Yakuza 4 Remastered

93%
Game Brain Score Based on 2,880 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • music
Yakuza 4 Remastered Game Cover
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"Yakuza 4 Remastered" is an action-packed single-player game with a good story, amazing mechanics, and spectacular visuals. Play as multiple protagonists in 1080p and 60fps, experiencing the fourth chapter of Kazuma Kiryu's saga as the fates of four men intertwine in a tale of passion, violence, and human desire. With a wonderful soundtrack, plenty of humor, and emotional depth, this game offers a complete experience with tons of grinding.

  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Play​Station
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

93%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,880 reviews
story410 positive mentions
grinding28 negative mentions
  • story1,454 mentions

    The story of Yakuza 4 is a mixed bag, featuring four playable characters whose narratives intertwine, leading to a climactic finale. While the initial setup is engaging, many reviewers noted that the plot becomes convoluted with excessive twists and some poorly executed elements, particularly in the latter half. Despite its flaws, the character development and unique perspectives offered by each protagonist provide a fresh take on the series, making it a worthwhile experience for fans, even if it doesn't quite reach the heights of earlier entries.

    • “The game starts out slowly, but as you progress through the chapters, the pace picks up and the story gets more interesting as it unfolds.”
    • “The story picks up about halfway through, and the ending was great.”
    • “The four protagonists are all unique both in fighting style and personality, and the story is pretty good, though a bit hard to follow and with a lot of unnecessary plot twists.”
    • “After playing 0, K1, K2, I am starting to notice a pattern of recycled story beats.”
    • “The story is a convoluted, complicated mess.”
    • “The story was promising at the beginning and it really was something but then the ending comes and it totally just went downhill as if the writer had sniffed a line as he was writing the ending of the story.”
  • gameplay337 mentions

    The gameplay in Yakuza 4 is widely regarded as a significant improvement over its predecessor, Yakuza 3, with enhanced mechanics, smoother controls, and the introduction of four distinct playable characters, each offering unique fighting styles. While some players appreciate the variety and depth this brings, others find the pacing and character-switching somewhat disruptive, and the overall combat can still feel dated compared to newer entries in the series. Despite these criticisms, many agree that the gameplay remains engaging and enjoyable, bolstered by quality of life improvements and a rich array of side content.

    • “The gameplay really starts to improve in this entry to the series.”
    • “Yakuza 4 fixes a lot of issues that were in Yakuza 3 and keeps the series gameplay fresh with 4 playable characters, each with their own unique quirks.”
    • “Gameplay-wise, this game has some of the most fun movesets and boss fights of any of the Yakuza games I've played.”
    • “The game also has obvious laziness to it, as Saejima and Tanimura both have chapters in their story which consist of video clips, except for 30 seconds of gameplay that consists of moving from point A to B and interacting with an object.”
    • “The story and core gameplay are a mess, and the final boss segment was so laughable that I lost all immersion entirely.”
    • “Gameplay-wise, the game is a step up from 3, but the story is a downgrade from 3.”
  • music132 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising the fantastic soundtrack that features a variety of styles, particularly jazz, and memorable battle themes. While some tracks are highlighted as standout pieces, a few users noted that certain licensed music is missing compared to previous titles. Overall, the soundtrack is considered one of the best in the Yakuza series, enhancing the gameplay experience significantly.

    • “The soundtrack is fantastic as always, and the gameplay feels much better than Yakuza 3.”
    • “Pure love in Kamurocho is the best piece of music I've ever heard in my entire life.”
    • “The music is the best part of this game, to me.”
    • “It's rare you see this but the music is underwhelming, and I feel like it plays a huge part when it comes to immersion.”
    • “The soundtrack: this game easily has the most generic and worst soundtrack out of all the other Yakuza games I played.”
    • “Still, the lack of music in most dialogues is still an issue for me.”
  • graphics98 mentions

    The graphics in Yakuza 4 Remastered show noticeable improvements over Yakuza 3, with enhanced visual details, smoother animations, and a more polished combat system, although they still feel somewhat dated compared to modern standards. While the remaster offers a sharper look and improved performance, some textures and character models remain inconsistent, leading to mixed opinions on the overall visual quality. Overall, the graphics are considered decent for a remaster, providing a nostalgic yet upgraded experience for fans of the series.

