郷田 龍司 一馬 桐生
関西の龍対堂島の龍
It's been a while since I've done a review of a video game. Like, REALLY REALLY a while. My last review was last month, and it was about the prequel of the game that I'll be talking about today. And after re-reading that, I didn't quite enjoy it that much. And it has nothing to do with how I've written it. But because of how the game was and how I experienced it.
Basically, the problem with Yakuza Kiwami was that the game itself felt nothing but a slight update for Yakuza 0. Despite the game being a remake of the original Yakuza game that came out in 2005, with updated graphics, controls, more voice acting, new fighting style, and much more; the game felt like it was nothing but like one giant mod for 0 and nothing more.
The story in said game also made me feel a bit blue. It was a lot take it all in. With the twists and turns that happened in Kamurocho, and all the shit Kiryu-Chan had to go through, I think that the guy deserved to take a rest. But as fate would have it, the Yakuza life pulls him back to the world where he was raised.
So, how does Yakuza Kiwami 2 compare to the rest of the series in both story and gameplay? Let's find out...
Basically, the problem with Yakuza Kiwami was that the game itself felt nothing but a slight update for Yakuza 0. Despite the game being a remake of the original Yakuza game that came out in 2005, with updated graphics, controls, more voice acting, new fighting style, and much more; the game felt like it was nothing but like one giant mod for 0 and nothing more.
The story in said game also made me feel a bit blue. It was a lot take it all in. With the twists and turns that happened in Kamurocho, and all the shit Kiryu-Chan had to go through, I think that the guy deserved to take a rest. But as fate would have it, the Yakuza life pulls him back to the world where he was raised.
So, how does Yakuza Kiwami 2 compare to the rest of the series in both story and gameplay? Let's find out...
Kiryu ain't in the mood to play games with anyone...
PLOT
Don't let the entrance fool you. Kamurocho has changed a lot in the course of a year...
Same thing for Sotenbori. And man, does it look awesome!
Like my previous reviews, I'll try to make sure the story is told in the most minimal way possible, to avoid spoilers. Enough for the reader to understand the main plot of the game.
Anyhow, here goes.
1 year has passed since the events of Yakuza Kiwami. Kiryu has defeated a lot of his enemies on his way to solve the incident that involved the death of the third chairman and the stolen 10 million yen. I think it's safe to say that Kiryu and his adoptive daughter, Haruka Sawamura, have earned their rest. And what better way to spend all that time being free from the Yakuza world, than to go far away from all of that crap and just enjoy yourselves doing family activities. Such as: hikes, playing sports, cooking together, taking your child to school, doing the housework and homework together... It's a lovely life.
Then you go to visit the graves of the people you've held dearest the most and had died the year before.
AND THAT PLACE IS WHERE SHIT HITS THE FAN!!! THE FUCKING GRAVEYARD!!!
In other words, the peace ends right there and there, when the 5th chairman of The Tojo Clan visits Kiryu and Haruka, and gets killed by their rival, The Omi Alliance.
As if that wasn't bad enough, it turns out that in the span of a year, The Tojo Clan is on the verge of a war against The Omi Alliance, and the Jingweon Mafia (진권파, Jin Gwon-pa / 真拳派, Jinguon-ha) is out for Yakuza blood. Kiryu, now in a tight spot, decides to return to the underworld and take on the challenges that fate has prepared for him.
Oh and Majima is here to help out too.
Anyhow, here goes.
1 year has passed since the events of Yakuza Kiwami. Kiryu has defeated a lot of his enemies on his way to solve the incident that involved the death of the third chairman and the stolen 10 million yen. I think it's safe to say that Kiryu and his adoptive daughter, Haruka Sawamura, have earned their rest. And what better way to spend all that time being free from the Yakuza world, than to go far away from all of that crap and just enjoy yourselves doing family activities. Such as: hikes, playing sports, cooking together, taking your child to school, doing the housework and homework together... It's a lovely life.
Then you go to visit the graves of the people you've held dearest the most and had died the year before.
AND THAT PLACE IS WHERE SHIT HITS THE FAN!!! THE FUCKING GRAVEYARD!!!
In other words, the peace ends right there and there, when the 5th chairman of The Tojo Clan visits Kiryu and Haruka, and gets killed by their rival, The Omi Alliance.
As if that wasn't bad enough, it turns out that in the span of a year, The Tojo Clan is on the verge of a war against The Omi Alliance, and the Jingweon Mafia (진권파, Jin Gwon-pa / 真拳派, Jinguon-ha) is out for Yakuza blood. Kiryu, now in a tight spot, decides to return to the underworld and take on the challenges that fate has prepared for him.
Oh and Majima is here to help out too.
