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[Lionel Richie]

I'm not good doing these threads, but seriously this is too good to go unnoticed.

Yakuza Kiwami 2 is one of the best games ever made.

10/10

Yakuza Kiwami 2 is the best Yakuza game to date. Its story is gripping and has a brilliant pace, its combat is tighter and more engaging, and there’s such a varied range of sub-stories and side activities to absorb yourself in that it offers great longevity.

10/10

It's a bloody brilliant game.

10/10

The physical interactions brought forth by the Dragon Engine create brawls that feel incredibly satisfying.

9.5/10

Yakuza Kiwami 2 is a great adventure, full of details, minigames and wonderful characters, and it gets a new Goro Majima campaign for this PS4 remaster. Combat system is not as deep as in the first Kiwami, but still, it is one of the best entries in the franchise.

9.1/10

A new antagonist and rippling implications of gang warfare once again drag Kazuma Kiryu back into the action. Between exploring Kamurocho and Sotenbori, ultimately players are going to find out that there's only room for one Dragon in Yakuza Kiwami 2.

9.1/10

It’s amazing to think that we’ve gotten now four Yakuza games in the span of nearly a year and a half, and yet, Yakuza Kiwami 2 doesn’t feel old or overdone. The amount of content, and the quality of said content is staggering.

9/10

Another spectacular entry in the long-running series. It brings the 2006 classic into the modern generation with gorgeous visuals, engaging combat and a melodramatic story that hits all the right notes. The sheer amount of content on offer across multiple modes and cities is an achievement in itself, made even better by the way in which Kiwami 2 unashamedly bathes players in the culture that inspired it.

9/10

Like so many games before it, Yakuza Kiwami 2 does a great job of bringing players up to speed with previous events, which makes stepping into this pleasantly dense universe easy and comfortable.

9/10

A faithful return to a PS2 classic. Whether it’s taking in the town, interacting with the people, or running into random restaurants, there’s always plenty of things to stay busy doing when not playing the main campaign. Combat still feels a bit stiff, but this should be manageable and overcome with ample inventory room for health items at any rate.

9/10

With its intricately woven story and memorable characters, Yakuza 2 was already viewed as one of the best in the series. And now with improved graphics and a refined Dragon Engine, it's remake, Yakuza Kiwami 2, could be the best of them all.

9/10

In a time where the expectation of the video game remake is constantly changing, Kiwami 2 proves to be one of the best ones out there by imbuing its systems with new life and adding a ridiculous amount of compelling content. It speaks to the strength of both Kiwami 2 and Yakuza as a whole that despite spending endless hours in Kamurocho, I can’t wait for the next opportunity to return and backhand some delinquent scum through the glass window of a convenience store.

9/10

A story of loyalty and honor, it is peerless in the crime fiction genre. The gameplay is so varied and exhaustive even if you tend to simply solve all your problems with your fists.There are some kinks to work out about how it deals with its more lascivious content, but what this game does well, it does so well that all I want to do is get right back in to see what I missed.

8.5/10

Yakuza Kiwami 2 is perfect for anyone looking to experience the best of the early Yakuza titles without sacrificing the refined gameplay mechanics and visuals.

8.5/10

The battle of the Two Dragons is one of the better stories of the series, though, and you won’t be disappointed with all the upgrades that make this essentially a new game from the original Yakuza 2 in 2006 – including tons of new content and cut-scenes. If you’ve never played a Yakuza game, however, Yakuza Kiwami 2 is a great place to start, as the game offers an option to catch up on the story so far. If you have a Yen for more classic Yakuza fighting action, Kiryu’s latest saga has all the right moves.

8.5/10

Overall, Yakuza Kiwami 2 is a great recreation of the original title. The core narrative is kept intact and the new translations add to the greater experience. Additional mini-games make for a great way to waste time and Majima’s scenario, while new, didn’t feel like an unwelcome addition. For those who are returning or veterans of the series, they’ll have more to explore and more to do and discover with the new additions. And for new players who are just getting their hands on this classic? They'll be able to experience the story of Yakuza 2 in a new and more accessible way.

