Review of Yakuza Kiwami: Sensation of Modern Nuances!
If they look at their plans with their flagship
semi-open-world franchise, then it seems clear what SEGA is trying to do with
the Yakuza, especially after the fact that some previous series did not get the
localization process. True, after the release of Yakuza 0 which is now
positioned as the foundation of the story for Kazuma Kiryu's figure and iconic
support character - Goro Majima, SEGA began re-releasing Yakuza's older series
in Remake format to continue the braided story and hype. By carrying the name
"Kiwami" in it, this is what is done SEGA with the first series that
had released in the era of Playstation 2 first. A product that we can finally
taste directly on Playstation 4.
10 years ago, the presence of the first Yakuza on the
Playstation 2 did make many gamers fall in love with this Japanese gangster
story. Although it does not offer a world of GTA or other western open-world
games, the Shenmue-style approach makes Yakuza's attraction more inclined not
only to the story and cinematic approach being carried, but also the absurd
bypass mission that is ready to entertain. The fight that focused on the action
of empty hands and kicks was also executed quite sweetly at that time. Now the
10-year-old experience is trying to "resell" in Yakuza Kiwami format
that offers the same story, but improvements on all sides.
So, what is offered by this Kiwami Yakuza? Why do we call it
a much more modern sensation? This review will answer that question for you.
PLOTS
Remembering Yakuza Kiwami is the first Yakuza Remake that was
released in the era of Playstation 2 first, then you will get the basic content
of the story is really the same. Although you will get an extra cut-scene and
change the camera's point of view for cinematic sensations more clearly and
better, it's still about Kazuma Kiryu who must deal with situations she never
predicted before.
Being a direct sequel series of Yakuza 0, Kazuma Kiryu who
has proven himself as a trusted Yakuza in the "field" starts
preparing to build his own "family". But before being able to hoist
his new flag, he had to deal with a complicated situation. The best friend who
has played a role in the previous conflict - Nishikiyama was supposed to kill
Dojo's family boss - Sohei Dojima who tried to sexually abuse Yumi, their
siblings since childhood. Do not want Nishiki arrested, for the sake of
protecting Yumi anyway, Kazuma also pairs the body. He directed all the murder
charges against him.
Kiryu was thrown into prison. Not short, he had to serve a
10-year sentence for Nishiki's mistake. Once out, he finds that Kamurocho is
now much different from what he has known all along. Business is becoming more
passionate, technology is much more advanced than before it has to languish
behind bars, with the shifting powers and politics of criminal organizations
behind the scenes that are also constantly moving dynamically. Kiryu also found
a surprising fact behind the clan that he had defended in the past.
Tojo Clan - one of the largest Yakuza clans that contains
several families in it was hit by a big problem. Someone has stolen 10 billion
Yen from their pockets for no apparent reason, with the suspect still inviting
a lot of question marks. Not only that, there is a clear movement from the
outside to destroy Tojo Clan, complete with attempts to kill Shintaro Kazama -
a former boss of Kiryu.
While trying to find a common thread and answer to this
great mystery, Kiryu actually met a daughter named Haruka who became the target
of rival clan families. Fighting to protect him, Haruka was found to contain an
essential "key" to search for and find 10 billion Yen of the Tojo
clan that disappeared, just as the wind swept away.
So, what exactly is Haruka's role in this story? Can Kiryu
resolve this conflict? Who is also responsible for the loss of 10 billion Yen
belongs Tojo Clan this? All the answers are certainly you can get by playing
Yakuza Kiwami this one.
A great "Remake"
Remastered? Calling Yakuza Kiwami a Remake game seems to be
a more appropriate word choice when it comes to how significant the visualization
and presentation changes are offered in it. We are talking of small things like
Kamurocho which is now adorned with high definition textures in various corners
of the city, with pictures and decorative lights that are now also supported
with better visualization. But one of the most significant changes now lies in
the character model that now looks much better with a more subtle modern
impression.
Yakuza Kiwami is still not using the Dragon Engine that
implemented SEGA first time in Yakuza 6 and later later, Yakuza Kiwami 2. The
first series Kiwami is still relying on the engine of Yakuza 0, which although
a generation of "late", still able to present the appropriate
visualization quality to thumbs up. Like Yakuza 0, the details of each character
model, especially from their faces and facial expressions while talking or
channeling any emotion, are evident here.
Calling it a "Remake" also feels more appropriate
because the Yakuza team itself changed and replaced the Playstation 2 character
model with the Yakuza version 0, especially for some characters that are
related to the two series. The result? You can compare and find changes that
are no longer appropriate to be simply called "Remaster". Supporting
characters such as Reina-chan who continue to support the action of Kazuma
Kiryu for example, looks much different than the version of his Playstation 2.
For this version of Kiwami on PS4, Reina will be far more effective to make
your heart melt.
