With a series as sprawling as Yakuza/Like a Dragon, it can be hard to figure out where to start–much less know what sets each game in the series apart. (That’s not even taking into account the many spinoffs, either.) The games are well-known for offering big, open urban areas ripe for exploration, complex and emotional storylines with lots of action and inter-character drama, and an offbeat sense of humor in sidequests and NPC interactions. If you’re thinking of dipping your toes into the murky waters of the Japanese underworld, we’ve prepared a guide for you explaining each game, what makes it stand out, and even a few recommendations on where to begin.
Yakuza 0
Available on: PS4, PS5 (Director’s Cut), Steam, Xbox One, Xbox Series (Director’s Cut), Switch 2 (Director’s Cut)
As Japan’s economic bubble is about to burst towards the end of the 1980s, a war breaks out over a tiny empty lot on a side street in Tokyo–a plot of land worth a ridiculous amount of money. The fates of young Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima play out on the streets of the Kamurocho and Sotendori districts as criminal machinations clash, dragging the pair–and many others–into the struggle. Yakuza 0 is the first game chronologically in the series, and is generally considered a good entry point. With 2 main characters, a variety of fun combat scenarios and styles, and plenty of side quests and mini-games to enjoy, it makes for a solid introduction to the series.
Yakuza Kiwami
Available on: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series, Switch 2
The original Yakuza released on the PlayStation 2 back in 2006. The series has evolved tremendously since then, and Yakuza Kiwami–released almost exactly a decade later–was made to update the visuals and gameplay to be more akin with then-current games. The story focuses on Kiryu, who finds himself taking the fall for a murder done by his sworn-brother-in-crime Nishikiyama–only to get out of prison and discover that his former friend is now a cold, heartless bastard running his own crime family. As the “first” game in the main Yakuza series, it introduces a lot of characters, like older Daigo Dojima and Haruka, that make appearances later on, making it a solid entry point. Though the game is comparatively short and more linear compared to others in the series, it offers up a lot of fun activities and satisfying fighting that make it worth your time.
Yakuza Kiwami 2
The chairman of the Tojo Clan has been murdered, and the group behind the killing appears to be the Osaka-based Omi Alliance. In the chaos of the conflict between the two major yakuza syndicates, one incredibly powerful individual, Ryuji Goda, develops a keen interest in Kiryu–specifically, in annihilating Kiryu with his own hands to prove he’s the stronger “dragon.” Much like Yakuza 0, Kiwami 2 spreads its narrative between Kamurocho and Sotenbori, with each locale offering unique sights and stories. Alongside Kiryu’s conflict with Goda–who becomes one of the series’ most memorable antagonists–Majima also gets some time to shine with his own “Majima Saga” mini-story that takes place at the same time as Kiryu’s escapades. More polished combat, a memorable villain, and plenty of extras makes this a solid–if somewhat short–follow-up.
Yakuza 3 / Yakuza Kiwami 3
Available on: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series, Switch 2
Kiryu’s gone full Dad Mode, running on orphanage far away from Kamurocho in the islands of scenic Okinawa–until he’s presented with papers booting him and his kiddos off the land. What follows is a tangled web of economic disputes, politics, assassination attempts, and interpersonal relationships. There are some substantial differences between the original/remastered release of Yakuza 3 (currently only available in the Yakuza Remastered Collection) and the recent Kiwami re-release, so check out our review if you want more details.
Yakuza 4
Yakuza 4 was the first game in the series (by release date) to introduce multiple playable characters, which expanded the variety of combat, adventuring, and story scenes tremendously. Kiryu returns once again, but three new faces join him as playable protagonists: the shockingly lovable (and moral) loan-shark Akiyama, the young-cop-on-the-edge Tanimura, and Saejima–a hulking yakuza of profound notoriety. They’re all wound up in a plot involving a mysterious woman named Lily. While Yakuza 4 doesn’t have any additional locations besides Kamurocho, the district has expanded a fair bit, with rooftop areas and a sprawling sewer complex available to explore. The characters really make this game, though: each of the four main leads has a great narrative arc, a distinct personality, a unique way of brawling, and their own bespoke sidestories and events.
