Welcome to Kamurocho, where every alley hides a story, every corner has a fight brewing, and every interaction could leave you laughing or gasping. If you’re diving into Yakuza Kiwami, you’re in for one of the wildest rides in gaming. Whether you’re new to the Yakuza series or returning after playing later entries like Yakuza 0 or Yakuza: Like a Dragon, Kiwami delivers a punchy mix of gritty crime drama and ridiculous side activities.
Table of Contents
But hey—Kamurocho can be overwhelming. That’s where I come in. I’m here to guide you through every twist and turn, from mastering street fights to fending off Majima’s sneak attacks. Let’s roll up our sleeves and walk through Yakuza Kiwami in a way that feels like your best friend coaching you over pizza and late-night gaming sessions.
The Basics of Yakuza Kiwami
Yakuza Kiwami is a full-on remake of the first Yakuza game from the PS2 era, but with remastered visuals, voice acting, and modernized combat mechanics borrowed from Yakuza 0. It keeps the core story intact: Kiryu Kazuma, the stoic, big-hearted yakuza, takes the fall for a crime he didn’t commit, goes to prison for ten years, and comes out to a drastically changed Kamurocho and a missing 10 billion yen from the Tojo Clan.
The game blends open-world exploration with beat-’em-up brawling and tons of side quests (substories). If you’re the type who likes fully clearing games, Kiwami offers dozens of hours of content.
Combat 101
Right out the gate, Kiwami gives you four fighting styles:
- Brawler – A jack-of-all-trades style. Good balance of speed, power, and crowd control.
- Beast – Slow but powerful. Perfect for smashing enemies with bikes and signs.
- Rush – Fast and agile. Best used for dodging and quick combos.
- Dragon of Dojima – Kiryu’s legendary fighting style, locked behind upgrades you earn mainly by fighting Majima (more on that later).
Heat Actions
Fill your Heat gauge by fighting or taunting, and unleash cinematic finishers using the environment or weapons. These are not just flashy—they do serious damage and are vital for boss fights.
Story Walkthrough: Chapter-by-Chapter Breakdown
Chapter 1 – Fate of a Kinslayer
You start in 1995, cruising Kamurocho with Kiryu and his best friend, Nishikiyama. The opening is linear, guiding you through basic mechanics like fighting street punks, navigating Kamurocho, and meeting key figures like Kazama-san and Reina.
Pro tips for Chapter 1:
- Use this chapter to experiment with Brawler and Beast styles.
- Stock up on healing items from the nearest Poppo store (trust me, you’ll thank me later).
- Pay attention to cutscenes—the game sets up major emotional beats here.
Chapter 2-3: A Changed World
Kiryu’s out of prison, Nishikiyama is a changed man, and Kamurocho feels colder. The story starts to ramp up as you search for clues about the missing 10 billion yen and reconnect with old allies.
What to do here:
- Explore! The city is now open. Check side streets, alleys, and rooftops.
- Start tackling substories—they’ll reward you with cash, XP, and funny moments.
- Unlock coin lockers with keys hidden around Kamurocho (look for glowing sparkles on the ground).
Substories: The Soul of Yakuza
Kiwami’s substories range from the heartwarming to the utterly absurd. Seriously, where else will you find yourself helping a dominatrix improve her confidence or fighting a scammy cult?
Recommended Substories:
- “The Yakuza’s Apprentice” (early game) – Teaches you about loyalty and offers an emotional payoff.
- “The Obatarian Strikes” – A wild encounter with a pushy old lady who won’t take no for an answer.
- “How to Train a Dominatrix” – Peak Yakuza comedy, but also helps unlock related substories.
Pro tip: Many substories reward you with allies who later show up to help you in random fights. This is the game’s way of giving you backup when Kamurocho gets tough.
Majima Everywhere: Pure Chaos
This system is Kiwami’s biggest addition. Majima, your eyepatch-wearing frenemy, literally hides behind cones, jumps out of trash bins, and even pretends to be a cop—all to fight you.
