​Yakuza Kiwami 2 Review

By Kevin Mitchell  |  Posted: August 28, 2018

Continuing its path of steady releases, Sega has once again exceeded all expectations by remaking one of the most beloved sequels in gaming history. Kazuma Kiryu, our beloved protagonist, has finally put his violent ways behind him—or so he thought—as he finds himself once again at the center of conflict with dire ramifications. When the Tojo Clan's Fifth Chairman is murdered by the Omi Alliance, a rival yakuza organization based in Osaka, Kiryu must defend his home and prevent a war from engulfing his beloved Kamurocho.

Yakuza Kiwami 2 has been completely recreated using the powerful Dragon Engine, the same engine used in the fantastic Yakuza 6: The Song of Life. Along with the visual overhaul, the developers have re-recorded all dialogue in cutscenes and pivotal moments in the narrative. The combat system has been overhauled from the original release, using the same seamless transitions found in Yakuza 6. However, some saw the new combat mechanics as slightly lacking, missing the oomph that made the series so famous, especially with the absence of combat stances. While the sheer number of thugs and gang members on-screen at once is impressive, I missed the variety of heat-centric moves from previous entries in the series. Sega has brought back some of the original mechanics, helping to provide a more well-rounded and smoother experience.

For starters, Kiryu can once again charge up his attacks, unleashing more powerful and flashier punches and kicks than ever before. Not only that, but equipable weapons have finally made their return—something that I severely missed from The Song of Life. Even if you don't use them often, there's no denying they come in handy when things get ugly—and believe me, they will. There's also a new slew of heat-based maneuvers, especially flashy finishers that genuinely highlight the intensity and power behind all of Kiryu's attacks. All of these additions come in handy as you do battle against a new rival, Ryuji Goda, also known as the "Dragon of Kansai." If you played the prequel title, Yakuza 0, his name would be instantly familiar as a towering teenager. In Kiwami 2, we experience some of the best antagonist character development the series has seen, offering an almost sympathetic view into his life. It's indeed a much different approach compared to the villains that Kiryu has faced previously.

Historically, there has always been abundant content and activities in the Yakuza series outside of the main narrative. Kiwami 2 is no different, especially since playing through with Kiryu unlocks chapters in a new story centered around everyone's favorite "Mad Dog of Shimano," Goro Majima. While it's not a lengthy adventure, only lasting a handful of hours, I enjoyed taking on the role of my favorite recurring character in the series (I was disappointed when he only had a brief cameo in Yakuza 6). It's a neat side-story to the game and is treated as such, as you can't unlock new heat maneuvers, skills, or earn any XP or progression. Using his trusty blade, his fighting prowess is undoubtedly mesmerizing; however, his move set is entirely too limiting, and performing the same maneuvers throughout can feel stale.

The strategy-focused Clan Creator mini-game from Yakuza 6 makes its return; however, it is now a defensive-oriented affair, similar to a tower defense title. You have the freedom to select and place your units in the most strategically sound positions, which is far better than it was in The Song of Life. Unlike last time, where you battled against a group led by current NJPW wrestlers, this time you're pitted against Japanese wrestling legends such as The Great Muta, Tatsumi Fujinami, and Genichiro Tenryu. The fan-favorite Cabaret Club management mini-game from Yakuza 0 has returned, letting Kiryu manage his own club and make decisions to generate a higher revenue stream. The rest of the side quests, or substories, have been mostly unchanged, though a few have been removed or changed from the original release. You'll want to finish the substories in Yakuza Kiwami 2, as some of the more brutal animations are tied to your friends assisting you in combat. I won't spoil any of the interactions, as they are quite thrilling and entertaining to see in action.

Simply Put

Once again, Sega has reinvented the Yakuza series by overhauling every aspect of a beloved title and simply making it that much better. The Dragon Engine is truly impressive, not only visually but also boasting animations that surpass Yakuza 6. Adding weapon loadouts and sweet new heat maneuvers certainly provides much more flexibility and creativity to the combat. Yakuza Kiwami 2 is without a doubt the definitive Yakuza experience.