GAMERS DECIDE - Beast

[Guide] Yakuza Kiwami Difficulty Levels Explained - Choosing Best The Difficulty For You

RedBaron_97 — Tue, 17 Jan 2023 14:15:10 +0000

Today, we’ll be looking at the difficulty levels in Yakuza Kiwami and which of them would be suitable for you.

If there is one thing that the Yakuza series is infamous for apart from its cinematics, reused assets, minigames and engaging story, it’s the difficulty of the game.
Now, there are four modes within the game that you can play through. Easy, Medium, Hard and Legend. Do note that the difficulty only affects the combat in the game and it does not in any way affect the minigames at all.

We’ll be evaluating each of the difficulties and tell you which of these would be suitable for your first-time or many repetitive playthroughs. We’ll go from easiest to hardest as is standard.

Let’s go ahead and find out.

4. Easy Difficulty

A literal walk in the park. Should explain most easy difficulty playthroughs.

First up, we have the beginner-friendly difficulty i.e. Easy. This mode is more story-focused in the sense that the combat will be relatively easier. The enemies will have slow movement, their health is low, their attacks deal a pint of damage and they take a little longer to attack you while you are defeating others.

This one is for those who are new to the Yakuza series, just want a smooth breeze of a playthrough and want to kick back and enjoy the story. (My preferred difficulty. Don’t judge.)

How it works:

Enemies will have slower, sluggish movements.
Enemies will have lower health than usual.
Enemies will stand around and take their time before they make a move on you giving you ample time to defeat waves of enemies.

Choose this difficulty if…:

You are new to the Yakuza series and are playing it for the very first time.
You want a relaxing and non-challenging playthrough.
You are a story-focused gamer and want to be fully immersed in the plotline of the Yakuza series

3. Normal Difficulty

And there’s Kiryu… just “Normally” standing there.

Up next, we have the standard Normal difficulty present in most action-oriented games and in the Yakuza game series as well.

This difficulty gives a slight boost to their attacks and their speed, their reaction to sidestepping is slightly altered as well, enemies will have the same health bars, enemies will now attack in groups rather than stand around waiting to attack and the enemy AI gets to learn re-blocking.

If you’re a regular action game player who can go through normal difficulty in most cases and would like to have engaging combat, this difficulty is for you.

How it works:

Enemies will have slightly faster movement.
Enemies will have an equal amount of health.
Enemies will attack in groups instead of waiting around.
Enemy AI gets to learn re-blocking

Choose this difficulty if…:

You are well-versed in playing action-based games on Normal difficulty.
You want an engaging gameplay experience.
You want to experience standard Yakuza action with a more immersive combat experience.

2. Hard Difficulty

Yeah, life gets hard eventually.

Next up, we have the Hard difficulty, suitable for masochists and people who just want a fun challenge.

As the name implies, this difficulty will make enemies much faster in terms of movement and responses to your attacks. Not only that, they get a huge health boost, they attack more aggressively in groups and they will deal more damage ranging from a pint to half a quarter of damage.

This one is going to be suitable for you if you’re up for a challenge combat-wise, testing your mettle if you’re very well-versed in action games in general dealing with their hardest difficulties and just proving yourself better than anyone.

How it works:

Enemies will have faster reflexes to your attacks.
Enemies will have a larger health boost
Enemies will be more aggressive in groups and will deal more damage.

Choose this difficulty if…:

You are confident in playing action games in their hardest difficulty.
You are looking for a challenge.
You want to be fully immersed in gameplay and use stratagems to defeat enemies.

1. Legend Difficulty

At the end of the day, this will be our face after playing through one session of the Legend difficulty.

And we save the best for the last. This is the Legend difficulty (Previously known as EX-Hard) where you have to prove your mettle and live up to the standards of the in-game Legends.

This is a punishing mode where all of the elements from Hard mode are boosted in both attack and defense and once your health is depleted you will have to load your last manual save point to continue, otherwise, it is game over.

This difficulty can be selected in the beginning as well but make no mistake, unless you’re an expert in the Yakuza series or you’re a masochist, DO NOT select this in your first playthrough. Trust me when I say this. If you’re trophy-hunting, want to 100% complete the game or just want to experience the complete madness the Yakuza series has to offer, this mode is for you. Do it on Premium Adventure (New Game +), then you’ll know what I’m talking about.

How it works:

Enemies will have the fastest movement.
Enemies will have the highest health boost.
Enemies will be both aggressive and defensive, boosting all stats from Hard mode.
If you die, you will have to load your last Manual Save, otherwise, it is permadeath.

Choose this difficulty if…:

You want to fully experience the madness this game has to offer.
You have completed the story once and want to 100% the game.
You want to set a personal record.
You are trophy-hunting.

And that’s about it with the difficulties! Now that I’ve told you everything about it, get out there and embrace your inner Dragon of Dojima.

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Main Image caption:

The nostalgic/infamous loading screen, depending on which difficulty you played. That, and the Dragon of Dojima tattoo.

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[Guide] Yakuza Kiwami Best Fighting Style - What To Choose

RedBaron_97 — Tue, 17 Jan 2023 04:22:40 +0000

Hey, y’all! We’re here today with a guide on how to best utilize Yakuza Kiwami’s Fighting Mechanic i.e. the Styles!

Introduced in Yakuza 0, this was a revolutionary way to diversify your average Yakuza playthrough, giving you a chance to execute those perfect combos, cancels and style switching at the same time. Since Majima was also playable, it was open to 8 styles of playthrough. Now that Yakuza Kiwami is Kiryu focused, we’re down to 4 styles namely:- Brawler, Rush, Beast and Dragon.

