When Yakuza Kiwami launched, it faced a difficult task: to remake a beloved but mechanically outdated PS2 classic while meeting the standards set by modern action-RPGs — and to do so immediately after fans had been blown away by Yakuza 0. For many, Kiwami became the entry that solidified the series’ identity: melodramatic crime storytelling wrapped in explosive street brawling and peppered with earnest humour and eccentric side quests. Now revisiting the game on PS4 and PS5 highlights why this remake endures, even when viewed through the lens of more recent entries.
Kiwami is not just a graphical overhaul; it is a structural reimagining of the original game, reworked using the Dragon Engine foundations laid down by Yakuza 0. The result is a tighter, faster, more emotional retelling of Kazuma Kiryu’s earliest adventure — one that both honours the original and improves upon it in meaningful ways.
A Foundational Story Reborn
The narrative remains one of the franchise’s defining arcs. After taking the fall for a crime he didn’t commit, Kazuma Kiryu — once a rising star in the Tojo Clan — is released from prison ten years later into a world that has moved on without him. His surrogate brother is missing. His clan is in turmoil. And the little girl he encounters in the rain, Haruka, becomes the emotional heart of a conflict far larger than either of them.
Kiwami succeeds because it treats the story with great respect. The tone blends tragic loyalty, political deception, and familial bonds in ways few action games manage. Kiryu’s journey is understated but powerful, and his relationship with Haruka remains one of the series’ most enduring threads.
Cutscenes benefit immensely from the remake treatment. Facial animation, voice acting, and pacing are all far superior to the PS2 original. The cinematic delivery feels modern, sharp, and emotionally grounded — essential for a game that hinges so much on character drama.
Combat: Faster, Wilder, and More Brutal
Built on the framework of Yakuza 0, Kiwami offers four returning fighting styles:
- Brawler: Balanced, reliable, adaptable
- Rush: Fast, evasive, perfect for weaving through crowds
- Beast: A strength-focused style that turns environmental objects into weapons
- Dragon of Dojima: Kiryu’s iconic style, initially weakened but gradually rebuilt
The Dragon style restoration becomes one of the game’s most rewarding long-term goals. Through battles with Majima, Kiryu regains lost techniques, culminating in one of the most satisfying power-progression arcs in the entire franchise.
Combat feels clean, explosive, and tactile on both PS4 and PS5, carrying over all the fluidity that made Yakuza 0 a standout. Heat Moves provide gruesome finishing blows, environmental weapons remain hilarious and devastating, and boss fights — especially with Nishiki — are layered with emotion and mechanical weight.
Majima Everywhere: A Brilliant Mechanical Twist
One of Kiwami’s greatest innovations is the Majima Everywhere system, an entirely new mechanic created for the remake. Goro Majima, fan-favourite wildcard and unhinged antihero, appears across Kamurocho in increasingly absurd disguise-driven ambushes — all designed to push Kiryu, challenge his growth, and restore the Dragon of Dojima fighting style.
Majima might leap from a manhole. Or attack from inside a traffic cone. Or challenge Kiryu in a full baseball match. Or simply stroll up in a hostess uniform because… well, it’s Majima.
It’s hilarious, unpredictable, and mechanically meaningful — a highlight that gives the remake a distinct identity.
Visual Upgrades and World Design
Kiwami’s presentation on PS4 and PS5 holds up well. Kamurocho looks vibrant, neon-soaked, and densely populated, with improved:
- Lighting and reflections
- Texture sharpness
- Character models
- Interior detail in key locations
While the world isn’t as large or interactive as later Dragon Engine titles, it retains the gritty charm of early-2000s Tokyo nightlife. Running at higher resolutions and smoother performance on PS5 also helps the experience feel more modern and crisp.
Side Content: Chaotic, Heartfelt, and Pure Yakuza Energy
Though less extensive than Yakuza 0, Kiwami’s side missions are packed with charm. You’ll help:
- A pickpocket navigating life choices
- A shy child looking for courage
- Eccentric gang members in over-the-top scenarios
- Strangers with bizarre misunderstandings
These stories often blend absurd comedy with surprisingly poignant moments — a hallmark of the franchise.
Mini-games return in full force, including:
- Pocket Circuit
- Mahjong
- Karaoke
- Casino games
- Batting cages
- Hostess clubs
Even without the massive breadth of 0, the content variety is impressive for a remake.
Performance on PS5: Smooth and Sharp
On PS5, loading screens are nearly instant, combat feels more responsive, and resolution upscaling gives the game a cleaner finish. While it’s not a native PS5 rebuild, the benefits of modern hardware are noticeable and welcome.
Where Kiwami Shows Its Age
Even with all the improvements, certain areas betray the game’s PS2 roots:
- Some story pacing issues — early chapters feel front-loaded with exposition.
- Boss difficulty spikes can feel abrupt and occasionally unfair.
- Reused environments limit sense of exploration compared to Yakuza 0.
- Early-game Dragon style nerf frustrates players until Majima restores abilities.
- Occasional stiff NPC animations reveal older foundations beneath the remake.
None of these issues damage the overall experience, but they highlight the game’s hybrid nature — a modern remake built atop older storytelling structure.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Excellent remake of a PS2 classic, modernising visuals, pacing, and presentation without losing the original’s heart.
- Sharp, responsive combat, enhanced by the four fighting styles borrowed from Yakuza 0.
- Majima Everywhere system is a standout addition, offering hilarious ambushes, clever challenges, and meaningful Dragon style progression.
- Emotional and memorable story, showcasing some of the series’ strongest character arcs — especially Kiryu and Nishiki.
- Kamurocho looks vibrant on PS4 and even sharper on PS5, with improved lighting, reflections, and character models.
- Varied and charming side content, including quirky substories and a solid selection of mini-games.
- Faster loading and smoother performance on PS5, making traversal and combat feel more fluid.
- Strong voice acting and soundtrack, enhancing both dramatic moments and comedic beats.
Cons
- Some pacing issues, particularly early on when long exposition scenes slow momentum.
- Boss difficulty spikes can feel inconsistent and occasionally frustrating.
- World size limitations, showing the constraints of its PS2-era foundations.
- Dragon style starts too weak, making early combat less satisfying until upgrades unlock.
- NPC animations and certain cutscenes still reveal the remake’s older structural bones.
Final Verdict
Yakuza Kiwami remains a fantastic remake and an essential part of the series. On PS4 and PS5, it shines as the best way to experience the beginning of Kiryu’s saga, enriched by modern combat, sharper visuals, expanded systems, and unforgettable characters.
Whether you’re new to the franchise or continuing from Yakuza 0, this Director’s Cut-esque remake delivers emotional storytelling, stylish brawling, and a gripping crime drama filled with heart.
A few dated elements remain, but Yakuza Kiwami stands strong as a timeless action-adventure that still packs a punch.
