Yakuza Kiwami is a remake of the 2005 video game Yakuza. Originally for the Playstation 4, Kiwami is also available on Xbox One and PC. Known as Ryū ga Gotoku (Like a Dragon) in Japan, the Yakuza video game series isn’t extremely well-known in the West. However, its wildly successful prequel, Yakuza 0 (2015), helped introduce more Western gamers to the wacky, one-of-a-kind franchise. Yakuza has often been described as the Japanese version of Grand Theft Auto due to its eccentric characters, zany side quests, and the fact that you can beat people up. The series has birthed seven numbered entries, a prequel, and two remakes, not to mention several spin-off titles. In addition to video games, Yakuza has two live-action movies to its name. The series is a mixture of various video game genres, most notably the beat ‘em up and role-playing genres. Despite featuring a wide cast of characters, the franchise’s main focus is on Kazuma Kiryu, a former yakuza member who is constantly dragged back into the doings of the crime syndicate throughout the series.
Kiwami begins with Kiryu going to prison in place of his lifelong friend Nishiki, who murdered their clan’s patriarch after finding out that he sexually assaulted Yumi, a woman Nishiki cared for. When Kiryu is released from prison ten years later, he discovers that the yakuza has changed drastically in the past decade, as has Nishiki, who is now the boss of his own family. Kiryu also learns that Yumi has vanished without a trace and that practically every clan in Japan is after the ten billion yen stolen from Kiryu’s former clan. Every clan is also searching far and wide for a little girl named Haruka, who is believed to be somehow connected to the ten billion yen. Kiryu eventually meets this girl. Their interactions are nothing short of adorable; there’s something so endearing about seeing a buff yakuza care for a young girl he doesn’t even know. Kiryu’s fatherly bond with Haruka makes him stand out from most action video game protagonists. He might look the part–buff, always looking like someone just spit in his coffee–but deep down, he has a heart of gold. Despite being affiliated with the yakuza, he refuses to kill, torture, or partake in any other activities done by the crime organization. He doesn’t use his status as a yakuza member to gain women or power but instead keeps to himself and regularly helps others. These traits are what make Kiryu such an unexpectedly human video game protagonist.
Nishiki’s descent into villainy is revealed through flashbacks, and as someone who’s played the prequel, it was disheartening to watch him grow to despise Kiryu, his sworn brother. His inferiority complex plays a big part in this. Several of these flashbacks consist of Nishiki being degraded by his superiors and being told that Kiryu is better suited than him for a leadership role in the yakuza. Nishiki vows to obtain the missing money, not because he wishes to prove himself to his superiors but so that he can afford a heart transplant for his sick sister. Things don’t quite work out, however, and his sister ultimately dies. This causes him to kill his superior, Matsushige, who was partly responsible for his sister’s death. This also marks the point when Nishiki becomes a true villain, as he becomes so obsessed with rising to power that he betrays his former friends and tries to kill Kiryu multiple times. However, there is a shift towards the end, which I won’t reveal because I don’t want to spoil it for anyone.
Only the first few chapters of the game are linear, meaning you can only play through the main story. The rest of the game gives players a lot more freedom and offers hours of additional content. The game takes place in Kamurocho, a fictional version of the red-light district Kabukichō, Tokyo. There is a lot to do in Kamurocho. For instance, players can further immerse themselves in Japanese culture by playing traditional minigames like shogi or partake in more Western activities such as bowling. My personal favorite minigame Kiwami has to offer is pocket circuit racing, which consists of racing tiny, battery-powered cars around a track. Players can customize their cars to their liking and compete in championships. The most popular and time-consuming minigame Kiwami offers is Majima Everywhere, which involves having to beat fellow yakuza Goro Majima in combat or at other minigames. Majima is a favorite among fans due to his eccentric personality, which I feel perfectly represents the Yakuza series as a whole. It is this same eccentric personality that makes him the polar opposite of Kiryu. Their relationship is unique in that they are technically rivals. Yet, Majima trains with Kiryu after he tries fighting him after his release from prison, noticing his fighting skills are a bit rusty. Some of the more memorable sections of Majima Everywhere involve him masquerading as a hostess named Goromi and getting a bunch of random citizens to pretend they’re zombies and attack Kiryu. Majima will often sneak up on Kiryu by leaping from a building or hiding in a human-sized traffic cone, so players must constantly be on the lookout. Regularly stocking up on health items is also essential. While it is time-consuming and becomes progressively more difficult, Majima Everywhere is a highly entertaining and rewarding minigame.
Something else the Yakuza series is known for is its side quests. Referred to as substories, these typically involve Kiryu helping out a friend or random citizen. Several of the substories in Kiwami even have their own cutscenes, which I found to be really interesting. These quests range from silly to emotional. For example, in one subquest, you will be gathering pocket tissues for a man with a severe case of the runs. In another, you will feed a hungry child and eventually take him to the doctor. Completing these substories and defeating enemies on the streets or in boss battles will earn the player experience points, which they can then use to acquire new fighting skills or increase Kiryu’s health bar. There are four different fighting skills the player can choose from: Brawler, Rush, Beast, and Dragon. Players can swap between any of these styles during combat, and each has its specific strengths and weaknesses. Kiwami’s emphasis on having to think as opposed to simply mashing buttons is what separates this game from most games in the beat ‘em up genre. For instance, if an enemy is weak and quick on their feet, the player might want to use the Rush style. If the enemy is stronger and slower, Beast would be the ideal style to use. Meeting certain requirements in Majima Everywhere and training with martial arts master Komaki will automatically acquire skills unique to Dragon style. Players must use experience points to obtain skills for the three remaining fighting styles. The battle that I found the most satisfying occurs shortly after Kiryu and Haruka meet for the first time. Haruka sees a group of teenagers throwing rocks at an innocent, stray puppy. Haruka implores Kiryu to make them stop, and he (and the player) proceeds to beat them senseless. I would probably do the same thing in real life, but at least in Kiwami, I can do so without facing repercussions and deal a lot more damage.
When a player’s heat bar is mostly full, they will get a button prompt. If pressed at the right time, this will trigger a heat action, a special move that deals a considerable amount of damage to enemies. These moves range from the expected (i.e., kicking an enemy in the family jewels) to the creative, such as pouring boiling water onto an enemy. Aside from Kiryu’s fists, players have an arsenal of weapons that they can find, earn, or purchase. There are your more conventional weapons such as swords and guns, and then there are the more unconventional like the Marlin Cannon, which is literally a giant fish that shoots cannonballs and is the best weapon in any game ever. Like many RPGs, there’s a lot to do in Kiwami, and its vast amount of content can be overwhelming for newcomers. Of course, you don’t have to 100% the game unless you’re a perfectionist. Regardless, both the game’s main story and bonus content are worth checking out for yourself, as the Yakuza series is a truly unique experience.
— Brittany Crosse, Blogger.
Brittany Crosse’s Bio:
Brittany Crosse is a senior at Lewis University who has previously attended Moraine Valley Community College. She is majoring in English with a concentration in Creative Writing, and hopes to one day make a career out of writing short stories, which has been a goal of hers ever since she was little. In addition to writing, she also plans to teach fiction writing at the university level. Her interests outside of writing include TV shows, anime, music, video games, and books, her favorite authors being Neal Shusterman, Stephen King, and Haruki Murakami. Brittany spends most of her time with her dog Cordelia, a.k.a. “Cordy.”