A different kind of Yakuza game, more characters, more narrative but new problems
Yakuza 4 Remastered is a fresh start from its predecessor. The game looks considerably better. There are rain effects where light reflects on the wet pavement. Characters are more detailed and move in a more believable manner. And most importantly the game does not feature Kazuma Kiryu as the lead protagonist. However, not everything has changed. The combat and moment to moment action are left unscathed from Yakuza 3.
The lead role falls to Shun Akiyama, a loan shark who seemingly lends to everyone, even to the Yakuza. The plot begins when a mysterious woman shows up to his office asking for a 100 million yen loan, with no interest and no contingencies. Her request becomes even more unbelievable when she demands the money in full in less than a week. Akiyama, while taken aback by the woman’s request, helps her because she reminds him of his ex-wife.
Initially, the game presents Akiyama as the only playable character, until it completely hoodwinks the player by ending the Act with a completely different character. Yakuza 4 actually features four protagonists that are played sequentially through each Act. In addition to Akiyama, you play as Saijama, the sworn brother of Majima (Yakuza 0 fans will immediately recognize him), Tanimura, a well meaning but dirty cop who is bilingual in Chinese and Japanese, and everyone’s favorite Kiryu, who is still running the orphanage, Morning Glory in Okinawa. The fate of these four unrelated characters eventually cross paths in an exciting Reservoir Dogs-like finale.
Unfortunately the four Act structure disincentives players from completing side quests. Money, equipment, experience and combat skills DO NOT transfer from one character to another. So if you spent hours training Akiyama in the beginning, it is all for naught as the next three quarters of the game are with the other characters. The only time you can swap between characters is in the final act. The final act only consists of boss fights so there is no reason to really swap characters at this point unless you want to complete the remaining side content.
Prior Yakuza games have always featured high drama, intense standoffs and numerous cutscenes, but Yakuza 4 takes it to another level. With the exception of Yakuza 0 (which was released after Yakuza 5), cutscenes are noticeably lengthier with more camera shots, motion capture and dialog. There are several half hour long stretches where it’s just watching the game unfold as if it were an episode of a Japanese crime drama.
Not all Acts are treated with an equally gripping narrative. Saijama’s Act is the highlight of the four and is a great character building exercise. He is a death row inmate infamous for an act he did 25 years ago. While other Yakuza regard him as a legend, he himself feels tremendous remorse for his actions. Kiryu’s Act is the weakest. Important characters and events just happen to stumble across the hero and Kiryu just punches and kicks his way to find all the solutions.
In the end Yakuza 4 is a mild improvement over its predecessor but is severely hampered by the four Act character structure. The introduction of new characters, Akiyama, Saijama and Tanimura help flesh out the world of Yakuza and is a nice perspective change in what used to be a series that revolved around Kiryu. Fans who have played the original Yakuza game will be rewarded as the narrative is heavily based on its events. Unfortunately part of the fun of playing the Yakuza games are the goofy optional side quests, but due to the game’s structure, the rewards for completing them are nearly pointless. Yakuza 4 is one of the few games in the series where I recommend playing it on Easy and mainlining the plot.
My Yakuza Ranking:
- Yakuza 0
- Yakuza Kiwami 2
- Yakuza 4 Remastered
- Yakuza Kiwami
- Yakuza 3 Remastered