Ranking the Yakuza Series: ‘Yakuza Kiwami’

by Flora Merigold · Published February 19, 2021 · Updated February 19, 2021

Yakuza Kiwami, a remake of the original 2005 game, is a confident step forward for the series. Playing these games in sequence, I was initially a little shocked to find that there would be no playable segments as Goro Majima, who was a main highlight of Yakuza 0. That shocking realization aside, I was also surprised to see how vastly different the combat and progression system was for Kazuma Kiryu. Whereas the prequel had eight main modes to engage combat, Kiwami was reduced to four. And while the prequel had an obscure upgrading system that locked parts of the skill tree behind specific tasks, training, and encounters, Kiwami allows you to upgrade anything at any time – so long as you can afford the upgrade.

With its singular focus on Kiryu, the story of Yakuza Kiwami explores a massive time jump of ten years where Kiryu has taken the blame for a murder he did not commit. The game presents Kiryu’s self-sacrificial gesture as noble and even admirable, but Kiryu is punished for ten years in prison for his fellow clan member’s crime. When he is released from prison, Kiryu finds himself in a changed world. The streets of Kamurocho may not have completely changed, but his place within the city has changed dramatically, which extends most clearly to his relationships.

One of my favorite aspects of Yakuza Kiwami is the integration of the Majima Everywhere mechanic, which, as the name suggests, sends Kiryu on a wild goose chase to defeat Majima – the Mad Dog of Shimano – at every possible corner. Not only is Majima around seemingly every street-ending bend, but he will appear in hilarious moments like when Kiryu encounters him as a bartender at a high-end bar or clumsily hiding in a giant traffic cone. My favorite encounter with Majima involves him twirling around a stripper pole, cooing, “Kiryu-chan,” as hearts float around Majima’s spinning body. It’s every bit as wonderful as you could imagine.

Thank you for reading. Your Patreon support keeps our community entirely Ad free.

Fun

Is the Game Fun?

Though part of me wishes that the incredible Majima combat from Yakuza 0 carried over into its successor, Yakuza Kiwami is relentlessly fun. The pacing of the gameplay is fantastic, and the Majima Everywhere mechanic is a chef’s kiss of excellence.

Performance

Does the Game Perform Well?

Similar to Yakuza 0, the only thing going against this game’s performance is the noticeable drop in resolution and framerate during pre-rendered cutscenes. It’d be petty to hold marks against Kiwami for this, as the actual moment-to-moment gameplay is stunning and essentially flawless from a performance perspective.

Art

Does the Game Have a Fitting Art Style?

Kiwami embraces much of what made the original game (and its eventual prequel) special. When looking at videos and screenshots of the original 2005 game and Kiwami, its high points rival the quality of Bluepoint remakes. The characters and this world are all remarkable to behold.

Story

Does the Game Have a Unique Story or Premise?

Yakuza Kiwami had big shoes to fill after my elated experience with the prequel, but it delivered beat after beat of meaningful narrative. Important characters like Haruka are introduced, setting the stage for an excellent follow-up in Kiwami 2.

Lasting Power

Does the Game Have Replayability or Lasting Power?

There is still an incredible amount of optional tasks to complete in Kiwami, so most players certainly won’t experience it all on a first playthrough. That being said, the story is extremely linear to the point of not feeling the need to experience the game again – at least not right away. As for lasting power, and impressive as this remake truly is, the original 2005 game made a much bigger splash in the industry.

Verdict

Yakuza Kiwami is a stunning recreation of the original 2005 game. I would consider this an essential game for anyone who loves open world games and brawlers in particular. While it never quite hits the gargantuan peaks of Yakuza 0, Kiwami stands solidly on its own whether you have played 0 or not.