The success of the Yakuza saga, or better known in the West today as Like a Dragon, is an undeniable fact, but so many installments and spin off Normally They usually pose a problem for those who want to start the story. but they feel overwhelmed by so much content.
For this, we thought of creating a guide so that those who are just starting to know the world created by Ryu Ga Gotoku They can do it with all the information in hand. The same goes for those who may have played a title a long time ago and don’t remember where they were or how to get back to the franchise that will already be available in January. a new opus with the arrival of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth.
The Yakuzaverse
Before getting into the details of each episode, let’s see which titles make up the IP, both in direct sequels and in spin-offs:
Main titles:
- Yakuza 0
- Yakuza Kiwami
- Yakuza Kiwami 2
- Yakuza 3
- Yakuza 4
- Yakuza 5
- Yakuza 6: The Song of Life
- Yakuza: like a dragon
- Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Cleared His Name
The consequences :
- Like a dragon: Were!
- Judgement
- Lost judgment
Yakuza 0
Although it was released after the first Yakuza, this 2015 installment is, for me, the best entry point for anyone who wants to fully enjoy the saga since it tells the origins of almost all of the main characters in the comics. . Here we will have the chance to control a young Kazuma Kiryu and his rival Goro Majima.
The game is packed with activities, mini-games, side quests and more, so if the player gets hooked, they will stay hooked throughout the saga.
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You can read our analysis here.
Yakuza Kiwami
It is the 2016 remake of the first game in the saga (released in 2005 on PlayStation 2) and although it far improves the original title in terms of graphics and sound, if you have just played Yakuza 0, it may be inferior to you, and logically that’s because it’s a remake of a much older game.
The title continues Kiryu’s story on the streets of Kamurocho in a very personal story that has all the ingredients of a great action movie storyline.
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You can read our analysis here.
Yakuza Kiwami 2
In 2017 appears Yakuza Kiwami 2, one of the favorites of many and, once again, a redo of the second Yakuza although completely remade with the development studio’s Dragon Engine. The game features beautiful settings that resemble real Japanese cities, and the side stories could easily make up a complete game.
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Yakuza 3 (Remastered)
Since it is not a redo Like the previous two times, this version can be considered one of the weakest graphically, especially if we take into account that the original game is over 15 years old. Although it does not impress with its mechanics and characteristics in general, it is in this episode that Kiryu takes on the task of running an orphanage in Okinawa, a central piece of the story of the entire saga.
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Yakuza 4 (Remastered)
A service that moves away from the almost exclusive focus on Kiryu to allow the player control four different characters, which of course includes the Dragon of Dojima. This ingredient brings a breath of fresh air to the saga since each character has their own story and their own fighting style, which opens up the entertainment possibilities to the maximum.
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Yakuza 5 (Remastered)
Continuing the idea of the previous installment, Yakuza 5 integrates precisely five playable characters into a title that is one of the longest in the franchise, and that says a lot. The story itself, which I will not share here so as not to generate spoilers The fans are by no means divided, but despite that, I think Ryu Ga Gotoku has created a very solid title.
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Yakuza 6 The Song of Life
In a way, this episode ends the life of the saga’s long-time protagonist and is recognized by many fans as having the best story arc. Here Kiryu comes out of prison again and will have to look for someone (once again, I avoid spoilers here) while discovering the existence of another character who will change the course of his story.
You can see our analysis here.
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Judgement
Released in 2018, the title takes place in Kamurocho and allows you to control a detective, Takayumi Yagami. This episode places the player on the side of the law in the criminal world of Yakuza/Like a Dragon, with an investigation-oriented component, but with the same tone of combat, side stories and mini-games that is the trademark of the development studio. The game is in no way essential to the story of the Like a Dragon saga, but it’s undoubtedly a perfect opportunity for fans to return to the world of Yakuza, albeit from a different perspective.
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You can read our analysis here.
Yakuza: like a dragon
Another good starting point for newcomers to the IP, as this episode introduces a new protagonist: Ichiban Kasuga. Unlike Kazuma’s more serious and stoic profile, Ichiban shows a much more humorous side that makes the player like him almost immediately.
This episode also deviates from the style beat them classic of the saga to make it a turn-based RPG, a strong bet both from the studio and from SEGA, but very well paid in every way.
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You can read our analysis here.
Lost judgment
A new opus by Takayumi Yagami which takes him to investigate intimidation in educational institutions, which in cases becomes much deeper and darker. Although the adventure once again takes place in Kamurocho, completely new elements have been incorporated, such as the ability to ride around the city on a skateboard and the more focused approach to stealth.
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You can read our analysis here.
Like a dragon: Were!
It was born exclusively for Japan in 2014 but given the success of the saga in Western territories, it appeared in 2023 remastered. The title is very special since it tells the true history of Japan from the shogunate to the Meiji era. The story features historical figures from the Land of the Rising Sun but characterized as the characters from the Like a Dragon saga, Kazuma Kiryu being the legendary samurai Sakamoto Ryoma.
A special episode that can be played without having played any title in the saga and enjoyed in the same way, although in this way the relationships between the historical characters and those of the franchise itself would be lost.
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You can read our analysis here.
Like a Dragon: The Man Who Cleared His Name
The most recent installment of the license, initially planned as DLC for Yakuza 6, ultimately ended up becoming a full game, despite being one of the shortest in the franchise. The story serves as a bridge to understand what happened in Kiryu’s life, from Song of Life to what will be Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth.
The story takes place in Sotenbori with an older Dojima dragon, but with the same versatility and power in its attacks that include two new fighting styles, one with the incorporation of different artifacts ideal for fighting various enemies.
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You can read our analysis here.
In this other guide we show you all the mini-games that you can enjoy throughout the saga, and that if you are a SEGA fan you will undoubtedly love.
Table of Contents
