In January of this year, I told our readers about action adventure Yakuza 0 that transports players into Tokyo 80s and reveals the secrets of the origin of the main characters in the popular video game series. Despite the fact that it was a prequel to the entire franchise, the first to light up the original Yakuza, released in 2005 for the Sony PlayStation 2 console. The developers of the company Sega headed unchallenged, Toshihiro, Nagoshi decided that would be a good modern players to see the story when it all began. So the light and there was a remake of the original game called Yakuza Kiwami for the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4.
Game: Yakuza Kiwami
Platform: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4
Genre: Action-Adventure
Release date: 29 Aug 2017
Developer: Sega
Publisher: Sega, Deep Silver
Thanks to excellent sales of the game 2005 the bosses of Sega at the time was given the green light to the Yakuza franchise. And they are not lost, because today it sold over 10 million copies of games in the series. The secret of its success is explained simply. Interesting story with a careful study of the stories of individual characters, political intrigue and personal drama, an unusual combat system, an unexpected sprinklings of other genres and of course, charismatic and noble the main character – Kazuma Kiryu. It turns out that we have something like American GTA, but only made in a very Japanese style, laced with a huge number of various mini-games and other ways to entertain the player. To break away from the Yakuza series of games really difficult, so well tailored and they indulge the desires of the players.
The plot of Yakuza Kiwami almost completely follows the events of the original game. It begins in 1995 with the fact that Kazuma is dedicated and takes responsibility for the murder of a mafia boss, which made his childhood friend Akira Nishikiyama. For this, the main character receives 10 years in prison, after which the story continues only on the day of its release in 2005. In the decade that Kazuma was imprisoned, much has changed. His friend Yumi is missing, and the friend for whom he sacrificed years of his life, has betrayed their common mentor in order to start his own Yakuza family, and now does not want to know his old comrade. The output of Kazumi from prison accompanied by another loud murder of a Yakuza boss and the disappearance of 10 billion yen from the mafia “obshchak”. In other words, something is definitely not clean, and the protagonist has to figure all this out. If the story of Yakuza 0 has told us about young people trying to find their place in life, Yakuza Kiwami – a more adult story about love, loyalty and inevitable betrayal.
Much to the delight of millions of fans of the series, Yakuza Kiwami was not another penny HD remaster, which is so popular these days, and a full remake created from scratch. 12 years later the game has finally been completely transferred to a modern graphics engine, thanks to which, the characters now look more vivid, and the environment – as detailed. The result is really impressive, despite the fact that Yakuza Kiwami did not use the most modern graphics engine Dragon Engine, but only its predecessor. This same tool had been created by game Yakuza 0, which I wrote just above. So, if you are the owner of Sony’s PlayStation 4, be ready for a wonderful picture in 1080p at more or less stable 60 fps (on PS3, of course, the picture is much more modest). Although, as in the case of Yakuza 0 in the game still see muddy textures and low-poly objects, the project “cross gene”. Although the background of the overall beauty these shortcomings are not so much hurt the eyes.
Visual improvements the developers decided not to limit themselves. Players no longer have to admire the loading screen at the beginning of each duel with the enemies. From now on, all fights start instantly, which is very cool, comparing the game with the original. From the game Yakuza 0 in the remake moved the combat system, which includes four different combat style of the main characters, between which he can switch at any time using the D-Pad. The first style is a Brawler. Balanced attack, counter-attack and fairly quick escapes from enemy attacks will allow you to pass most of the game without any problems. The second style – Rush. Kazuma becomes incredibly fast and brings down on the heads of enemies a shower of blows. The third style is Beast. The main character becomes a hulking tank, whose punches don’t want to miss. In this mode, the unit protects it from impacts on all sides, and even Kazuma automatically raises from the ground objects that you can use as a weapon.
Completes four of the styles – Dragon. It’s the ultimate style, which is owned by the protagonist. But there is one small catch: over the years of stay in prison, Kazuma has lost much of his combat skills and now to regain the honorary title “dragon” is possible only after completing the quest chain associated with our old friend Goro Madzimai. Defeating this colorful Yakuza in numerous fights scattered throughout the city, the main character will learn a long-forgotten techniques and become more serious rival for their sworn enemies. In addition Mazimi you can train and other masters of martial arts. But all this, of course, optional, and not necessarily in order to enjoy the game.
Scale Heat filled during fights and makes the main character stronger and will allow players to execute different special attacks, and use a completely new movement – Kiwami (not for nothing, this word became the name of the game). When your opponent is in a state of recovery, it will occur a special icon. It was at this point a player can make a spectacular unreal and powerful attack that takes the enemy a large part of the scale of his health. No Kiwami boss fights would have turned into a sophisticated torture of players, takes a lot of time. Leveling is divided into four separate screen, each of which is responsible for its direction of development. Category Soul improves your Heat attacks, Tech has three main style of the new movements, the Body increases the scale of health and reserve of stamina of the main character and Dragon, respectively, returns him to long-forgotten skills. A total of 48 improvements, unlockable with points CP (Completion Points), the player receives for completing the game and completing various quests.
