Release Date: August 29, 2017
A complex remake of the first installment in the Yakuza series. The original title debuted on PlayStation 2 in 2005. The game takes place in 1995, eight years after the events shown in Yakuza 0. Kazuma Kiryu, the main protagonist, is a high ranked member of the criminal clan Tojo. He takes the blame for the murder of the patriarch of Dojima family, who was responsible for kidnapping his friend Yumi.
Yakuza Kiwami for PS4 is a complex remake of the first installment of Yakuza series. The original version of the game debuted on PlayStation 2 in 2005. All titles in the series were developed by Sega. For many years since its debut the series gained many fans and is especially successful in Japan (where it is known as Ryu ga Gotoku). It even received comic and movie adaptations. Ten installments of the series were released until 2016, including a few spin-offs. Yakuza Kiwami offers not only completely new visuals, but it also introduces changes to gameplay mechanics and previously unavailable story sequences that link it stronger to the prequel released on PlayStation 4.
Yakuza Kiwami for PS4 takes place in 1995, eight years after the events of Yakuza 0. Kazuma Kiryu, the main protagonist of the series, is a high ranked member of Tojo clan. One night, the patriarch of Dojima family (that works for Tojo) kidnaps a friend of Kazuma named Yumi. A close colleague of the protagonist, Akira Nishikiyama, joins Kazuma in the chase. He reaches the girl as first and he kills Dojima, thus shaking the foundation of Tokyo’s criminal underworld. Kazuma takes the blame for the murder, allowing Nishikiama to escape from the crime scene. All he asks him is to take care of Yumi.
After ten years the protagonist leaves prison. He finds himself in a completely unfamiliar world. The Tojo clan is at the brink of a civil war caused by 10 millions of yens gone missing from the organization’s vault. The situation is somehow related to Kazuma’s friend, who also cannot be found. The protagonist decides to get back into the yakuza world, rebuild his position in the “family” and find Yumi.
Yakuza Kiwami for PS4 uses improved gameplay and combat systems from Yakuza 0. The title is an action-adventure game, in which the action is presented from a third-person perspective. Although the series is frequently called the Japanese answer to Grand Theft Auto, in fact both series are very different. Yakuza Kiwami, similarly to other entries in the series, is more linear and it doesn’t offer a large sandbox city or the possibility to drive cars. Instead of that, the player can explore a few smaller locations based on Tokyo streets that offer many attractions and were created with great detail.
Kazuma defeats his opponents by using fists. Four combat styles are available, each of which has unique moves and spectacular special attacks. The player can also use improvised weapons like bottles, traffic signs or bikes. The protagonist develops his skills by unlocking them on a special ability wheel.
In addition to main plot missions, there are many side quests available as well. The title also offers various minigames and optional activities in places like casino, karaoke bar, hostess club or amusement arcade. Goro Majima’s challenges are a novelty in the series. Majima is one of the greatest rivals of Kazuma and he appears in various places, frequently in a funny way. Then he challenges the main protagonist.
Yakuza Kiwami for PS4 was built from scratch on a new graphics engine that supports 1080p resolution and 60 frames per second. The developers recorded anew all dialogues and they created new cutscenes. For the first time ever the Western players can enjoy the original Japanese voice cast – Yakuza for PlayStation 2 was released only with English dubbing outside Japan.
Platforms:
PC Windows February 19, 2019
PlayStation 4 August 29, 2017
Xbox One April 22, 2020
Nintendo Switch October 24, 2024
PlayStation 5 December 8, 2025
Xbox Series X/S December 8, 2025
Switch 2 November 13, 2025
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28GAMES
Yakuza (Japanese. Ryu ga Gotoku - Like a Dragon) is a series that began as TPP action adventure games, while in 2020 began a love affair with the jRPG genre. The essence of gameplay in productions under this banner are spectacular clashes, in which we mostly use our own fists, white weapons such as clubs or samurai swords, as well as elements of the environment, such as trash cans or bicycles. Firearms are present, but usually do not play a major role. The protagonists have numerous fighting styles, which we can upgrade. Of great importance are impressive finishers, in which opponents are eliminated in a particularly impressive way.
At this year's RGG Summit Ryu Ga Gotoku studio revealed its plans and announced a remake of the third installment of the Yakuza series. However, that's not all, as other games under this banner are heading for other platforms, and the creators showed yet another project.
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We have learned the games that will be available in Xbox and PC Game Pass in the first half of July. Among them will be three installments of the Yakuza series.
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Yakuza Kiwami has been officially listed on Steam, revealing the game's hardware requirements, price, and the fact that it will not use Denuvo.
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Sega has revealed the release date of Yakuza Kiwami on Steam. The remake of the first installment of the cycle will debut on PC in mid-February.
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Jacob Blazewicz
January 21, 2019
While the players in Japan have been playing Yakuza Kiwami since January, their Western counterparts must still wait several months before they join them - until August 29.
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Top downloads for Yakuza Kiwami Video Game:
trainer Yakuza Kiwami - v1.0 +23 Trainer - February 25, 2019
trainer Yakuza Kiwami - +13 Trainer (promo) - February 21, 2019
trainer Yakuza Kiwami - 03.18.2019 +13 Trainer (promo) - March 18, 2019
mod Yakuza Kiwami - Amon Fight and Finale Save - September 28, 2022
mod Yakuza Kiwami - HiRes Font Mod v.1.1 - December 16, 2020
mod Yakuza Kiwami - Mister Master Achievement Save - November 17, 2022
mod Yakuza Kiwami - High res characters textures v.1.0 - February 16, 2021
System Requirements for Yakuza Kiwami Video Game:
PC / Windows
Minimum System Requirements:
Intel Core i5-3470 3.2 GHz / AMD FX-6300 3.5 GHz, 4 GB RAM, graphic card 1 GB GeForce GTX 560 / Radeon HD 6870 or better, Windows 7 64-bit.
List of Game Add-Ons and DLCs for Video Game:
DLC Kiwami Street Pack September 26, 2017
DLC Kiwami Fun Pack 2 September 19, 2017
DLC Kiwami Fun Pack September 5, 2017
Game Ratings for Yakuza Kiwami Video Game.
Game is Recomended by 83% of Critics. There are 139 Critic Reviews.
Destructoid: 8 / 10 by Peter Glagowski
Really, you can't go wrong with Kiwami. I would have liked it if every aspect of the game had been fully redone, but we don't see remakes like this come along often. I can deal with a few stumbling blocks when the core quality of what makes Yakuza so unique and engaging remains untouched. At least now more people can have a chance to experience this classic, which is the best thing about Kiwami's existence.
Nintendo Life: 6 / 10 by Oliver Revolta
No matter how significant the Yakuza/Like a Dragon series might have become, this first instalment is a mixed bag. At times Yakuza Kiwami is full of life and ambition. At other times it's as frustrating and seems too willing to draw things out in a slightly over-indulgent way. Experimenting with the battle system is satisfying for as long as the game gives you space to do it. But the game's pace-killing negatives, the difficulty spikes and the quickly diminishing returns of wandering the Tokyo streets, marred by random battles and fetching items, hold it back from being an easy recommendation. You may well enjoy yourself during your playthrough, but we'd bet a few thousand yen that some of the less-streamlined elements will test your patience.
RPG Site: 8 / 10 by Mikhail Madnani
Yakuza Kiwami on Switch offers a competent handheld experience despite visual cutbacks, and the addition of licensed music in the West is welcome.
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