The majority of my time in Yakuza Kiwami was spent beating the crap out of thugs, gangsters and anyone who thought they were hard enough to take on Kiryu. For the most part its incredibly faithful, adapting an existing narrative into a modern shell with all the flaws along with it. The densely packed buildings and bustling streets have become a famed staple of the Yakuza series since its inception, although it would have been nice to have Kazuma Kiryu’s horizons expanded somewhat with such an ambitious remake. Taking us back to the fictional red-light district of Kamurocho, the world will feel very familiar to those who played Yakuza 0 earlier this year. Yakuza rightfully maintains one of the best narrative track records in the medium. It’s a powerful, relatable story with just the right amount of over-the-top action. His personality is exemplified with the introduction of Haruka, a young girl who falls into Kiryu’s care after being hunted by local Yakuza. He’s not afraid of fisticuffs, and will do anything to protect what’s dear to him. Voice acting is stellar throughout, complimented further by a localisation effort that stays true to its roots without any major changes.Įach and every cutscene is suitably grandiose, intent on showing Kazuma Kiryu as an unstoppable killing machine with a heart of gold. Due to the accurate depiction of its original cutscenes, some conversations can feel stilted or cut short, however this also echoes the atmospheric Japanese cinema Yakuza works so hard to evoke. The story had me on the verge of tears at times as plot revelations subverted my expectations in some fantastic ways. Yakuza Kiwami balances this sense of poignant realism with zany humour and ultra-violent combat almost perfectly. It’s a living, breathing world that can sometimes feel like a virtual tour of Japan instead of a stylish mafia flick. Salary men hurry to their offices while schoolgirls gossip beside the local convenience store. Upon walking through the neon-lit streets of Kamurocho I’m constantly reminded of how it looks exactly like the real thing. The Yakuza series’ dedication to authenticity is a sight to behold. The game’s story may sound clichéd but it works wonderfully thanks to excellent writing and the series’ amazing attention to detail. In it you take the role of Kazuma Kiryu, a kind-hearted gangster, top-tier family man and absolute badass who’s just been released from prison after being framed for the murder of his clan’s chairman. Kiwami is a complete remake of the 2005 original and sequel of sorts to Yakuza 0. The series is famous among hardcore fans for its unique combination of action, exploration and excellent storytelling. Yakuza is an action-adventure series first launched on PS2 back in 2005 and set in a realistic depiction of modern Japan.
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