Yakuza Kiwami

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"Yakuza Kiwami" is a single-player Role Playing Game with a captivating plot. Originally released in 2005, this game has been completely rebuilt for current gen consoles with enhanced visuals in 1080p/60fps and all-new voiceovers in Japanese. Players assume the role of Kazuma Kiryu, the Dragon of Dojima, fighting through the ranks of the Yakuza while protecting a young girl, in a re-envisioned version of the classic "Yakuza" game.

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Play Modes

Reviews

95%

Audience ScoreBased on 12,909 reviews

story1,939 positive mentions

grinding270 negative mentions

story
5,366 mentions
36 % positive mentions
59 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The story of "Yakuza Kiwami" continues the emotional and dramatic narrative established in "Yakuza 0," focusing on Kazuma Kiryu's journey as he navigates the complexities of loyalty, betrayal, and redemption within the Yakuza world. While the main plot is engaging and features significant character development, many players feel it lacks the depth and impact of its predecessor, often citing pacing issues and a reliance on familiar tropes. The addition of the "Majima Everywhere" system adds humor and variety, but can also detract from the seriousness of the main storyline, making it a mixed experience for those who played "Yakuza 0" first. Overall, the game is praised for its storytelling, character arcs, and emotional weight, making it a worthwhile continuation for fans of the series.
- “The story is as robust as it gets and you never run out of things to do.”
- “The cutscenes are also top-notch, with cinematic presentation that really draws you into the story.”
- “The story of Kiryu is filled with beauty, joy, sorrow, and action.”
- “The story was a bit different though, I didn't really enjoy the main story mainly due to how they barely gave any development to one of the antagonists, the game essentially just plopped out a second antagonist out of nowhere and just told me 'look, this guy is the guy who has been pulling the strings all along, beat the crap out of him'.”
- “The story is a huge step back from yakuza 0. Beloved characters from 0 are a shell of their former selves, lots of main characters added that you're never given a reason to care about, forced interactions, boss enemies introduced then removed from the story completely 5 minutes later and a really lackluster ending.”
- “The story is complete junk, starts off really strong and as the story goes along you can almost feel how the writers were forced to comply with the cheap PS2 action game level abomination of the story, you can see glimpses of solid writing which makes it even more painful how the story is this bad.”
gameplay
1,347 mentions
31 % positive mentions
61 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The gameplay in *Yakuza Kiwami* is largely a continuation of the mechanics established in *Yakuza 0*, featuring similar combat styles and a mix of brawling and exploration. While the introduction of the "Majima Everywhere" mechanic adds a humorous and unpredictable element, it can become repetitive and detracts from the overall experience for some players. Overall, the gameplay is enjoyable but is often criticized for its clunky mechanics, frustrating boss fights, and a lack of significant innovation compared to its predecessor.
- “The gameplay is varied and fun, from intense battles to entertaining side activities spread across the map.”
- “The gameplay is also amazing, with a ton of quality-of-life improvements and refined mechanics from Yakuza 0, making combat feel very smooth.”
- “The game retains the four fighting styles—brawler, rush, beast, and dragon—with each offering distinct gameplay mechanics.”
- “Most importantly, gameplay-wise, that game has significantly less to offer.”
- “The gameplay is incredibly inconsistent.”
- “The boss regenerating mechanic is just completely pointless and prolongs the fights for no reason.”
humor
518 mentions
99 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The humor in "Yakuza Kiwami" is a standout feature, blending absurdity with heartfelt moments, primarily through the "Majima Everywhere" system, where the eccentric character Goro Majima ambushes the protagonist in various hilarious scenarios. Players appreciate the quirky side quests and interactions that range from laugh-out-loud funny to deeply emotional, creating a unique balance between comedy and drama. While some feel the humor isn't as strong as in "Yakuza 0," the game still delivers memorable comedic moments that enhance the overall experience.
- “A fantastic game with a fascinating sense of humor.”
- “This mechanic adds humor and unpredictability, as Majima constantly appears in bizarre disguises—whether as a stripper, a bartender, a zombie, or even hiding under a manhole—just to fight Kiryu.”
- “The game is funny as hell with the numerous Goro Majima encounters.”
- “Garbage game; Majima everywhere is not funny.”
- “It's not funny.”
- “Not funny, didn't laugh.”
graphics
443 mentions
32 % positive mentions
65 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The graphics in *Yakuza Kiwami* have received significant praise for their vibrant and detailed representation of Kamurocho, closely mirroring the quality seen in *Yakuza 0*. While many reviewers note that the visuals are a marked improvement over the original PS2 release, some express that they feel less dynamic compared to *Yakuza 0*, with a few mentioning that certain aspects appear dated. Overall, the game successfully revitalizes the classic with enhanced graphics, making it visually appealing for both new players and returning fans.
- “With its neon signs, congested streets, and secret alleys, the city seems more alive than ever thanks to the upgraded visuals.”
- “Yakuza Kiwami excels in its presentation, with updated graphics that bring Kamurocho to life in stunning detail.”