One thing to be noted is that to upgrade these styles, you need experience points in this game compared to money in Yakuza 0. So, gather around, kyoudai! Time to enlighten you new players and veterans alike on how to make the best use of these styles!

4. Brawler Style

“KIRYU CHA-“ Majima’s Last words before getting beaten to a pulp.

First off on the list, we have the Brawler style which is Kiryu’s basic style after you finish the prologue and ACTUALLY start the game. Also one of the starting of the three styles

This one’s the rough-and-tumble fighting style focused on the general beating and pounding of enemies with balanced speed and power. You can say it’s the “poor man’s Dragon style”. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a great style and sure to be one of the most powerful when you max out this variation!

One weakness this style does have is that it’s considerably slower than the Rush and Dragon styles but adequately faster than the Beast style. BUT it can be used for generating Heat with your combos and executing those epic Heat Actions!

What’s good about Brawler Style:

Balance of speed and power makes for perfect combos against enemies.
Eventual combos lead to Heat generation which in turn gives more Heat Actions.
Being drunk gives you an edge in this style as you get no physical damage when in Brawler style.
Resolute Counter is a brawler-exclusive ability where you get to hit back at enemies hitting you unexpectedly.
Heat Actions with not just fists but accompanied objects as well. Weapon items count too.

Choose Brawler Style if:

If you want those sweet Heat Action finishers to be used on enemies.
If you want to break up a group of enemies.
If you want to gang up against a single enemy.

3. Rush Style

OOF! That’s gotta hurt.

Up next, we have the Rush Style, also known as Kiryu’s “Speed” Style, another one of the three styles that you’re wholly familiar with if you’ve played Yakuza 0.

It’s in this style that Kiryu can either run towards an area safe from the onslaught of the incoming enemy damages or do multiple quicksteps and do some counter dodging. If you’re in a long sequence boss fight, which is the tradition of Yakuza games, you can use this to move much faster and get to the destined waypoint via this method.

There are, however, downsides to this Style. It’s got increased speed but the damage it does is ridiculously low. Apart from that, you can’t properly guard from attacks but instead you can “weave” your way out of it. Quicksteps have been increased but they reduce your Heat with it.C

What’s good about Rush Style:

Increased Speed gives chance to manoeuvre out of enemy attacks.
Barrage of combos makes stunning enemies easier.
An increased amount of quick steps for better evasion.
Can get behind boss/enemy backsides for maximum damage.
Chances of enemies hitting you become slim to none.

Choose Rush Style if:

If you want to stun enemies constantly and slide away like a snake.
If you want to land barrages on a single enemy or boss without taking damage.
If you want increased movement and mobility.

2. Beast Style

“WATCH OUT WATCH OUT WATCH OUT! BOOM! R.K.O.!”

Next, we have the Beast Style, also known as Kiryu’s “Power” Style and the last of the three styles you’re wholly familiar with if you’ve played Yakuza 0.

Compared to the previous two styles, this one has MORE Power and attack damage and it absolutely shines during random encounters in the streets of Kamurocho. It also utilizes any lying objects or weapons mid-combat without having the need to pick them up, making it all the more versatile! The “Resist Guard” ability, exclusive to the Beast Style, has Kiryu take reduced damage from everyone without faltering and gives the opportunity to break those mobs apart!

Since Beast Style has more power, it has VERY LESS mobility and moving from one place to another is a drag in itself. It has no quickstep but instead an evasive roll which makes Kiryu susceptible to further damage.

What’s good about Beast Style:

Utilization of nearby objects mid-combat without having the need to pick it up via the button prompt.
Massive damage is given to enemies making for quick battles.
“Resist Guard” lets you stand tall without having to falter.
Awesome for breaking away mobs of enemies which can cause trouble later on.
Heat Actions with this Style can cause massive damage to enemies as well as bosses, making for useful tactics.

Choose Beast Style if:

If you’re in an open space with objects lying around to be used as weapons against enemies.
If you have multiple enemies to face.
If you want to deliver the maximum amount of damage with brute force.

1. Dragon of Dojima Style

What happens when Kiryu is totally done with Majima? This.

And now, we have the famed Dragon of Dojima style! Kiryu’s signature fighting style from the original Yakuza series all the way till now.

This style is the culmination of all the three above Fighting Styles with greater speed, power and precision. If you remember playing Yakuza 0, you unlock this style by playing through the Kamurocho Real Estate Royale and you get all the moves for it. It’s great for those epic beatdowns and Heat Action animations.

Here’s the annoying part, for the sake of playing and upgrading the Style, IT’S BEEN NERFED DOWN AND YOU HAVE TO FIGHT MAJIMA TO GET THE WHOLE STYLE BACK! 10 Years in the joint … has made Kiryu a numbskull and he’s forgotten this style as a whole. But once upgraded, it is so worth it.

What’s good about Dragon Style:

High attack power with over-the-top counters makes Kiryu a formidable force to deal with.
Simple combos will give devastating damage once fully upgraded.
Cool and Satisfying Heat Action animations for the player to see.
Weapons would give special damage like with the Pummeling Bat and Demonfire Dagger combined when unlocked Essence of Mad Dog: Demon.
Tiger Drop. Enough said.

Choose Dragon of Dojima Style if:

If you want to one-shot enemies around you with the Tiger Drop.
If you want to feel overpowered by unlocking all skill trees of this Style.
If you want to utilize your parry skills.

And with that, we conclude our best fighting styles list for Yakuza Kiwami! I really hope it helped you. That’s about it. See ya.

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Main Image caption:

Behold! The Four Styles of Kazuma Kiryu.

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