The decision to call it a Remake game is also appropriate
given the variety of new content offered in it, something we will discuss
later. But for the presentation business, as happened with Yakuza 0, the focus
of detail is more directed to characters who do have an important part in the
story. As for the NPC characters who just mudik back and forth in Kamurocho,
you will still find a repetition of character models that seem not difficult to
find.
With a presentation like this, then if there is one thing
that works with Yakuza Kiwami is making it a relevant "old" game.
That he became the best format for gamers "newcomers" who are always
curious about the Yakuza series to continue to enjoy the Kiryu saga, at least
until the upcoming sixth series. A quality that deserves to be called the
current generation of games.
More Modern
Yakuza, whatever series you have or will taste later, is
always centered on the same experience base. A semi-open-world game with a
dramatic epic story wrapped with a hand-held action game and a series of
super-unique missions that are "really Japanese". Reflecting on the
experience you got 10 years ago on Yakuza Playstation 2 and earlier this year
with Yakuza 0, you seem to be able to predict approximately what kind of
content you get. But for the affairs of the gameplay itself, it's hard not to
admit that Yakuza 0 does affect a lot of changes made SEGA with this Kiwami
Yakuza.
The simplest thing is like a fighting system, for example.
Unlike the original series that only trapped in one style only, Yakuza Kiwami
adopted the same system from Yakuza 0. That Kiryu now has four fighting styles,
each of which has their own advantages and disadvantages. There is a fast
fighting style with effective dodge capabilities named "Rush", but
has little damage. But there is also, the ability to attack with great damage
but with super-slow movements are vulnerable to injured enemies such as
"Beast", for example.
There are several other mechanics and mini-games also
injected and adapted from Yakuza 0, such as the chance to re-test Kazuma
Kiryu's vocals through the karaoke room available for you jajal as well as the
chance to return to play Tamiya and prove yourself as the fastest on the track.
Other system implementations also center on the return of the CP system - a
"currency" that you can accumulate by completing small progressions
to be exchanged for permanent items or buffs. The "clown" from Yakuza
0 who is in charge of it can now be found at one of the main entrance of Yakuza
Kiwami's main road itself. Additions for adult content are also included, and
will be discussed in the next session.
But if you have to choose one of the most significant
gameplay changes offered by SEGA in this Remake series is the presence of a new
mechanism called "Majima Everywhere". As we know, in the original
version of Playstation 2, the figure of Goro Majima is not significant
dibiilang. At that time, he was no more than a "rival" of Kiryu who
had an unstable personality and great fighting ability, but had no background
story at all. But now with the presence of Yakuza 0 released before Kiwami
present, where Goro Majima have a very big role in the story there and even
become one of the playable characters, it would be very strange if SEGA
suddenly throw the depth of this character just like that in Kiwami.
As compensation, SEGA injected Majima Everywhere system with
additional basic story. Given that Kiryu has just stepped out of prison, Goro
is now told quite worried that this "friend" of his arms will not be
ready to compete in a Japanese criminal organization that, of course, has grown
strongly and differently over the last 10 years when he was imprisoned. As a
solution? Majima will now try to fight whenever you meet him in Kamurocho,
either on the road or through certain special events that are not in the
original Yakuza PS2 series. If you win, you will have the opportunity to open
one branch of skill from your "Dragon" style. Majima will also be
stronger each time defeated and serve you with a variety of fighting styles
that seem to be familiar, for gamers who have tasted Yakuza 0 in the past.
Interesting, but somewhat forced, this might be the right
word to explain what SEGA is trying to offer with this Majima Everywhere. For
us personally, it would be more effective to fill Goro's "vacancy" in
the original PS2 Yakuza story by providing extra cut-scenes or more significant
roles in this Kiwami version. Include it as a random character that keeps
demanding you to fight? It's interesting at the beginning. But with the
absurdity of Goro's method, it is hard to disown him, he begins to erode the
personality and characteristic that makes him loved at Yakuza 0. What should
make Goro relevant, now feels like a double-edged sword in Kiwami.
So, are all the Yakuza Kiwami now following the formula from
Yakuza 0? Fortunately, no. Unlike Yakuza 0 where money plays a very important
role, where it becomes a resource not only to shop, eat, to build a variety of
existing business, it also becomes a resource to strengthen Kiryu and Goro at
that time. Once the importance of this one resource, until the battle against
the various enemies that there will also be decorated with sheets of Yen that
scattered to fly when the enemy is beaten or defeated. Instead, Yakuza Kiwami
maintains the basic system of the original Yakuza PS2, where the fight will
produce Exp. Switchable points to strengthen Kiryu across a range of existing
skill sectors, from strengthening only health or damage, to adding movement
that you can execute.
