Yakuza Kiwami

Yakuza Kiwami does a whole lot right, while only making a few errors. Other than the control scheme being a bit dated, Yakuza Kiwami comes together as a solid remake of the original title.

87%Game Brain Score

story, gameplay

grinding, stability

95% User Score Based on 9,058 reviews

Critic Score 80%Based on 48 reviews

Platforms

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About

Yakuza Kiwami is a single player and multiplayer role playing game. It was developed by Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio and was released on April 22, 2020. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

"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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95%

Audience ScoreBased on 9,058 reviews

story1.3k positive mentions

grinding179 negative mentions

story
3,552 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
60%
5%
The story in "Yakuza Kiwami" is generally regarded as engaging but not as strong as its predecessor, "Yakuza 0." While it retains the core narrative of the original game, it introduces new elements and character backstories, particularly for Nishiki, which enhance the emotional depth. However, many players feel that the pacing is uneven, with some plot points feeling rushed or underdeveloped, and the overall experience can be marred by repetitive side quests and frustrating combat mechanics.
- “The story, setting, and music are all immersive with a beautiful world and engaging characters.”
- “The story is rich, vibrant characters, and immersive setting in early 2000s Japan make it an absolute gem in the gaming world.”
- “The story is one of the best in the series, and I would love to play it over and over if I could.”
- “Shallow storytelling; you barely get to spend time with some of the characters. Luckily, Yakuza 0 helps to mitigate this, but most of the new characters end up being pretty forgettable. The way the game introduces new characters is often pretty rushed, and they don’t leave a strong immediate impression on the player, making it take longer to accept them as an important part of the story.”
- “The story is complete junk; it starts off really strong, but 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.”
- “The main story feels padded, hollow, and not very engaging compared to Yakuza 0. The pacing is rough, and the story goes off on tangents occasionally instead of staying focused on its primary antagonists.”
gameplay
854 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
62%
6%
The gameplay in "Yakuza Kiwami" is largely a continuation of the mechanics established in "Yakuza 0," featuring similar combat styles and a familiar open-world structure. While the introduction of the "Majima Everywhere" mechanic adds a unique twist, it can become repetitive and frustrating over time. Overall, players appreciate the engaging combat and side activities, but many feel that the gameplay lacks significant innovation compared to its predecessor, with some mechanics, like boss health regeneration, receiving criticism for detracting from the experience.
- “This game has so much charm, a tight (and in my opinion, refined) gameplay that follows up on everything you can learn from Yakuza 0.”
- “The revamped mechanics retain the series' signature blend of hand-to-hand combat and spectacular special moves, delivering gratifyingly impactful blows and bone-crunching finishers.”
- “Gameplay-wise, this is pretty much a DLC of Yakuza 0 with an annoying gimmick and some padding. It follows the original game story very faithfully, which is disappointing. Nishiki’s backstory sequences are a glimpse of what modern RGG Studios could have done to improve the story.”
- “The gameplay is incredibly inconsistent.”
- “The boss regenerating mechanic is just completely pointless and prolongs the fights for no reason.”
humor
322 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
1%
The humor in "Yakuza Kiwami" is a standout feature, characterized by the hilarious "Majima Everywhere" mechanic, which introduces unexpected and comical encounters with the character Goro Majima throughout the game. Players appreciate the blend of absurdity and heart in the side quests, which often range from bizarre to genuinely funny, although some feel that the humor doesn't quite reach the heights of its predecessor, "Yakuza 0." Overall, the game successfully balances serious storytelling with lighthearted moments, making it an entertaining experience for fans of quirky Japanese humor.
- “Bought this because it was the silly Yakuza game with the funny minigames, and now I'm crying at the ending of an extremely compelling story with many unexpected yet exciting twists along the way.”
- “The side quests, often filled with humor and heart, offer additional layers of storytelling and character development.”
- “The game is funny as hell with the numerous Goro Majima encounters.”
- “Garbage game; Majima everywhere is not funny.”
- “Not funny, didn't laugh.”
graphics
278 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
69%
3%
The graphics in "Yakuza Kiwami" have received mixed reviews, with many praising the significant visual upgrades from the original PS2 version, bringing Kamurocho to life with stunning detail. However, some players noted that the graphics feel dated compared to newer titles in the series, like "Yakuza 0," and criticized the reuse of assets and a lack of innovation in visual design. Overall, while the graphics are generally considered good and enhance the game's atmosphere, they do not reach the heights of more recent entries in the franchise.
- “Yakuza Kiwami excels in its presentation, with updated graphics that bring Kamurocho to life in stunning detail.”
- “The game's visual overhaul not only enhances the aesthetic appeal but also adds to the authenticity of the world, making every corner of Kamurocho feel alive and dynamic.”
- “The graphics are beautiful and the story and characters are so good!”
- “But in 2024, this game is showing its age, both in terms of story complexity, quality of life, and graphics, of course.”
- “The graphics are worse too, even though Yakuza 0 came out before this remake.”
- “The graphics and aesthetics are the same as in Yakuza 0, and there are no notable differences in graphical features.”
music
253 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
50%
7%
The music in "Yakuza Kiwami" has received mixed reviews, with many praising its energetic and engaging soundtrack, while others feel it falls short compared to "Yakuza 0." Some players appreciate the remixed tracks and catchy themes, particularly during combat, but criticize the lack of variety and memorable pieces, especially in karaoke. Overall, while the music is generally considered good, it is often viewed as a downgrade from its predecessor, leading to recommendations for mods to restore the original soundtrack.
- “The story, setting, and music are all immersive with a beautiful world and engaging characters.”
- “The music is definitely still as good as the original, maybe even better.”
- “The soundtrack is killer and is probably going to find itself in your music folder at some point.”
- “The music remixes are horrible.”
- “The soundtrack is terrible in the remake but there is a mod that changes the soundtrack into the PS2 soundtrack.”
- “The music is repetitive and kinda bad.”
grinding
199 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
8%
90%