8/10

Adding to a growing list of great PS4 remakes, Yakuza: Kiwami 2 is up there with the best games in SEGA's series. While PS2-era design does rear its ugly head now and again, another brilliantly dramatic story steals the spotlight. Throw in some superb optional content, and you've got a prime Yakuza package that's ultimately very difficult to fault.

8/10

[qupte=Destructoid]Maybe certain aspects could have been tweaked to be more faithful to the source material, but the worst thing that could happen is you end up wanting to play the original to see the changes firsthand. That isn't such a terrible outcome.[/quote]

7.5/10

Switching between Kamurocho and Sotenbori with there being so much to do means the action never gets stale, and the new content offers some variety that will spice things up even for people who know Yakuza 2 inside out. That said, the features that have been cut from the original are greatly missed, and the new songs just don't have the same impact as the old ones do, most of the time. It's still definitely worth a play-through if a fan of the series (or even if only recently getting into it), but it's difficult to call it the definitive version of Yakuza 2.

Jim Sterling/10

And obviously many more here. Currently rocking a 87 86 85 Metascore and Opencriticscore. Let's celebrate the best current franchise in gaming and be sure to motherfucking buy this thing.

The Gaming Brit and HyperBitHero BTFO.

 

[zombie_gamer87]

Love these games, just started 0 last week.

 

[Ka-Kui]

Can't bloody wait!

I'm a recent fan due to Yakuza 0 and have been addicted ever since.

 

[Lionel Richie]

Can't bloody wait!

I'm a recent fan due to Yakuza 0 and have been addicted ever since.

Yakuza 0 is such a great moment in the industry. It's the game that opened up a very quirky and niche franchise to more gamers and not by changing a lot of things, but rather refining what always made it a kickass series. After the 5 and Ishin debacle, it's so good to see these games being safe of going untranslated.

 

[GTR R35_Supra RZ]

Ohh shiii it dropped already??!! Need to DL it from PSN asap.

 

[Lionel Richie]

Ohh shiii it dropped already??!! Need to DL it from PSN asap.

Not yet, it comes on the 28th.

 

[Vawn]

It is at 86 metacritic. That's good, but why are you only listing reviews of the 9s and 10s?

 

[Lionel Richie]

It is at 86 metacritic. That's good, but why are you only listing reviews of the 9s and 10s?

Because I'm a shill.

No seriously I plan to edit out the OP with some more reviews, I just wanted to get the conversation going first.

 

[WaterAstro]

Gonna be finished get plat on Kiwami, so gonna look forward to this.

 

[RavageX]

I just need to hit preorder on best buy and I'm done, i still need to start 6, but after I play this one.

 

[Mochilador]

Is the whole franchise available on the PS4?

 

[Lionel Richie]

Is the whole franchise available on the PS4?

Soon to be, 3-5 are getting remastered.

 

[Mochilador]

Soon to be, 3-5 are getting remastered.

Cool, I wanna try this franchise. I hope they make a complete collection someday.

 

[Humdinger]

Wow, those are some great reviews. I'm currently making my way through Kiwami after having played Yakuza 0. I enjoy the story but the combat feels tedious/repetitive to me at this point, so I've dialed it back to easy.

 

[brap]

How many of these reviewers have played the og? Either way I'll wait like a week till the price drops.

 

[RPGCrazied]

Just finished Kiwami for the 2nd time. Can't wait. I just hope it runs better than 6(uses the same engine), on a normal PS4 performance is all over the place.

 

[Lionel Richie]

How many of these reviewers have played the og? Either way I'll wait like a week till the price drops.

Interesting question. Knowing gaming journalism it's a safe bet to assume they didn't, but does it really matter? When you're talking about a remake of this scale on a game that dropped 2 generations ago, the remake inevitably it's going to be better unless it's absolutely broken, changed beyond recognition or if you really have an emotional attachment to the original game.

Wow, those are some great reviews. I'm currently making my way through Kiwami after having played Yakuza 0. I enjoy the story but the combat feels tedious/repetitive to me at this point, so I've dialed it back to easy.

How often do you change styles? Shifting more than once in an encounter made me enjoy the combat in Kiwami a lot more. It is repetitive, but if you style on fools it's a lot more doable.

