Yakuza 0, Yakuza Kiwami, and Yakuza Kiwami 2 will be leaving Xbox Game Pass on December 31. If you need time to absorb this news, please, embrace it. Come back? Okay, actually we don’t have much time left now. You have to play these beats before they disappear into non-freedom (sort of, you know what I mean). Here’s why.
Games like Mortal Kombat 11, Firewatch, and The Gunk We coming to Xbox Game Pass before the end of the year. All good news, all great, all gravy. But as we move through 2022, Yakuza 0 and Kiwami 1 & 2 will no longer be available to Game Pass owners. Just like that, the three explosions cleared. And I suppose there’s comfort in having the rest of the Yakuza franchise stick around. Those are Yakuza 3, 4, 5, 6, and Like A Dragon, all of which are left on the Game Pass for now. Thing is, the stuff they’re getting rid of is exceptional.
So many people ask: “Where is the perfect entry point for a Yakuza franchise?”. And I say, Yakuza 0. It tells the origin story of heartbroken Kazuma Kiryu and Mad Dog Goro Majima as they sink deep into the criminal hands of ’80s Japan. The two opposites eventually attract, if you can call it that. You experience bromance, betrayal and baka mitai. You have a variety club to run. And real estate to manage – that is, if you haven’t hired a chicken to do it for you. I remember watching the ending in this strange fog. Both sad that I finished the game and happy that I discovered the Yakuza. This is Ryu Ga Gotoku studio in their prime, I think.
Then you’ve got Yakuza Kiwami 1. A remake of the first Yakuza, arguably not as good as its prequel but still with a great key story. Kiryu has to put her feelings aside and fight her brother. Meanwhile, you see the real Mad Dog appear. Not serious, he’ll come out of the crate dressed as a policeman and scream “Kiryuuu channnnn!” before attacking you with a knife.
And last but not least, Kiwami 2. A complete remake of the second Yakuza game, matching the look and performance of Yakuza 6. Kiryu actually fights a tiger with his fists. me. Cabaret returns with a vengeance. And Majima reunites with the old flame. Easily one of the best stories in the series.
Of course, they all hold importance because they cannot be ignored. Unless you’re some kind of monster, you can’t explore most of the rest of the Yakuza games without all of that storyline. It was a lot of laughter and tears and baseball games. These three games underpin the rest of the list and it’s a shame they’ll be in attendance. However, you have time. Let them play.