Yakuza 5
Available on: PS3, PS4 (Remastered), Xbox One (Remastered), PC (Remastered)
The fifth game in the series decides to go big, featuring five playable protagonists across five different areas in Japan, each with markedly different gameplay and goals. Kiryu’s trying to make a fresh start of things (again) as an unassuming taxi driver in Fukuoka when the old crew comes calling for aid–and he hears of Majima’s death. Meanwhile, Saejima does another prison break and winds up in snowy Hokkaido, Akiyama and Haruka are trying to get their respective careers going in Osaka’s Sotendori, and newcomer Shinada, a disgraced former baseball pro, digs into the truth behind his past expulsion. Everything winds up connected in good old Kamurocho, as it always does. Yakuza 5 is among the biggest games in the series, both in terms of scope and content, so be prepared to sink a lot of time into this multi-layered story.
Yakuza 6: The Song of Life
Available on: PS4, PC, Xbox One
Onomichi is a relatively small city close to Hiroshima that serves as a port city and a bit of a tourist hotspot. It’s also where Kiryu winds up after another brief stint in prison. He’s learned that Haruka’s in a coma after a mysterious car accident in Onomichi… and she’s got a new baby, too. It all ties into a power struggle among international crime syndicates that flared up in Kiryu’s absence–and the mysterioussecret of Onomichi.Yakuza 6’s story is shorter and lower-key than 4 and 5, with Kiryu being the only playable character, but it still packs a lot of plot twists and fun diversions in its runtime. It brings the Kiryu-centric era of mainline games to a close in a nice way… and who doesn’t want to see Kiryu be an awkward sitcom dad and a deadly serious scene where a baby gets thrown like a football?
Yakuza: Like A Dragon
Available on: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series, PC
Here’s where the series transitions to a new name, a new protagonist, and a new style of gameplay–but maintains the same mix of melodramatic storytelling, detailed locales, and oddball humor that’s become beloved across the series. Ichiban Kasuga is a cheerful, street-smart young yakuza who’s dedicated to his patriarch Arakawa and his sickly son. Ichiban’s persuaded by Arakawa to take the fall for another clan member’s dirty deeds. But when he gets out of prison almost two decades later, he tries to meet with Arakawa and eats a bullet for his efforts. As Ichiban rebuilds himself from nothing in Yokohama and builds a ragtag team of followers, he learns uncomfortable truths about Arakawa, a charismatic young politician named Aoki, and his own background.
The biggest change in YLAD is the combat, which takes the form of a turn-based, menu-driven RPG, complete with RPG-inspired supporting mechanics like a job system for learning skills. The large, explorable city locales return: both the well-trod streets of Kamurocho and the new Isezaki Ichinjo district of Yokohama are here to comb through. There’s a bevy of new and classic mini-games, too, including Dragon Karts, hostess bar management, and turning around the fortunes of an ailing confectionery business. As this marks the start of the “current” era of the Yakuza/Like a Dragon series, it makes for a good entry point for newcomers.
Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth
Available on: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series, PC
Ichiban always thought his mother was dead–until he gets some surprising news that she may have made a life for herself in the Hawaiian islands. With his previous job in tatters and seeking answers, he decides to take the vacation of a lifetime… in more ways than one. Turns out plenty of people are interested in mom’s whereabouts, and for expectedly nefarious reasons. Both Ichiban and Kiryu feature strongly in the narrative and gameplay, which builds upon the turn-based combat of the previous title. The new locations in Hawaii offer a notable change of scenery from the Japanese cities of other LAD titles while still offering the variety of hotspots, characters, and diversions the series is famous for. This is one of the biggest titles in the series from a completionist standpoint, but even if you’re not going to do everything, there’s still a lot to dig into, including a roguelike dungeon and a DIY island resort.
Spin-offs
The Like a Dragon series has plenty of spinoffs, from serious detective dramas to historical period pieces to stuff that’s downright bonkers. All of these games can be played and enjoyed by themselves, though knowledge of other titles might help you appreciate some of the callbacks and references scattered throughout.
Like A Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name
Available on: PS4/PS5/PC/Xbox One/Xbox Series
Legends never die, which might explain why Kiryu can never seem to actually retire. As Kiryu makes an attempt to wipe all traces of his previous life away by becoming a secret agent with a new identity. But, when your brawling prowess is as legendary as Kiryu’s, can you ever truly escape your legacy, even with a new identity? The story is short but sweet, and it’s a bit light on content compared with other titles in the series, but it offers up satisfying combat, with Kiryu’s new gizmo-focused Agent fighting style being a highlight. The over-the-top glitz and glamor of the Castle area makes for a delightful, indulgent playground for sidestories and distractions, as well–and you’ll get to see plenty of familiar faces from across the series.
Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii
Available on: PS4/PS5/PC/Xbox Series
Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is the series at peak ridiculousness–and, depending on your point of view, that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. But when you start with amnesiac Majima getting stranded on a random island and then quickly progress to him getting his own crew of swashbucklers, you know you’re in for one hell of a seafaring escapade. Classic 3D brawling combat returns alongside all-new oceaneering experiences: sailing your very own pirate ship and taking down the vessels of rival crews. Will Majima find the hidden treasure he’s looking for, or will the real treasure be the friends and experiences he (and you) encountered along the way?
Like A Dragon: Ishin!
Available on: PS4/PS5/PC/Xbox Series
Let’s go back in time–way back, to the mid-1800’s, smack in the middle of Japan’s chaotic Bakumatsu period. The shogunate’s government’s gone, the resulting power vacuum’s made a mess, and the country’s been opened up by force to foreigners. Enter one Ryoma Sakamoto–while he’s based on a very real historical figure, this version just happens to look and sound exactly like Kazuma Kiryu…and he might not be the only familiar face you’ll see. Even though it’s now a historical fiction piece, Like a Dragon Ishin has all the exploration, character drama, and interpersonal politicking you’d expect from the series–with some extra sword-slinging and gunplay to spice up the combat.
Judgment
Available on: PS4/PS5/PC/Xbox Series
Takayuki Yagami is a disgraced lawyer who now works as a private eye on the streets of Kamurocho. With street smarts, conviction, and knowledge of the law, he and his partner Kaito run Yagami Detective Agency–though there’s been slim pickings for work until recently. A serial killer dubbed “The Mole” is on the loose, and Yagami’s determined to find out his identity, even if it draws the attention of powerful forces in the underworld and beyond. Combat in Judgment has a different feel from the main Yakuza titles, with two different styles tailored to fighting either groups or individuals. Unique to this game and its followup are investigative sequences involving activities like sneaking into places, using drones for recon, tailing persons of interest, and chasing down suspicious individuals. While the thematic elements and dramatic presentation that makes the Like A Dragon titles recognizable are all here, Judgment manages to feel both fresh and different.
Lost Judgment
Available on: PS4/PS5/PC/Xbox Series
It’s been three years since Judgment, and Yagami’s still on the beat as a detective. Some of his pals in Yokohama have opened up their own detective agency, and Yagami heads over to pay them a visit–where he discovers that there’s been some very sketchy business going on at nearby Seiryo High School. He digs in to discover a long history of intense bullying at this prestigious school, but how does it tie into a student teacher’s mysterious death and a sexual harassment case? Lost Judgment expands upon what made the previous game feel distinct, with more fighting styles, more tools for investigations (including a very good pupper named Ranpo), and the addition of the Isezaki Ichincho location to explore. There’s even a DLC side story from the point of view of Yagami’s assistant, Kaito.
Yakuza: Dead Souls
Available on: PS3
The weirdest and most obscure of the series spinoffs, Dead Souls takes place in an alternate universe where Kamurocho is the site of a zombie outbreak. With the area quarantined by the Japanese government, four of the series’ most beloved characters–Kiryu, Majima, Akiyama, and Goda–are forced into fight for their survival and to stop the sickness once and for all. The gameplay takes the form of a third-person shooter, with the gang taking up various firearms to quell the zombie hordes. While it’s got its fair share of exciting setpieces and bizarre humor, Dead Souls is generally not regarded as well as other games in the series–which is probably why it’s still stuck in PS3 purgatory.
Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise
…Wait, what’s Kenshiro doing here? While Lost Paradise stars the one and only master of Hokuto Shinken, the game’s DNA is firmly rooted in the classic Yakuza/RGG style of dramatic story presentation, open exploration with lots of amusing diversions, and plenty of bloody martial-arts action. Kenshiro finds himself in the post-apocalyptic city of Eden, where he seeks to rescue his betrothed Yuria from his rival Shin in a wild variation on the classic anime/manga’s first major story arc. Whether or not you’re familiar with the source material, you can still get a lot of fun out of this mashup–and if the lack of Kiryu is bothering you, you can always get DLC that actually reskins Kenshiro as the Dragon of Dojima.