    • “The graphics look stunning and got a big upgrade since Yakuza 3.”
    • “The graphical detail everywhere got a huge bump in quality making it all better to look at.”
    • “Yakuza 4 remastered is a game that delivers on all fronts: engaging storyline, immersive gameplay, stunning visuals, enhanced graphics, improved combat system, and attention to detail.”
    • “Great game to enjoy casually if you don't mind the aged gameplay and graphics compared to the newer games.”
    • “The graphics feel somewhat dated, especially the female models; in fact, they're so bad that I can't even tell if they're supposed to look hot or ugly.”
    • “Graphics aren't great, performance is weird at times, there's severe pop-in and culling with the pedestrians, the leveling system is bland and boring.”
  • humor53 mentions

    The humor in Yakuza 4 is a mix of absurdity and charm, with players finding joy in the game's over-the-top antics, hilarious side stories, and memorable characters like Akiyama. While some reviews note a decline in humor compared to previous entries, many still appreciate the comedic elements, including funny minigames and unexpected plot twists that elicit genuine laughter. Overall, the game maintains a lighthearted tone amidst its serious themes, making it an entertaining experience for fans of the series.

    • “What a beautiful and incredibly funny game.”
    • “Yakuza 4 has a hilariously bad story that has you sit back and wonder what the hell they were thinking, but it's very entertaining.”
    • “The substories littered throughout Kamurocho for each character are funny, wholesome, and each contributes to add personality to Yakuza 4's main casts.”
    • “No, for real, please stop blocking; it's not funny anymore!”
    • “The entire series is just one big unfunny meme.”
  • emotional47 mentions

    The emotional aspect of Yakuza 4 is a mixed bag, with players experiencing a range of feelings from deep sadness to frustration. While some moments are described as heart-wrenching and impactful, particularly in character arcs and key scenes, others feel shallow or lacking the emotional punch found in earlier titles. Overall, the game successfully evokes strong emotions through its storytelling and character interactions, though it also faces criticism for inconsistent emotional depth and plot twists that detract from the overall experience.

    • “His death may very well have been the most emotional scene in Yakuza history and drove Kiryu out of hiding knowing such a charitable soul had been extinguished to bait him out.”
    • “Although the story ends up being a huge mess, it still has some really incredible and heartfelt moments that are on par with some of the best moments of the series in my opinion.”
    • “Like any other game in the franchise, Yakuza 4 delivers a fantastic mystery, full of twists and heartwarming (and breaking) moments with some of the best written characters in video game history.”
    • “The character Tanimura is incredibly dull; his personality is uninteresting and his storyline progresses at a painfully slow pace.”
    • “The emotional depth of the characters feels lacking, making it hard to connect with their struggles.”
    • “I expected a gripping narrative, but the emotional moments fell flat and failed to resonate with me.”
  • grinding30 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and repetitive, particularly when leveling up multiple characters and completing side content. While the introduction of different protagonists helps maintain engagement and variety, the overall experience can feel drawn out, especially for completionists who must invest significant time to fully utilize each character's abilities. Despite these frustrations, some players appreciate the satisfaction that comes from completing the grind, though it often detracts from the enjoyment of the gameplay.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “It was tedious, that's all it is.”
    • “The variety sounds good on paper but for completionists like me, it's very tedious.”
    • “It felt like they made it tedious on purpose just for the sake of prolonging the game's playtime.”
  • optimization22 mentions

    The game's optimization is inconsistent, with reports of high CPU usage, stuttering, and various performance bugs, particularly in the PC port. While some players experience stable performance and improved graphics, others face significant issues that hinder gameplay, making it difficult to recommend until further patches are released. Overall, the remaster shows potential but still suffers from optimization flaws that need addressing.

    • “The graphics have been overhauled and the performance was also amazing, 60 fps unlike 30 on the original PS3 port.”
    • “Graphics are great and the game runs smoothly.”
    • “Edit: definitely not fixed all issues, many are still there, but the main ones, being performance ones, are mostly resolved (check the silentpatch if you want even better performance), and since it is the only way to play Yakuza 4 on PC, it's a playable remaster.”
    • “The game isn't as optimized as it could be, and depending on your hardware you might have some high CPU usage.”
    • “As all the remasters do, this game also suffers from the bad PC port, so you may encounter stuttering, the slow-motion animations bug, etc.”
    • “Horrendous performance with stuttering that makes the game almost unplayable.”
  • character development14 mentions

    Character development in Yakuza 4 is a mixed bag, with some protagonists like Saejima receiving significant depth and backstory, while others, such as Akiyama, are criticized for lacking development. The game attempts to enhance character arcs through its multi-protagonist structure, which adds variety and freshness compared to previous entries, but many players feel that overall character growth is inconsistent and sometimes underwhelming. Despite these shortcomings, the engaging story and character design contribute to an enjoyable experience.

