Yakuza Kiwami 2

Yakuza Kiwami 2 is a remake of Yakuza 2, and is an action-adventure game set in an open world environment and played from a third-person perspective. Similar to the previous remake title, Yakuza Kiwami, Kiwami 2 follows the same plot structure of Yakuza 2 while adding new gameplay features and enhancements from later titles, as well as new story elements to resolve confusing plot points in the original release and tie the game more closely to other titles in the series. The player controls series protagonist Kazuma Kiryu as they explore the fictional Japanese districts of Kamurocho, Tokyo and Sotenbori, Osaka, based on the real life locations of Kabukicho and Dōtonbori, respectively. Combat is based on that previously seen in Yakuza 6, though with a variety of new moves and special cinematic 'Heat Moves'. A new story scenario, entitled "The Majima Saga" features recurring series anti-hero Goro Majima as a playable character.[5] The Cabaret Club minigame from Yakuza 0 returns, as does the Clan Creator from Yakuza 6, bringing in New Japan Pro-Wrestling stars Keiji Mutoh, Masahiro Chono, Riki Choshu, Genichiro Tenryu, and Tatsumi Fujinami.[6]

A year after leaving his former life in the Tojo Clan behind, ex-yakuza Kazuma Kiryu (Takaya Kuroda) is called back into action when the clan's Fifth Chairman, Yukio Terada (Kenji Nomura), is murdered by assassins from a rival organization, the Omi Alliance. Returning to Kamurocho, Kiryu must find a new chairman for the Tojo Clan and prevent an all-out war between the Tojo and the Omi, bringing him into conflict with Ryuji Goda (Masami Iwasaki), the legendary "Dragon of Kansai" of the Omi Alliance. Several characters from the original Yakuza 2 are recast for the remake, including: Aya Hisakawa as Kaoru Sayama, Hakuryu as Ryo Takashima, Houka Kinoshita as Wataru Kurahashi, and Yuichi Kimura as Tsutomo Bessho.

A new scenario, entitled "The Majima Saga", is centered around Goro Majima (Hidenari Ugaki) and explains how he came to leave the Tojo Clan following the death of his patriarch, Futoshi Shimano, a year earlier and form a legitimate enterprise, "Majima Construction", between Yakuza and Yakuza 2.

Yakuza Kiwami 2 was initially leaked on August 24, 2017 via a listing on the Taiwanese PlayStation Store.[7] The title was officially announced two days later alongside Yakuza: Like a Dragon, Ryu ga Gotoku Online, and Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise. The game runs on the Dragon Engine which was previously used in Yakuza 6: The Song of Life. Several characters were recast for the remake, including Hakuryu as Ryo Takashima, Houka Kinoshita as Wataru Kurahashi, and Yuichi Kimura as Tsutomo Bessho. The in-game arcade features playable versions of Virtua Fighter 2 and Virtual On: Cyber Troopers.

Japanese rock band SiM provided the theme songs for Kiwami 2. The first song "A" serves as opening theme while the second song "The Sound of Breath" serves as an insert song. Both of these themes are also featured in the ending credits of the game.

Yakuza Kiwami 2 was well received by critics.[8][9] It was the best selling game in Japan during its debut week, selling 131,931 units; this was the lowest debut for a Yakuza game, which was noted as expected due to being the first stand-alone PlayStation 4 title that is not a new main entry.[18] The PC version was among the best-selling new releases of the month on Steam.[19][lower-alpha 3]

Famitsu liked the seamless transitions when entering shops or starting battles, and enjoyed being able to use various items in the city as weapons.[12]

The game was nominated for the Freedom Tower Award for Best Remake at the New York Game Awards,[21] and for "Animation, Technical" and "Game, Classic Revival" at the National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers Awards.[22]

• Official website