Yakuza Kiwami Beginner Tips - Combat Styles, Majima, and Completion

Yakuza Kiwami by RGG Studio and published by SEGA is the remake of the first Yakuza game, not the 2005 PlayStation 2 original and not Kiwami 2 or Kiwami 3. It keeps the crime-drama setup around Kazuma Kiryu, Haruka, the missing 10 billion yen, and Kamurocho, while adding Kiwami-era combat, side content, and the Majima Everywhere progression system.

Content warning: Yakuza Kiwami is rated M for Mature 17+ by ESRB with Blood, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, and Use of Alcohol. This guide keeps mature content non-graphic and focused on play.

Current version scope is messy. Modern store pages include PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Steam current and Legacy entries, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2. Newer PS5/Xbox Series/Steam releases are language-expanded versions without core gameplay changes, but save-transfer, DLC, app IDs, storefront availability, and patch/build details can still vary by platform.

This guide focuses on beginner systems rather than chapter routing, all substories, Majima spawn routes, minigame builds, card checklists, achievements, or 100% completion.

Essential Tips

1. Use Brawler as Your Baseline

Brawler is the easiest style to understand while you learn enemy behavior.

When you are unsure what a fight wants, Brawler gives you a balanced starting point. It has enough power for normal street enemies, enough control for groups, and a clear path into Heat Actions and core upgrades.

2. Switch to Rush When You Need Space

Rush is for speed, evasion, and staying out of bad trades.

Use Rush against enemies who punish slow windups or when you need to circle behind a target. It will not hit as hard as Beast or upgraded Dragon, but it helps you reset positioning before you get trapped in a crowd.

3. Bring Out Beast Around Objects and Crowds

Beast makes the street part of your weapon kit.

If a fight starts near bicycles, signs, crates, furniture, or other pickup objects, Beast is often the simplest answer. It turns cluttered arenas into damage and crowd control instead of letting enemies surround you.

4. Do Not Trust Dragon Too Early

Dragon of Dojima has to be rebuilt.

Dragon feels strong in the opening, then becomes limited after the early story shift. Treat it as a long-term project tied to Majima Everywhere and Komaki training, not as your default style for the first half of the game.

5. Spend Heat on Purpose

Heat Actions solve problems when you set them up.

Heat builds as you fight, and spending it at the right moment can end a dangerous enemy, punish a stun, use a wall or weapon, or interrupt a bad situation. Do not burn every prompt automatically if you are saving Heat for a specific Kiwami or boss window.

6. Upgrade Survivability Early

More health and Heat capacity make every system easier to learn.

Damage upgrades are tempting, but early health, Heat, and practical style tools reduce restarts. A slightly longer health bar or better Heat access helps in story fights, street battles, Majima ambushes, and minigames that turn into fights.

7. Treat Majima Everywhere as Progression

Majima is not just an interruption.

Fighting Majima restores Dragon abilities and advances a Kiwami-specific progression track. Heal after losses, read Nishida messages, and clear rank-gate events instead of avoiding the system until Dragon feels unusable.

8. Keep Healing Items and Gear Ready

The menu is part of preparation.

Carry recovery items, equip protective gear, and repair or replace weapons before pushing story markers. Kiwami throws scripted fights, street fights, and Majima encounters into normal exploration, so walking around empty is asking for trouble.

9. Do Substories While They Are Nearby

Side stories feed experience, rewards, and completion.

Kiwami has a large substory layer spread across chapters. You do not need to route all of them on a first run, but clearing nearby ones keeps EXP flowing and reduces the amount of postgame cleanup later.

10. Check the Completion List Before Grinding

The list tells you what kind of progress counts.

Completion is split across Adventure, Battle, Substories, Majima Everywhere, and Minigames. Look at those categories before repeating random fights or minigames, because some goals have hidden higher increments and some cleanup is easier if started early.

11. Sample Every Minigame Before Chasing 100%

Kiwami’s side activities are not all solved by combat skill.

Karaoke, Pocket Circuit, MesuKing, mahjong, shogi, batting, bowling, darts, pool, UFO Catcher, casino games, and cabaret content all ask for different habits. Try them casually first, then save exact scores, parts, cards, and gambling totals for a dedicated completion pass.

12. Use Premium Adventure for Cleanup

Postgame free roam is the right place for unfinished side content.

After clearing the story, Premium Adventure lets you continue missed substories, Majima Everywhere, Coliseum, and minigame completion. Use the story run to learn systems, then do the precise cleanup when spoilers and route pressure matter less.

Combat Style Basics

Style	Best Early Use	Beginner Warning
Brawler	Balanced fights, normal enemies, group control	Do not overcommit slow finishers into fast enemies
Rush	Dodging, repositioning, pressuring single targets	Low damage can drag fights out if you never switch
Beast	Crowds, weapons, street objects, heavy punishment	Slow movement can get you hit if the arena is open
Dragon	Long-term late-game power and classic Kiryu tools	It is weakened after the opening and needs Majima/Komaki progress

Use style switching as a habit, not a panic button. Start with the style that fits the arena, then change when the enemy type changes: Rush to escape pressure, Beast when objects are available, Brawler when you need reliability, and Dragon once the relevant abilities are back online.

Majima and Completion Priorities

1. Read Nishida’s messages: They often point toward Majima rank events or unusual encounters.
2. Heal after Majima losses: Losing does not end the game, but it can leave Kiryu drained.
3. Play Majima-linked minigames when ready: Bowling, MesuKing, Pocket Circuit, and other activities can intersect with Dragon recovery.
4. Spend CP with a plan: Completion Points come from broad list tasks and can unlock useful rewards through Bob Utsunomiya.
5. Do not leave every minigame for last: Completion includes many separate activities, and learning them all at the end is slower.
6. Separate story clear from 100% cleanup: Premium Adventure is built for unfinished substories, Majima, Coliseum, and minigame work.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Do not mash one combo into every enemy - Switch styles, grab blockers, quickstep behind threats, and use Heat when the setup is there.

2. Do not ignore street weapons - Beast and environmental objects can turn a crowded fight quickly.

3. Do not hoard all EXP - Health, Heat, and practical style upgrades are useful immediately.

4. Do not avoid Majima forever - Dragon recovery depends heavily on fighting him and clearing rank events.

5. Do not enter story fights empty - Carry healing items and check gear before committing to major markers.

6. Do not treat substories as pure distraction - They feed EXP, rewards, and completion progress.

7. Do not grind without checking the Completion List - Some goals count specific styles, minigames, Heat Actions, or progression categories.

8. Do not force 100% during the main story - Save exact substories, minigames, Haruka requests, and achievement routing for a cleanup pass.

Summary

Category	Top Tip
Combat	Learn Brawler, Rush, and Beast roles before relying on Dragon
Heat	Spend Heat deliberately on finishers, weapons, and Kiwami windows
Upgrades	Prioritize health, Heat, and useful style tools early
Majima	Treat Majima Everywhere as Dragon progression
Completion	Track Adventure, Battle, Substories, Majima, and Minigames gradually
Version Scope	Check platform, save-transfer, DLC, and current storefront details before cleanup