Yakuza Kiwami Reviews
However, for the asking price of thirty dollars, I did get a lot more out of it than what I was expecting. It is a much needed entry point into a series that has made its own mark in the industry as a more melancholic and measured crime experience. A game that ate up forty hours of my time and had my attention, even when I was having conversations with a club hostess, picking up spares, or smashing the teeth out of some punk with a baseball bat. If you've wanted to get into the series before but didn't know where to start, this is the game you've been waiting for.
As a relatively new fan to the franchise, Yakuza Kiwami offers another fantastic journey in the life of Kazuma Kiryu. From the serious to the outright wacky and perverted, I loved every second and thoroughly look forward to the next chapter in the experience.
An absurdly good game. The story, the world, the characters, and the distractions all add up to one thing: immersion. This is the type of game to invest tons of time in, and for those new to the franchise, it's all the better because there are so many other Yakuza titles waiting to be played! For returning fans, Yakuza: Kiwami gives the inaugural game new life. It's been long enough removed from the original release to feel special again, and, even better, it is released at a budget price. In fact, it's a shame that only the first title has received this remaster, but with some "big announcements" coming this month, hopefully, the others in the series will see similar rereleases on PlayStation 4. Until then, dig out those PlayStation 2s and 3s and get cracking on the rest of Kiryu's story. There may just be time to catch up before Yakuza 6 - billed the finale of Kiryu's story - arrives next March in the West.
SEGA's ... given us all something completely modern and "new" to play, and the entire Yakuza series continues to go from strength to strength.
The way Kiwami weaves itself into a symbiotic relationship with 0 enhances the pair as a sequential experience.
The story is addictive and keeps you at the edge of the seat. The general exploration and content is a step back from Yakuza 0 but the game is still a blast to play if you interested in more Yakuza games.
Yakuza Kiwami is a fantastic remake of the original PS2 game. It improves & expands Yakuza 1 to create an experience that is new & fresh for new audiences, while being familiar & nostalgic for the old fans at the same time. Being a faithful remake, Kiwami is not as good as the newer Yakuza titles and seems a bit outdated in some spots; but just like all the games in the franchise, is a blast from start to finish.
Review in Persian |
despite its drastic aging, Yakuza Kiwami is a welcoming game to both new comers and old fans. the game has been beautifully remastered and many of its elements have severely changed to be appealing to new comers.
Review in Persian | Read full review
Yakuza Kiwami may not have gameplay as varied as Yakuza 0 but the gripping story, solid combat, and rewarding progression make it a must-play experience for both new and long-time fans looking to either discover or revisit Kiryu's debut adventure.
Yakuza Kiwami is an absolute blast to play on Nintendo Switch 2. The mystery of the 10 billion yen is one well worth experiencing, and the performance is essentially perfect, offering a locked 60 FPS and sharp resolution throughout. You'll be hard-pressed to find very many third-party games on Switch 2 that run better than this.
Yakuza Kiwami 1 on Switch 2 exorcises the technical ghosts of the past, trading stuttering frame rates for a buttery 60 FPS. While the narrative sits in Yakuza 0’s shadow and the lack of an upgrade path is criminal, this polished port finally gives Kiryu the handheld performance he deserves.
Continuing the sequence of releases on the Nintendo Switch 2, Yakuza Kiwami arrives on the platform with an experience that combines refined graphics with some somewhat antiquated elements. Even so, occasional difficulty spikes and pacing issues (barrigas) do not detract at all from the brilliance of an impactful narrative that keeps you interested from start to finish and delivers an epic and moving ending.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
The original Yakuza Kiwami port for the Switch achieved good results given its hardware limitations, but the superiority of this native Switch 2 version is undeniable. Players will find a great experience worthy of the PlayStation 2 classic, but of course, if you haven't upgraded yet, the previous version is also great.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Yakuza Kiwami goes far beyond a simple remake, making excellent use of the gameplay foundation from Yakuza 0. It features an extremely immersive story and setting, combat mechanics that truly make the player feel like the Dragon of Dojima, and, of course, plenty of fun minigames. The Nintendo Switch 2 version makes outstanding use of the new console’s hardware, offering a superb experience both in docked and handheld modes.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Yakuza Kiwami brings the gritty origins of the Like a Dragon series to the Nintendo Switch with its signature blend of crime drama, intense brawling, and quirky side content. While the game itself remains compelling, the Switch version suffers from technical hiccups.
Review in Finnish | Read full review
The Nintendo Switch port of Yakuza Kiwami is an interesting beast. Sure, you could play it anywhere else to get a better experience. Getting to play one of the most addictive Yakuza games on the go is a treat though, and playing it docked looked solid on my 4K TV. If you’ve never played the Yakuza series, this is a solid entry point. It kind of assumes familiarity with Yakuza 0, as Kiwami takes the original game and tries to retrofit it to be a sequel, but you won’t be punished without 0. I certainly wasn’t back when I first played Kiwami. With an impressive portable experience that doesn’t cut back on too much of what makes Yakuza Kiwami special, this is a compelling offer. And if you want to re-experience the PS3 Yakuza games of the previous decade, you’re going to absolutely love this Switch conversion.
After years, Yakuza Kiwami has finally arrived on the Nintendo Switch. And the quality of the remake of the first game to tell the story of Kazuma Kiryu, the Dragon of Dojima, is impressive. Apart from the lack of Brazilian Portuguese, there are no other demerits for the title, which delivers in combat, story, setting, fun, narrative, soundtrack, design and everything else.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Although Yakuza Kiwami has some small problems, the game is an excellent choice, especially for newcomers who want to know more about Kiryu and his series. Yakuza 0 would also be another very good choice, but Kiwami manages to stand out well as a unique story that doesn't need others to give it context. If you want to get to know the franchise, this is the perfect chance.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Yakuza Kiwami is a highly recommended game for its narrative, originality, and minigames, but the Nintendo Switch port is the least ideal way to experience it. While playable, performance issues, unstable frame rates, and battery concerns make it better suited for larger screens with better image quality and smoother gameplay.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Don’t get me wrong; at the end of the day, this is still Yakuza Kiwami, and that means you can have a lot of fun with. I loved revisiting it, for instance. The great writing, characters, music, everything is here. But the Switch just isn’t the best place to enjoy this kind of game. From the unstable framerate to the short battery life, this immersive narrative brawler needs to be enjoyed on a big screen, with great visuals and framerate. Which you can do, if you play it on a PS4, PS5, or Xbox.