The place that starts the events of Yakuza Kiwami 2. Fuck...
GAMEPLAY
IT FUCKING RULES!!! THE GAMEPLAY IS FUCKING AWESOME!!!
The reason why I say this is pretty simple: The game does not use the engine that was used to make Yakuza 0 and Yakuza Kiwami. Instead, it uses the new "Dragon Engine", which was used for the previous title, Yakuza 6, that will probably play it once I get the resources. But for now, Yakuza Kiwami 2.
The game is a lot more alive and realistic than the previous 2 games. The graphics have been updated to look even better than ever before, which makes some places look very realistic. And that's a good thing. And the game isn't demanding much from your PC too.
With the new engine, that means everything else has been overhauled. Physics, fighting, world behavior, menus, and a lot more. For the physics and character behavior, the engine utilizes ragdoll physics, meaning characters will fly off easily and twist around like an old and stuffed rag doll would. The world behavior has had a dramatic change. you can no longer escae enemies by entering shops, cause they will enter in and fight you inside them. Fights also do not have transitional cutscenes. Like the previous games, the formula was simple: a fight starts, followed by a transition. After the fight ends, an ending transition followed. Here in Kiwami 2, none of that exists. You enter a fight, you finish it and you are on your way to do whatever you were doing.
Another change, that in my opinion is the most drastic one is Kiryu. Both in appearance and gameplay. His looks are based off his voice actor, Kuroda Takaya, and his fighting styles are gone. YOU HEARD ME! HIS STYLES ARE GONE!!!
The only thing you have is his iconic Dragon Style. And it's broken beyond belief. It becomes even more broken once you upgrade it by doing various activities and substories.
The reason why I say this is pretty simple: The game does not use the engine that was used to make Yakuza 0 and Yakuza Kiwami. Instead, it uses the new "Dragon Engine", which was used for the previous title, Yakuza 6, that will probably play it once I get the resources. But for now, Yakuza Kiwami 2.
The game is a lot more alive and realistic than the previous 2 games. The graphics have been updated to look even better than ever before, which makes some places look very realistic. And that's a good thing. And the game isn't demanding much from your PC too.
With the new engine, that means everything else has been overhauled. Physics, fighting, world behavior, menus, and a lot more. For the physics and character behavior, the engine utilizes ragdoll physics, meaning characters will fly off easily and twist around like an old and stuffed rag doll would. The world behavior has had a dramatic change. you can no longer escae enemies by entering shops, cause they will enter in and fight you inside them. Fights also do not have transitional cutscenes. Like the previous games, the formula was simple: a fight starts, followed by a transition. After the fight ends, an ending transition followed. Here in Kiwami 2, none of that exists. You enter a fight, you finish it and you are on your way to do whatever you were doing.
Another change, that in my opinion is the most drastic one is Kiryu. Both in appearance and gameplay. His looks are based off his voice actor, Kuroda Takaya, and his fighting styles are gone. YOU HEARD ME! HIS STYLES ARE GONE!!!
The only thing you have is his iconic Dragon Style. And it's broken beyond belief. It becomes even more broken once you upgrade it by doing various activities and substories.
Do everything in the game to gain experience and max yourself out.
Experience Points
I normally don't dedicate another chapter for this, but it's a one time only (for now). Kiwami 2's upgrade system is a lot different than the previous two games. Instead of spending money on yourself or spending all your points on upgrades, this game has thought of something different. There are 5 experience styles that you'll acquire throughout the game, and these are all dedicated for strength, speed, health, ability and specials. The last one is used for the substories and world interactions you face within the game's world. From fights, to food, to pissing in the toilet, you'll get rewarded with these experience points. Use them wisely to upgrade Kiryu and reach him to the promised land named, OP Land (Overpowered Land).
I normally don't dedicate another chapter for this, but it's a one time only (for now). Kiwami 2's upgrade system is a lot different than the previous two games. Instead of spending money on yourself or spending all your points on upgrades, this game has thought of something different. There are 5 experience styles that you'll acquire throughout the game, and these are all dedicated for strength, speed, health, ability and specials. The last one is used for the substories and world interactions you face within the game's world. From fights, to food, to pissing in the toilet, you'll get rewarded with these experience points. Use them wisely to upgrade Kiryu and reach him to the promised land named, OP Land (Overpowered Land).
NOODLES ARE GOOD FOR YOU, YOU PUNK!!!
Just your normal day (or night) for our good boy Kazuma Kiryu...
Cabaret Grand Prix
Well, well, well. Hello there ladies...
CABARET IS BACK AND IS BETTER THAN EVER!!!
As Sotenbori is back in this game, we also get to do Cabaret. Except this time, Kiryu is the manager. A bit weird, not too far off his character, since the man is literally doing everything that's normally weird or not normal. And Cabaret is no exception.
