Yakuza Kiwami

‎I have played the original. ‎The one who started it all;. ‎It was exclusively for Sony's PS2 back then on December 8th 2005 in a game stall, the very first time I saw it at the mall. ‎It became one of my favorite instant classics, greatest of all time among many retro titles. Comes with a top-notch graphics, and swiftly became a best-selling hits like a merciless tidals. ‎Right since the very first time playing it totally got me, with all of its silly yet meanie gritty vibe me likey! ‎X3 ‎ ‎Okay, cool down with the rap. ‎So frickin' difficult to make a full review that rhymes all the time. ‎My brain cells has its limits and occasionally need to chillax or it will be overheating. ‎:3 ‎ ‎Enough rambling, back to the review, with a splash of rant and a spoonful of positive criticism, let's go fellow gamers! ‎(੭˃ᴗ˂)੭ ‎ ‎First off! ‎It will be totally fair, if RGG Studio and SEGA released Kiwami series alongside their faithful remasters, keeping all of the original contents that was lost / removed in the Kiwami versions. ‎Be better, SEGA. ‎Exactly just like CAPCOM's did with their Biohazard/ Resident Evil OG Trilogy (1996 - 1999), which last month on April 1st 2026 finally released on our beloved Steam. ‎So please, SEGA? ‎(つ╥﹏╥)つ ‎ ‎Want to enjoy the continuation of the entire plot as a whole? ‎Avoid Yakuza: Kiwami 3 and Yakuza 0 Director's Cut (DC). ‎Those two are more like alternate universe and will heavily alter the entire storyline. ‎Stick to the prequel plot from 0 (original version, not DC) up to 6 only for Kazuma Kiryu's arc, then follow it up to the Like a Dragon series and Judgement series. ‎In chronological order. ‎ ‎And I just want to say: ‎What a ♥♥♥♥ move for delisting most of your original games, SEGA. As well as some from RGG series. ‎The series used to be available to buy individually from 0 to 6, but now you’ve forced it into an incomplete bundle? ‎Seriously?! ‎I was lucky enough to get them one by one every payday a very long time ago, but forcing people to pay for the whole series at once is ridiculous. Not everyone can afford that upfront cost. Please bring back the individual purchase options. ‎Or make it so the buyer will be able to choose whether they want to buy a single game or the set. ‎(¬､¬) ‎ ‎Let me rant further by saying this: ‎ ‎セガ様へ ‎ ‎正直なところ、『龍が如く』シリーズ（0〜6）の単品販売を終了し、セット販売のみに切り替えられたことは非常に残念です。 ‎ ‎お金は決して安いものではありません。私のように給料日に一作ずつ買い揃えてきたファンにとって、高額なバンドル販売は大きな負担です。裕福ではなくても、このシリーズを心から愛しているファンはたくさんいます。 ‎ ‎どうか、再び単品でも購入できるように検討していただけないでしょうか？単品でも、セットでも、買い手側が選べるようにしてほしいのです。 ‎ ‎今の販売方法は、あまりにも不親切だと思います。 ‎ ‎ゲーマーの声を聞いてもらうには、やっぱり「ばかみたい」を熱唱しなきゃダメ？ ‎ ‎(╥‸╥) ‎ ‎...alrighty then, back on track. ‎ ‎The original title, Ryū ga Gotoku (龍が如く / りゅうがごと, literally "Like a Dragon"), was changed to Yakuza for its Western debut in 2006 primarily for marketing reasons. ‎At that time, SEGA felt the literal translation, Like a Dragon, sounded more like a fantasy title and wouldn't resonate as well with Westerners looking for a gritty crime drama. ‎ദ്ദി ˉ͈̀꒳ˉ͈́ )✧ ‎ ‎It is originally meant as a visceral beat 'em up at its core—distinct from the turn-based style of the newer games—blending high-octane action with Kamurocho urban exploration. It also uses RPG layers to build your legend, all delivered with a stylishly unhinged energy that only this universe can provide. ‎♡(˃͈ ˂͈ ) ‎ ‎Kamurocho is actually a fictionalized version of Kabuki-chō with the exact same details. ‎The creators at Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio meticulously modeled it to capture the district's exact vibe, layout, and seedy reputation back in the late '90s and mid-2000s. ‎By using a fictional name like Kamurocho allows the developers to adapt the map for gameplay needs—such as adding secret underground bases—and avoids potential legal or PR issues with real-world businesses and organizations. ‎(˶˃ ᵕ ˂˶) ‎ ‎Kiwami is a ground-up remake featuring modern graphics, expanded cutscenes detailing the origin of Yumi's ring, Nishikiyama’s downfall, and added four fighting styles instead of one. ‎It also introduces the chaotic "Majima Everywhere" system, new minigames like MesuKing, and re-recorded Japanese voice acting, making the original story feel significantly more polished yet darker than it was, as you explore the gritty, atmospheric Kamurocho’s underworld in a solid well-written plot paved with cold-blooded noir realism. ‎ᕙ(  •̀ ᗜ •́  )ᕗ ‎ ‎Buying the Yakuza Kiwami digital upgrade on Steam adds a new, enhanced version to your library alongside the original. You will own two separate entries: the 2025 "Current-Gen" version and the 2019 "Legacy" original. They function as distinct games, allowing you to keep and play both versions independently. ‎So keep in mind that your save data from the "Legacy" original Steam release is not compatible with the new version. You will have to start the game from the beginning if you play the updated one. ‎┐(￣ヘ￣)┌ ‎ ‎Yeah, to each our own. ‎As for me? The original PS2 Japanese versions are still the winner for both series (RGG aka Yakuza part 1 and 2)! ‎⸜(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝♡ ‎ ‎The official English dub cast for the original 2005 PlayStation 2 release of Yakuza 1 features several prominent Hollywood and prolific voice actors like Mark Hamill, Michael Madsen, Eliza Dushku, Michael Rosenbaum and many more. But to be honest, as for me, I still prefer the original Japanese dub better. ‎♡(˶>⩊<˶) ‎ ‎Some of you say I'm a purist? Nope. ‎I just don't like the way most modern games are made. ‎There’s a galore of remakes and remasters that remove, alter, or retcon things just to please the so-called-modern audiences; while ignoring long-time fans who have been there from the start feel insignificant and forgotten. ‎Gamers aren't just the youth; they’re adults, parents, and even grandparents! Plenty of seniors are still leveling up, with some even landing Guinness World Records for their gaming achievements. Proof that you never truly outgrow the fun! ‎૮(◞ ‸ ◟ )ა ‎ ‎I’ll accept newer games, but only if developers are fair and also release the original versions totally untouched, letting the originality stay intact and the game's legacy live on for all generations of gamers. ‎(˶˃𐃷˂˶) ‎ ‎Also I don't mind remakes or remasters, as long as they don't change too much from the originals. ‎(≖⩊≖) ‎ ‎By far, the best example of this is Yakuza Kiwami 1, along with its additional content and new features that make it even better. ‎It’s a truly faithful remake of the original RGG 1 for PS2. ‎'Nuff said. ‎

