Yakuza Kiwami - PlayStation 4 Steelbook Edition

Definitely worth more than its price, in my opinion. Spent around 32 hours to finish the story with around 64% completion. I'll note that I didn't play the original Yakuza game so this is my first experience with the series. PROS: - Good story (albeit a bit cliche at times) with characters that have personalities. - Action is somewhat cheesy and over the top. I enjoyed the over-dramatic slo-mo finishing moves - Different fighting styles keep things interesting. - Substories will make you experience every emotion out there, ranging from some heart-felt family reunions to helping an alcoholic get his next fix to obliterating some little kids in various mini-games (or getting obliterated yourself...) - Mini games! Adds variety and some absurdist humor. - Good translations and scenery. Lots of minute details that really add to the experience of being in a small city in Japan. - Great music CONS: - Minor combat annoyances; for example, the main character gets staggered quite easily in the beginning making it hard to fight. It gets better as you grow stronger but it's still annoying. - Too many random gangs that aggro you on the street. Even after you reach your full power, you'll still have some random street punks try to start a fight as you run to your next substory. You can usually run away but it's still irritating. - Mini games. I know I listed it as a pro, but some of them will leave you frustrated. Overall it was a great game and I can't wait for the next remake!

I'll keep this as short as possible: Yakuza Kiwami is a fantastic remake of the original/first Yakuza game that debuted on the PlayStation 2. The graphics, voice acting, characters models, etc etc etc have been redone from the ground up to match current-gen quality. Yakuza Kiwami is run on the same engine that it's contemporary, Yakuza 0, uses and borrows similar features including combat and various stances. The side stories are fun and quirky, the main story is compelling, though doesn't quite reach the bar that 0 set (though this is somewhat to be expected due to the fact that Kiwami is based off the first entry in the series). Everything feels solid and runs smooth. I also greatly appreciate the fact that the voice acting is all in Japanese instead of the original English VO that Yakuza PS2 had. This matches 0 and the rest of the entries in the series - as a note for anyone new to the Yakuza games - there is a lot of dialogue and there is a heavy reliance on cutscenes - in other words, be prepared to do a lot of reading (or skipping at your leisure). I prefer and enjoy to read through while listening to the Japanese VO. It took a little getting used to at first but quickly grew on me. In sum, the remake is top notch and shows SEGA's genuine care and love for both the series and for its fans. At $20 or less, you can't go wrong with picking this up - whether you're new or a series veteran. Buy this game. Support SEGA and their continued work to bring this awesome series to the West. It's just awesome.

This game is a real gem that you can play for a long time. The storyline is amazing with its twists and turns and crime. It has a dynamic open world filled with things to do, fights that could break out, and many many side missions/quests which are fun and funny. You feel like you're playing a retro game, with all the available side quests/dialogue type, but also a fighting game, and a GTA game all mixed into one. It comes together very charmingly. I really hope they continue making these. I was very happy I preordered it. And if they make another, I will do the same. If you're new to this, I highly recommend playing Yakuza 0 for a treat.

Wow. Amazing game right here. I had never played a yakuza game before and seeing as how this is a ps2 remake I decided to start with this game. Its fun and has an amzing story. I hear people compare the yakuza series to GTA but I don't think they are similar. This game is a little more story driven I think. And the main character won't hurt innocent people. Still a lot of fun fighting mechanics and side quests to do. Oh and dont forget about the mini games! I liked this game so much that I decided to pre order yakuza 6. I am now a fan of the series. Highly recommended for players new to the series or fans of the series.

Yakuza is such an incredible franchise and this remake did such a wonderful job revitalizing the early days when the core aspects weren’t so well established in order to create something more in line with what the franchise has come to represent. This doesn’t mean anything was lost, (well other than the English dub) but that so many things were added. To the gameplay, the story, the confidants, everything has been improved and I can’t imagine ever going back. Sega did such a wonderful job giving this series justice and it made the ps4 a must have just to experience this series alone. Highly recommended. Plus, $20 for a steel book? Above all else, to get a masterpiece for this cheap is a crime that even the Yakuza would be suspicious of, but along with the majority of the franchise it’s the steal of the century.

