Yakuza Kiwami 2 Reviews
In the end, I’d say that Yakuza Kiwami 2 is still a decent game that has a lot going for it, but I really hope that for the next remake or entry in the series they improve upon everything about the Dragon Engine if they plan on keeping it around, as well as changing up the design choices regarding how you level up and improve your character.
Yakuza Kiwami 2 is arguably the strongest in the series yet and one of the best games to release this year.
Yakuza Kiwami 2 is everything players have come to expect from the series – humour, heart, honour, drama and karaoke. It stands alongside the likes of Shadow of the Colossus as one of the best remakes of this console generation and should be in the library of any Yakuza fan, old or new.
Yakuza Kiwami 2 takes everything that was great about its predecessors and, somehow, upgrades them in almost every way.
Yakuza Kiwami 2 is a great remake offering an expansive narrative mixed with fierce combat and exciting extra activities to take part in.
Yakuza Kiwami 2 totally revitalizes an underrated gaming classic and applies the lessons Sega learned throughout the series’ evolution. It’s still unique and even weird at times, and it can still be a little rough around the edges, but few series manage to take you deep into a criminal underworld and tell such compelling stories.
Yakuza Kiwami 2 has been a pleasant surprise for me. We have a good story of intrigues among families of yakuzas to rise to power, with charismatic characters, lots of humor and action, as well as a lot of mini-games and side quests. In case it was not enough, audiovisually fulfills in a remarkable way.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Yakuza Kiwami 2 has easily become one of my favorite games in the Yakuza series. From the action packed story, to the overabundance of side content provided, to the ability to play as Majima again, I honestly have a game that keeps me wanting to come back for more and more, and never want to put the controller down.
Simply put, Kiwami 2 is the new pinnacle for the series and any RPGamers with a passing interest in brawlers or wanting to make a virtual visit to Japan should seek it out.
Fans of Kiryu's crazy adventures will love Yakuza Kiwami 2 as it's full of over-the-top action and ridiculous scenarios.
Yakuza Kiwami 2 delivers a slick fresh coat of paint onto this Japanese epic tale, while keeping the same engaging and complex story that fans know and love.
Yakuza Kiwami 2 is among the best titles of the series like Yakuza 0. If you haven't got the chance to get yourself involved in world of Yakuza already, this is the perfect time.
Review in Persian | Read full review
Overall, Yakuza Kiwami 2 is one of the best entries in the franchise. It's the technically most advanced and includes many improvements that significantly enhance the experience while also telling a gripping and satisfying story. It's not perfect, with a sometimes slow progression system and a few hit-and-miss additions in the side content. Some fun additions from previous iterations could've made Kiwami 2 even more special.
As the fourth entry in a very short time and coming after Zero and 6 means that it doesn't quite have the same impact as it did originally, with a simpler story and sidequest and battle design than those two game. Nevertheless, it remains an excellent game with its immersive content and world.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
Yakuza Kiwami 2 is an excellent remake of a classic that manages to modernize the best aspects of the original and adds a few surprises in order to please both new and old fans of the series. Kiwami 2 is the best opportunity to finally understand why Yakuza 2 is remembered as one of the best titles of the PS2 era.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
The city of Kamurocho is packed with interesting characters, fun activities and a number of excellent diversions, all backed up by a solid narrative that throws up as many surprises as it does heartwarming moments.
While the main story can get too melodramatic for its own good and Majima's side story doesn't amount to much, I can recommend Yakuza Kiwami 2 on its level of presentation alone. The twists and turns of the plot kept me wanting to see what would happen next, the gorgeous production provided by the Dragon Engine left me wandering the streets just taking in the sites, and the combat is as satisfying as hitting someone you don't like with a bicycle. While I can't say that Yakuza 2 still holds up under a modern lens, I can say that this remake kept my attention to the end. And in that regard, the developers should give themselves a round of applause.
Mechanically, Yakuza Kiwami 2 is the best offering in the entire series. With the abundance of fun distractions, quirky side stories, break-neck and brutal combat, and the franchise's signature dark, if sometimes convoluted story, newcomers and veterans are in for a real treat.
Yakuza Kiwami 2 is a great retelling of Yakuza 2 with a new coat of paint, new content, rebalanced gameplay, more mini-games, more sidequest… more everything! If you're a fan of the Yakuza series then you probably pre-ordered this game and are ready to take it for a spin, but if you still haven't played a game in this franchise, then you should definitely check this remake sequel thing. Even better, start with Yakuza 0 and work your way up to Yakuza 6, one game at a time, so that you're ready for when the PlayStation 3 trilogy is on PS4. Yakuza Kiwami 2 is an excellent PlayStation 4 game and a must-have release.
Not once has SEGA let me down, and Yakuza Kiwami 2 is no different. It's a bloody brilliant game.