The game mechanics of the Cabaret mini game are pretty simple: Make money by sending your lovely hostesses to satisfy their customers (not in that way you dirty minded fool!). Each girl has her special field in which she excels at. Use that to your advantage. Also don't forget make up and dress up. That helps too. And dress up.
Protect the hostesses if the guests are assholes. And if you do things just right, an Oil Baron will come in to give you and the club additional money, which will boost your bank balance and the club's progress in the Grand Prix.
Instead of fighting for being #1 in Sotenbori, the fight is now for being Japan's #1 Cabaret Club. The opposition is strong, but you're stronger. Beat them, get their girls and ten dominate Japan with your ladies.
The game mechanics of the Cabaret mini game are pretty simple: Make money by sending your lovely hostesses to satisfy their customers (not in that way you dirty minded fool!). Each girl has her special field in which she excels at. Use that to your advantage. Also don't forget make up and dress up. That helps too. And dress up.
Protect the hostesses if the guests are assholes. And if you do things just right, an Oil Baron will come in to give you and the club additional money, which will boost your bank balance and the club's progress in the Grand Prix.
Instead of fighting for being #1 in Sotenbori, the fight is now for being Japan's #1 Cabaret Club. The opposition is strong, but you're stronger. Beat them, get their girls and ten dominate Japan with your ladies.
It may be 1 hour long, but it gives the basics of how Cabaret works. Courtesy of Desotho...
Majima Construction Clan Creator
If this were real, I'd join in an instant...
You ain't high on anything. This is a fucking thing. MAJIMA CONSTRUCTION IS A REAL THING (真島建設, Majima Kensetsu)!!! AND IT'S BEAUTIFUL!!!
If you thought that the Cabaret Club and Real Estate were weird, then you haven't seen anything like this before. Majima being a civilian? Runs a legit company? And has a construction hat? That's something only Goro Majima would do.
The premise of the game is however different from the previous 2 major minigames. This one behaves more like DOTA, World Of Warcraft and Age of Mythology combined into one. It's a strategy minigame.
The gameplay of the minigame is quite simple: defend the construction equipment and win the battle. Defeat only occurs if: your army dies OR the equipment is destroyed.
Gathering the "army of Majima Construction" can be done in 3 ways: beat the game's story to unlock characters, hire characters, or complete certain substories that will grand additional members of the construction company. Each character has their special ability, that will play a huge role in your fight. Oh, and Majima is playable too.
I love this thing...
If you thought that the Cabaret Club and Real Estate were weird, then you haven't seen anything like this before. Majima being a civilian? Runs a legit company? And has a construction hat? That's something only Goro Majima would do.
The premise of the game is however different from the previous 2 major minigames. This one behaves more like DOTA, World Of Warcraft and Age of Mythology combined into one. It's a strategy minigame.
The gameplay of the minigame is quite simple: defend the construction equipment and win the battle. Defeat only occurs if: your army dies OR the equipment is destroyed.
Gathering the "army of Majima Construction" can be done in 3 ways: beat the game's story to unlock characters, hire characters, or complete certain substories that will grand additional members of the construction company. Each character has their special ability, that will play a huge role in your fight. Oh, and Majima is playable too.
I love this thing...
Yakuza Gaming at its finest...
Those guys are toast...
10/10 company motto. "If you want to work, welcome! If you want to relax, get the fuck out!"
Me and the boy preparing for the future of construction...
Basic gameplay of Majima Construction. Courtesy of SheanWalsh...
THE MAJIMA SAGA
You get to play with this handsome bastard again. AND LOOK AT THAT SMILE!!! THAT IS THE SMILE OF A SEX MAN!!!
Majima Goro ends up being a playable character again. On the outside, this may come as a surprise and joy for some, but in reality, this short saga has key elements that end up being tied in to the story of Yakuza Kiwami 2, as well as evolving the character of Goro himself.
Long story short, the story picks up 2 months after the events of Kiwami. The main plot of this story is the slow decline of the Tojo Clan, who are unable to properly recover after the 10 billion incident and are also unable to do anything against their rivals. And how does Goro play a huge role in this? Well it's simple. He does not give a single fuck about anything. Especially since he is fed up with how the clan handles its business and its members. With this in mind, Majima decides to call it quits. But, this is Yakuza we're talking about. He needs to take care of some shit and make amends before he can peace out with the life he once used to live. Once he's done with that, he can then go on and create his Construction Company.
The gameplay of Goro, for the most part is pretty decent. Just like Kiryu, his only fighting style is the legendary "Mad Dog of Shimano" style, just like how Kiryu uses "The Dragon of Dojima style". One key difference to note is that Majima CANNOT be upgraded. You can go eat and do stuff, but the experience mechanic is gone. The only way to beat this story is to fucking do it.
