Summary
Let’s face it: you’re not going to become infamous in Japan’s underbelly without having a little flair behind your fists, as most ‘average’ fighters in theYakuza seriesend up being vastly overshadowed by either the Dragon of Dojima, the Mad Dog of Shimano, or a small few of their friends who have gained the power of friends.
What is the best way to prove you’ve got what it takes to blow for blow with the best of Japan? Heat Actions, of course! Now, there have been dozens among all the games throughout the years, so we’re taking it upon ourselves to compile the best Heat Actions and which leaves the largest impression.
8Essence Of Oh-Be-Joyful
Like A Dragon: Ishin!
Give a talented man a sword and watch him defend himself; give him a gun, and watch him become a weapon of damage. Whoever decided to let Sakamoto Ryoma brandish a firearm in the game is either the hero or the villain of whatever NPC is on the other end. As you play with the gunman class, you’ll find there are ‘disrespectful’ in how dirty it is in combat. But hey, there’s a revolution at stake!
Perhaps the most egregious Heat Action of the Gunman class has to be Essence of Oh-Be-Joyful. As an enemy runs toward you, you slide under them, lift them in the air, and quickly shoot them in the gut before they fall to the ground. There is an extra level of petty in this Heat Action that fans love and live for.
7Essence Of Umeboshi
If you’ve never had Umeboshi,it’s a plum that has been pickled in Ume vinegar and is often paired with rice. Usually, trying to eat them on their own can be a salty, sour, mouth-puckering experience that, if you aren’t prepared for it, can blow your taste buds out of whack. Lovers of pickles and other sour foods will become instant fans of the snack.
Instead of a snack, Ryoma sees an opportunity to attack enemies with it. How? Take a handful and stuff it in your mouth, should you be unlucky enough to cross Ryoma with a full jar.
6Essence Of Pole Dancing
Yakuza 3
Kazuma Kiryu is a fighter at heart. When you grow up deep in the Yakuza, you will find yourself in more than one scrap. Luckily, Kiryu is a master at finding inspiration for new fighting moves wherever he goes; keeping both himself and anyone that tests him on their toes.
This Heat Action’s inspiration was found when Kiryu witnessed a man high on a light pole after drinking too much. Kazuma admires the move and adds it to his repertoire, but he’ll only use it at night, which leaves us to think that it may be a little more embarrassing for him than he lets on.
5Essence Of R.I.P
Yakuza: Like A Dragon
Choosing the ‘best’ Heat Action from Yakuza: Like A Dragon is like choosing your favorite food under intense pressure! There are so many good ones that include all your party members, that it’s hard to nail down a favorite. Though different in execution than other Yakuza games, Heat Actions are alive and well. It just costs a little MP to use them here.
Though a close choice, there’s something about Ichiban not doing anything but sending his target straight into the Shadow Realm simply by pushing them through the door. you may only get this move if you get his Devil Rocker job by buying the DLC, but it’s well worth seeing this in action.
4Essence Of Wicked Web
Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth
Those who have played the first game will probably remember the Goemijul, the secretive gang that deals in intelligence gathering and espionage. The leader, Soonhee, is mostly a background character in that game, but in Infinite Wealth,Soonhee decides that it’s time to have a little fun with Ichibanand the gang as they head to Hawaii.
When she joins the party, she brings a powerful set of assassin skills for the party to learn, and it’s nice to see her let loose after the events of the first game. Her Essence of Wicked Web shows her leading the Goemijul assassins, quickly attacking her target. She’s a fantastic addition.
3Essence Of Chained Strike
Yakuza Kiwami
What is old is new again when it comes to Yakuza Kiwami. A complete remake from the original PS2 classic, this game takes the Heat Action and greatly expands it as well as the move set Kiryu gets access to as the game opens up and he shakes the dust off his fighting skills. There is the Dragon of Dojima style, which houses plenty of showstoppers.
However, there is just something special about the Rush style and the Heat Actions that you unlock. This style has an emphasis on speed over strength, and Essence of Chained Strike, with its flurry of fast and lethal punches, proves that you can overpower any enemy if you’re fast enough.
2Essence Of Orbital Laser
Listen, you can have all the muscle on your side, study under all the masters that money can pay for, and fight off everyone who wants to challenge your fists, but what can you do when you face down a power that your fists can’t compete with? Well, Ichiban has the answer: Nothing!
That’s right, all good old Ichi has to do is hit a few numbers on his phone, and soon after a giant, orbital laser comes and decimates everything.Is it a possible war crimeto use such an unnecessarily strong weapon? Maybe, but sometimes you gotta let them know who is the real boss of Ijincho: Money. Beat the business management minigame, and you too can have a laser at your disposal.
1Kiryu’s Live Command Heat Actions
Nothing (externally) is going to hold the Dragon of Dojima back. Not the Yakuza, not American airports, or the game mechanics themselves. On their excursion to Hawaii, Ichiban, Kiryu, and the gang get caught up in the usual hijinks, and the improved battle system allows other party members to move more freely than before.
However, once Kiryu unleashes his Dragon’s Resurgence in battle, he breaks the shackles of turn-based combat and proceeds to punch and kick his way through enemies for a limited time. A testament to the true strength of will Kiryu has carried with him throughout the entire series.
