Yakuza Kiwami is a 2016 enhanced remake of the original Yakuza title, utilising the engine, graphics and combat engine from Yakuza 0.
Plot[]
See Yakuza (game)#Plot for details
The main plot of the game remains unchanged from the original title, but with some small tweaks and changes to better fit with the series progression:
- Main antagonist Akira Nishikiyama features in flashback scenes at the start of each chapter better fleshing out his character arc whilst Kiryu was in prison.
- The gift Kiryu gives Yumi at the beginning now has a quest attached to it.
- Goro Majima has been altered slightly, fitting his personality from the later Yakuza titles better.
- The English dub has been removed, and now utilizes only the Japanese voice actors and subtitles.
- Several substories have been added featuring characters from Yakuza 0, such as Pocket Fighter,
Gameplay[]
The gameplay from Yakuza 0 returns with Kiryu being able to access his Brawler, Rush and Beast fighting styles, although rather than money on individual skill trees, all skills are levelled up via the Body, Soul and Tech skill trees, that relate to health, heat and abilities.
Additionally Kiryu's Dragon fighting style has it's own skill tree, which is levelled up via the new Majima Everywhere system. Majima's former Thug Style trainer, Sotaro Komaki, returns to teach Kiryu some powerful moves on the Dragon style tree such as the Tiger Drop in exchange for paintings that can be won at West Park's Coliseum.
During boss fights the enemy is now able to heal, but this can be countered with the brand new Kiwami move, by matching the aura of the enemy to Kiryu's battle style (red; Dragon, blue; Brawler, yellow; Beast, pink; Rush) that will interrupt their healing and take a sizable chunk of health off.
Majima Everywhere[]
Throughout the game Majima will appear around Kamurocho and challenge Kiryu to fight him in order to help Kiryu return to his former strength. Some of this skill tree will unlock through regular encounters with Majima, but others will need to activate special events, usually given to you via a hint via a text message from Majima's subordinate Nishida.
Minigames[]
A few minigames have been added into this version of the story.
- Pocket Circuit returns from Yakuza 0 and has it's own substories based around it, including three races with Majima as part of the Majima Everywhere system.
- A Mushiking parody known as Mesuking: Battle Bug Beauties is playable at Club Sega. It utilizes the catfight girls from Yakuza 0 dressed as insects. It has it's own set of substories, including a battle with Majima as part of the Majima Everywhere system.
- UFO Catcher (Club Sega)
- Print Club (Club Sega)
- Karaoke
- Mahjong
- Shogi
- Darts (Majima Everywhere)
- Pool (Majima Everywhere)
- Bowling (Majima Everywhere)
- Batting Cages
- Poker
- Baccarat
- Blackjack
- Roulette
- Coliseum Battles
Additionally Kiryu can attend two hostess clubs to get to know hostesses Yui Hatano (Club Jewel) and Rina Rukawa (Club Shine). Kiryu can increase his affection with these girls, although Yui is not interested in flirting and dating, and Rina only has eyes for cute women.
Trivia[]
- Majima utilizes his four fighting styles from Yakuza 0 in his various disguises;
- Thug: Regular Majima, Zombie Majima, Goromi
- Slugger: Regular Majima, Officer Majima
- Breaker: Regular Majima, Everyone's Idol Majima, Bartender Majima
- Mad Dog: Regular Majima, Taxi Driver Majima, Hannya-Man
- The UFO Catcher has dolls of AiAi, MeeMee, Baby and GonGon of Super Monkey Ball fame. Coincidentally both series were developed by Toshihiro Nagoshi.
- This is the last game in the series before the development of the Dragon Engine. Yakuza Kiwami, Yakuza 0 and Ryu Ga Gotoku Ishin! all shared the same engine.
Gallery[]
