Welcome to the Yakuza 5 hub! This massive entry in the legendary series puts you in the shoes of five distinct characters, including Kazuma Kiryu, Taiga Saejima, and Haruka Sawamura, as they navigate the criminal underworld across multiple Japanese cities like Kamurocho and the snowy streets of Tsukimino. You'll be engaging in intense beat 'em up combat, exploring vibrant districts, and diving into a dizzying array of side activities, from karaoke and dancing to fishing and managing a taxi service.
This guide is your essential companion to mastering Yakuza 5. We'll help you conquer the challenging main story, track down every elusive collectible, ace the demanding Gold Medal objectives, and navigate the complex web of substories and character-specific
FAQ
Find answers to common questions about Yakuza 5 Remastered, including game availability, changes in the remaster, ESRB rating, playable characters, and gameplay tips.
Q: What is _Yakuza 5_?
A: _Yakuza 5_ is the fifth mainline story game in the _Yakuza_ series by SEGA. It is an open-world adventure that follows the story of Kazuma Kiryu and the trials of the Tojo Clan. It was released in Japan in 2012 and in the west exclusively through digital download on December 8th, 2015. The remaster became available on February 11, 2020 in the West.
Q: How can I get this game?
A: If you're a Western player looking to play _Yakuza 5_, there are a few ways:
- You can buy the digital release for the PlayStation 3.
- You can buy the remastered version standalone. Digitally, the remaster is available on PlayStation, Xbox, and Steam.
- You can buy the " _Yakuza Remastered Collection_" on PlayStation, Xbox, or Steam. The collection is available on all platforms digitally. If you're looking for a physical copy, it's only available for the PlayStation 4.
Q: What has changed in the Remastered version of the game?
A: There's only one minor system that has changed compared to the PS3's version. There are some items that were considered "Premium Adventure" items. They were available right away in the base game on the PS3, but are only available in Premium Adventure in the remaster. This includes Saejima's Golden Rifle and Shinada's Fried Shrimp Bat. Beyond that, there are a small number of dialogue changes in the game.
Q: What is this game rated?
A: This game is rated "M" for Mature by the ESRB. It includes the content descriptors: Blood, Drug Reference, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity, Strong Language, Sexual Content, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco. In this game, you enter the world of Japanese organized crime, which includes a lot of illegal stuff. The combat in this game can be brutal, especially the "Heat Moves" you perform in combat, but while blood sprays out a lot, it's never too overt. There is no gore; everyone keeps all their parts. As far as sexual content is concerned, references are made to sex, and there's some slight rear nudity with adult characters in story cutscenes, but it's all very muted.
Q: Who do I play as in this game?
A: You play as series protagonist Kazuma Kiryu, moneylender Shun Akiyama, old-fashioned tough guy Taiga Saejima, baseball player and newcomer Tatsuo Shinada, and for the first time ever, Haruka Sawamura, Kiryu's adopted daughter and an up-and-coming idol singer.
Q: Is there an option for English voices in this game?
A: Not in this game. Very recent games in the series have an English dub, but this will not be applied retroactively to the older games.
Q: I picked up a locker key as Haruka and the game told me not to! What do I do?
A: You're okay to pick up locker keys as Haruka. What you DON'T want to do is go to the lockers and get the item out as Haruka. Late in the game, everyone's inventory and money get pooled _except for hers_, so items that she's carrying will get stuck with her until you access Premium Adventure post-game. Also, there's no need to get locker stuff for her anyway. Once the other character in Haruka's story meets up with her, you can go open the lockers as that character without worry as long as you have the ability to switch characters, so when you get that ability, then would be the time to empty the lockers as that other character. Be wary though, because proceeding too far into the story will then separate those characters again, isolating the locker keys to the individual until Premium Adventure.
Q: Kamiyama needs a Maguro for a weapon! What's a Maguro?
A: It's a tuna. It's a tuna when you fish it up, but it shows up in your inventory as "Maguro". You get them from Sea Fishing.
Q: I'm late in the game. How can I get more experience?