- “The enhanced visuals and improved mechanics make Kamurocho feel more vibrant and alive, with the same attention to detail that made Yakuza 0 so captivating.”
- “The graphics are worse too even though Yakuza 0 came out before this remake.”
- “The graphics still feel a bit dated for something that was released in 2019 (playing on ultra).”
- “There are way more graphical settings this time around even with super sampling.”
music
373 mentions
42 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The music in "Yakuza Kiwami" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting that while the soundtrack is generally good, it does not reach the heights of "Yakuza 0." Critics highlight the remixed tracks as less memorable and impactful, particularly in comparison to the original game's score, and express disappointment over the reduced variety in karaoke songs and combat music. However, some players still appreciate the overall sound design and the nostalgic elements that enhance the game's atmosphere.
- “The soundtrack perfectly captures the atmosphere of each scene, from tense confrontations to emotional moments.”
- “The music and sound design strike a balance between nostalgic and modern.”
- “The soundtrack mixes rock, jazz, and traditional Japanese melodies, heightening tension in boss fights and emotional scenes.”
- “The music and OST of this game is mostly forgettable compared to Yakuza 0.”
- “The karaoke songs are the same, but changed a little to fit some of the events in the story.”
- “The soundtrack is a bit of a downgrade though.”
grinding
298 mentions
1 % positive mentions
8 % neutral mentions
91 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect in "Yakuza Kiwami" has received mixed feedback from players, with many finding it tedious and repetitive, particularly due to the "Majima Everywhere" system and the lengthy boss fights that often feel drawn out. While some players appreciate the grind as a means to unlock powerful abilities and enjoy the character interactions, others criticize it for making the gameplay feel unnecessarily prolonged and frustrating, especially when aiming for 100% completion. Overall, the grind is seen as a significant part of the experience, but it can detract from the enjoyment for those who prefer a more streamlined progression.
- “At least it's not tedious or boring and somewhat interesting.”
- “Maybe I am just not grinding enough (even though I did a lot of side quests) but it seems I am not alone since the thing you will find repeatedly on Steam forums, Reddit, etc. seems to be the horrid quality of bosses.”
- “Additionally, the Majima Everywhere system, in my opinion, is fun, not too grindy, and was a ton of fun to fight someone you played as before.”
- “The game gatekeeps the coolest fighting style with endless grinding and walking.”
- “You get to a point when it is not even fun to do the same thing 50 or 100 times; it is just tedious.”
- “The boss fights in this game were not very fun, minus a couple, and in order to master the dragon style, it requires more grinding than it would take to finish the story without it.”
emotional
273 mentions
99 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "Yakuza Kiwami" is highlighted by its gripping narrative that intertwines intense crime drama with profound emotional depth, often leading players to tears. Many reviewers emphasize the importance of playing "Yakuza 0" first to fully appreciate the emotional weight of character relationships and story arcs, particularly the bond between Kiryu and Haruka. While "Kiwami" offers touching moments and character development, some feel it lacks the same emotional impact and depth as its predecessor, making it a compelling yet slightly less impactful experience.
- “The Yakuza series is more than just a game, it's an emotional journey that has changed my life.”
- “The emotional core of the story, Kiryu’s bond with a young girl named Haruka, grounds the otherwise gritty tale in heart and purpose.”
- “What an emotionally gripping story!”
- “Yakuza 0 but with a boring story, uninteresting characters, and less content.”
- “This entire process to beat a boss takes up at least ten to fifteen minutes of your time just to progress in a boring story.”
- “I'd recommend skipping this one because the frustrating boss fights and boring story and characters are not worth it.”
optimization
96 mentions
54 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
13 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players noting that it runs well on lower-end hardware and offers smooth performance at high settings. However, some users experienced occasional stuttering, crashes, and issues related to high-performance CPUs, indicating that while the optimization is generally good, there are still areas for improvement. Many players appreciated the enhancements over previous entries, particularly in terms of graphics and frame rates, but some reported specific bugs and performance inconsistencies.
- “It's also a very well optimized game to run on potato-tier hardware, somewhat of a staple for Japanese video games it appears.”
- “The game runs smoothly and looks as good as Yakuza 0.”
- “Excellent optimization and autosave.”
- “On top of that, the game is very poorly optimized.”
- “Still old and poorly optimized.”
- “The game should be optimized for PC... sometimes I got a black screen when playing CG.”
atmosphere
63 mentions
48 % positive mentions
44 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in the game is widely praised for its immersive and vibrant setting, characterized by a bustling cityscape, a powerful soundtrack, and strong voice acting that enhances emotional moments. While some reviews note a decline in atmospheric depth compared to the original game, many players appreciate the unique blend of serious themes and quirky side stories that contribute to a rich, lived-in world. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered a standout feature, effectively capturing the essence of its environment and narrative.