Yakuza Kiwami is one of the most enjoyable games I've ever played. It's got an incredible story, engaging combat, and really good entertaining side content. I was always very excited to come back to the game and see what would happen next. The main storyline is easily one of the best I've experienced in years. The emotion.. the DRAMA... and the memorable characters really made this game for me. I love how the story presents itself: it's serious but it's got its goofy and dramatic moments. As a girl myself, the main story helped me understand men better: their ambitions, motivations, and emotional struggles. It was fascinating to see a story focus on themes like loyalty, honor, pride, brotherhood, and the pressure of living up to expectations - and it all felt sincere. It gave me a new appreciation for the ways men can form bonds, process hardship, and define their sense of purpose. I might not be in the target demographic for this kind of game but for that reason it offered me a new kind of perspective which resonated with me on a deeper level. Going into the game (this is my first ever entry into the Yakuza series) I wasn't sure how much I would enjoy the brawling-focused combat since it's different from the types of games I usually play. It was hard for me at first but after watching a YouTube video breaking down how the combat works I noticed an improvement in my gameplay and it became a highlight for me in this game. I looked forward to Majima fights especially. The fighting in the game has lots of variety which makes fights stay engaging from start to finish. Please don't give up if you're also finding the combat to be too hard. I almost did but I'm very glad I didn't. Just slow it down and learn how the fighting styles and combos work. (I also strongly recommend playing with a controller. I used a PS4 controller and it worked wonderfully. The original game is older and clearly made for consoles.) In many games side content feels like filler, but the substories were just as engaging as the main campaign. They were funny, heartfelt, and completely absurd - and that adds a tremendous amount of personality to the game and made exploring the city worthwhile. Any clips or memes you might have seen from this game before more than likely came from a side story. I'm hyped for Stranger Than Heaven and the rest of the Yakuza lineup. I can't wait to see where those take me as I had a memorable experience with Yakuza Kiwami.

As a fan on the OG PS2 Game I can say this is a respectful remake of the original and keeps the feeling of the story fully intact while also improving upon it also adding the great gameplay improvements seen in Yakuza 0.