Every Yakuza Game Ranked From Worst To Best

Yakuza Kiwami is a remake stuck between trying to be a faithful adaptation of the PS2 original, versus a game that matches the modern gameplay sensibilities of Yakuza 0.

Kiwami adds a new coat of paint to cutscenes and the result is modern graphics mixed with dated animations. Though combat and exploration are up to par with more recent games, there are times when Kiwami feels more like Yakuza 0 DLC than a full-fledged game, with less content compared to previous games.

It doesn't help that the new additions clash with the title it's trying to remake. For example, Akira Nishikiyama gets all-new cutscenes explaining his downfall. while the main campaign barely features him. Majima, coming off the success of Yakuza 0, also has an increased role with the "Majima Everywhere" system that unfortunately ends up feeling tedious and clashes with his initially more villainous portrayal.

Though quality of life improvements like the combat's different fighting styles are highly appreciated, Yakuza Kiwami often feels unsure of itself.

Is it a faithful recreation of the first game, or a modernization of it?