Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 70 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 59 out of 70
  2. Negative: 0 out of 70
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  1. Aug 28, 2017
    An entertaining but slightly unbalanced remake whose biggest draw is a regular distraction from one of the series' best stories.
  2. Aug 28, 2017
    Plunkett: There are four constants in life. Death, taxes, a new Yakuza game every year and Bob Utsunomiya being a creepy piece of shit.
  3. Aug 29, 2017
    Now is an amazing time to be getting into Yakuza. There’s just so much of it to play now and in the near future, including a just-announced remake of the second game in the series, which is due out in Japan next year. Yakuza Kiwami is a second chance to see where it all started.
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 673 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Negative: 66 out of 673
  1. Aug 29, 2017
    10
    Yakuza Kiwami returns the first game of the series back to life in a way that is completely rebuilt from ground up for the PS4. This openYakuza Kiwami returns the first game of the series back to life in a way that is completely rebuilt from ground up for the PS4. This open world action-adventure game with role-playing elements follows the story of Kazuma Kiryu, the Dragon of Dojima, whose life changes because of the incident that occurred in the Dojima Family office. In Kiwami, the original story gets an extension that adds a new depth of story which tells us about friendship, love, respect, loyalty, sacrifice, greed, betrayal and revenge. New additions to the story further explain certain parts of the story that may have been unclear in the original.

    In Kiwami, they also improved gameplay. Battle system from the original game has been enhanced by adding the battle styles from Yakuza 0. Now you can choose one of four battle styles: Brawler (balance), Rush (speed), Beast (power) and Dragon (ultimate). Each style has its own benefits and weaknesses, so it's up to you to choose the battle style that suits you best or that you currently need in a particular fight. All four battle styles are unlocked and you can train them all to the maximum by using experiece points (EXP) earned from battles and solving side quests (substories and romance with hostesses). To power up the Dragon style you have to fight with Goro Majima everywhere in Kamurocho. They have also improved other aspects of gameplay by adding new substories, two new ladies to romance, MesuKing: Battle Bug Beuaties, and much more nightlife spots. All this gives the player to enjoy even more in Kamurocho.

    Sega has done a very good job with this remake and has demonstrated to other video game developer how to make a real remake of old game. I'm glad they decided to make a remake of the original Yakuza game which is one of my favorite games on PS2. I hope that Sega will also do a good job with Yakuza Kiwami 2, and I also hope that they will decide to make Yakuza Kiwami 3 as well because I only did not play Yakuza 3.
    Full Review »
  2. Aug 29, 2017
    10
    As A long time yakuza fan,yakuza 0 was the best game ever for me and kiwami is the perfect sequel for it,if you want games with the best storyAs A long time yakuza fan,yakuza 0 was the best game ever for me and kiwami is the perfect sequel for it,if you want games with the best story and huge amount of content, yakuza games are for you Full Review »
  3. Sep 8, 2017
    10
    This game is incredible. The Value is excellent. If you love a good story, lots of drama, turns, twists, and plots that rival game of thrones,This game is incredible. The Value is excellent. If you love a good story, lots of drama, turns, twists, and plots that rival game of thrones, then you might love this game. Im a developer, and i really, really appreciate what Sega has done with this series. I hope they take this game style and gameplay, and bring it to other genres and themes. If the developer is reading this, you've earned a fan for life! Full Review »