Yakuza 6: The Song of Life Reviews
Yakuza 6 applies themes of fatherhood and masculinity as coping mechanisms for intense interpersonal drama. While it surrenders the sweeping ambition that defined Yakuza 0 and Yakuza 5, it feels sharper, more focused, and more honest about its intentions. At age 48, it's impolite to define Kazuma Kiryu as an old man, but it's clear that he—and Yakuza 6 as a whole—are devoted to passing their experience on to the next generation.
Yakuza 6 is a wonderful, heartfelt conclusion to Kiryu's story, offering a hilariously fun and unique experience for both long-time fans and newcomers. While this isn't the best entry in the series, it's still an incredibly solid title that anyone with a PlayStation 4 should pick up.
Like a good book or a new show on Netflix, Yakuza 6 is something to be binged. Writing this Yakuza 6 review was a challenge because it forced me to stop playing. I really didn't want to. I mean I REALLY didn't want to stop playing. Yakuza 6 is the kind of game that lodges itself in your brain and doesn't let go.
The most beautiful experience in the series, YAKUZA 6: The Song of Life is great way to close the Kiryu's story in style, with a fun and long adventure, full of content and side activities. Even if you didn't play the previous games, you shouldn't miss this goofy yet also mature and serious game.
Yakuza 6: The Song of Life convinces with excellent storytelling while staying true to the Yakuza-formula which worked well in the past. While repetitive combat prevents it from being one of the greats, it is still a definite recommendation for action-adventure fans and players who enjoyed the previous titles in the franchise.
Review in German | Read full review
Yakuza 6: The Song of Life is a solid entry in a series that manages to perfectly balance between its goofy, intense, and sometimes sad scenes. The battle system is revamped, and punching someone's face has never felt better. The visual and sound improvements are fantastic, and the game is stuffed with fun things to do at every turn. If you are a fan of the series, this is an incredible experience. This is also the last journey of one of the gaming's toughest characters, and he could not ask for a better farewell.
Seamless battles and exploration are welcome changes in the series.
Yakuza 6 delivers both quality and quantity, so saying goodbye to Kiryu doesn't feel rushed
Yakuza 6: The Song of Life wraps up the story of Kazuma Kiryu with the same sense of style and attention to quality the series has always maintained. By alternating erratically between deadly serious crime stories, and wildly goofball side activities, Yakuza strikes an entertaining sweet spot that few other series manage. Players should set aside a lot of time before engaging with Yakuza, because like the mob, this is a game that will keep pulling you back in.
Yakuza 6: The Song of Life is everything I want in a Yakuza game, plus a baby… and a cat café.
Yakuza 6: The Song of Life brings a satisfying end to Kazuma Kiryu's story, but it's not quite the send off I expected. Between its convoluted systems and cut content, it didn't feel like the saga ended with a roar, but with a whimper.
Exciting changes to combat and an endearing narrative see the final chapter in Kazuma Kiryu's decade-long saga refine what has made the series great.
While it's slightly disappointing to see so many members of Yakuza‘s great ensemble cast take a back seat in Yakuza 6, it ultimately works out for the best. Song of Life is Kiryu's story and focusing on something larger would only be a disservice to one of gaming's most fully realized characters. It's only fitting that he bows out in Ryu ga Gotoku Studio's most mature and focused game.
It's an absolute emotional rollercoaster ride, packaged together with some of the best content the series has offered to date and polished to an absolute shine.
Yakuza 6: The Song of Life is a good example of how to handle a series with multiple sequels. It builds on its strength to offer a satisfying conclusion to the story of Kazuma Kiryu.
Perhaps not the greatest Yakuza game, but Kazuma Kiryu's farewell certainly makes for the most human.
Yakuza 6: Song of Life is a very deep and exciting game with a great sense of humor and strange, but fun side quests. Fans for sure won't be disappointed.
Review in Russian | Read full review
Yakuza 6: The Song of Life brings Kazuma Kiryu's long-running tale to an end and does so on a high note. This is the wacky-yet-serious Yakuza vision fully realized, or at least it is damn close to it. Newcomers and established fans alike will find plenty to love in this father figure's quest for answers and revenge in a world where everything can be resolved with shirtless brawls. This powerful conclusion to the Dragon of Dojima's story must not be missed.
Given more development time, this could have been the definitive entry in the series, but what we're left with is good enough. Hopefully Kiwami 2 can make some necessary improvements, because the groundwork set by the Dragon Engine is just awesome.