Yakuza 6: The Song of Life (v2021.06.07 & ALL DLC)

An aging Kazuma Kiryu returns to Japan’s criminal underworld for one last deeply personal reckoning, trading gangland glory for the responsibility of protecting family. After leaving prison, he finds Haruka missing, injured, and the mother of an infant whose existence opens a trail stretching from Tokyo’s neon-soaked Kamurocho to the quiet port streets of Onomichi, Hiroshima. The result is a crime drama with the weight of a hard-boiled thriller, but it still makes room for absurd comedy, sentimental detours, and the everyday pleasures of wandering a convincingly lived-in Japan. Its central mystery carries real emotional stakes, especially for players who have followed Kiryu’s long, reluctant journey as a protector.

Street fights remain the main course, with Kiryu using heavy punches, grapples, environmental weapons, and spectacular Heat Actions to turn bicycles, signs, and nearby furniture into tools of destruction. Combat runs on the Dragon Engine, giving brawls a looser, more physical feel as enemies stumble through shops, collide with scenery, and suffer the consequences of Kiryu’s overwhelming strength. Main missions push the conspiracy forward, while side stories offer self-contained comedy and character moments, from helping strange locals to dealing with eccentric criminal schemes. Kamurocho supplies karaoke, darts, batting cages, hostess clubs, arcades, and a gym, while Onomichi adds fishing, bar activities, cat collecting, and a spearfishing minigame that plays like a brisk arcade shooter.

What separates Yakuza 6: The Song of Life from many open-world action games is its density rather than its scale: every block has personality, and even a brief stroll can lead to a memorable distraction. Onomichi’s sunlit hills and waterfront offer a welcome contrast to Kamurocho’s crowded nightlife, while the seamless streets and expressive character animation make both locations feel unusually tangible. The combat is less technical than Yakuza 0’s multi-style system, but the story lands with greater finality and maturity. Fans of character-driven crime sagas, Shenmue-like city exploration, or dramatic action games with a bizarre comic streak should find plenty to enjoy, though series newcomers benefit from knowing Kiryu’s earlier history.