For the past month or so, I've been committing what some people would consider to be a video gaming sin. I started the story of Kazuma Kiryu back in 2017 with Yakuza 0 and ever since then, I have desperately wanted to see it through to its conclusion. Doing that presented some challenges, however. One of those was playing three of the franchise's entries via remasters of PlayStation 3 games, and I just couldn't hack it after a lacking follow-up in Yakuza: Kiwami and Yakuza: Kiwami 2 which felt like more of the same from a narrative standpoint. So, I jumped from the fourth Chairman's original outing straight to Yakuza 6: The Song of Life. I am so glad I did.
While I have always loved the Dragon of Dojima's character, the one thing that has continued to put me off the series is the sheer amount of real-life Yakuza knowledge you need to fully wrap your head around each and every one of the clan's featured families. This guy is the Captain of that family, but that dude is the Lieutenant of the entire alliance. I could recognise some faces, although that's about as far as it got. Ask me to explain the hierarchy of the Tojo Clan and you'd have me stumped.
Therefore, what I love so much about Yakuza 6: The Song of Life is that it does away with all of that -- to a point. The child Kiryu-san took under his wing back in 1995 grew up to become a Japanese pop star, but in order to let the world know of her mentor's past, Haruka knew she would have to take a step back from the worldwide stage. The fallout of Yakuza 5 subjects Kazuma to another stint in prison, and once he's let go, he learns of the girl's disappearance and a child left in her wake.
It's a narrative which feels much more akin to that of the recent Judgment rather than any other previous instalment. Yes, the likes of the Tojo Clan, Yomei Alliance, and Saoi Triad become heavily involved the more you progress, but the only two things pushing Kazuma Kiryu forward is Haruka and her son, Haruto. He's doing the job of Takayuki Yagami without the detective backing. The story of family resonates with me so, so much more than a Kamurocho turf war -- no matter how exciting and devious some of the twists and turns which come with it are.
I can quite easily call Yakuza 6: The Song of Life my favourite game in the series because of that. Kiryu-san is the star of the show as his plight to save those he holds dearest culminates in an incredible showdown, backed by a collection of fascinating chapters in the lead up to it. This makes for a very touching send-off that feels earned after a mammoth seven mainline entries. It puts the protagonist in a position where he can rest easy, watching over his friends and loved ones from a distance without interfering with their lives and bringing about danger all over again. He adores each and every one of them, but he knows that his presence alone is enough to invite trouble. After a hard life, let's hope Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio doesn't bother you too much in Yakuza: Like a Dragon -- you've earned a rest, Kazuma Kiryu.
Do you agree that Yakuza 6: The Song of Life is one of the best send-offs in video games? Can you think of one better? Rest easy in the comments below.
Comments 21
I would love to carve out the time to play through each game in the series, but that is quite a commitment. Like you Liam, I jumped at the opportunity to play Yakuza 0 as it required no knowledge of the prior titles and I utterly loved it.
I have recently picked up Kiwami but have been put off by the knowledge that I am unlikely to play all of the games in the series. Your article has inspired me to give it a whirl and, if I burn out perhaps I can move to the 6th game too.
It’s a shame Kiwami is sorta looked down on by the fans who started with 0. It’s a relatively good game in its own right but it’s both too similar to 0 and has less content. The story’s still brilliant as always however.
Bought this on a PS Store sale but not played it yet. Only Played Zero, Kiwami 1&2. Waiting til 3/4/5 are all out then ill blast through them and 6
I recently finished Zero and have just purchased a nice edition of 6, so I might just do a similar thing.
Played 0 loved it, actually enjoyed kiwami more, then played half of kiwami 2 but got a little burnout, defo want to carry on with them, might actually continue 2 after i finish control. Its the type of game i feel you have to fully commit to playing, i think when i was playing 2 i had me eye on another game which caused me to stop playing. And tbh now is a good time after i finish control, dont think there is much i really want to play unitl the last of us prt2 so might actually get to 6 b4 the ps5 arrives.
