Yakuza 2 – PS2 – Review

Sega is
certainly no stranger to games where the main character can dish out the martial
arts moves and still have time to explore a big city with a lot to offer. Much
like the Sega Dreamcast classic, Shenmue, the first Yakuza game
took us into gangster territory with a hero just too cool for words. Now,
Yakuza 2 for the PlayStation 2 brings Kazuma out of retirement for another
journey into the Japanese criminal underworld that is sure to please fans of the
first game.

 
A scene from
the Japanese version of The Three Stooges

While it’s not
essential that gamers play the first game (thanks to a detailed recap), it helps
to experience the original’s story of a man who was betrayed by his childhood
friend. I won’t get too much into the first game’s story or spoil the ending,
but when we last seen Kazuma Kiryu, he gave up a lot to live a normal life with
Haruna, the little girl he swore to protect. One day, the 5^th
Chairman of the Tojo Clan runs into Kazuma, he begs him to return to the clan
that is on the verge of war. Reluctantly, Kazuma decides to help his clan by
attempting to bring peace between the Tojo and the Kansai Clan. He also intends
to restore the Tojo to their former glory by installing the rightful replacement
… the son of the deceased Clan leader named Diago Dojima.

Unfortunately
for Kazuma, Diago Dojima wants nothing to do with the clan or restore his
father’s legacy. He much rather drink his life away until Kazuma manages to find
and kick some sense into him. It is here that Yakuza 2 really takes off
on a deep and involving journey where new gangs and even foreign gangsters
attempt get bring the weakened yakuza families down. Kazuma even moves out of
the familiar surroundings of Kamurocho for Osaka. Like the first game, there’s
plenty of freedom to explore the many streets and back alleys of the city. You
can spend the time going to a restaurant for some life-restoring ramen or hit
the local Sega arcade to play a fighting game.

Exploration not
only leads to various distractions and mini-games but it also leads to side
missions that have you performing a number of tasks for people you meet on the
street. You’ll defend a woman from a street thug and help a young man try to win
a prize for his wife. It’s the little things that make the world in Yakuza 2
rich and fun to run through. On top of that, the story missions are
actually interesting and enjoyable while weaving an intriguing tale with
characters you’ll actually like. In the first game you were a host club client
but in this sequel you’ll get to be the host attempting to entertain the ladies
with conversation and drink like a dating simulator. You’ll even become the
manager of a club called Marietta where you’ll have to keep customers happy
while taking making as much money as possible.

 
“Alright
already, Hirota! I’ll buy you a cheeseburger … just stop chewing on that tree.”

Even the
fighting mechanics from the first game are back and still good. Aside from a
number of combos and slick moves such throws and Special Moves that smashes your
opponent against hard surfaces. Thankfully, you can level up your fighting
skills as well as how much damage you can take during fights. You can even pick
up and use weapons that will help even during the more difficult boss battles.
The boss battles themselves are actually challenging but not enough that you’ll
feel that Kazuma has an unfair advantage when even you’re getting tossed around.
Even though combat can get very repetitive, they are still fun events that you
won’t mind getting into yet another fight with a street thug.

The game also
has a number of secrets (the locker rooms make a return) and it’s fun unraveling
the mysteries that pop up during the game. Kazuma will make new allies (such as a
tough-as-nails female cop) and new enemies that range from a Chinese gang as
well as a few Korean lowlifes the make up the new foreign threat in Japan. The
game’s story is also lengthy yet evenly paced much like the first game was so
you won’t feel like things are dragging along.

Graphically,
Yakuza 2 is quite visually impressive for a current-generation game. The
cities are dazzling and, while they’re not as overly populated as the real
Japan, it’s still an awesome sight. There are some pop-up issues that rear their
ugly heads often in the game. Still, this can be overlooked seeing as the
character models are good and the cut scene animations are smooth. Overall,
there’s a lot to appreciate with your eyes in this game.

 
“Sorry, sir, we
don’t sell Wasabi-flavored edible underwear.”

The same can be
said about the game’s sound that, this time around, stays away from an English
dub approach that the first game brought. Yes, the first game had a rather
interesting voice cast that included Smallville’s Michael Rosenbaum or
actor Michael Madsen but this sequel does benefit from a solid Japanese voice
cast. Sorry, but Japanese fits the game like a glove so those who don’t like to
read will find themselves slightly disappointed. There’s also a great
soundtrack, although that doesn’t apply to the battle music that is actually
annoying and repetitive. As for the backgrounds noises, it really does make you
feel like you’re in a Japanese city.

Yakuza 2
for the PlayStation
2 certainly deserves to be played by anyone who likes a good adventure with fun
brawling mechanics and a big environment to explore. The first game was a
wonderfully executed and brilliant game that was way too much fun to want to put
down and this sequel is no different. While a big part of me wishes this game
was released on the PS3, it’s impressive to see the PS2 still capable of
bringing us a quality title like this game. Fans of the first game should most
definitely buy this one right away.

Gameplay: 8.5
It’s still loads of
fun smashing a thug into a telephone pole or breaking a sign post over a
gangster’s head so the combat in the game is still good. There is another big
city to explore and there are a great number of side missions and other
distractions such as managing your own club.

Graphics: 9.0
The PS2 is still
capable of displaying some detailed and beautiful visuals as we can see from
this game. The character models are decent enough and the environments are
simply stunning. It’s just too bad there are a few graphical issues here and
there.

Sound: 9.0
The music in the
game is wonderful during cut scenes and exploration but the battle theme music
is grating and unbearably repetitive. Still, there’s some great Japanese voice
acting in the game and the incredibly detailed background noises feel like
you’re walking through a crowded street in Japan.

Difficulty: Medium
Once again, Kazuma
will find himself going up against more than one foe at once and sometimes those
foes can really dish out the hurt. The boss battles in this game are a tad
harder than the first game so you’ll be glad you can level up.

Concept: 8.5
Kazuma is back and
he’s still a force to be reckoned with in a game that offers so much to see and
do in this one. Whether you’re beating up a number of thugs and yakuza punks or
like to keep lovely ladies company in a host club this one has more than enough
to keep you busy. You can even get in some golf or hit the arcade to play games.

Overall: 8.5
It just goes to show
that the PS2 is still capable of releasing amazing games that can compete with
the next-generation crowd and Yakuza 2 certainly proves that point. Not
only is this a brilliant sequel to an excellent crime drama but it’s simply a
bigger and better action game with a lot to offer. If you liked the first game
you will love this sequel.