Yakuza Kiwami is one of the best starting points for the series and shows just how far the Yakuza series has progressed since its humble beginnings. This game is easily one of the most faithful remakes ever made and helps new fans of the Yakuza series get into this title with little to no worries whatsoever.

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One of the biggest draws of the Yakuza series is undoubtedly its combat system, which features a bunch of excellent fighting styles. Along with these styles, the game also features the Dragon of Dojima fighting style that's quite a blast to use... once you have fought Majima a few million times, that is. Here are a few tips that will help you master the combat system of Yakuza Kiwami with ease.

Updated on October 27, 2022, by Ritwik Mitra: Yakuza Kiwami is a great video game that entirely remakes the first Yakuza title for a new generation. Given the massive success of Yakuza 0, it's easy to see why so many people loved the idea of getting into a modernized version of a title that had aged poorly. Combat in Yakuza Kiwami, just like the other titles in the series, is a highlight of the game. Here are a few more ways that you can master the combat system of Yakuza Kiwami with ease!

15 Fight Majima As Much As Possible

Majima dancing on a pole in a club in Yakuza Kiwami.

Majima is one of the greatest characters in the Yakuza series, and one that fans absolutely adore. In Yakuza Kiwami, his part in the story is extended through the Majima Everywhere system, where the Mad Dog of Shimano will fight Kiryu at regular intervals to help the Dragon of Dojima get back to his full potential.

Suffice it to say, you should trigger the Majima encounters as much as possible. Not only does each battle net a ton of experience, but you will also unlock moves in the Dragon Style by doing this.

14 Follow A Guide To Properly Unlock The Dragon Style

Yakuza Kiwami Majima in the Pocket Circuit

Simply fighting Majima on the street isn't enough to unlock the Dragon Style. There are specific Majima encounters that you need to trigger by performing activities around the world, and are hinted at through cryptic text messages.

However, some activities are extremely situational, while others require a particular time of day. Instead of getting frustrated while trying to unlock the Dragon of Dojima style, you shouldn't shy away from looking up a guide after hitting a brick wall.

13 Grabbing Is A Great Way To Mix Up Combat Skills

Kiryu escaping a grab in Yakuza Kiwami

Grabbing is one of the best ways to gain some much-needed breathing room in Yakuza Kiwami. Grabs work differently across Kiryu's battle stances, with the Rush Stance not even featuring a grab at all!

Grabbing enemies is a great way to trigger certain unique Heat Moves or mix up combat skills in the game. Of course, the added fun factor from smashing one enemy into other is also something that can't be replaced either.

12 Taunting Can Be Used To Great Effect

Kiryu taunting Nishikiyama in Yakuza Kiwami

Most Yakuza beginners don't really use taunts in the game, which is a shame. Yakuza Kiwami is especially great with taunts, letting you change styles instantly or charge up Heat as well.

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Sometimes, certain Heat Moves also require you to be in the middle of a taunt. It might seem like nothing more than a vanity mechanic, but the truth is that the combat experts in Yakuza use taunts a lot to add some extra flair to combat, and you should too.

11 Weaving In Battle With The Rush Style Is A Great Way To Avoid Damage Without Sacrificing Positioning

Rush Style in Yakuza Kiwami

The Rush Style is a fan-favorite that lets you quickly hit enemies for damage before carrying out a series of successive dodges to avoid any enemy blow with ease. It might not boast a ton of damage, but you can really get a lot of mileage out of this style if used properly.

Weaving is one of the best moves in Rush Style, allowing you to dodge in the middle of a combo without interrupting it. With proper timing, you can essentially blast an enemy with a barrage of punches without having to worry about getting interrupted in the middle of a combo.

10 Learn The Essence Moves As Soon As Possible

Heat Actions in Yakuza Kiwami

One thing that Yakuza Kiwami doesn't tell you properly about the combat system is the Essence moves. These moves can be used on bosses that start regenerating health, with a tutorial describing the same when Kiryu's in prison.

However, you should know that these moves need to be unlocked after Kiryu gets out of prison. Along with this, keep in mind that the aura of a strong enemy when they're recovering indicates which style's Heat Move you need to perform.

