Yakuza Kiwami Review

Yakuza:

Only half a year has passed since we got the fantastic Yakuza 0, the West’s debut PS4 Yakuza game, which should have given you just enough time to polish off that mammoth title in time to play Kiwami, a remake of the original Yakuza game. Whether you’re a new fan thanks to 0 or a returning vet who played the original back in 2006, “Yakuza Kiwami” is well worth your time and money.

Story:

Kiwami takes place as Kazuma Kiryu, series mainstay and all around badass, gets out of a ten year stint in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. Upon finding a Kamurocho he doesn’t have a place in anymore peopled with Yakuza clans and old friends he no longer recognizes, Kiryu has a lot of catching up to do.

Nishikiyama, Kiryu’s Yakuza brother and the guy I spent hours singing Karaoke with back in January, is a changed man. His relationship with Kiryu makes up the backbone of the relatively short storyline in Kiwami (relative to the monster plot of 0), and it’s interesting and a little heartbreaking to see it develop.

If you loved looking after a defenceless girl who plays a vital role at the heart of the conflict in 0, you’ll be pleased to know there’s another defenceless girl who plays a vital role at the heart of the conflict in Kiwami. Indeed, It doesn’t always feel fresh, but Kiwami furthers the ongoing plot of the now epic saga (with 7 mainline games) and allows us to spend time in a cool place with cool characters, and that’s often enough.

Gameplay:

Kiwami is a pretty thorough remake of the PS2 original, updating the load times, graphics, voice work and general flow of the game to contemporary PS4 standards. This is all great, and alone would warrant dropping the modest 30 euro asking price to see it all again (or for the first time) with a new coat of paint. SEGA haven’t stopped there though, and have fleshed Kiwami out to be more than just an update.

Adding in new fighting styles for Kiryu is a great change to keep things interesting in Kiwami’s endless brawls. The PS2 original began to feel a little repetitive, but Kiwami’s suite of new stances and upgrades means that punching your way through the game’s fights is always fun. Boss fights are still a little spongey at times – a series bugbear – but nevertheless it’s a much more engaging experience here.