Yakuza: Kiwami 2

Yakuza: Kiwami 2 is a single-player role playing game, with brawler-like combat. It is a complete remake of Yakuza 2, rebuilt using the Dragon Engine to provide updated visuals, new cutscenes, and expanded story content. The game follows Kazuma Kiryu, the former Dragon of Dojima, who is drawn back into the conflicts of the Tojo Clan after the assassination of its chairman. In order to prevent war between rival syndicates, Kiryu must confront old allies, hostile families, and a dangerous figure from the past.

The main story campaign is divided into chapters, each advancing Kiryu’s journey through the fictional cities of Kamurocho and Sotenbori. Exploration alternates between story-driven encounters, side activities, and battles against rival gangs or hostile groups encountered in the streets. Story progression is punctuated by cinematic cutscenes, branching encounters, and boss fights that develop the central conflict between the Tojo Clan and the Omi Alliance.

Combat uses a real-time system where Kiryu engages opponents with punches, kicks, throws, and improvised weapons taken from the environment. The Dragon Engine allows battles to transition seamlessly from exploration, with destructible objects and dynamic crowd interactions. Heat Actions, cinematic finishing techniques, can be executed once the Heat Gauge is charged, delivering context-sensitive moves that vary depending on positioning, weapon choice, or the number of enemies. Defeating enemies and completing missions grants experience points which can be spent across multiple upgrade categories to unlock new abilities, expand Kiryu’s health, or strengthen his combat potential.

In addition to the main campaign, the game includes a new “Majima Saga” storyline, a separate scenario in which players control Goro Majima in side chapters that explore his activities leading up to the events of the story. This mode uses the same combat system but provides a different perspective on the clan conflict and reveals connections to supporting characters.

Outside of combat, players can interact with numerous side activities scattered across Kamurocho and Sotenbori. Minigames include karaoke, darts, golf, batting cages, arcade titles, and gambling parlors. Larger side systems feature Cabaret Club management, where Kiryu recruits and trains hostesses to attract customers, and the Clan Creator strategy mode, where players build and command groups of fighters against enemy organizations. Dozens of substories, optional quests found throughout the cities, provide additional narrative encounters that reward money, items, or experience.

The remake incorporates full Japanese voice acting with new recordings for both the main story and substories. The Steelbook Edition contains the same game content as the standard release, presented in a collectible steel case.