A: If you need to top off to Level 20 (or Level 25), my suggestion is equipping a Yakuza Training Gear and an Encounter Finder, get drunk, get involved in random fights, then start smashing found weapons on enemies. Actually breaking weapons apart gives you experience, and it will add up quickly. That's for the men. If you're looking to buff Haruka's experience after using up all your side jobs, then your only recourse is to get involved in Dance Battles over and over again. It's mind-numbingly slow, but it's the only way.
Menus
Navigate Yakuza 5's Title and Pause menus. Learn about viewing cutscenes, checking mail, and adjusting settings.
Title Menu
The Title Menu allows you to start a new adventure, load a saved game, or view previously seen major cutscenes (cinematic story sequences). The Special Content sub-menu offers access to Two-Player Vs. Mode for various minigames, Music Video Mode to rewatch Princess Battle videos, and Extra content for downloaded items if you have a remastered version with all DLC (downloadable content — extra missions or items released after launch) (Downloadable Content). The Options section here mirrors the Settings menu found in the Pause Menu.
Pause Menu
The Pause Menu provides access to several key functions:
- Map: Displays your current area, highlighting points of interest.
- Items: Shows your inventory, with a limit of 20 items. You can also view Valuables by pressing R1/RB, which do not count towards this limit.
- Abilities: Divided into Upgrades (four learnable abilities using Soul Points), Abilities (combat skills, both innate and learned), and Weapon Skills (proficiency with different weapon types, increased by use).
- Cell Phone: Accesses sub-menus for Mail (checking messages), Shopping (online purchases delivered to your hideout or the next convenience store), and Macsiv (checking character blog posts).
- Characters: A list of characters in your current Part.
- Side Stories: Tracks progress on character-specific Side Stories.
- Substories: Lists substories you have completed.
- Completion: A list of activities and attractions, including Food/Drink (restaurants and their offerings), Minigames (with completion requirements), Hostess Clubs (progress with the five hostesses), City Exploration (side activities found in cities), Heat Actions (special combat moves), Masters (training characters), and Coliseum (progress in tournaments).
- Notebook: Provides tips on various game aspects.
- Settings: Allows adjustment of Display Tips, Auto Upgrade Assignment, Camera Control (Vertical, Horizontal, First-Person with Normal or Inverted options), Minimap (the small circular map in the bottom-left corner of your screen) Display (toggle the minimap on/off), Minimap Rotation (toggle minimap rotation with camera), Subtitles (toggle subtitles for cutscenes), Screen Brightness, Gamma, and 2D Display Position. English Karaoke Lyrics can also be toggled here.
- Valuables do not count towards your item inventory limit of 20.
- The Notebook section offers helpful gameplay tips.
- Adjusting the minimap settings can improve your awareness of the game world.
- Ensure subtitles are enabled if you do not understand Japanese, especially if English Karaoke Lyrics are turned off.
Basic Controls
Get a grip on Yakuza 5! This guide breaks down all the essential controls for exploration, combat, and menus, so you can navigate Kamurocho and beyond like a pro.
Alright, let's get you up to speed on how to actually move around and do stuff in Yakuza 5. It's not too complicated, but knowing the buttons will save you a lot of fumbling around. We'll cover how to explore, how to fight, and how to navigate the menus.
Think of this as your cheat sheet for the absolute basics. Once you've got this down, you'll be ready to tackle anything the game throws at you.
Exploration Controls
When you're just walking around the city, checking out the sights, or heading to your next objective, these are the buttons you'll be using. It's pretty standard stuff for a 3D game, but pay attention to the camera controls – keeping track of where you're going is key!
| PlayStation | Xbox | Control |
| Move your character | ||
| Move the camera | ||
| Interact (talk to people, pick up items, etc.) | ||
| Hold to walk (useful for sneaking or just taking it easy) | ||
| Center camera behind you (quick reset if you get turned around) | ||
| Enter first-person mode (great for looking at details or aiming) | ||
| Enter Pause Menu (access your inventory, stats, etc.) |
Menu Controls
You'll be spending a fair bit of time in menus, whether it's checking your inventory, managing your skills, or looking at the map. These controls are straightforward, but knowing them helps you zip through screens quickly.