You'll rely more on items to restore your health and heat much more than Kiryu, who can do all sorts of shit to gain that. Luckily for you, they're gathered all over the world for you to pick up, but be wise with how you use them.
You'll rely more on items to restore your health and heat much more than Kiryu, who can do all sorts of shit to gain that. Luckily for you, they're gathered all over the world for you to pick up, but be wise with how you use them.
NewsFlash: He doesn't care...
That little of yours is a bit overpowered, don't ya think?
Happy Majima
Worried Majima
SCREENSHOTS AND VIDEOS
Courtesy of TheGlowingkebab. Nice name dude...
Both videos are courtesy of devilleon7...
CONCLUSION
I wrote a long ass review praising this game. It means that it's awesome and you should go buy it...
I wrote a long ass review praising this game. It means that it's awesome and you should go buy it...
TRIVIA
- This game, much like how Kiwami was a remake of Yakuza 1, is a remake of Yakuza 2, which was released in 2006.
- The cabaret club in the original game was in Kamurocho, and in the remake it's in Sotenbori. Makes sense, considering 0's involvement with the story.
- The game contains a lot of unused and beta content hidden inside.
- The beginning of this review, the title card, spells out "The Dragon of Kansai vs. The Dragon of Dojima".
- There's a pissing minigame. 'Nuff said.
- The cabaret club in the original game was in Kamurocho, and in the remake it's in Sotenbori. Makes sense, considering 0's involvement with the story.
- The game contains a lot of unused and beta content hidden inside.
- The beginning of this review, the title card, spells out "The Dragon of Kansai vs. The Dragon of Dojima".
- There's a pissing minigame. 'Nuff said.
THE YAKUZA BUNDLE OVERALL CONCLUSION
This will be my last conclusion about the Bundle. I will explain in a bit why it's named "The Yakuza Bundle" in a bit, but first, my thoughts.
These 3 games singlehandedly made me glued to my seat and spent hours and days playing, grinding, enjoying the games' story, gameplay, substories, music, and much more.
The depth the developers went through to make these games awesome is clear from the start as soon as you press play. Characters feel alive, the build ups the stories have are deep, and the gameplay and fighting is perfection. But in the end of the day, the substories are what make Yakuza so special. They're wacky, goofy, silly, deep, educational, lewd, funny, sexy, and whatnot.
The games as a whole are something I never knew I'd get attached to so quickly. And it wasn't a meme that made me play them, but a friend telling me how wacky the games are. That alone was enough to make me get the games and play them.
So, yeah. Yakuza is an awesome franchise and I can't wait to play the living shit out of them once I manage to get my hands on "The Yakuza Remastered" collection.
This will be my last conclusion about the Bundle. I will explain in a bit why it's named "The Yakuza Bundle" in a bit, but first, my thoughts.
These 3 games singlehandedly made me glued to my seat and spent hours and days playing, grinding, enjoying the games' story, gameplay, substories, music, and much more.
The depth the developers went through to make these games awesome is clear from the start as soon as you press play. Characters feel alive, the build ups the stories have are deep, and the gameplay and fighting is perfection. But in the end of the day, the substories are what make Yakuza so special. They're wacky, goofy, silly, deep, educational, lewd, funny, sexy, and whatnot.
The games as a whole are something I never knew I'd get attached to so quickly. And it wasn't a meme that made me play them, but a friend telling me how wacky the games are. That alone was enough to make me get the games and play them.
So, yeah. Yakuza is an awesome franchise and I can't wait to play the living shit out of them once I manage to get my hands on "The Yakuza Remastered" collection.
LINKS FOR THE BUNDLE
INDIVIDUAL LINKS
Yakuza 0 - https://store.steampowered.com/app/638970/Yakuza_0/
Yakuza Kiwami - https://store.steampowered.com/app/834530/Yakuza_Kiwami/
Yakuza Kiwami 2 - https://store.steampowered.com/app/927380/Yakuza_Kiwami_2/
Yakuza Kiwami - https://store.steampowered.com/app/834530/Yakuza_Kiwami/
Yakuza Kiwami 2 - https://store.steampowered.com/app/927380/Yakuza_Kiwami_2/
MUSIC PLAYLISTS FOR THE GAMES
YAKUZA 0
YAKUZA KIWAMI
YAKUZA KIWAMI 2
HONEST TO GOD FINAL WORDS
Damn! What a long ass review. I deserve a break. Will return on Monday or Tuesday to report on Matchweek 6 of the Premier League, and then again on Thursday for the Champions League.
Until next time
Lord Slayer...
Lord Slayer...
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