Is Yakuza 0 and Kiwami the same?

The Short Answer

No, Yakuza 0 and Yakuza Kiwami are not remotely the same game. While both feature series protagonist Kazuma Kiryu and other familiar faces, Yakuza 0 is a prequel set in 1980s Japan, while Kiwami is a full remake of the first Yakuza game from 2005.

Yakuza 0 – The Crazy Genesis Story

First released in 2015, Yakuza 0 serves as the genesis for the long-running franchise. Set in December 1988, an up-and-coming Yakuza Kiryu gets embroiled in a massive political conspiracy in Kamurocho, Tokyo.

The game pioneered SEGA‘s new Dragon Engine, featuring seamless street brawls, destructible environments and some truly insane Heat actions. Between opportunities to bust zombies with breakdance moves or smash a creep‘s teeth in with a phone booth door, combat never gets old.

With side activities like disco dancing, karaoke, or carrying a drunk customer home on your back, Yakuza 0 revels in the wacky excess of Bubble Era Japan. Yet beneath the humor lies complex crime drama full of betrayals and plot twists to keep veteran fans engrossed.

The Stats and Critical Reception

Yakuza 0 remains the highest rated game in the series to date. Critics praised the engaging story, zany side content and refined combat system. Many consider it the best entry point for newcomers to the franchise.

Yakuza Kiwami – A Extreme Remake

In contrast, 2016‘s Yakuza Kiwami is a extensive remake of the very first Yakuza game from 2005, updated with the modern Dragon Engine. The game follows a older, hardened Kiryu as he takes the fall for his friend‘s crime and goes to prison for 10 years.

Emerging in 2005, he discovers Kamurocho overrun by violence and chaos. Thus begins Kiryu‘s quest to uncover the truth behind his friend‘s betrayal – while dealing with murderous gangsters that stand in his way.

Combat remains fast and violent like Yakuza 0, although rebalanced to suit Kiryu‘s trademark single-style fighting. However, fan-favorite Heat moves make a return along with some visceral new additions.

Kiwami‘s Killer Stats

As a remake, Kiwami scored slightly lower than the ground-breaking Yakuza 0. Still, critics praised the visual upgrades and addictive combat, while some felt the story was weaker compared to later entries.

Shared DNA – Cast, City and Chaos

As Yakuza 0 is a prequel to Kiwami chronologically, both share vital DNA that threads between all the games:

Iconic Characters – Besides Kiryu himself, many fan favorites like Akira Nishikiyama, Yumi Sawamura, Detective Date and the notorious Goro Majima originate from Kiwami‘s original story. Yakuza 0 expounds on their backgrounds.

Kamurocho – Tokyo‘s fictional red light district sits at the franchises‘ core. Both games let players roam the neon-lit streets and visit recurring locales like Stardust, the Champion District bars or Theater Square.

Over-the-top Action – Combat, activities and side quests often go to bizarre extremes. Whether helping a Dominatrix reclaim her lost tools in Yakuza 0 or battling a giant Roomba to rescue a kitten in Kiwami – neither game shies from insanity.

Comparing Core Gameplay and Content

Beyond characters and settings, let‘s analyze how the actual gameplay and overall content differs across three key aspects:

Combat

• Yakuza 0 Features 3 Distinct Fighting Styles
  • Kiryu can switch between powerful Brawler style, technical Rush style and weapons-based Beast style
  • Additional fourth style once secret Legend style unlocked
• Kiwami Restricts Kiryu to his Iconic Brawler Style
  • Focus on pummeling groups of foes with raw power and heat moves
  • Some boss fights incorporate other fighting disciplines

Character Progression

• Both feature EXP and upgrade systems
  • Yakuza 0 – Cash centered progression, use money to buy upgrades
  • Kiwami – XP centric progression through victory in battles
• Yakuza 0 – Multiple characters to develop
  • Build EXP for Kiryu, Majima and five lieutenants
• Kiwami focused purely on enhancing Kiryu
  • STAT upgrades improve Attack, Defense, Heat and abilities

Side Content And Activities

• Yakuza 0 Mini-games
  • Disco dancing, karaoke, arcade classics like OutRun, Fantasy Zone
  • Telephone club dating, real estate and cabaret club management
  • Clan Creator strategy mini-game
• Kiwami Activities
  • UFO Catchers, Batting Cage, Casinos
  • Majima Everywhere encounters
  • Updated Club SEGA with classic Virtual On

While both provide plenty of amusing distractions, Yakuza 0 benefits from more variety and extensive side businesses to develop.

Narrative – Prequel vs Remake

As a rich crime saga spanning decades, Yakuza‘s complex narrative remains a key attraction. For new players, opting to experience the story chronologically offers serious advantages:

Prequel Foreshadowing – Yakuza 0 directly sets up key characters and events that later games elaborate on. Kiryu and Nishiki‘s friendship, Majima‘s oath to kill Kiryu – these shocking developments bear more weight if you know what leads up to them.

Enhanced Emotional Impact – The Yakuza‘s story is defined by tragic betrayals. Yakuza 0 establishes youthful Kiryu as an idealistic rookie, unaware of the hardships and heartbreak that await. Seeing his ordeal over the years becomes more poignant.

No Assumed Knowledge – Being the first game chronologically, Yakuza 0 accommodates franchise newcomers without assuming familiarity of recurrent characters or the intricate web of underworld politics.

Conversely, Kiwami is strictly intended for knowledgeable fans rather than Yakuza first-timers. Though the remake helps modernize aged content for contemporary players, investing in the prequel upfront remains advisable.

The Verdict – Start Your Journey at Zero

To summarize, Yakuza 0 and Kiwami are entirely distinct beasts:

• Yakuza 0 – Crazy prequel centered on 1980‘s Japan, pioneering Dragon Engine and radical Heat moves. Story establishes key characters and events fundamental to the series‘ lore. Often considered the best, most accessible entry point for new players.
• Kiwami – Extreme remake of 2005 original, equips threadbare content with modern visuals and refined mechanics. Crafted expressly to gratify veteran franchise devotees already familiar with recurring characters and expansive backstory.

So if you seek a welcoming on-ramp to Yakuza‘s particular brand of Japanese mayhem, begin at Zero. Then when the time comes to experience Kiryu‘s formative adventure where everything began, the full dramatic weight shall be apparent!

As for long-time fans frothing for more, exciting rumors swirl regarding predecessor series Like a Dragon 8. But until the mighty Dragon roars again, revisit Kamurocho once more by grappling punks as Mack Shinozuka Kim in the upcoming Lost Judgement!