Yakuza 6: The Song of Life

Yakuza 6: The Song of Life was released in Japan in December 2016, with a Western release following much later in April 2018. Unlike the previous two games in the series (Yakuza 4 and Yakuza 5), Yakuza 6 does not feature multiple playable characters or a plethora of locations to explore, instead focusing on the main character, Kiryu Kazuma, and two locales in Kamurochō and Onomichi. The game boasts the introduction of Ryu Ga Gotaku Studios’ new “Dragon Engine,” a more cinematic and story-driven experience than previous titles, and visual fidelity not before seen in the Yakuza franchise. With that said, there are four main things I want to discuss in this review: (1) the subtitle, (2) combat, (3) substory changes, and (4) the story

THE SUBTITLE

Subtitles to video games are typically overlooked and forgotten. They mean little to the player, and most never give them a second thought. RGG Studios has typically forgone subtitles for most of the Yakuza releases in the West and followed a simple numbering pattern to denote the next entry in the long-running series. This practice, however, changed with the launch of Yakuza 6. While I’d argue that most Yakuza titles could have an English subtitle (as most do in Japanese), I’m not sure any of them would be as perfect as “The Song of Life.”

In the context of the game, "The Song of Life" serves as a metaphor for Kiryu's journey. Throughout the series, players have witnessed Kiryu's life, filled with trials, tribulations, deaths, betrayals, and moral complexities inherent to the life he chose to lead. As the long-running narrative reaches its conclusion in this game, the subtitle suggests that Kiryu's life story is akin to a song—a composition with highs and lows, moments of joy and sorrow, and a melody that resonates throughout not only his life, but the lives of those he has befriended, helped, saved, and raised throughout the series. Suggesting that even if Kiryu’s song ends in Yakuza 6, it will reverberate through those he has come to love forever.

The subtitle also encapsulates several of the broader themes of the game - aging, responsibility, parenthood (fatherhood particularly), leadership, loss, sacrifice, and the bittersweet beauty of life - emphasizing the emotional and reflective nature of Kiryu's journey throughout the series. It suggests that life, like a song, is a complex and multifaceted composition that unfolds through time. The choice of the game's poetic and contemplative subtitle reflects the game's focus on storytelling, character development, and the philosophical exploration of life's meaning, making it more than just a marketing gimmick and instead a declaration of intent for a game that was meant to sing the final verse in Kiryu’s epic song.

COMBAT

First and foremost, Yakuza 6 is a triumph in nearly every way but one, its combat. Gone is the snappy, almost arcade-like feel of previous entries, and in its place is a sluggish and heavy combat system that would feel more at home on the PlayStation 2. I’m confused as to what brought on this change, but many suggest it was due to the RGG team's inexperience with the previously mentioned Dragon Engine. Regardless, throughout the entirety of Yakuza 6, no matter the upgrade obtained, blows feel heavier, combos take longer to execute, and the once-satisfying Heat Actions are mostly locked behind the Extreme Heat mode. In totality, this leaves nearly every encounter in the game to stall out in a simple hand-to-hand brawl lacking the devastating impact of the series' staple Heat Actions. This criticism of the entire combat system may be because I played every other Yakuza title in quick succession, but it is unfortunate to see RGG’s first Dragon Engine game run so slowly when it comes to combat, the central mechanic.

My complaints with the combat system truly come to a head in the several hectic multi-man brawls scattered throughout the game's runtime. While Yakuza 5 had similar fights in its story that worked perfectly, the addition of three other teammates fighting alongside Kiryu, the slow and heavy nature of the new combat system, and the insane speed at which enemies relentlessly attack, make these battles in Yakuza 6 a little too much to handle and increasingly annoying. It was during one of these battles that I knew Yakuza 6 would be my least favorite Yakuza title in terms of combat, and that is absolutely true.

SUBSTORY CHANGES

Substories, an iconic and memeable portion of what I call "The Yakuza experience," undergo a subtle shift in Yakuza 6. No longer do exclamation marks dot the map, beckoning you to wacky side quests of men in diapers and curry-inspired superheroes. Instead, Substories must be stumbled upon by interacting with specific NPCs or exploring particular locations. While this adds a touch of realism and spontaneity to the adventure, it also means you're likely to miss some gems unless you're meticulously exploring every corner or following a guide.

THE STORY

The story of Yakuza 6, in a word, is phenomenal. It's a masterclass in emotional storytelling, exploring themes of family, legacy, and the knowledge gained from a life lived on the edge of society. Kiryu’s journey, unlike the past entries, which focused on multiple characters, is the real emotional anchor for this game. We see him grappling with his past, confronting the consequences of his choices made throughout the series, and finally finding peace with the life he has led up until this point. It's a poignant farewell to a character who has become an icon of gaming, and sits up there with Yakuza: Like a Dragon as one of my favorite stories in the entire series.

One thing about the story I want to mention specifically is the inclusion of the Hirose Family. While I originally found the misplacement of Majima and Saejima odd, it is undeniable that the new Hirose Family makes up for their absence. The family is made up of a ragtag bunch of young Yakuza, who are all new characters introduced in Yakuza 6. The group has made no appearances in previous games for players to draw on, but the game gives each family member time to shine in their own way. Despite my initial reservations about their inclusion over other Yakuza franchise staples, I grew to love them just as much as those characters. Watching them bond with Kiryu, learn from his mistakes, and carve their own paths is a testament to the power of found family and Kiryu as a leader.

CONCLUSION

Yakuza 6 seeks to accomplish a lot in its relatively short runtime - introducing a whole new cast of characters, portraying character growth for much of its cast, and wrapping up Kiryu’s story after seventeen years worth of buildup. Overall, I believe it meets these lofty goals and delivers a bittersweet conclusion to this long-running series. The game stumbles in its combat and makes changes that I disagree with, but it soars in its story and character interactions and growth. It's a game that celebrates life's triumphs and mourns its losses, reminding us that even the fiercest dragons must eventually sing their last song - a song players won’t soon forget. Despite its missteps, Yakuza 6 earns its place among the series' finest, delivering a satisfying conclusion to Kiryu's saga and proving that even in the twilight of his life, the Dragon of Dojima can still make us laugh, cry, and cheer.