Yakuza Kiwami 2 Reviews
What better way to remake one of the earliest games in a series than by smashing its various pieces together with those of the newest entry? The Yakuza franchise truly is the gift that keeps on giving
As a remake of a sequel, it's no surprise that Yakuza Kiwami 2 has a lot more on offer than the first title. However, the choice to stick with Yakuza 6's convoluted stats system is an unfortunate blip in what could have been an ideal remake.
Kiwami 2 finds Yakuza deliberately and desperately recycling and remixing pieces of its past. While it remains a mesmerizing intersection of violence, eccentricity, and drama, its impulse to reprise Yakuza's rich history can wear out even the most ardent enthusiast. In a vacuum, Kiwami 2 is a beacon of its namesake's power and an imposing remodel of Yakuza 2. As the Kazuma Kiryu ninth adventure, Kiwami 2 may have reached Yakuza's breaking point.
Yes, Yakuza Kiwami 2 is the third Yakuza game for Xbox One this year, but on the strength of this, SEGA can keep them coming as far as I'm concerned. If you've played Yakuza Kiwami and Yakuza 0 (and even if you haven't) you need Yakuza Kiwami 2 in your life. You need Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima in your life. Now let's have Yakuza 3, 4, 5, and 6 on Xbox, please.
Yakuza Kiwami 2 is a fantastic sequel, improving on almost every aspect of Kiwami 1.
The most refined and fun Yakuza experience to date, though you may feel a bit left out if you skipped the original.
Once again Sega has reinvented the Yakuza series, by overhauling every aspect of a beloved title, and simply making it that much better. The Dragon Engine is truly impressive, not only visually, but boasts some nifty animations that surpass Yakuza 6. Adding weapon loadouts, and some sweet new heat maneuvers certainly provide much more flexibility and creativity to the combat. Yakuza Kiwami 2 is without a doubt the definitive Yakuza experience.
Yakuza kiwami 2 shows exactly what happens when a good story meets good gameplay… Perfection. You’ll spend hours of your life playing the main game, then another half of your life just doing the exciting and awesome side missions and distraction events. Any game that makes taking a piss into an action filled experience deserves the highest of praise.
As remastered games go, Yakuza Kiwami 2 is one of the better examples.
Yakuza Kiwami 2 might not be perfect but it's a fantastic example of why some things should be remastered. Not only does it perform better than it's PlayStation 2 counterpart, it looks good enough to be within this generation's standards.
Yakuza Kiwami 2 aims to recreate one of the greatest entries in the series, and it doesn't disappoint.
Sega's original sequel has received the remake it's due. The story fumbles in places, but its high points allow it to sit next to Yakuza 0 as the best the series has to offer.Kelly Pask
With improved and amazing graphics, polished gameplay and excellent additions of other games, Yakuza Kiwami 2 places as an incredible remake and one that stands out from many other recent re-released games.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
As much as this is a better, more confident game than Yakuza 6, the series still has plenty of room to grow.
Exciting Japanese thriller in a game world full of convincing characters with impeccable action adventure and Brawler gameplay.
Review in German | Read full review
Yakuza Kiwami 2 is 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 streets of Kamurocho have never been more beautiful, but the story disappoints.
Yakuza Kiwami 2 is 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. Yakuza Kiwami 2 is an easy purchase for anyone who has even a passing interest in the Yakuza series.
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.