| PlayStation | Xbox | Control |
| Move cursor (navigate lists and options) | ||
| Confirm (Equip or Use on Items screen) | ||
| Cancel/Exit (back out of a menu or option) | ||
| Sorting Items on Items screen (organize your gear) | ||
| Discard on Items screen (get rid of unwanted items) | ||
| Used in some menus to toggle screens (like switching between tabs) | ||
| Exit Menu (the main way to close out of most menus) |
Combat Controls (typical)
Okay, this is where things get exciting! Yakuza combat is all about brawling, and these are your go-to moves. Don't worry if it seems like a lot at first; you'll get the hang of it quickly. Remember, mastering these basics is high-stakes before diving into the more advanced combat techniques mentioned in other sections.
| PlayStation | Xbox | Control |
| Move your character (position yourself for attacks or defense) | ||
| Move the camera (keep an eye on your surroundings and enemies) | ||
| Light Attack / Rush Combo (quick hits to keep pressure on) | ||
| Heavy Attack / Finishing Blow / Heat Action (slower, stronger hits; high-stakes for Heat Actions) | ||
| Evade (dodge attacks, high-stakes for survival) | ||
| Grab / Throw enemy/weapon (control opponents or use environmental objects) | ||
| Guard (block incoming attacks) | ||
| Fighting Stance (get ready to fight, sometimes needed to initiate certain actions) | ||
| Taunt (can sometimes affect enemy behavior or build Heat) | ||
| Center Camera / Hold to negate Heat Actions (re-focus the camera or prevent accidental Heat Actions) | ||
| Pause the game (take a breather, check your status) | ||
| Pull out weapon assigned to that button (quick access to your equipped weapon) | ||
| Smoke break (a quick action, sometimes used for specific mechanics or just flavor) |
This covers the absolute core of how you'll interact with the world and its inhabitants. Keep this handy as you start out, and you'll be throwing punches and exploring the streets of Yakuza 5 like a seasoned pro in no time!
Hints and Tips
Master Yakuza 5 with essential hints and tips on combat, health, exploration, and character progression. Learn about Heat Actions, Masters, and item management.
- 1Remember to use your Heat Actions, which are powerful moves that consume Heat built up from combat. They deal significant damage and can quickly end fights.
- 2Restore health by eating at restaurants or using recovery items like Toughness or Staminan drinks. Always keep some on hand, especially for story missions.
- 3Use the walk function (L1/LB or R1/RB) to sneak past unwanted battles if you wish to avoid combat.
- 4Look for Rich Bastards, who are NPCs dressed in white suits. They often carry expensive recovery items, yen, or high-level Plates. Bump into them if they don't approach you.
- 5Engage in Substories and Side Stories to receive items, experience points, and sometimes new abilities that will make the main game easier.
- 6Seek out your character's Masters for training. The abilities you learn from them are invaluable.
- 7Save money by not over-purchasing health items, as street encounters often provide them. Also, conserve funds by not buying excessive weapons or gear; save it for activities like pachinko and hostesses.
- 8Save any item that seems potentially useless in your Item Box. It could be a cheat item or a crafting component. The only truly useless items are toys from the UFO Catcher and Pocket Tissues.
- 9If you reach Level 20 during a character's segment, consider pausing their remaining side content. A late-game opportunity will arise to increase everyone's level cap, and having these events available will prevent repetitive fights or dance battles.
- 10Do not open any lockers as Haruka. While Locker Keys are shared across all characters, Haruka's inventory is not shared until post-game content. You can collect keys with her, but do not retrieve items from lockers to avoid them being stuck with her.
- Heat Actions can make the difference between a quick victory and a long, drawn-out fight.
- Always have a few recovery items on hand, especially before tackling story missions.
- Rich Bastards can provide valuable items, yen, or Plates.
- Substories and Side Stories offer rewards that ease the main game's difficulty.
- Master training provides essential abilities for your character.
- Save money by relying on found items and conserving funds for optional activities.
- The Item Box is useful for storing potentially valuable items.
- Delaying side content after reaching Level 20 can save time later in the game.
- Be cautious with Haruka and lockers due to inventory sharing limitations.
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