Yakuza Kiwami Review Summary

Comprehensive language localization added: The game now includes official localizations for multiple languages, such as Chinese, Russian, Italian, and Portuguese, which are seen as improvements over fan translations. Players appreciate the addition of 10 subtitle languages, enhancing accessibility for non-English speakers. However, some languages like Turkish are still missing.

High praise for game quality: The game is highly recommended for its strong narrative, well-written side quests, and unique qualities. Players appreciate the optimized experience and the game's ability to maintain its high standards, making it a great entry point for new players.

Affordable upgrade options: Players can upgrade from the legacy version of Yakuza Kiwami for a low price (e.g., $1.99 or 150 rubles), which is widely considered reasonable. The option to upgrade is seen as a fair way to access improvements without repurchasing the game.

Visual and technical improvements: Significant enhancements have been made to visual quality, including fixes for anti-aliasing issues, higher-quality pre-rendered cutscenes (up to 4K 60fps), and reduced ghosting/flickering. These improvements contribute to a clearer and more polished experience.

Positive reception of combat and controls: Players praise the satisfying and fun combat system, which marks the last use of the older engine before transitioning to the Dragon Engine. The controls are intuitive for both mouse/keyboard and gamepad, contributing to a smooth experience.

Paid upgrade dissatisfaction: Players express frustration over the paid upgrade model for a game they already own, suggesting it should have been a free update. The lack of significant new content or improvements exacerbates this sentiment, making the upgrade feel unnecessary or exploitative.

Repetitive and frustrating mechanics: The Majima Everywhere system and certain boss fight mechanics are criticized for being repetitive or overly frustrating. Players find these systems tedious, detracting from the overall experience.

Technical and compatibility issues: Players report unresolved technical issues, such as controller compatibility problems, unclear file size increases, and resolution limitations (e.g., lack of 5120x2160 support). These issues create unnecessary friction for users.

Save data incompatibility: A major pain point for players is the inability to transfer save files between the original and upgraded versions. This inconvenience disrupts continuity for those who have invested time in the original game.

Untranslated content and bugs: Despite being a paid update, some original game content remains untranslated, and operational bugs persist. Players feel cheated by the lack of polish and completeness in the update.

Sequel to Yakuza 0's story: The game continues Kiryu's story from *Yakuza 0*, providing a direct narrative progression for fans of the series. This continuity is a key selling point for long-time players invested in the character's journey.

No save transfer from prior games: The game does not support save transfers from previous versions, forcing players to start fresh. This limitation may frustrate returning players who invested time in earlier titles, though it ensures accessibility for newcomers.

Enhanced visual clarity and performance: Players reported significant improvements in visual clarity and a reduction in screen artifacts, likely due to recent anti-aliasing fixes. This change enhances the overall gaming experience by making visuals smoother and more immersive.

4K 60fps cutscenes increase file size: The inclusion of 4K 60fps versions of pre-rendered cutscenes has been noted as a positive upgrade for visual fidelity. However, this improvement comes at the cost of increased file size, which may impact storage constraints for some players.

Purchase recommendations vary by player type: Players new to the game or those willing to replay for achievements are encouraged to buy, while existing owners of the Legacy version are advised to wait for a discount or avoid repurchasing due to minimal differences. This reflects a divide in perceived value based on prior ownership and expectations.

Appeals to cinematic story lovers: The game is highly recommended for players who enjoy cinematic experiences, well-written stories, and those with strong English skills. This highlights its strengths in narrative and presentation, which resonate with a specific audience.

Low-cost support for Sega: Some players view the game's price as a fair opportunity to support Sega, particularly for localization efforts. This perspective frames the purchase as a low-stakes way to contribute to the developer rather than a traditional value proposition.

Alternative versions suggested: Players are advised to consider the original version on platforms like GOG if they are hesitant about this release. This reflects concerns about the necessity of repurchasing or the value of this specific version.

Positive reception of saga's beginning: The game is praised for its engaging start to the saga, suggesting it holds strong appeal for those invested in the series' narrative. However, this point is based on limited feedback and may not reflect broader sentiment.

Fan translations inferior to official: Players express a preference for official localizations over fan-made translations, citing higher quality and accuracy. This sentiment encourages supporting official releases for better overall experience.

Ignore overly negative reviews: Some players advise new players to disregard negative reviews that lack key details or context. They emphasize the importance of respectful and informed discussions about the game's improvements.

Free upgrade for Kiwami 2 owners: Owners of *Yakuza Kiwami 2* receive the new *Kiwami 2* game for free, which is seen as a positive gesture toward existing fans and may encourage player retention.

Disappointment over missing Switch localization: Players express frustration that the first game in the series was not localized for the Nintendo Switch, which may have limited its accessibility to a broader audience.