Key Takeaways
- Street fighting is a reliable way to earn cash in Yakuza Kiwami, but players shouldn’t take on too many enemies at once.
- The Coliseum offers cash rewards and items; players can master all fighting styles and upgrade Kazuma to succeed.
- Ebisu Socks can be used to boost money drops and are unlocked with CP.
The Yakuza games are unique in how they combine gripping storytelling with brutal combat, vibrant settings, and deep dives on the norms and intricacies of Japanese culture. As legendary lone wolf and all-round badass Kazuma Kiryu, the player must traverse through the underworld of organized crime as he seeks to make a better life for himself and his loved ones.
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In order to make progress, however, Kazuma must make fat stacks of cash so that he can obtain upgrades and utilize his powers effectively. The playground of bars, shops, arcades and other businesses provides ample opportunities for making money in Yakuza Kiwami, but with so many options available, some players may require guidance.
8 Street Fights
Let The Fists Do The Talking And Reap The Rewards
- Location: Multiple Locations
- Risk: Low to High
- Tip: Don’t overwhelm Kazuma by taking on too many adversaries at once.
One of the most reliable ways to make money in Yakuza Kiwami is by simply fighting as many people as possible during the main story. It can be something of a grind, to be sure, but every encounter means that any foe who is bested will drop cash, so it’s a strategy that can’t fail.
It’s important to remember that Kazuma has a limited move set at the start of the game, so it’s best to keep things simple to start with and avoid charging in. Players should choose fights carefully, and more moves will be unlocked as Kazuma builds experience and finds ever more brutal ways to defeat thugs.
7 Battle In The Coliseum
Slug Your Way To Fortune And Glory
- Location: Purgatory
- Risk: Mid to High
- Tip: Use Heat Actions to give Kazuma a competitive edge
The Coliseum is unlocked later on in the game, but once it’s open for business, it becomes an invaluable spot for netting guaranteed cash via fights with bosses and other characters. Each tournament offers prize money as a reward, and it’s also a great way to obtain special items, including weapons and crafting materials.
It’s wise to make sure that Kazuma has mastery of all four fighting styles, as different enemies will use different tactics. It’s also a good idea for the player to ensure that they’re fully upgraded across their heat gauge, health, and move set. A big stash of healing items is also a must, as some of the opponents can do serious damage.
6 Unlock The Ebisu Socks
Sock It To Bad Guys With This Invaluable (If Irritating) Accessory
- Location: Kamurocho Shrine
- Risk: Low
- Tip: Ensure CP is at least 30, as this is the minimum amount for unlocking the socks.
Provided that the player is happy to tolerate an ingratiating noise while using them (or just use the mute button), the Ebisu Socks are an invaluable item for getting money in Yakuza Kiwami. When equipped, they will generate extra money from enemies after each fight and are obtained via the Collection Point exchange system at Kamurocho Shrine.
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Grinding through sub-stories or mini-games is the best way to collect CP quickly (or by engaging in battle with street bosses). Once the player has collected enough, the socks can be obtained simply by heading to the shrine and talking to Bob Utsonomiya, the man of mystery, to exchange them. Players should just be prepared for one of the most annoying sounds in video games.
5 Gambling For Money
High-Risk, High-Reward
- Locations: Underground Casino in Purgatory, Dragon Palace near Millenium Tower, JCC on Pink Street
- Risk: Medium to High
- Tip: Much like real life, it’s easy to hit a losing streak. Save often, and the player can restart from their last save point to avoid bleeding out money.
Gambling is one of the many mini-games in Kamurocho, and each of the different disciplines will yield wins if they are played correctly. Some rely on luck, others on probability, but if the player is familiar enough with their systems, then they can use them as a relatively reliable means of generating income.
Poker, blackjack, and roulette are available, as are less well-known games, including Cee-lo and Koi-koi. It’s best for the player to start small when placing bets, and the better the player’s understanding of the games, the more chance they have of making a decent profit from any bets. Getting experience from AI opponents in gambling dens is also crucial, as it can help anticipate their behavior in games.
4 Use Items From Lockers While Gambling
Trinkets In The Game Can Help Net Some Big Wins
- Locations: Various locations across Kamurocho
- Risk: Low
- Tip: Scour every corner of the city; some locker keys are found in unlikely locations like sewers
When gambling, it’s wise to have an edge going in. Luckily, help is at hand via the several items available at lockers across the city, and when equipped, they can increase luck while gambling and improve chances of a substantial win. Each item performs a different task concerning the game it’s being used for, so it’s worth accumulating as many as possible.
To use lockers, players will first need a key, and these are hidden in any number of spots across the game world. While it can be a bit tedious, it’s worth combing every square inch to try and find them, as they are usually stashed in unlikely places, and finding them can often make a huge difference to how much wealth can be generated in the game. The Ebisu socks can also boost luck.
3 Help Defend Civilians
Protect The Good People Of Kamurocho And Make Some Extra Cash
- Locations: Across Kamurocho
- Risk: Low to Medium
- Tip: Wait until Kazuma has his move set to maximise the chance of defeating opponents
While Kazuma Kiryu has to resort to some tough tactics in pursuit of his goals, he never lets his code of honor slip for a second and is always on hand to defend innocent people whenever they are being hassled by yakuza thugs and their associates. As a means of saying thank you, anyone Kazuma saves will give him a reward for his trouble.
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Not all of these rewards will be substantial, but the good news is that, every now and then, Kazuma will receive a special plate, worth a substantial amount of money, which can then be sold in order to reap the rewards.
2 Visit Bob Utsonomiya For Free Packs
The Flamboyant Mystery Man Can Be Invaluable
- Location: Kamurocho Shrine
- Risk: Low
- Tip: Grinding for CP will help ensure Bob gives you plenty handouts.
Among the many unforgettable characters in the Yakuza franchise, Bob Utsonomiya is an enigmatic but persistently helpful NPC who can offer a lifeline more than once in the game. While his outfit changes are constantly ridiculous, he is unwavering in his ability to dish out packs of gear that make it that bit easier for Kazuma to generate wealth.
Items that can be obtained from Bob include the Golden Pistol and the Tourist Amulet, which assist in fights and can help increase item drops. Bob will also respond by issuing rewards for any pre-order bonuses or DLC packs, making for an even more lucrative time on Kamurocho’s streets.
1 Fight The Nouveau Riche
All Who Glitter Are Sometimes Gold
- Location: Tankaichi Street and Theater Square
- Risk: Medium
- Tip: Equip the Charismatic Autobiography to increase chances of crossing paths with these guys
Known instantly by their gold clothing and unmistakable swagger, the Nouveau Riche are a special set of sub-enemies who wander the streets and are absolutely loaded. If defeated in combat, they will drop huge amounts of loot for Kazuma to enjoy at his leisure.
While they are not especially tough to beat, they rarely appear in the game, so if one is spotted in the wild, players should not waste time in beating them to a pulp. Heat Actions or strong combos can finish them off quickly, especially if the Ebisu Socks are equipped.
Released August 29, 2017
OpenCritic Rating Strong
