The Yakuza Remastered Collection contains three excellent and content-stuffed games presented in their best form. Any fan of Yakuza needs to check the Remastered Collection out, as it’s the best way to play Yakuza 3, 4, and 5.
Yakuza Remastered Collection (contains Yakuza 3, 4, and 5)
Developer: SEGA and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studios
Price: $60
Platform: PS4 (reviewed)
MonsterVine was supplied with a PS4 code for review.
This review will primarily be focused on Yakuza 5, as both Yakuza 3 and Yakuza 4 have been out for months. I’ll briefly talk about them and their improvements in the Remastered Collection, but the lion’s share of this piece will be about the recently released remaster of Yakuza 5.
Yakuza 3 Remastered
Originally released in 2009, Yakuza 3 follows Kiryu after his clash with the Omi Alliance. Kiryu and Haruka start the Morning Glory Orphanage as Kiryu completely leaves the yakuza life behind. As is often the case, a number of conspiratorial events occur from within the yakuza, forcing Kiryu into action once again. Yakuza 3 focuses on Kiryu’s relationship with his new family of orphans as much as it does on his relationship with the Tojo Clan, which is surprising but refreshing. While the pacing can be very hit-or-miss, the overall story of Yakuza 3 is an enjoyable look at Kiryu as a character.
“The combat and visuals are a bit aged, but Yakuza 3 holds up incredibly well overall. If you’re going to play Yakuza 3, this is easily the best way to do so.“
Of note in the Remastered Collection is the restoration of previously cut content from Yakuza 3. Upon its original Western release, Yakuza 3 had 22 side-stories and four mini-games removed from it. The majority of these games and quests have been re-added into the Remastered Western version of the game alongside an entirely rewritten localization, allowing for an experience that is far closer to the original release than the PS3 version. The combat and visuals are a bit aged, but Yakuza 3 holds up incredibly well overall. If you’re going to play Yakuza 3, this is easily the best way to do so.
Yakuza 4 Remastered
Originally released in 2010, Yakuza 4 takes a huge leap forward by featuring four different playable characters, each with their own unique playstyle and storyline. As you jump between ex-Tojo chairman Kiryu, moneylender Akiyama, prison escapee Taiga, and local cop Tanimura, you begin to see certain events from different angles. The four plot-threads intertwine to create an incredible final battle and ending; possibly the best in the series. The side-stories are just as excellent this time around, and there are plenty of them. I had to pull myself away from them to start Yakuza 5 for the review, which should speak to their quality.
The primary difference between the original release and the Remaster’s version comes in the form of Masayoshi Tanimura, who has had his entire model changed following the retirement of his voice actor and model, Hiroki Narimiya, following disproven drug use allegations. Other than this model change, Yakuza 4 is simply a visually upgraded version of the PS3 release. The combat for all four characters is a step-up from Yakuza 3, and still holds up well a decade after its original release.
Yakuza 5 Remastered
Originally released in 2012, Yakuza 5 was, and still is, one of the most ambitious games ever made. Featuring five playable characters and five open-roam areas, Yakuza 5 has a seemingly endless amount of content alongside a particularly thrilling story. Like with Yakuza 4, all the playable characters have their own stories that mix and mingle on occasion in ways that make the narrative feel rounded and the world feel genuine. Watching each character grow, especially Kiryu and Haruka as they both try to live on their own in the world is an immensely rewarding experience. It’s a step-up from Yakuza 4, which itself took ambitious leaps for the franchise.
“Even today, Yakuza 5 is more than worth playing, especially in its shiny new remastered form.“
The side-content in Yakuza 5 is nothing short of brilliant. Every character has their own entirely different type of gameplay as part of their side-stories. Kiryu drives a taxi and races against gangsters, Haruka dances and sings as she climbs her way up the pop idol ladder, Taiga hunts a demon bear to save a mountain village, etc. Each character has a whole separate storyline that could pass for full-fledged story DLC in the current industry, and that’s all in addition to the plethora of side-quests that are always found in Yakuza titles. There’s so much to do that I found myself constantly being pulled away from the plot for hours at a time simply because a quest or character looked interesting, and I don’t regret a second of that time.
Visually, Yakuza 5 Remastered looks incredible. Characters look impressively lifelike for a game from 2012, and the huge environments are a joy to explore. Combat is better than any of the titles released before Yakuza 5, which could only be improved with the introduction of the Dragon Engine in Yakuza 6. Each character’s combat style feels fitting for their personalities (as does Haruka’s more pacifistic gameplay), with Taiga standing out as a major improvement over his fairly slower style in Yakuza 4. Even today, Yakuza 5 is more than worth playing, especially in its shiny new remastered form.
The Final Word
The Yakuza Remastered Collection is an excellent updated collection of three stellar games from the PS3’s lifetime. The restored content of Yakuza 3, multi-layered story of Yakuza 4, and ridiculously ambitious style of Yakuza 5 make this collection a must-have for any fans of the series, as it collects some of the franchise’s best games in a gorgeous new way. Now, if we can just get the Ishin titles to come over…
MonsterVine Review Score: 5 out of 5 – Excellent