    • “Akuyami’s story feels like one of the best Yakuza sidequests stretched out for 10 hours, which is mostly a good thing; Saejima’s story weaves a dramatic prison break with some genuine character development for, of all people, Goro Majima. Up to this point, he’s just a comic-relief antagonist with no cogent backstory; Yakuza 4 decides to change that in dramatic fashion, laying the groundwork for his star turn in Yakuza 0.”
    • “I like how Yakuza 4 Remastered branched out and has four different playable protagonists, each with their own unique fighting styles. It helps build the story and character development of those around the four protagonists. It may have had some rather dull plot twists and some achievements are very buggy, but overall, it's a great experience.”
    • “Full of tiny little details and seemingly insignificant actions, this cutscene achieves so much in the character development department where an hour of boilerplate dialogue wouldn't even scratch the surface. It does so in a mesmerizing, ocean-breeze fresh way that wins you over instantaneously.”
    • “Story is pretty trash after about halfway through and ruins the entire character development of 1/4 main characters as well as being stupid for everybody else.”
    • “Akiyama doesn't have that much character development, Saejima's part is unnecessarily slow, while Tanimura and Kiryu's parts are the only fun parts in my opinion.”
    • “The 4 characters all have too few screen time and too few character developments.”
  • atmosphere9 mentions

    The atmosphere in the game is highly praised for its gritty, noir-inspired aesthetic that enhances the exploration of Kamurocho, making it feel both mysterious and engaging. Players appreciate the unique perspectives offered by different characters, which contribute to a rich and immersive environment, complemented by a strong soundtrack. Overall, the atmosphere is considered a standout feature, elevating the experience above previous entries in the franchise.

    • “The lower levels of the city have some cool atmosphere and are interesting to explore.”
    • “Ryu Ga Gotoku went with a 1940's noir film aesthetic, creating a gritty and mysterious atmosphere that feels unique to this game, setting it apart from other Yakuza titles.”
    • “Experiencing the city of Kamurocho from the eyes of four different characters creates a varied atmosphere, as each character engages in different side activities and meets unique characters.”
    • “The atmosphere in this game is a cut above the rest; no other Yakuza game has this feel, this presence.”
    • “Experiencing the city of Kamurocho from the eyes of four different people helps create a similar, yet different atmosphere, as each character will have different side activities and meet different characters only available to them.”
    • “The story is dramatic and full of twists and turns, the combat is fun, and the atmosphere is gripping.”
  • replayability8 mentions

    The game offers strong replayability due to the inclusion of four distinct playable characters, each with unique combat styles and story arcs, enhancing the overall gameplay experience. While it reuses some assets from previous titles, the improved combat system, additional mini-games, and side quests provide enough variety to keep players engaged. Overall, the combination of diverse characters and enriched content makes it a more enjoyable experience than its predecessor, Yakuza 3.

    • “It's cool that four different characters are playable in this game; that's my highlight.”
    • “There are more minigames and activities, more mechanics and substories, and more playable main characters—a total of four, with different weapons options, sidequests, and fighting styles.”
    • “Better than Yakuza 3 in every way, with better combat, more playable characters, and more depth (literally) to the usual Kamurocho area.”
    • “On par with Yakuza 3, it has 3 more playable characters and only a single fully roamable location.”
    • “It reuses most of the assets like most of the Yakuza games, but it does have more playable characters so the fighting gameplay at least gets mixed up, also the chase system from 3 returns in full force sadly.”
    • “There are more minigames and activities, more mechanics and substories, and more playable main characters--a total of four, with different weapons options, sidequests, and fighting styles.”
  • stability5 mentions

    The stability of the game has been widely criticized, with users reporting numerous bugs, glitches, and stiff controls that detract from the overall experience. While some appreciate the graphics and character development, the persistent technical issues significantly impact gameplay enjoyment.

    • “That means it's still janky as hell, buggy, and extremely stiff to control.”
    • “It is horrible, irritating, terrible, no words to describe that battle, and how buggy it is.”
    • “Great game but man is this game buggy.”
  • monetization3 mentions

    The game is praised for its lack of DLC, microtransactions, and loot boxes, setting it apart from many modern titles that often rely on such monetization strategies. However, some users express frustration that anti-gambling laws, which aim to curb these practices, may inadvertently impact games that do not engage in such monetization tactics.

    • “First, this game, unlike a lot of modern and mobile games, doesn’t have any kind of DLC, microtransactions, or loot boxes.”
    • “The monetization model is refreshing, as it allows players to enjoy the game without being bombarded by constant purchase prompts.”
    • “I appreciate that the game offers a complete experience without the need to spend extra money on additional content.”
    • “But, if it’s truly because of anti-gambling laws that emerged (thankfully, don’t get me wrong) because of all the lootboxes and microtransactions that are plaguing the modern video game industry, then it’s even more frustrating that this game, which has absolutely none of that, gets affected because of that issue. Yes, I really despise lootboxes and microtransactions, and now even more.”
    • “Trust me on this one, even if I sound like a paid advertisement.”
    • “First, this game, unlike a lot of modern and mobile games, doesn’t have any kind of DLC, microtransactions, or lootboxes.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

76% average critic score

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Play time

64hMedian play time
62hAverage play time
9-137hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 7 analyzed playthroughs

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