The grinding aspect in "Yakuza Kiwami" is frequently criticized for being excessively tedious and repetitive, particularly due to the "Majima Everywhere" mechanic and the lengthy boss fights that often feel more frustrating than challenging. While some players appreciate the opportunity to engage with side content and level up their skills, many find the grind necessary to fully upgrade abilities to be a slog that detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game. Overall, while the game offers fun moments, the grinding can become a significant barrier to enjoyment for those who prefer a more streamlined experience.
- “At least it's not tedious or boring and somewhat interesting.”
- “A bit grindy sometimes.”
- “A bit grindy.”
- “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 grinding in this game is obscene for how little you get in return.”
emotional
184 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
98%
2%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by numerous players who report experiencing profound feelings, often leading to tears during key moments, particularly in the final chapters. Many reviewers emphasize the rich storytelling and character development, noting that playing the prequel, Yakuza 0, enhances the emotional weight of the narrative in Kiwami. While some feel that Kiwami lacks the same depth as its predecessor, it still delivers a compelling and heartfelt journey filled with both heartwarming and heartbreaking moments.
- “The narrative is rich and emotional, with well-developed characters that leave a lasting impression.”
- “A beautiful remake of the first ever game in the Yakuza series that holds a special place in my heart and is one of the few games I can say made me cry during my playthrough.”
- “The emotional depth and character development here are top-notch.”
- “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.”
- “Edit: I have now finished the game, and holy crap, the ending is rather emotional.”
optimization
59 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
29%
15%
Overall, the optimization of the game has received mixed feedback from users. While many players report smooth performance with high frame rates and minimal crashes, some have experienced stuttering and issues related to screen resolution and auto-saving. Despite these inconsistencies, the game is generally considered well-optimized, especially compared to its predecessor, Yakuza 0, with improvements noted in graphics and performance across various hardware setups.
- “The game runs smoothly and looks as good as Yakuza 0.”
- “Game looks great and is very well optimized.”
- “Excellent optimization.”
- “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
42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
40%
10%
The atmosphere in the game is a mixed bag, with some players appreciating the vibrant, immersive setting of Kamurocho, characterized by its bustling streets and neon lights, while others feel it lacks the emotional depth and gritty tone of the original. Many reviews highlight the city's authenticity and the engaging mini-quests that enhance the atmosphere, but some criticize the remake for a diminished ambiance and pacing issues compared to its predecessor. Overall, while the game retains a unique atmosphere, it is perceived as less impactful than earlier entries in the series.
- “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.”
- “The overall atmosphere of the game is gritty and authentic, and I really enjoyed exploring the city and learning more about the characters and their stories.”
- “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.”
- “The new engine is ruining the atmosphere and detail of some cutscenes from the old, original game.”
character development
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
56%
8%
Character development in the game is generally praised for its emotional depth and engaging storytelling, particularly through side quests that add layers to the characters. While many players appreciate the progression of main characters like Kiryu and the enhancements made from Yakuza 0, some feel that certain antagonists lack sufficient development, leading to a less impactful narrative. Overall, the game is seen as a solid continuation of character arcs, though it may not reach the heights of its predecessor.
- “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.”
- “One of the better Yakuza titles, ultimately carried by its story and character development with a great soundtrack and some incredible moments.”
- “There is no character development, such a letdown comparing it to Yakuza 0.”
- “Some important big shot characters in Yakuza 0 are thrown away in the beginning for the sake of driving the plot of Kiwami, which kinda felt cheap as there was no time invested for their character development.”
- “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'.”
stability
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while many players report smooth performance on various platforms, including the Steam Deck and high-resolution monitors, there are notable glitches and bugs that can disrupt gameplay, such as cutscene freezes and softlocks. Some users have found workarounds, like adjusting performance settings, but others still experience frustrating issues that detract from the experience. Despite these problems, many appreciate the game's graphics and overall performance when functioning correctly.
- “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.”
- “And also the trainer just glitches and refuses to teach me, just always says 'I'm still preparing, come back later.' I don't know, maybe I need to do something, but I think it's a bug.”
- “It's 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 soft-locking the game. The same thing happens randomly when a cutscene ends. If the glitches were fixed, I would feel a bit better about the game.”
- “- The game freezes up when you alt-tab; I saw no option to enable it running in the background.”
replayability
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
28%
29%
Overall, the game offers significant replayability due to its extensive content and engaging gameplay, particularly in combat scenarios. However, some players feel that the lack of unique upgrades or gimmicks limits replay value beyond specific modes like mods and boss rushes.
- “There is just so much to do in this game that it makes 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.”
- “Infinitely replayable (or almost).”
- “'Fun' upgrades or gimmicks to make the different styles unique for replayability are completely missing.”
- “Replayability:”
monetization
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
15%
71%
The monetization aspect of the game is generally viewed positively, as there are no microtransactions or significant DLCs that impact gameplay. However, some players feel that the game relies on excessive substories and pop-up-like encounters, which can detract from the overall experience and give a sense of being a cash grab compared to its predecessor. The use of in-game advertisements and environmental objects adds to the immersive experience, but the forced nature of some interactions has drawn criticism.
- “No big game-changing microtransactions or DLC.”
- “Playing this game directly after 0 makes me a little disappointed because it felt like a lazy attempt and a cash grab.”
- “Fire whoever worked on the substories; being forced into them just by walking down the street and getting my time wasted feels like pop-up ads.”
- “There are no microtransactions in the world of the Yakuza.”