I seriously need to stop buying games only to play them months later, It’s becoming a bad habit.
After searching for a copy of Yakuza Kiwami, for a short while you would think I would start playing it immediately once I finally got my hands on one for a decent price. You would be wrong.
Still, I eventually started playing the game a few days ago. Now I am hooked.
Yakuza Kiwami is a remastering of the first Yakuza game that originally came out in 2005. In fact Yakuza Kiwami 2, a remastering of the second Yakuza game is coming to the west in August and Yakuza 6: The Song of Life will be released later this month. Needless to say, it’s a rather popular game franchise. For good reason, if you ask me.
Yakuza Kiwami follows Kazuma Kiryu, a respected yakuza lieutenant who throws it all away to take the fall for his childhood friend Akira Nishikiyama who commits a murder. Ten years later when he gets out of jail he finds that Nishikiyama has risen up the ranks and has changed for the worse.
With enemies around every corner, he must now protect the young Haruka and survive the trials and tribulations before him.
For a game that takes itself seriously (for the most part), the gameplay is ridiculously fun. Particularly the combat as you can charge up your heat to use over the top moves and you can use nearby objects as weapons such as signs and bikes.
On top of that, there are a lot of side stories and minigames you can indulge in.
Kiryu is a charismatic lead character who you root for. Throughout the game, he is constantly being tested and you want to see him get through it. Same goes for Haruka, if not double. Kids in games can be a bit annoying but Haruka is a sweet and smart girl.
Oh, and how can I forget the one and only Goro Majima who pops up every now and again to challenge Kiryu to a fight. I can’t help but love the guy. From his bombastic attitude to the schemes he sometimes concocts to get you to fight him, I’m always glad to see him as he always gives me a good laugh.
At the time of writing, I am over halfway through Yakuza Kiwami. Currently, I’m on chapter eight of twelve. I don’t like giving recommendations to games I haven’t finished, but so far this game has been a blast to play.
Who knows, maybe by the time I’m finished Yakuza Kiwami 2 will be out.
But then again, knowing me it will take me several months to get round to playing it. Old habits die hard.
Nerd Rambles 