at a proper expansion, it's a roaring success.
  8. 77
    The Kaito Files offers an interesting, engaging, well-written storyline that allows to learn more about Kaito. Gameplay is good thanks to the two new fighting styles, with an intense and well-balanced challenge (at the highest difficulty levels). So why is our final grade high, but not very high? What's wrong? It’s simple. Some elements (pursuit, stealth moments, exploration) are far from perfect and, considering the price, it was reasonable to expect something more contents. Used to wandering around Kamurocho with a thousand collateral activities and a thousand characters to help, I admit I was partly disappointed in finding it so empty.
  9. May 3, 2022
    70
    Say goodbye to Yagami, say hello to Kaito. There’s a new main character on the block and he’s going to fight. And explore the past. And solve crime. There’s really nothing new mechanically speaking but the story is very good - and that’s what counts here.
  10. PLAY
    May 3, 2022
    70
    A substantial story expansion that does justice for one of the series’ best characters, and hopefully a sign that the Judgment series has a bright future ahead. [Issue#14, p.84]
  11. Apr 9, 2022
    70
    Quotation forthcoming.
  12. Apr 3, 2022
    70
    If RGG Studio had had the courage to dare and remove most of the investigative phases, the DLC would have worked infinitely better, thanks to a really good writing.
  13. Apr 3, 2022
    70
    The Kaito Files delivers a pleasant and engaging adventure, which fans of the SEGA series should certainly play even just for its narrative implications. However, the expansion only uses the Kamurocho map and it's pretty short for the price asked.
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  1. Apr 25, 2022
    The Kaito Files is a first for RGG, but I honestly hope it isn’t the last. There are so many characters in this long-running series, and the field is ripe for exploration of other protagonists and events. Case in point: Kaito makes a fantastic lead. With the future of the Judgment series uncertain due to disagreements with the talent agency representing Yagami’s Japanese actor, Takuya Kimura, this DLC is almost like a proof of concept in a way. While I would hate for Yagami to no longer be involved in future games, Kaito could clearly take the main character role if need be, and that gives me hope that we haven’t seen the last of this spin-off series.
User Score
6.7

Mixed or average reviews- based on 18 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 18
  2. Negative: 5 out of 18
  1. Cs_
    Jul 27, 2022
    10
    Lost Judgment was great on its own but this story was even better. The combat is the same but playing as Kaito just gives you his ownLost Judgment was great on its own but this story was even better. The combat is the same but playing as Kaito just gives you his own prospective, which feels intriguing. The plot twist and revelation throughout were amazing and 8ish hours of this content never got boring or felt dragged out. There aren’t many trophies for it but at least there is a gold one symbolising you unlocked all of the skill tree and fully completed the dlc. Also using Kaito’s senses gave a nice twist to the detective nature of the game. Full Review »
  2. Mar 30, 2022
    5
    A great right knit story excelling Kaito to the forefront while also telling us more about his backstory. It’s not quite the length of a fullA great right knit story excelling Kaito to the forefront while also telling us more about his backstory. It’s not quite the length of a full game but the price point justifies the Kamurocho environment and Sega games within the game. As a stand-alone game I would give it a 4 but as a DLC for the main game it’s a 5 and more than I could ask for considering the other DLCs that have dropped. Full Review »
  3. Aug 26, 2023
    10
    This DLC was very good,compared to nowadays DLC's it was really really great.The story was nice.