On the other hand, like the original series, money also does
not play such an important role in this Kiwami Yakuza. Can be counted minimal
objects or missions that require you to collect them in a very large amount. In
the end, it will end up becoming an essential resource to better prepare Kiryu
in the next big fight, like buying healing items or just eating to restore
injured health. No more money associations with the ability to upgrade and
strengthen Kiryu itself.
With a variety of additional features that he adapt from
Yakuza 0, Yakuza Kiwami feels much more modern and relevant compared to the
original version of his Playstation 2. New elements such as the opportunity to
choose a fighting style mean adding extra layers to the battle strategy,
especially against bosses or mid-bosses in stories that if off guard, enough to
make you feel frustrated.
Yakuza 0 = Double Edged Sword
However, the technology implementation of Yakuza 0 is also a
double-edged sword. As we discussed earlier, on the one hand he did manage to
make the experience offered by Kiwami now feel more modern. But on the other
hand, he ends up making gamers who have tasted Yakuza series before 0 before
willy-nilly, must continue to compare the two. Because at the current point,
the two are now beginning to feel like two products are connected in one common
thread. And considering the Yakuza Kiwami appeared as a sequel to the story of
Yakuza 0 and released after Yakuza 0 is available in the market, it is not
impossible that this comparison will end up injuring Kiwami. Why?
Because regardless of what SEGA is trying to do with Kiwami,
it retains a strong identity that it is a re-created "old" game. With
no significant content changes being offered SEGA in it, this means you are
dealing with the first series of a 10 year old franchise that offers an initial
storyline. While on the other hand, the real Yakuza 0 appears as a
"prequel" series and released long after the Playstation 2 Yakuza
certainly adopted a variety of essential elements to make its content more
diverse and rich, with a more complex story. This is the problem that Yakuza Kiwami
must solve.
"Naughty" Content is More Restricted
The bad news? The limitations of this content also
"attack" the rogue content that has been seemingly, has become an
integral part of the Yakuza series. Although getting a pretty solid addition
compared with the original version of his PS2, but when compared with Yakuza 0,
you will get content that in quantity, is more minimal. No more dating booths
featuring super-sensual female character models with bikinis or just a DVD shop
that allows you to enjoy live video chats of JAV actresses. Yakuza Kiwami has
only a few "interesting" things in this one element.
or interesting enough is the opportunity to visit adult
movie DVD shop - Beam is now back in Kiwami. If in the era of Playstation 2
ago, you can see the cover of DVD actress JAV comes with a low texture and
difficult to recognize, you now get a high definition texture cover that
clearly shows the faces of the existing actress. SEGA goes back to working with
SOD (Soft on Demand) studio for this one thing, until you can recognize some
pretty famous JAV actress faces like Marina Shiraishi on one of the covers.
Unfortunately, there is no opportunity to rent or enjoy the content. Kiryu can
also visit a sensual dance club which, unfortunately, has no content to talk
about.
One of the significant changes offered is a different
hostess system than the original series. Character models that are now being
replaced by real JAV actresses with voice act directly from them, the dating
process at this club was composed to add a certain depth. There is a ranking
system that will now affect their reactions to you on each visit. Each hostess
for each of these clubs will throw a myriad of questions for you at each visit,
which if you answer correctly, will add to their liking to you. Doing it to the
limit, then you will get the ending "deserved". A video lasts a few
minutes of each JAV actress who becomes an existing character model, albeit
without explicit nudity.
Conclusion
Yakuza Kiwami is an amazing remake game. Significant visual
enhancement compared to the original version released 10 years ago is merely a
surface appeal. If you dive in further, you can see SEGA's endeavor to make
this older series feel more relevant and modern for the current generation
platform. From injecting a Yakuza 0-fighting system, changing the hostess
system now has its own depth, to add new cut-scenes and camera point of view to
make your story experience cinematic. For gamers who had tasted Yakuza series 0
at the beginning of the year, this would be a continuation of the story that
they do not want to miss.
Nevertheless, this game is not exactly have no shortage. At
some point, especially if you are a gamer who departed from Yakuza series 0
first, you will be dealing with a series of "sequels" which is quite
disappointing. More minimal than the content side, weaker than the story, and no
more mad than the content of absurd side missions available. For gamers who do
not understand the link between Kiwami status as a game Yakuza and Yakuza 0,
this can certainly lead to a product that is disappointing count.
But beyond that deficiency, Kiwami still shows his point.
Becoming an excuse is increasingly clarify and reinforce why many gamers out
there, including us, fell in love with this SEGA open-world game on this one.
Moreover SEGA itself offers it at an affordable price for a new product.
Advantages
Significant visual remakes
The sensation of the game feels more modern
Majima Everywhere
A story full of epic dramas
Do not change the appeal of PS2 version too much
Deficiency
The addition of the content side does not feel significant
Borrowing too many elements from Yakuza 0