Yakuza Kiwami Reviews
An absurdly good game. The story, the world, the characters, and the distractions all add up to one thing: immersion. This is the type of game to invest tons of time in, and for those new to the franchise, it's all the better because there are so many other Yakuza titles waiting to be played! For returning fans, Yakuza: Kiwami gives the inaugural game new life. It's been long enough removed from the original release to feel special again, and, even better, it is released at a budget price. In fact, it's a shame that only the first title has received this remaster, but with some "big announcements" coming this month, hopefully, the others in the series will see similar rereleases on PlayStation 4. Until then, dig out those PlayStation 2s and 3s and get cracking on the rest of Kiryu's story. There may just be time to catch up before Yakuza 6 - billed the finale of Kiryu's story - arrives next March in the West.
As a relatively new fan to the franchise, Yakuza Kiwami offers another fantastic journey in the life of Kazuma Kiryu. From the serious to the outright wacky and perverted, I loved every second and thoroughly look forward to the next chapter in the experience.
However, for the asking price of thirty dollars, I did get a lot more out of it than what I was expecting. It is a much needed entry point into a series that has made its own mark in the industry as a more melancholic and measured crime experience. A game that ate up forty hours of my time and had my attention, even when I was having conversations with a club hostess, picking up spares, or smashing the teeth out of some punk with a baseball bat. If you've wanted to get into the series before but didn't know where to start, this is the game you've been waiting for.
Yakuza Kiwami is a worthy remake of the original game, but may leave fans hungry for more side content and minigames.
Yakuza Kiwami is a solid remake that has the misfortune of being released in the same year as the predecessor from which it recycles most of its content. Yakuza 0 is just a better game in almost every way. Kiwami's story is plenty of fun, and the writing and side content remains as hilarious as ever. It just feels too familiar. Those looking for more Yakuza will find a lot to like here, but even at a budget price of $30, it's difficult to feel excited by any of it. Give it more time to breathe, and it'll be a fun way to re-experience Yakuza, but anyone who dives in immediately after Yakuza 0 is going to have a very severe case of déjà vu.
Yakuza Kiwami is an excellent point of entry for newcomers and an awesome follow-up for those that played Yakuza 0, and it is also the best way to know how everything began or to relive how Kiryu's saga started. Kiwami is a tighter experience when compared to other Yakuza games, since it focuses in its crime story. Kiwami doesn't level up to Yakuza 0, however, it is an excellent game within the series and a must-play for any player.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Yakuza Kiwami is great, then keeps being great, then continues being great to the point where you're tired of it.
Temper your expectations and take on board that Yakuza Kiwami is a remake of a game that's over 10 years years old and you'll enjoy it for what it is – more of the same, only not quite as polished and with less to do on the side.
Yakuza Kiwami is an excellent upgrade of the first game in the long-running Yakuza series and a must-have on PlayStation 4. It might feel shorter for those of you who first got a taste of the series with either Yakuza 5 or Yakuza 0, but this release is faithful to the original on PlayStation 2, with revamped graphics and frame rate, content that was missing from the game when it arrived on PS2 back in the day, as well as additional content, all for only $29.99. I really enjoyed my time with Yakuza Kiwami, and look forward to playing Yakuza 6, as well as the recently announced Yakuza Kiwami 2.
A great entry that is equally enjoyable for those new to the series and those who played the original, with enough enhancements and additions to make it worth experiencing or revisiting.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
Yakuza Kiwami presents the strongest mechanics in the franchise's history, as well as refined side missions and lots of fun distractions that create a fantastic reimagining of a great game.
If Yakuza 0 didn't exist, we would probably rate Yakuza Kiwami higher. But we're in kind of strange situation right now: before playing Kiwami, you should finish the prequel, but because of that you will be left with a game of smaller scale and a bit worse quality.
Review in Russian | Read full review
Yakuza Kiwami does a whole lot right, while only making a few errors. Other than the control scheme being a bit dated, Yakuza Kiwami comes together as a solid remake of the original title.
Yakuza Kiwami manages to be a great value for money purchase. A solid narrative, fantastic combat, and a plethora of activities to partake in make it an easy recommendation for long-time fans and newbies alike.
While it can be an inconsistent journey in terms of gameplay and mechanics, the affordable price of $30 seems worth the price of admission for the numerous hours of content Kiwami is filled with.
Yakuza Kiwami in an amazing remake. Not only did they take the time to polish the game for current generation hardware, but they also took the time to see the flaws that the original game had and obliterate them to make a more perfect product.
Having a lovely time at the hostess club with Majima crossdressing, fishnets and all, before he started a fight.
Yakuza Kiwami is the first of several planned remakes of the original series, and chances are all of them will wind up on the PC at some point. It's been a long wait for many to see such a revered classic on the PC, but it's one that's worth every bit of that patience.
With Yakuza Kiwami we can finally live the birth of Kiryu Kazuma even on PC
Review in Italian | Read full review
Yakuza returns to its roots with this pitch-perfect remake of the series’ debut title, brought kicking-and-punching into 2017 with a total facelift and a raft of new content