Yakuza 2 (and Kiwami 2) Cover Arts

 


A year after the first Yakuza game released, Yakuza 2 would be released in store shelves. Taking place a year after the first game's events, Kiryu and Haruka would live a peaceful life until he learns of a dangerous feud between the Omi Alliance and the Tojo Clan. He would eventually meet the Dragon of Kansai, Ryuji Goda, who would become his greatest rival and is present in the game's (and it's remake) covert art. Like the first game, Yakuza 2 has different cover arts based on the region, so I'll judge them based on how they look and to see if it represents the game well.


This is the cover art for the Asian versions of the game. Following the first game, the image is monochrome with Ryuji, the Dragon of Kansai and Kiryu, the Dragon of Dojima, looking at each other with their back tattoos facing towards us. Both of their dragon tattoos represent who the characters are, with Ryuji's representing his ambition and Kiryu's representing balance and protection. It also has that nice minimalistic look that's present in the series' Japanese cover arts. Overall, I really like it!


This is the one used for the International versions of the game and I have to say this one confuses me. It's the same artwork used in the Asian version yet they removed Ryuji and zoomed in on Kiryu. Now we just see him all alone with the cover art looking identical to the first game's International one. I'm not sure why Sega decided to change the art this way as I feel like it removes the cool rivalry displayed in the Asian cover. I guess you can call it another American cover art blunder?



Finally we have the ones used for the remake, Yakuza Kiwami 2. Both are identical except the one used for the JP release has the characters on the right side (I'm assuming they're famous actors in Japan) and has a brighter tint while the international version removes them and has a dark, greenish tint (just like in the game). We again see Kiryu with his back turned and now Ryuji's face is above him to make him look intimidating and having this looming presence in the city. I'm honestly not a fan of this one since it looks like a generic movie poster to with the protagonist on the bottom and the bad guy on top. I wish the main cover was the one used on the steel book edition, which is similar to the Asian PS2 cover but with their updated models (pictured below).



I'll have to give it to the Asian and steelbook version for having the best cover arts. The sick monochrome style with the two dragons looking at each other looks so great. I wish the main Kiwami 2 cover kept this, but I'm glad it's featured on the steelbook edition and the Steam thumbnail. 

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