If only I had the time to play all these games. I loved 0, disliked Kiwami and stopped there. Kiwami felt like a step back from 0 in many ways and was a bit boring storywise (at least for me, I got tired of looking for Haruka all the time). I like the look of Kiwami 2 so I just might go back to this series.
@gollumb82 Genuinely, don’t let Kiwami put you off, just give it a bit of time because coming off 0 it’s a downgrade. Kiwami 2 is superb and feels more like a true successor to 0 due to it featuring Kamurocho and Sotenbori.
@nessisonett
Thanks for the input. I like games with great storylines and keep hearing good things about Yakuza in general so I'll probably pick them up once the remastered collection gets released
Tried Kiwami - yea I know they say the story is the weakest - but I'm not even complaining about the story. It's just the gameplay is strange. You got this permanently-angry-faced guy running round aimlessly in a tight little town fist-fighting everybody in a never-changing suit and some long clown shoes. I mean the guy is such a bad-a** taxis are his only means of transport. I say give their storylines to Hangar13 to make a better openworld mafia-type game.
I can see where Liam is coming from. All the games that came out within a short time frame can be daunting to a newcomer to the series. Personally i think 6 did a great job on closing the Kazuma Kiryu storyline. However in terms of the "Yakuza" side of the story , its lacking compared to its other games. The story of "Family" on the other hand is very deep and heartfelt. I still feel that Liam should have played the other games, especially 3 to get better connected to the sunshine orphanage and 5 to understand what changes in Harukas Life and why Kiryu decides what he does at the beginning of 6. The story summaries are good, but playing through them is does the journey justice.
Totally agree with Liam's article, I love Yakuza 6 and I love how it deals with Kiryu.
I've said this before, but I still believe that if you want to get into Yakuza and you don't have time to play every game, just play Yakuza 0, Kiwami 2, and Yakuza 6 in that order. Not only are these the three best games in the series (in my opinion, anyway) they also do the best job of rounding out Kiryu as a character. Yakuza 3 is great as well but I don't think it's quite on the same level.
@nessisonett agree, feels like the internet decided to only talk about zero. I just so happened to play kiwami first since I got it for a good price and must say I prefer it story wise over zero. 3-6 also had amazing stories.
@ShogunRok isn't kiwami 2 slightly inconsequential in the broader sense of Kiryus story? I find 3-5 are way more important to understand everyone's motivation.
@tameshiyaku Kind of, in a broader sense. But I think in terms of fleshing out Kiryu's character, it's one of the most important. He gets a love interest, he fights to leave his yakuza life behind. I think you can make an argument that Yakuza 3 is equally important (because of the orphanage, etc.) but Kiwami 2's a better game so I always recommend it over 3.
I really liked Yakuza 6 and it was interesting, sad even, to see how Kiryu's story was wrapped up.
I have been a Yakuza fan since the first game on Playstation 2 but I was not a fan of Yakuza 6. I already started to question certain characters motives in Yakuza 5 and Yakuza 6 continued pushing characters in a certain direction that fell out of their character and who they are .
The side stories content was less fun or interesting compared to past entieries and the new dragon engine was still in development and the kinks was not fully ironed out till the releases of Kiwami 2
I really hoped they had some balls and gave Kiryu a deserving end. It felt like a cop-out.
I honestly need to get back on Kiwami 2.
Playing 0 just now and loving it!! Might give kiwami a go because I got it on plus but I think I'll go with @ShogunRok advice. I think I would need a break between games as well, not a game series I could mainline a 200 hrs of straight!
Platted 0 and both kiwamis in short order.
Then I started with fist of the north star.
Got a bit burned out at that point, but today 3,4,5 will be hitting my doormat so I will pick it back up soon.
Step one is platting fotns though. (got judgment ready to play as well)
It still is one of my fav series ever
Platted every Yakuza except 5. Yakuza kiwami 2 is the complete Package. Story wise nothing can beat Yakuza 0 in the whole series.
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