- “The soundtrack is fantastic and is complemented by an enormous array of ambient and animation sounds that improve the atmosphere and immersion immensely.”
- “The bustling streets, neon-lit signs, and atmospheric alleys create a vivid and immersive setting.”
- “Kamurocho has a very good atmosphere, and I often found myself walking around the city just enjoying the vibe.”
- “If anything is a downgrade, it is possibly the cutscenes and atmosphere as opposed to the original game.”
- “While Kiwami has its qualities as an accessible remake to get new players caught up on the story, it falls flat in the face of the original due to its poor pacing and drier atmosphere.”
- “Coming back to this after playing the rest of the series, the change from the glitzy 80s Kamurocho to the modern version is still a letdown; by and large it's drab, dark, stark, and lacking in atmosphere by comparison.”
character development
55 mentions
38 % positive mentions
56 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is generally praised, with many reviewers noting that it builds effectively on the foundation laid in Yakuza 0, particularly for characters like Nishiki. However, some feel that certain characters, such as Haruka, lack depth and that the game leaves several story elements underdeveloped. Overall, while the character development is strong and emotionally resonant, it does not quite reach the heights of its predecessor.
- “The character development is top-notch, with each member of the cast leaving a lasting impression.”
- “The emotional depth and character development here are top-notch.”
- “The side quests, often filled with humor and heart, offer additional layers of storytelling and character development.”
- “While it does improve character development, it still leaves several questions unanswered, and some story elements remain underdeveloped.”
- “Misses some character development sadly which could have been added in this remake, but for some reason they didn't.”
- “There is no character development, such a letdown comparing it to Yakuza 0.”
stability
26 mentions
19 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
81 % negative mentions
The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting frequent bugs and crashes, particularly during transitions between fullscreen and windowed modes, as well as issues with controller inputs. While some users noted that it runs well on specific hardware like the Steam Deck and high-resolution monitors, others experienced frustrating glitches that hindered gameplay, such as soft locks and audio issues. Overall, while the game has potential, it is marred by significant stability problems that detract from the experience.
- “Runs great on Steam Deck.”
- “It also runs great on my UWQHD 3440x1440 monitor.”
- “This is a remake of a PS2 game, and in some ways it's showing its age, but overall it looks great, runs great, and is fun in a way that not a lot of games in this niche are.”
- “Further damaging the case for this thing is the fact that it's honestly pretty buggy and crashy; it can take as little as hitting the start menu button on the keyboard to make it fall over and die suddenly.”
- “The game is still buggy as hell (both mechanics and settings), so go watch a YouTube playthrough or something instead of playing.”
- “Its a good game, very story driven; however, there are many glitches that make the game unplayable and are so confusing to understand. I'll press the Windows key by accident and end up softlocking the game, and the same thing happens randomly when a cutscene ends.”
monetization
10 mentions
20 % positive mentions
20 % neutral mentions
60 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players feeling it resembles a cash grab due to a lack of substantial content and forced interactions that feel like pop-up ads. However, many appreciate the absence of microtransactions and loot boxes, highlighting the game's affordability and genuine design as a positive contrast to current trends in gaming monetization. Overall, while some find the approach disappointing, others value the game's commitment to a more respectful and straightforward pricing model.
- “There are no microtransactions in the world of the Yakuza.”
- “Dirt cheap on PC release compared to prices nowadays (2019), a game with heart but without loot boxes or microtransactions.”
- “They could have added in some more to flesh it out, which makes this feel more like a cash grab rerelease rather than an actual labor of love for the fans.”
- “We got to the point where a game is pretty much a 10 out of 10 when it respects you and it doesn't shove microtransactions or 'time savers' down your throat.”
- “Playing this game directly after 0 makes me a little disappointed because it felt like a lazy attempt and a cash grab.”
replayability
9 mentions
33 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
33 % negative mentions
The game offers significant replayability due to its abundance of content and achievements, making it enjoyable for players who seek to explore everything it has to offer. While many find the gameplay fun and engaging, some note that replay value is primarily enhanced through mods and specific challenges, as the lack of diverse character upgrades limits variety in playthroughs. Overall, it is considered highly replayable, especially for those who appreciate its combat mechanics.
- “There is just so much to do in this game that it makes the replay value worth it.”
- “The game is a lot of fun to play and has great replay value. I love fighting Majima and just kicking butt in general.”
- “Replayability: 'fun' upgrades or gimmicks to make the different styles unique for replayability are completely missing.”
- “There is just so much to do in this game that it makes replay value worth it.”
- “This game is replayable in my opinion; you can definitely aim to get all the achievements if you really put your all into it.”