The definitive saga of Kazuma Kiryu, one of gaming’s most iconic protagonists, is now complete on modern consoles with the release of Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut, Yakuza Kiwami, and Yakuza Kiwami 2.
Today marks the simultaneous launch of three pivotal titles – Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut, Yakuza Kiwami, and Yakuza Kiwami 2 – all arriving in enhanced versions for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC.
This triple launch presents the perfect moment for newcomers to dive into an exquisite story of honor and betrayal, and for veterans to experience the legendary beginning of the Yakuza series in its most polished form.
A Legacy Forged in Fire
The quality bar for this franchise is exceptionally high, which makes this launch an easy recommendation. Our review of the prequel, Yakuza 0, scored a perfect 5/5, praising it as “one of the finest examples of storytelling in gaming” and a “perfect benchmark for newcomers to dive straight into.“
We also noted the importance of the initial remakes:
- Yakuza Kiwami: We advised that despite Yakuza 0 being superior, Kiwami was the “best place to start” for new players as a more inviting, scaled-down introductory title.
- Yakuza Kiwami 2: This was celebrated as an “excellent addition to the series” and a thrilling conclusion to the initial conflict between the two legendary dragons.
Yakuza 0: The Definitive Origin Story
The prequel – which sees Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima fighting like hell through the neon-lit entertainment districts of 1988 Japan – gets the most significant content upgrade.
The new Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut (£44.99) provides deeper insight into key incidents and character backstories with never-before-seen cutscenes.
It also adds the beloved original theme song Bubble (which was not in the original Western release), new language support (including French, German, and Russian text), and English and Chinese voiceover.
For the truly competitive, the online cooperative Red Light Raid mode is also included (available in a post-launch update).
Kiwami and Kiwami 2: The Core Saga
The extreme remakes of the first two games in the series complete Kiryu’s origin story, plunging him into a 10-billion-yen conspiracy and an all-out war with rival clans.
These new versions of Yakuza Kiwami and Yakuza Kiwami 2 primarily add next-gen support and additional text languages but, importantly, save data from the Xbox One versions does not carry over to the new Series X|S editions.
Your Kiryu Toolkit
For those looking to commit to the entire saga, a couple of compelling bundles are also available:
- Kiwami & Kiwami 2 Bundle: £24.99
- Yakuza Complete Series: This huge bundle includes all seven games from the critically acclaimed Yakuza series for £114.99. Many of those games feature in our Yakuza / Like A Dragon ranking article.
Key Features Across the Trilogy
- Fluid Combat: Dynamically switch between multiple fighting styles (Brawler, Rush, Beast, Dragon).
- Immersive Side Activities: Break from the main story with karaoke, casino, cabaret club, and classic SEGA arcades.
- Bonus Content: Kiwami 2 includes the bonus “Majima Saga” scenario.
The Dragon of Dojima has returned in his most definitive form, and the window for free and discounted upgrades is closing fast. If you missed out on these classics or are ready to replay the saga with added content and next-gen polish, Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut, Yakuza Kiwami, and Yakuza Kiwami 2 are waiting for you on the Xbox Store right now. You’ll also find them on PlayStation and PC.