Why? Because Kiryu’s Dragon style is rusty, and Majima’s surprise attacks are the only way to unlock Dragon upgrades.
Majima Tips:
- Majima can show up anywhere. Fight him whenever you can, but don’t stress about maxing him out immediately. The encounters get crazier as you go, with Majima even showing up during karaoke!
- There are different “phases” to Majima Everywhere:
- Cautious: Rare sightings.
- Eager: He shows up often.
- Maniacal: He’s practically stalking you.
The more you fight, the faster you unlock crucial Dragon abilities. By the end, Majima fights feel like mini-bosses, testing your knowledge of counters, dodges, and Heat Actions.
Chapters 4-10: Grit, Drama, and Boss Fights
The mid-game leans hard into the series’ crime drama roots. Nishikiyama’s dark turn and betrayals within the Tojo Clan dominate the narrative.
Here’s where things get tougher:
- Boss fights will demand better dodging and Heat Action usage. Beast style works great against bosses with heavy attacks, while Rush lets you kite faster enemies.
- Substory rewards ramp up—start getting weapons like katanas and nunchaku.
- Completion Points (CP) from side activities can be spent at shrines to unlock bonuses (e.g., sprint longer, encounter enemies less often).
Late Game (Chapters 11-13): The Emotional Punch
The final chapters take you deep into betrayal, sacrifice, and redemption themes. Without spoiling too much: the story gets heavy.
Combat gets brutal:
- Endgame bosses have unblockable Heat moves, so managing your Heat gauge is critical. Save your most powerful Heat Actions (wall slams, weapon Heat finishers) for these big fights.
- Stock up on Staminan Royals and Toughness Infinity drinks—they restore both health and Heat, keeping you alive when fights get hairy.
Combat Mastery Tips
- Beast Style for Crowds: Enter Beast stance when surrounded and press Triangle near heavy objects (bikes, couches, signs) to auto-swing them.
- Rush Style for Bosses: Dodge bosses’ Heat moves and wear them down. If you corner a boss, use Rush’s combo to whittle health bars safely.
- Dragon Style = Endgame King: Once Majima trains you enough, Dragon becomes a powerhouse with better parries and unblockable finishers.
- Mix Heat Actions: The environment is your friend. Near walls, railings, or weapons, you’ll get different Heat prompts. Variety makes fights smoother and more fun.
Kamurocho Distractions: Minigame Central
This city is packed with distractions:
- Karaoke: Pure joy. Try “Judgment” and “Bakamitai” for iconic Kiryu moments.
- Pocket Circuit Racing: Customize toy cars with parts found around Kamurocho. Surprisingly deep.
- UFO Catchers: Helps with substories (kids often want plushies).
- Batting Center, Mahjong, Shogi: Optional, but crucial for completionists.
Pro tip: Some minigames help complete CP challenges, giving you bonus perks.
Secret & Optional Content
- Shine and Jewel Hostess Clubs: Build relationships with hostesses to unlock unique scenes and substories.
- Climax Battles: After finishing the main story, test your combat skills in specialized challenges.
- Premium Adventure Mode: Free roam Kamurocho after beating the game, to mop up side quests or complete minigames.
Final Advice: Play It Your Way
- Balance story and substories: The story is fantastic, but half the magic is found in the weird and heartfelt side quests.
- Don’t skip Majima fights: They’re goofy, but essential.
- Explore everywhere: Kamurocho rewards curiosity.
- Take your time: Kiwami is more enjoyable when you savor every punch, laugh, and plot twist.
Ready to Become the Dragon?
And there you have it, champ! Whether you’re smashing skulls in dark alleys or singing your heart out at karaoke, Yakuza Kiwami is a game that constantly surprises and rewards you.
Have fun out there, and remember—Kiryu may be stoic, but Kamurocho’s chaos is where the fun lives.
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