Yakuza Kiwami Review

My Yakuza journey started back in 2019 when I got my hands on Yakuza 0, a prequel to the original Yakuza game. By then, I was already disastrously late to the party, with many of my friends having played the games leading up to 0 and loving them. After hearing praise in person and online for years, I finally gave it a shot and was immediately hooked by it. Something about the balance of humor and drama was so captivating, and the breadth of content was a breath of fresh air, allowing me to take time away from the melodrama to play darts or run a cabaret club. 

Publisher: SEGA

Developer: Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio

Platform: Played on PC

Availability: Released on January 21, 2016 for PS3 and PS4, Feb 19, 2019 for PC. It is also available on Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, XBOX One, XBOX Series X/S, Amazon Luna, and PS5.

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It may seem confusing at first to hear me lead off with Yakuza 0 in a Yakuza Kiwami review, but Kiwami is almost as much of an extension of Yakuza 0 as it is a remake of the original Yakuza title. It is far more than a simple visual makeover of the 2005 original; instead, it is a total redesign built directly on the success and technical foundations of its prequel. The characters, gameplay mechanics, and even story elements directly incorporate events and mechanics that were first brought to life in Yakuza 0. So, while the main plot follows the original title’s story quite faithfully, RGG Studios has done a commendable job of incorporating the changes from the prequel into the revised timeline.

Of course, not everything stays the same. Kiryu’s aging and growth between the two titles and the shifting culture of the city of Kamurocho chief among them. Seeing Kiryu as a more seasoned character in the wake of the 80s and beyond his time in prison adds layers to his stoicism, and his return to a city that has in many ways passed him by makes him feel like a man out of time. Kiryu still lives by the “old ways” when it comes to his personal honor system and beliefs, and changes to the landscape leave him on uneven ground, though he is not without help.

Kamurocho itself still feels like a living, breathing entity that has aged alongside him, retaining its iconic layout but reflecting the shift in time and tone. New stores have replaced his old haunts, the city is noticeably less bright, the disco floor is no more, and some buildings have begun to show their wear and tear. Despite these changes, Kamurocho still feels like home, and the echoes of the bygone days remain. Characters from Yakuza 0 substories linger, just as excited (or scared) to see Kiryu all these years later.

The streets of Kamurocho are just as colorful as they are violent.

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In some ways, the contrast of then and now is similarly represented in the main story as compared to the substories set throughout Kiwami. The main plot is deathly serious and melodramatic, adhering to the original title's tone and pacing throughout. By contrast, the substories are often full of humor or more eccentric characters, though they are not free from dramatic elements either.

In fact, some of Kiwami’s best writing is held within these stories — dramatic or otherwise. One of my favorites is one that sees you reunite with your friend who runs the pocket racing circuit. He’s a character that was first introduced in Yakuza 0, so seeing him and how he has aged is a painful reminder of the time that Kiryu missed, and how much things have changed in his absence. Throughout this substory you get the chance to help the Pocket Circuit Fighter find a new successor to take over the racing circuit, and reconnect with some other old acquaintances in the process. For as much as some things change, much in our lives endures through the ages. That said, the game feels a bit out of balance in terms of its content spread. The main story is noticeably shorter than most other Yakuza titles, and while the substories aren’t overwhelming in number, they do feel disproportionally significant. Yakuza Kiwami has a total of 78 substories, with the final one only unlocking after playing all other substories and maxing out the Majima Everywhere rank. That isn’t to say that there are too many substories; they mostly all feel worthwhile and fun to engage with. It is simply a matter of the main story taking a comparatively smaller portion of the game’s focus.

The main story is noticeably shorter than most other Yakuza titles, and while the substories aren’t overwhelming in number, they do feel disproportionally significant.

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The experience is not without its mechanical friction, either. Combat can be fun in short spurts, but it ultimately lacks the depth required to stay enjoyable for as often as the game forces you to engage with it. It can feel like a bit of a grind when navigating the streets, though the Heat actions remain a consistent exception. These cinematic moments are always a joy, providing a necessary burst of energy and visual flair that helps offset the repetitive nature of the standard brawls. 

These issues with combat frequency are unfortunately exacerbated by the Majima Everywhere system. While Goro Majima’s various disguises and surprise attacks are genuinely funny at first, the novelty wears off when you are forced into frequent encounters — sometimes without a way to avoid them. By the late game, Majima becomes an exhausting opponent with massive health pools, turning the brawls into a repetitive chore where the most efficient strategy is simply to spam (insofar as you can spam a counter attack) the Tiger Drop move until the fight ends.

Despite these minor quibbles, nearly every aspect of Yakuza Kiwami remains a colossal step up when compared to the original 2005 release. New movesets, more varied minigames and side quests, alongside the massively improved graphical fidelity make Kiwami the much preferred way to play through the classic story. It is a safe retelling that helps lay the groundwork for future titles, and that’s plenty.

Verdict

Ultimately, Yakuza Kiwami does feel like a bit of a step down from the high bar set by Yakuza 0, in part because it must adhere to the plot and pacing of the original scenario. Despite this, it remains an engaging, moving, and hilarious experience that successfully honors the beginning of Kiryu's legend. Even if it doesn't quite reach the heights of the masterpiece that preceded it, Yakuza Kiwami remains an excellent adventure.

Image Credits: SEGA