Design of Yakuza Kiwami 2

Design of Yakuza Kiwami 2 -

(NO SPOILERS)

Yakuza Kiwami 2 is the third installment in the Yakuza series (chronologically) and is a sequel to Yakuza Kiwami and Yakuza 0.

Combat -

Kiwami 2 improves on the combat system by getting rid of different fighting styles and rather having players master the combat system by learning more moves and using weapons and armour.

The game also features parry/counter and evade systems that can be used to counter or evade enemies but the game discourages players to just wait around for enemies to strike to counter them since blocking does not negate all damage and using evade can be riskier when swarmed by enemies. Players can also grab enemies and throw them or use heat actions on them, dealing more damage than regular fast attacks.

Players can use the sensibly placed items in the world to gain an upper hand when swarmed.

Players can also increase health, attack, defense and heat gauge using a new experience point system and maxing them out let's players buy limit break upgrades that increase stat points drastically.

Players can also learn new heat actions and moves with experience points.

Exp points are earned in battles and by eating/drinking in restaurants.

Locker keys can be found while exploring that let players access an arsenal of weapons that can be used in combat or they can simply be bought in stores. Each weapon can be used only a set number of times until they turn useless and need to be swapped out. Some weapons do more damage than the others and using them strategically can help gain an upper hand in battles.

Players can also equip armour such as steel plate, gold wrist bangle and bands that though aren't visually noticeable, do increase attack and defense stats and some armour pieces can even receive less damage from blades and guns.

Yakuza Kiwami 2's inventory stores up to 10 pcs of the same item in a single slot allowing for storage of more items such as - Staminan, Toughness, Tournier and more, that refill health, heat and clear the digestive tract. This helps players last longer in fights or clear them without having to die constantly, but makes it a bit too easy for players to complete the game even at the hardest difficulty.

World and Level -

The 2 main locations in the game are - Kamurocho and Sotenburi and the majority of the game takes place in Kamurocho, Tokyo, inspired by Kabukicho.

Every object in game and the environment tell a story and the map has different iconic landmarks that players just cannot miss. Each of the streets are designed to provide the best experience to the player possible, be it for fighting or exploring. There's enough room for players to run around and fight effectively even in most cramped up streets.

Combat has never been easier thanks to the item placement throughout the level.

Usable items such as cones, cycles, plants, sofas (indoors) and more are placed in a way that makes sense to the setting and also helps gain the upper hand in fights using heat actions.

Conclusion -

However you see it, Yakuza Kiwami 2 is a gorgeous game that strives to provide the best experience possible in it's genre.