Yakuza Kiwami: PS4 vs. PS2 Graphics Comparison

Yakuza Kiwami

Yakuza Kiwami is the latest entry in the long-running series, but it’s actually a complete remake of the original game on PS2. This means a total graphical overhaul that has the game running on the same engine used for Yakuza Zero, on top of additions like new story scenes, new minigames, and more. Kiwami truly is the best example of how far the series has come since its first release in 2005. Although Yakuza was certainly impressive for its time, it hasn’t aged the best, especially graphically. We’ll be comparing some screenshots of different aspects of the game, like cutscenes and combat to show the difference between Yakuza on PS2 and Kiwami on PS4. Make sure to click on the actual picture to bring up the full version of each comparison.

Cutscenes

Cutscenes make it quite obvious how much of an improvement Yakuza Kiwami is, and it’s oddly nostalgic at the same time. The scenes themselves are still pitched almost the exact same way as in the original PS2 game, leaving the same style and impact with a shiny new coat of paint. With the first photo, you can see how much more detailed character’s outfits are, even Kazuma’s iconic white suit. The impressive facial animation the series has built over the years also work wonders for Kiwami.

Meanwhile, the second photo shows how much more detailed the game has become, with the general lighting being much more vibrant in the scene, along with finer details like the creases on Yumi’s blouse or the strands of hair for Nishiki and Kiryu. Of course, Yakuza Kiwami runs on an entirely different engine, but seeing these cutscenes fully remade is a great way to experience this story again and see just how far the series has come.

Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima

If the Yakuza series itself has changed over the years, the series’ protagonist Kazuma Kiryu has changed just as much. We’ve seen Kiryu grow older and wiser through Yakuza 4 and 5, then jumped back in time to see his younger days with Yakuza Zero. Kiwami, however, lets us relive the very first adventure of Kiryu, and boy has he changed.

Right off the bat, you can easily see the definition in his face. Kiryu isn’t the only one that’s changed though, as his rival/frenemy Goro Majima has undergone a serious makeover too. While his base design is the same, there are some minor changes that make him look even more intimidating like the creases on his brow, the finer strands of his beard, and how his jacket now is actually textured like the snakeskin it’s supposed to be made out of.

Combat

Combat has seen a huge overhaul in Yakuza Kiwami, matching the system used in Yakuza 0. This allows Kiryu to swap between four different combat styles on the fly, and gives him a host of deadly heat actions, Yakuza’s versions of special attacks, to unleash on his enemies. This means combat is that much more visceral than it was back in the original PS2 games.

You can see there are a lot more visual effects thrown into the mix, like the heat coming off of Kiryu and the flash that his blows leave on enemies. The picture on the bottom shows the effect put on each blow even in the original game to make it look like a hard hitting impact, but those effects have been dialed up even more in Kiwami.

Kamurocho

Another aspect of the Yakuza series that’s changed incredibly over the years is the vibrant nightlife city of Kamurocho. We’ve seen it go from the ’80s in Zero all the way up to the 2010s with Yakuza 5. Nothing shows the change more drastic, however, than Yakuza Kiwami. This comparison shows how impressive Yakuza really was on the PS2 though.

Characters mill about the streets and glowing neon signs dot every corner. The biggest change with Kiwami comes with a controllable camera, as the original game had fixed camera angles as you explored. This means you’re free to take in the sights of Kamurocho and get a much better view of things. The second image compares how well a store in the original game was rendered, versus the detailed depictions in Kiwami. Notice how much clearer everything looks, to the point where you can actually read the brands on the packaging, versus the mostly blurry packages in the original game. At the same time the PS2 Yakuza’s renders look like single blocks of items, while Kiwami looks like every item is individual.

Minigames

Minigames are yet another aspect of Yakuza that has been overhauled, as Kiwami features more than what was included in the original. You now have access to things like Pocket Circuit Racer. Additionally, the hostesses in the game have been replaced with brand new ones that you can chat up. Of course, these character models are much more intricate now, and when you’re talking to a hostess it switches to a close up of their face, like in other recent games from the series. Kiwami makes it possible to render these conversations with greater detail and depth, thanks to facial animations.

Where the biggest graphical difference comes in this regard, however, is at the batting cages. The minigame is incredibly different now first of all, but everything looks much more detailed. First you’ll see that the objective of the game has changed, placing giant signs in front of Kiryu to hit with the ball. After that just look at how detailed the area in front is, right down to the animated player throwing the ball at you. Kiwami certainly is one impressive remake.