Very nice that the game has been updated with all new cut-scenes, clarifying certain plot points, previously not very clear to the players. For example, what happened to Akira Nishikiyama while Kazuma was in prison? As it has come to that best friend of the protagonist turned into a genuine villain? Yakuza Kiwami will answer this and many other questions with an expanded narrative and additional plot panels. Moreover, at some time you will even get to play the role of this character and see the world through his eyes. Specifically for the game in the Studio going the actors who voiced the original and recorded brand new dialogue and re-recorded most of the old. And I love that this game has the possibility to interrupt the passage of some time, and then go back and click “Earlier in the game…” to remember on what you stopped. This function, like a modern TV series, in General terms, to tell the story and remind you of key events.
Yakuza Kiwami would not be myself if I didn’t offer players a huge number of various side-missions and mini-games. Traveling through the narrow streets to the virtual Camarote (interpretation of Kabuki-the – real Tokyo) and then you will come across people who need your help. All in the game 78 such stories, which allow players not only earn extra experience, but even better to feel the atmosphere of the Country of the rising Sun. Some side quests are funny, and some so touching that it is able to squeeze out of you a tear. The game, as before, is extremely emotional and evokes in the player a sincere empathy for the characters. For completing side-quests you will get points CP, the extra money, valuable items, and even new military equipment.
In terms of mini-games the remake stayed true to the original. Entertainment in the game a huge amount. Want play Mahjong, craps, blackjack, roulette or Shogi. Want – sing karaoke, play pool, bowling, Darts or try to set a new record in a few arcade machines. If you this is not enough – you can visit hostess clubs, where you’ll probably appreciate Japanese beauty, longed to while away the evening in the company of a generous, gallant client. The game has a “achivka”: to try all the menu items in the cafés and restaurants. For this you will also gain valuable experience. Along the way you can taste a variety of alcoholic products. These entertainment you, of course, no one pushes. You can complete the game with absolutely no distractions of any mini-games. But still they are great to diversify gameplay and allow to recover in between the especially dramatic moments of the plot. In addition, the game includes a cooperative mode for two players in which you and your friend can play bowling, Darts or Billiards.
The developers promise over several months to release for the game is completely free DLC with different content. To access these bonuses can a clown named Bob, which you can find in the game on one of the intersections of Camarote. This same NPC you can exchange the points you have earned CP on various cool items, perks, and rare weapons. Despite these advantages, the problems the game has, of course, too. For example, annoying moments when you say, find such a character or such and such location, but the map does not appear relevant note to simplify the tasks set before you. This problem existed in the era of the PS2, but why is it impossible to fix this by the release of the PS4 version of the game – I’ll never know. Likely, the developers just don’t want to spoil the players too often the tips. But in video games today such is perceived as highly annoying relic of the past. Still somewhat annoying not always obedient game camera, though, for a series of this problem is traditional.
Pros:
- The plot is still very exciting, even though its 12 years of age.
- The game looks great with all the graphics processing in 1080p.
- Each character was redrawn from scratch and it’s great animated.
- The game manages to balance on the fine line between Comedy and drama.
- Most of the dialogues were overwritten with the involvement of the original actors.
- For the first time players will be able to know what happened while Kazuma was in prison.
- Advanced combat system is migrated into the game straight from Yakuza 0.
- As usual the game has many great side-quests and mini-games.
- A wonderful opportunity to remember or discover the classics.
- A bunch of free game content in the form of DLC.
Cons:
- In the game, there remains the problem of the original, associated with navigation.
- Traditionally not the most adequately leading the camera.
Once again, I clearly realized that Yakuza is one of the most dear to my heart game series. Acquainted with her back in 2006 (in Europe the game was released a year after Japan) I still can’t part with their favorite characters and the raging passions of the world of Japanese organized crime. Yakuza Kiwami is a wonderful opportunity to get acquainted with the classics of the Japanese gaming industry, which has never looked so luxurious. The developers have done everything to ensure that modern players feel as comfortable as possible. In this virtual world you can spend many hours, thus obtaining a very vivid emotions and enjoying the superbly written script, which can be the envy of some modern Hollywood Directors. The only thing I really dream about is that one game series is still translated into Russian language to a large number of my compatriots were able to see these magnificent works. Put Yakuza Kiwami unequivocal 9 out of 10 and remind you that the remake of Yakuza 2 has already been officially announced and will be released within the next year.
Game review of Yakuza Kiwami
Sergey Grey