Basic Combat

Learn the ins and outs of Yakuza Kiwami 2's combat system, from managing your health and Heat Gauge to mastering Kiryu's moveset and understanding encounter types.

Alright, let's get you up to speed on how fighting works in Yakuza Kiwami 2. It's pretty similar to Yakuza 6, but they've tweaked a few things and expanded Kiryu's moveset a bit. Don't worry, it's not too complicated once you get the hang of it!

First off, keep an eye on your display. In the top-left corner, you'll see your Life Bar (that's your health, plain and simple – run out and it's game over) and your Heat Gauge (the blue bar). Hitting enemies fills the Heat Gauge, while getting hit drains it. As it fills, you get small boosts to your speed and attack power. You can spend this Heat on awesome Heat Actions or even Extreme Heat once you unlock it. Your gauge starts with one bar filled, and you can upgrade its length in the Stats menu. Passing the first marker lets you use Heat Actions, and reaching the second marker or filling the gauge completely unlocks Extreme Heat.

You've also got your minimap in the lower-left, which shows enemies as red arrows. Plus, enemy health bars are right above their heads, so you always know who you're dealing with.

Encounters Explained

There are two main ways you'll get into fights: Scripted Encounters, which happen during story missions, substories, or training, and Random Encounters out in the city.

Random encounters break down further:

• Aggressors: These guys are usually in groups of three to five, marked as red arrows on your map. If you see them, it's best to steer clear unless you're ready for a fight, because they'll charge you once they spot you. You'll hear a little alert noise and a gruff shout when they notice you. Get too close, and bam – combat starts.
• Interventions: Sometimes you'll stumble upon someone getting jumped by a group of thugs. If you step in and win the fight, the person you saved will usually give you a reward, like cash or a sellable plate.

Once a fight kicks off, your controls switch to combat mode. If you get knocked out, don't sweat it – you'll get a chance to retry the battle or reload your last save. And hey, if things get hairy, you can actually try to run away from combat by putting some distance between you and your enemies and ducking behind cover. It's tricky, but it's an option! No more being stuck in invisible arenas in this game.

After you win, your enemies disappear. Keep an eye out, though – they sometimes drop items or cash!

Kiryu's Basic Moveset

Kiryu's got his signature 'Dragon' style, looking a bit different thanks to the new engine. Here's the breakdown:

• Rush Combo: Mash the Light Attack button up to four times. These are quick but don't do a ton of damage. They're great for starting combos or chipping away at tougher foes, and you can even hit enemies who are down on the ground.
• Heavy Attack: A single, more powerful strike than a light attack. Good for doing a bit more damage and can also hit downed enemies.
• Finishing Blow: After a Rush Combo, press Heavy Attack once or twice. The exact move changes depending on how many light attacks you did (e.g., Light-Heavy is different from Light-Light-Light-Heavy). These usually pack a punch and often knock enemies down.
• Heat Action: Once your Heat Gauge hits the first marker (or fills up), you can perform a special move by pressing Heavy Attack when you see a blue flame icon on screen. You can find the specifics for each Heat Action in its own section. Pro Tip: If you want to save your Heat, hold L2/LT and press Heavy Attack – this lets you use the move without triggering a Heat Action.
• Grab: Press the Grab button to grab an enemy. You can then move them around. Remember, grabs can't be blocked, but some enemies can break out easily. Press L1/LB to flip them around to their back (or front). While holding them:
  • Pummel: Mash Light Attack a few times for some quick hits.
  • Knock Away: Press Heavy Attack to kick them away. This can hit other enemies and knock them down.
  • Throw: Press Grab again to spin them to the ground. This is fantastic for crowd control, especially when you're surrounded, and can even knock out weaker foes. Some tougher enemies might resist this, though.
• Charge Attack: This is new! Hold down Light Attack to charge up a stronger attack, indicated by blue sparkles. Releasing it unleashes a more powerful hit, often good for stunning enemies. You can even do different charge attacks while standing still versus running.

That covers the basics! Keep practicing these moves, and you'll be taking down thugs like a pro in no time.