Yakuza Kiwami 2, the remake of the original Yakuza 2, is out now. While the Japanese and Chinese release, Ryu Ga Gotoku 2, has been out and available for a while now, the English release was only announced early this year and is now out today.
The remake uses the Dragon Engine from Yakuza 6. While the plot is faithful to the original, there is now a new mini-game and an expanded side story revolving the series’ loveable madman, Goro Majima.
To celebrate the launch, here’s the launch trailer, featuring the Majima Construction Anthem. The hard-working men and women that localise the game deserve some appreciation for bringing this glorious anthem in English.
For comparison, here’s the original Japanese version with a literal English translation of the lyrics.
Localising a very Japanese game for the international audience is certainly a challenge, as detailed in this very good interview by Michibiku. But it’s safe to say there is certainly an audience now for Yakuza. It’s blend of serious, gritty criminal melodrama with wacky and ridiculous sub stories is something to be experienced yourself.
To the localisation team that’s been really busy these two years, we salute you.
Yakuza Kiwami 2 is only RM192 on PS Store Asia.