Please note I have never played the original Yakuza 1. Yakuza 0 for the PS4 was my first Yakuza game, but I was aware of the yakuza series for a while now just never got to play it until now. I didn't had the experience of playing any of the yakusa games that was released on the PS2 and PS3, kind of wished I did now. That being said, I feel in love with this series already because of Yakuza 0. As one review already said, this feels like an extension to Yakuza 0 because they bring the fighting styles from Yakuza 0 and added the new style dragon, but with an XP system progression rather than buying your skills in Yakuza 0. They also bring back many of the mini games from Yakuza 0 like pocket racing and arcade machines, as well as brand new ones. Gosh I love this series. Story in Yakuza 0 was amazing, same for this game but for the sake of not spoiling anything... I won't really bother to give a summary of the game... but yakuza is all about over the top stories with tons of drama, betrayal, love, and Yakuza... all that good stuff. I can't really compare how this looked to the original Yakuza 1, since I never played it. All in all, I'm pretty sure you already read most of the reviews here already.... so stop reading and start buying. Can't wait for Sega to release the remaster of Yakuza 2 as well as 3-5!!! Pre-ordered 6

The story like all Yakuza games is great when it start rolling, but this one, and I'm assuming it's just weird things from the past but my god the fetch quest. The good: * The story is great * Has some good old fashion wacky side missions that are hilarious * a fighting system that feels stiff but satisfying. * If you've played 0 then this story will hit a little harder as it goes along, but since this is literally the first Yakuza game it's not needed to enjoy the experience. *** Majima Everywhere system is hilarious and amazing every time it happens and the experience (EXP) alone makes it worth it and to make it better figuring out how to get him to attack leads to all sorts of strange interactions. The Bad: *Boss fights especially at the beginning are punch sponges and expect to very very slowly widdle down their health, which isn't difficult it simply really boring. One boss fight took me 15 minutes until I got annoyed and started spamming my heavy slam attack. I took a lot more damage but at least something was happening with him finally. * Fetch Quest in the Main Story with little to no directions so plan on going to ever single convenient store to pick up items, and find out you need to do it all over again. And this is the main game structure, I'm totally fine with side quest fetch quest but in the main game it's horribly annoying. * Leveling up doesn't feel as good as it does in the later entries since it feels to be in 4 main categories that are unrelated to the item inside them. It's not split up in different combat styles as in 0. I been putting everything into Health and Strength which has help a ton with the terrible boss fights at least. Conclusion: As a Yakuza Fan it gets more points then it deserves, If this was my first entry into the series I might have not picked up the sequels, I though started with Ishin (Imported) and 4 on ps3 which were two of my favorite games at the times. So it's really cool to see where my favorite series came from but just happy it's the foundation not the current path. Still very excited for 6 when it comes out in March.

The Yakuza series is a near and dear franchise to my heart, and this brilliant recreation of the first Yakuza game is no different. With a compelling story, great action and an insane number of side activities and side missions to keep you entertained, as well as a great price point, I strongly recommend this (and Yakuza Zero) to anybody just getting into the series.

Très bonne édition steelbook du remake de Yakuza premier du nom. Les ajouts sont excellents et c est avec plaisir qu on retrouve de multiples clins d oeil à l univers du Préquel Yakuza 0. Sega de retour au top avec cette saga.

This game is a MASTERPIECE. I played a digital only version with a friend first, and simply had to buy this steelbook straight after. What you can't see on the picture is that what you have on the left there is a sleeve, what's on the right is the actual case - and the back of it has a beautiful dragon & koi design :) Best game series ever!!! I really hope we get to see Yakuza Kiwami 2 in the UK soon... Please, please SEGA! <3

english import play Yakuza zero before kiwami. i wish if others games could have english sub/japanese dub options. Buy separated and waiting english release takes soo much time

This is a good remaster of the original PS2 game. Great because it runs with really good graphics, at 60 frames per second (producing a smooth image), and you can save anywhere. That and you now have a rival character that will seek you out and challenge you. I heavily recommend this title, it is the best way to play the original Yakuza.

The new steal box looks amazing. I just received the game yesterday (thanks for the quick delivery) and played it for a short time but already i feel absorbed in it. The previous yakuza games have also been a huge success and i expect the same from this one as well. Now as mentioned in the description this is not a new game but a rebuilt game from it's original PS2 version, i sadly didn't get the opportunity to play it on PS2 so i am really happy i got it now. If u have already played this game then still do go for it because the experience is totally different aka Majima everywhere is awesome. If your buying it for the first time as well i would recommend you first play Yakuza 0 then play kiwami. It will be easier to understand both game stories and easier to adapt to the flight styles. Finally i would say that i feel the price could be less but the experience will be worth it.