Yakuza 2 (PS2) – Review

SEGA is such a polite company. Given the events surrounding Yakuza 2′s release here in the U.S., it is not hard to imagine that this game was at some point at risk of not being released at all. The first Yakuza had a blockbuster Hollywood voice cast yet didn’t sell all that well. The game also is being released in the U.S. two years behind its original Japanese debut, hinting at a lack of priority in localizing the work from the developer, Amusement Vision, LTD. Much to Yakuza fans’ gratitude, SEGA have apparently envisioned great potential in the U.S. market for the upcoming Yakuza 3 for the PlayStation 3 and strutted out this swan song for the PS2 to make sure those interested are up to speed with the tale of former gangster Kazuma Kiryu.

For me personally, strong emotions normally aren’t elicited by most games, but it would be unfair to brush this uncommon accomplishment the game has achieved under the covers for the sake of not sounding like a hype-inducing sensationalist. So, yes, Yakuza 2 isn’t the greatest game ever made, and better plots exist out there, but what is especially well executed is the varied cast of characters that you’ll grow to love, hate to love, love to hate, and even hate to hate.  I’ve been appalled and angered by actions of terrible humans, viscerally satiated smashing in the face of a worthless street thug, and nearly brought to tears as the eerily touching song played over the credits after the seemingly-cliffhanger ending.

When you’re not appreciating the story –which is told through extensive, mostly-in-engine cinematics– there is actually a fine game to be played underneath as well. Amusement Vision has struck an artful balance in combat complexity that more than a handful of action games have failed at. What makes that notable is that Yakuza 2 is classifiable as a RPG when measuring up most of its features, but the fighting system is a straight-up old fashioned brawler. You’ll frequently punch, kick, and throw your way through the various fights throughout the game, but there’s also a rich variety of standard and unorthodox weapons and blunt objects available that you can win, purchase, or pick up out of the battle environment. The game can be beat on its Normal difficulty setting with liberal use of standard combos and the easy-to-execute-but-brutal HEAT actions, but there is a rather respectable move list that can be filled out through various side-missions that turns the combat into something more rewarding on higher difficulties. You have to beat the game once to unlock the Hard setting and again for EX Hard, but the Normal setting offers up enough of a challenge without ever being insulting on your first play through.

Getting lost usually is not this enjoyable

The environments are well crafted, presenting three Japanese neighborhoods that are visually unique from top to bottom. There are no obviously repeated buildings, giving the impression that you are in the midst of a fully realized city neighborhood. There’s severe limitations on the number of buildings you can enter, but walking around is satisfyingly authenticate. Aside from some polygonal seam issues that cause sparkles in the street textures that annoyingly look like the glimmer of “hidden” locker keys you can find on the ground throughout the game, the quality of the graphics is up there with the best of the PlayStation 2′s library. Set this next to a PS2 Grand Theft Auto or Final Fantasy, and you’ll appreciate what has been achieved here.

"PUHLEEASE let my next game release internationally!"

With the story and world that is presented and the riches of diversions and mini-games on tap, Yakuza 2 is a must-play for any fan of RPGs, action games, or simply if you just like Japanese culture. SEGA has made a friend of me again and has a new customer for the upcoming Yakuza 3 and Yakuza: Kenzan!, which –god-willing– should have a U.S. release announced sometime in the next decade.

Review Score: 8 / 10

For more of my thoughts on Yakuza 2, please read my action packed First Impression preview.