 

[xviper]

it's gonna be another masterpiece, but i may purchase it later, i already played Yakuza 6 few months ago and Kiwami 2 has the exact same gameplay so that may feel repetitive

just wondering, what does the hardcore fans think about Y2 vs Y0 ? which had the better story ?

i haven't played 2 but 0 was a fucking masterpiece, best story in gaming since MGS 3

 

[JimiNutz]

As someone that used to be a big Sega fan but never owned a PS2, I'm glad to see the series getting so much love these days.

I'm about to start Yakuza 0 today and look forward to playing through the franchise.

 

[JaffeLion]

overhyped af

 

[Gander]

I feel like this game more accomplishes what Shenmue was trying to accomplish.

 

[Underpants158]

Definitely picking this one up. So much Yakuza: might be fatigued.

 

[-MD-]

Okay, I bought Kiwami on PS4 shortly before it was announced for PC so I'm waiting this time.

I still need to play Kiwami anyways.

 

[GenericUser]

Thread is lacking gifs.....

 

[Humdinger]

That last one is great. What a badass, lol. Wins a fight with a flip of a cigarette.

 

[Halo0629]

Day one baby! They really went to town with this remake. They added so much stuff in it that it could very well pass as yakuza 7 if they wanted to.

 

[RPGCrazied]

And with this game I will finally complete the series. Its nice they are coming to PS4, but probably will replay 3, 4 and 5 on PS3 again.

Does 3 on PS4 even have a release date?

 

[xviper]

Yakuza 6's biggest disappointment was the lack of fighting styles, there was only 1 style and 1 character which made combat repetitive, does Kiwami 2 have the same thing or is it like 0 ?

 

[sotojuan]

I think the game is really good (got it 5 days early). So far the story is interesting and it feels better than 6 though on a base PS4 there's still some choppiness.

Does 3 on PS4 even have a release date?

No, and it's going to take longer than 4 and 5 due to the cut content in 3.

 

[Lionel Richie]

just wondering, what does the hardcore fans think about Y2 vs Y0 ? which had the better story ?

That's tricky. I like the story in Y2 better, it definitely feels like the stakes are high all the time. The story in Y0 feels bigger, but that comes at the expense of being just a tad more convoluted. You can't go wrong either way.

 

[RAIDEN1]

What I don't get is, why did they cut and paste the main character model from Yakuza 6 and just drop it in this game..when clearly Kiwami 2 is set 10 years prior? Can't have been that difficult surely to come up with a younger version? I am talking about Kazuma Kiryu

 

[Xaero Gravity]

As someone that used to be a big Sega fan but never owned a PS2, I'm glad to see the series getting so much love these days.

I'm about to start Yakuza 0 today and look forward to playing through the franchise.

It starts slow, but starting with Chapter 3 it really picks up. The end of Chapter 4 is absolutely amazing.

Yakuza 6's biggest disappointment was the lack of fighting styles, there was only 1 style and 1 character which made combat repetitive, does Kiwami 2 have the same thing or is it like 0 ?

It's like 6, so no fighting styles.

 

[it_wasn't_me]

Damn, what a good reviews. Will buy it surely, even though, game isn't so expensive, but backlog is huge, so game purchase will wait

 

[camelCase]

That last one is great. What a badass, lol. Wins a fight with a flip of a cigarette.

I know! I can't remember how to get that heat action in Y5. Also the door opening gif is great.

 

[Pheace]

As a newcomer should I 0 -> Kiwa 1 > Kiwa 2 or leave 0 for last?

 

[Xaero Gravity]

As a newcomer should I 0 -> Kiwa 1 > Kiwa 2 or leave 0 for last?

Go with 0 first. They added bits to Kiwami that tie into 0.

 

[Humdinger]

As a newcomer should I 0 -> Kiwa 1 > Kiwa 2 or leave 0 for last?

Yup. Start with Yakuza 0, definitely.

 

[Louis Cyphre]

Yakuza 0 is such a great moment in the industry. It's the game that opened up a very quirky and niche franchise to more gamers and not by changing a lot of things, but rather refining what always made it a kickass series. After the 5 and Ishin debacle, it's so good to see these games being safe of going untranslated.