9 Don't Rely On Beast Style Too Much

Beast Mode Heat Action in Yakuza Kiwami

If you're a veteran of Yakuza 0 getting into the sequel — well, a sequel from a chronological standpoint, that is — you might want to start tearing stuff up in Beast Mode. However, you need to realize that Yakuza Kiwami is nowhere near as easy as its predecessor.

All combat styles feel sluggish as a result of Kiryu's imprisonment. Beast Mode is especially nerfed in this regard, with Kiryu being way more susceptible to being interrupted during a combo than ever before.

8 Increase Your Heat As Quickly As Possible In Combat

White DoD Heat with Classic Blue Attack Trails in Yakuza Kiwami

Heat Actions are the bread and butter of the Yakuza series. This applies to Yakuza Kiwami as well, where Heat is in short supply early on.

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This makes it important to use moves that can increase Heat as quickly as possible. Examples include unlocking moves that let Kiryu enjoy a massive increase in Heat if he grabs an enemy or sends them flying with their first attack in battle.

7 Destroy Normal Enemies With Attacks But Dodge Around And Land Careful Blows On Bosses

Shimano in Yakuza

For the most part, normal enemies will become nothing more than cannon fodder in Yakuza Kiwami. After a while, you can start blasting through foes with your regular attacks and Heat Actions with relative ease.

However, bosses are in a completely different league of their own. These foes can counter blows, grab Kiryu, and sometimes whip out Heat Actions of their own as well. It's better to dodge around — hopefully while gaining Heat if the ability is unlocked — and wait for the perfect time to strike with a proper attack of your own.

6 Get In Touch With Komaki To Upgrade The Dragon Style

Komaki in his dojo in Yakuza

The Dragon Style is easily one of Kiryu's most powerful battle styles, but it's woefully underpowered when you start Yakuza 0. You will know early on that you need to fight Majima in order to unlock the full potential of this combat style.

However, there's another way to upgrade this moveset — training with Komaki. By grinding out arena points and getting Komami's images back from the coliseum, you can get more moves for their Dragon style... including the legendary Tiger Drop.

5 Quickly Changing Styles In Battle Is Key

The Tiger Drop in action in Yakuza Kiwami

Yakuza Kiwami features a more refined combat style for Kiryu, coupled with the ability to change battle styles on the fly. At a glance, this might seem like a rather unnecessary thing to upgrade.

However, with the right unlocks, you can easily switch out battle styles when you're in a pickle... or just plain show off! It's a great way to increase Kiryu's power at the perfect time or help him dodge out quickly with the Rush Style when he's receiving damage.

4 Carry Around A Ton Of Good Quality Restoratives

Restoratives in Yakuza Kiwami

Yakuza Kiwami places no restrictions on letting Kiryu guzzle down recovery items when they're in a pinch. This might seem like an exploit, but you should definitely make full use of this system.

After all, there's no telling when Kiryu might be put in a tough spot. This is when a handy medicinal item or any other restorative will help out. You can also keep several Tauriners at hand when you need to whip out a quick finishing move against a boss too.

3 The Block Button Is Your Friend

Kiryu fighting in Yakuza Kiwami

Given how aggressive Yakuza Kiwami's combat system is, you can't really be faulted for going all-out offensively in every battle. However, there are times when the best offense in this game is a great defense.

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Kiryu can block most basic blows with ease, while also gaining Heat in the process. It's a great way to nullify the damage of an enemy combo before countering with one of your own.

2 Don't Repeat The Same Heat Actions Over And Over Again

Kiryu using a Heat Action in Yakuza Kiwami

Using Heat Actions is paramount to enjoying Yakuza Kiwami's combat. Watching Kiryu absolutely brutalize enemies never gets tiring.

However, you should know that using the same Heat Action multiple times decreases its effectiveness in combat by half every time. You should change up your strategies and use multiple Heat Actions in one fight to maximize damage and not waste the Heat Bar.

1 Mix Up Your Combat Styles With Weapons

The Secret Weapon Shop in Yakuza Kiwami

Weapons are a great way to keep the combat style of Yakuza Kiwami fresh and interesting. After all, there are only so many times that Kiryu can fight with his bare fists before it simply becomes too much to handle.

There are a heavy of weapons that Kiryu can equip and use in Yakuza Kiwami. Different types of weapons have different moves and trigger various other kinds of Heat Actions too.

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