Yakuza Kiwami 2

What is Yakuza Kiwami 2?

Yakuza Kiwami 2 is a remake of the second PS2 Yakuza game, in the series of the same name by SEGA, otherwise known in Japan as "Ryu ga Gotoku" ("Like a Dragon"). Kiwami 2 was released in 2017 for the Playstation 4 in Japan and in 2018 for the Playstation 4 in other territories. It largely adheres to the original storyline with a few extra features.

What does "kiwami" mean?

It means EXTREEEEEEME! Specifically it means "highest place" or "ultimate". The "Kiwami" moniker is added to the Yakuza games that are remade for the ground up.

Is this is a good game to start the Yakuza series with?

If you're trying to get into the series, my suggestion is to start with Yakuza 0. At the time of this writing, Yakuza 0 has been released as a "Playstation Hits", making it a bargain price. It's by far the best entry to the series. After that, I'd suggest Yakuza Kiwami, and then Kiwami 2. That said, I'm not your Yakuza-mom. You really can play the games in just about any order.

How do I save in this game?

Go to the Pause Menu and select "Save". There are no "telephones" to save at in this game. Also, unlike Yakuza 6, there is no autosave, so you have to do so manually.

What is different in this remake compared to the original Yakuza 2 for the PS2?

Here's a list of new things you can expect to encounter:

• The game has been recreated using the new "Dragon Engine" that was introduced in Yakuza 6. Graphics, exploration gameplay, combat, experience, and upgrading have all been adjusted to reflect that engine's style.
• Sotenbori has been slightly redesigned to be similar to Yakuza 5 and 0, with a few streets moved around in the south end.
• The Shinseicho area from the original game has been removed. Story beats that happened there now happen in Sotenbori itself.
• Several Substories have been removed or condensed. Others have been added new. The final count is 75 substories for this version of the game compared to the original 120.
• In particular, the Host Club Adam, Club Marietta, and the usual Cabaret Club "dating" gameplay have been removed from this version of the game. In their place is the Cabaret Club Grand Prix.
• Minigames have been added, some of which have appeared earlier in the series, some of which are entirely new. Some returning minigames have had their gameplay adjusted.
• There is a playable mini-campaign featuring series favorite Goro Majima, which takes place two months after the end of Yakuza 1.

What is conceptually different in Kiwami 2 compared to Yakuza 6?

Since this is the "next" game in the franchise, a lot of comparisons can be made to Yakuza 6. Apart from very obvious story and setting differences, here are some points of note:

• Combat has received a few tweaks. In particular, there are "charge attacks" that can be performed by holding down either Square or Triangle before attacking.
• Weapons have returned to combat, appearing much as they did in past games.
• Clan Creator has returned from Yakuza 6, with some modifications.
• Kamurocho is now complete as it was in past games, including Park Boulevard and the Champion District.
• Vending Machine Drinks now sit in your inventory instead of in your hand, so you can store them for later.

What is this game rated?

This game is rated "M" for Mature by the ESRB. It includes the content descriptors of: Blood, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, and Use of Alcohol. 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 Actions" (special combat 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, but it's all very muted.

Who do I play as in this game?

In the main story, you play as series protagonist Kazuma Kiryu, formerly of the Tojo Clan's Dojima Family in Tokyo, now trying to live a simpler life with his adopted daughter, Haruka. You can also play a small side story separate from the game as Goro Majima, patriarch of the Tojo Clan's Majima Family.

I downloaded some DLC (downloadable content — extra missions or items released after launch). Where do I pick it up?

Starting in Chapter 4, you get access to a snack bar known as Aoi that serves as your hideout in Sotenbori. You'll see a package on a seat there (it appears on your minimap (a small map displayed on your HUD (heads-up display — the on-screen icons showing health, ammo and the minimap)) as a pink gift). That's your DLC content. Furthermore, you can also access packages at Serena in Kamurocho starting in Chapter 5. You may only take a package once, so if you take it in one location, it won't appear in the other anymore. Furthermore, you can only access DLC once per save file.

What's an easy way to grind experience?

Personally, as I did side content, I had little trouble getting experience towards the end of the game, but for those of you enjoy the grind, I suggest restaurants. Search for combinations and dishes that give good results to particular types of experience. I find Zuboraya does a lot of good for your value, in particular. Beyond that, Bouncer Missions and Coliseum fights also generate quite a bit.