Don't want this to be all about port begging but I'm hoping that since Yakuza 0 came out on the PC this will eventually as well.

 

[Lionel Richie]

Don't want this to be all about port begging but I'm hoping that since Yakuza 0 came out on the PC this will eventually as well.

I REALLY hope we get Ishin eventually. Not sure if it's even healthy to be clinging to that remote possibility, but the series has been comparatively popular in the west lately and seriously after we got DQ VII on the 3DS I'm not doubting anything.

 

[WaterAstro]

it's gonna be another masterpiece, but i may purchase it later, i already played Yakuza 6 few months ago and Kiwami 2 has the exact same gameplay so that may feel repetitive

just wondering, what does the hardcore fans think about Y2 vs Y0 ? which had the better story ?

i haven't played 2 but 0 was a fucking masterpiece, best story in gaming since MGS 3

Actually, Kiwami 2 may have the overall gameplay of 6 because of the fighting system, but the minigames, it borrowed the two big minigames from 0, which are Majima's Hostess game and (a better version of) Kiryu's Clan game.

Just having played Kiwami, I thought it was going to lack a lot because they cut a lot of features from the original, but I can see that it's packed with stuff that they just took from 0 lol.

According to a lot of people, 2 is the best in terms of story. I personally still prefer 5's story, and not many people share my opinion.

 

[switchback27]

Don't want this to be all about port begging but I'm hoping that since Yakuza 0 came out on the PC this will eventually as well.

Fairly certain it will, they've confirmed Kiwami 1 will be on Steam so logically, Kiwami 2 should be on there sometime in the future. A godsend for plebs like me who don't have a console.

 

[WaterAstro]

Fairly certain it will, they've confirmed Kiwami 1 will be on Steam so logically, Kiwami 2 should be on there sometime in the future. A godsend for plebs like me who don't have a console.

Yeah, it should be there, but it might be a long while. Zero came out 2015 and Kiwami 2016. I think after wrapping up Kiwami 2 for console, they're just going to focus on getting the HD 3, 4, 5 out, along with PC ports. The snag is that they will have to port the Dragon Engine over, which might mean 6 and Kiwami 2 will take longer. 0, 3, 4, 5, kiwami are pretty much the same engine.

 

[EDMIX]

Love these games, just started 0 last week.

Enjoy, Zero's ending is sooooooooo good. One of my favorite in the series

 

[EDMIX]

As a newcomer should I 0 -> Kiwa 1 > Kiwa 2 or leave 0 for last?

Play Zero first. Its the orgin story of many characters and nothing is really spoiled, so I'd start with Zero and then go in order.
(trust me....don't look at jack on Yakuza 1 or 2 before playing Zero as you'll spoil some amazing stuff)

 

[WaterAstro]

Play Zero first. Its the orgin story of many characters and nothing is really spoiled, so I'd start with Zero and then go in order.
(trust me....don't look at jack on Yakuza 1 or 2 before playing Zero as you'll spoil some amazing stuff)

Yeah, actually, I think Kiwami relies on Zero a lot more than the original game. You can't appreciate some of the things in there without it.

But the overall story of the first Yakuza is enhanced by Zero.

 

[Mista]

Preloaded and ready. Can’t fucking wait

 

[Vlaphor]

Normally, I'd have picked this one up day one, but considering that the series is coming out on PC now, I'm gonna wait and see.

I have DQ11 to tide me over until then.

 

[EDMIX]

Preloaded and ready. Can’t fucking wait

They normally let you preinstall and stuff this early? I didn't get it as digital and I'm thinking of getting BFV as digital to always have it ready to play and don't know how much time I might need for the download.

 

[Lionel Richie]

I have DQ11 to tide me over until then.

Damn this has been a somewhat slow year thus far but it ramps up ridiculously from now on. Kiwami 2, DQ XI and Spider-Man that close to one another is just unfair.

 

[Mista]

They normally let you preinstall and stuff this early? I didn't get it as digital and I'm thinking of getting BFV as digital to always have it ready to play and don't know how much time I might need for the download.

2 days before release usually. Shenmue HD collection was 2 weeks before release