Much better than Yakuza Kiwami 1. For me that's 14 hours for the main story with another 2 hours for Majima Saga. I will review both.

1. The main story:

Unlike previous games, Yakuza Kiwami 2 shifted the conflict from Families of Tojo Clan to the foreseeable war between the East and the West between Tojo Clan and Omi Alliance. Besides, Kamurocho is under attack and threats from an almost dead-out Korean Gang who swear for revenge and now act as terrorists. Quite a lot of stuff to keep Kiryu busy, he is not only representing the Mazama Family but taking more responsibility for the general public.

I like it RGG doesn't make Kiryu a superman anymore, he was invincible in Yakuza 0 and Yakuza Kiwami 1, the fact that Ryuji Goda spared his life seeing Kiryu in a bad shape is a good move. Ryuji is the cover person which spontaneous made me thinking him the main villain - cruel as he is, but this man bears sorta Samurai Spirit and has his proud, who hates seeing women being hit and children being kidnapped, he's unpredictable, complicated but balanced at the same time, a good character created.

What I also like is cop Kaoru Sayama, a tough and smart woman who strives mostly by herself. The story unfolds with 2 storyline: one is about Kiryu's move to fellowship the East and the West to avoid the war, the other is about Kaoru finding out her parents and dramatically, those 2 storylines became 1 at the end. I enjoyed the rooftop talks between Kiryu and Kaoru, genuine and warm, about finding happiness and being yourself. The fact that Kiryu sees gold in Kaoru is touching. Remembering what happened in previous games I was grateful that for the first time RGG didn't take everyone away from Kiryu, and both times the kissing and hugging was emotional. Moreover, I find Jiro Kawara's story believable, a senior detective who seems to be reckless but actually has a solid reason. Yakuza Kiwami 2 builds some good characters and shows love between them in extreme conditions. It is also love that drives Kiryu fights to the very end and has survived.

Tbh I like that the Kazama story is being revised time by time within game progress, yet the story could be better told. I found the first 3/4 of the gameplay with less information, and the ending is bombarded with all the villains showing up every conspiracies. There are too many scripted gunshots and taking gunshots for others, not to mention the gunshot machine works in its own mystery ways: Sometimes one shot ends a life, sometimes you start a fight with someone holding a machine gun and you won't be down taking several bullets.

The equipement system is a highlight, with multiple weapons available and each has an unique heat cutscenes, it is quite interesting to see Kiryu dealing mass damage fighting enemies. My favorite goes to that long stick that hits ass and then sends whoever poor soul flying.

2. Majima Saga.

Majima Saga making Goro Majima a playable character, about his attempts to quell the war between the Tojo Clan and the Omi Alliance. This is a good prequel to the main game, and put an end to the story between Makoto Makimura and the blind girl Makoto Makimura in Yakuza 0.

Majima is an interesting good guy, he's like having 2 personalities and can switch from a serious Patriarch to a funny joker within seconds. But honestly I find him tough and smart and likeable as he's a man to take responsibilities, always in action and can fight in style. What I don't like is how the story ends between him and Makoto. Remember Makoto knows Majima is an ex-yakuza and has an eye-patch, and that she has a good ear that she knows Oda's other identity immediately upon hearing his voice in Yakuza 0? But in Majima Saga it's like Makoto has lost her memory as well as hearing, she works at the same Massage Store waiting for Majima yet when he's there she failed to recognize him given so many leads. It was until she moved with her entire family to start a new life on the plane that she unboxed the gift box from Majima and started to understand everything. This is too stupid. I'd rather not know this part of the story.

Overall I rate Kiwami 2 positive. Playable yet with some flaws.

My curator page

buff men stripping their shirts and fighting but on a tower

It is very good liked the story and the upgrade system.