What's an easy way to grind money?

Working shifts at Four Shine, in the Cabaret Club Grand Prix. As you develop your club, you'll find that single shifts run there will net you in the multi-millions for yen, which will be more than enough to buy everything in the game by the time you hit the completion metric of earning 100 million. Prior to opening the club, I suggest going to the Batting Center, following the strategies I've got there, and use it to get Platinum Plates for some nice early chunks of change in your wallet.

Alright, let's get you moving and grooving in Yakuza Kiwami 2! This guide breaks down the basic controls so you can navigate Kamurocho like a seasoned pro. We'll cover exploration, menus, and the heat of combat. Remember, the game defaults to PlayStation button prompts, but the actions are the same no matter which controller you're using. If you're on PC and using something other than a DualShock 4, Xbox One controller, or Switch Pro Controller, definitely dive into the game's Settings to remap those buttons!

The tables below show the controls for PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch 2 Pro Controllers, respectively. We'll go through what each button does.

Exploration Controls

Getting around Kamurocho is key. Here's how you'll move Kiryu and interact with the world:

Menu Controls

Navigating menus, inventory, and upgrades is straightforward. Here are the key buttons:

Combat Controls (typical)

Now for the fun part – throwing down! These are your go-to buttons when things get heated:

Keep in mind that combat has even more depth, and you can find more details in the 'Combat and Abilities' section, specifically the 'Basic Combat' part. Don't hesitate to experiment with these buttons – that's how you'll really learn Kiryu's moveset!

Alright, so you're exploring the bustling streets of Kamurocho and Sotenbori in Yakuza Kiwami 2. It's easy to get caught up in the main story, but these cities are packed with places to visit that can help you out. Think of them as your pit stops for supplies, selling off junk, or just blowing off some steam. Let's break down the common spots you'll find scattered around.

First up, the trusty Poppo convenience stores. These are your go-to for cheap food and drinks, perfect for a quick health boost when you're on the move. You'll find them dotted all over both cities:

• Poppo (Tenkaichi St.) — Located north of the Serena building on Tenkaichi St.
• Poppo (W Shichifuku St.) — On the west side of Shichifuku St., just north of Theater Square.
• Poppo (E Shichifuku St.) — Way out east on Shichifuku St., near the edge of the district.
• Poppo (Showa St.) — Right on the corner where Showa St. meets Pink St.
• Poppo (Sotenbori St.) — Found at the northeast corner of the Sotenbori district.
• Poppo (Shofukucho) — Mid-way down the west side of Shofukucho.

Next, you've got your Drug Stores. These are essential for stocking up on serious healing items before a tough fight. They carry a full range of energy drinks and health supplies.

• Kotobuki Drugs — In Kamurocho, head southeast from Millenium Tower and look along Taihei Blvd. East.
• Tsuruha Drugs — In Sotenbori, you'll find this one along the mid-west stretch of Sotenbori St.

Need to offload some unwanted gear or those pesky plates you've collected? Head to Ebisu Pawn. They're your main spot for selling items, and they also have a few unique things to buy depending on which city you're in.

• Kamurocho Ebisu Pawn — Tucked away in Nakamichi Alley, right at the southern bend.
• Sotenbori Ebisu Pawn — In Sotenbori, it's on the east side of Shofukucho, just before the road turns north towards the bridge.

For a bit of everything, there's Don Quijote. Think of it as a massive Japanese department store, like a super-sized Wal-Mart. They've got a huge variety of recovery items, some decent gear, and accessories. It's a great place to browse if you're not sure what you need.

• Kamurocho Don Quijote — On the corner of Showa St. and Nakamichi St.
• Sotenbori Don Quijote — Located roughly in the center of the map on Shofukucho.

And of course, you can't forget Club SEGA! These arcades let you dive into some classic SEGA games. In Kiwami 2, you can play Virtual-On!, Virtua Fighter 2, and try your luck at the UFO Catcher. Later on, you'll even unlock Toylet Games! The Theater Square location also rocks a Darts hall.

• Kamurocho Club SEGA (Nakamichi St.) — Midway up Nakamichi St.
• Kamurocho Club SEGA (Theater Square) — On the north side of Theater Square.
• Sotenbori Club SEGA — Found about halfway along the eastern section of Sotenbori St.

Keep these spots in mind as you explore; they'll definitely come in handy!