Sega’s Yakuza is one of the most unique and engaging story-driven action-adventure franchises. The series initially appears to be an understated, mostly straightforward action crime drama. It’s a great blend of memorable characters, absurdist humor, and a living world to explore.
Yakuza came from the mind of Toshihiro Nagoshi, who wanted to create a storytelling game based on a Japanese crime syndicate. The project struggled to get the green light as it was perceived to have limited appeal, but eventually released its debut entry on the PlayStation 2 in 2005.
The series has long had a cult following, but in 2017 it found success in the West with Yakuza 0, a charming new prequel set at the beginning of the series’ timeline. Years later, thanks to Sega’s continued localization, the help of memes, and the love of an established cult audience, Yakuza rose to popularity, making him one of Sega’s most successful IPs.
With multiple games in the series coming to PlayStation Plus*, now’s the perfect time to become a Yakuza fan. We will introduce each game and how it has evolved the series.
yakuza
Yakuza | Yakuza | US Release: 2006 | PlayStation 2
Yakuza Kiwami | US Release: 2016 | PlayStation 4
Yakuza debuted on the PlayStation 2 and introduced the series’ longest-running protagonist, Kazuma Kiryu. Kazuma Kiryu is a yakuza lieutenant whose mission is to protect orphans targeted by a criminal organization called the Tojokai. The story that unfolds is gripping, emotional, and evocative, setting the stage for the franchise’s decades-long crime story.
As expected, the first game laid the early groundwork for what makes the series’ gameplay so memorable and iconic today. It takes place in a fictionalized version. At the time, critics praised Yakuza for its faithful portrayal of Japanese culture within its setting. It’s packed with experience-earning side quests and activities that tie into the game’s role-playing mechanics. Everything in the world leads to Kazuma Kiryu’s growth, allowing him to unlock more hero perks.
Yakuza marked an exciting beginning for a then fledgling series and definitely left its mark on those lucky enough to play it. It left enough of a lasting legacy to receive a remake. Not only did we modernize the visuals and add to the story, we also fixed the original’s clunky combat system to make it more in line with Yakuza 0. (More on that game later).
Yakuza 2
Yakuza 2 | US Release: 2008 | PlayStation 2
Yakuza Kiwami 2 | US Release: 2018 | PlayStation 4
Two years later, the Yakuza series returns exclusively to PlayStation 2 with Yakuza 2. The sequel attempted to address the negative qualities of its predecessor while moving forward with its well-received parts. Two cities to explore. In addition, combat has been further enhanced.
Kazuma Kiryu returns as the main character and has some new tricks up his sleeve. Combat becomes more engaging thanks to AI partners, his NPCs sharing weapons, more varied combos, off-the-ground his grabs, and more powerful attacks.
Like its predecessor, Yakuza 2 was also remade in 2018 in the form of Yakuza Kiwami 2. Yakuza 2’s story adds and removes his content, completely changes Kiryu’s moveset, and is built from the ground up with the series’ latest Dragon Engine. These changes received mixed reception from fans, but the game is still well received overall.
Yakuza 3
Yakuza 3 | US Release: 2010 | PlayStation 3
Yakuza 3 Remastered | US Release: 2020 | PlayStation 4
Yakuza 3 was expected to receive a major visual upgrade, not only due to the more powerful PS3 hardware being released, but also Cyberware’s head and face scans. In addition to debuting as an impressive game, it solidified the sandbox structure the series utilizes to this day.
Other new features such as seamless transitions to in-game combat, hilarious photo-focused Revelations side activities, and first-person view mode made this ‘next-gen’ experience feel fresh. Yakuza 3 also marks the first time DLC is available, making an already feature-rich game even bigger.
Yakuza 4
Yakuza 4 | US Release: 2011 | PlayStation 3
Yakuza 4 Remastered | US Release: 2019 | PlayStation 4
Yakuza 4 introduced yet another shake-up to the formula.For the first time, you can control an ensemble cast of characters to explore Kamurocho. His four characters, Masayoshi Tanimura, Shun Akiyama, Taiga Saejima, and Kazuma Kiryu, embark on separate quests that form one complex narrative, all while making this new expansion to include rooftops and underground areas. You can cross neighborhoods. Each character plays differently with their own fighting style and objectives to accomplish. Also in keeping with the tradition of the series, Yakuza 4 also provided the cast with special karaoke and dating mini-games.
Yakuza 5
Yakuza 5 | US Release: 2015 | PlayStation 3
Yakuza 5 Remastered | US Release: 2020 | PlayStation 4
Yakuza 5 continued the multi-character tradition by adding a fifth face to the game. In addition, because it adopted a completely new graphics engine for the first time in the series, it is nicknamed “New Yakuza” within the company. Not limited to Tokyo, he can also explore five new cities, including Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka and Sapporo.. Arcade classics such as Virtua Fighter 2 and Taiko no Tasujin were also added to the arcade, with many upgrades to the core combat system.
If you’re familiar with the silly meme and the “no good” meme, Yakuza 5 is the source!
Yakuza 0
US release: 2017 | PlayStation 4
If you’ve ever asked a Yakuza fan about their preferred starting point for the franchise, chances are they said Yakuza 0. The game was intended as his point of entry for all-new fans to dive into the series. Their plan clearly worked, considering the franchise’s popularity skyrocketed upon its release in 2017.
Yakuza 0 is a prequel set during Japan’s economic boom in the 1980s, marking a new beginning that brings the narrative back to basics. Players control the stoic and dependable Kazuma Kiryu and his always-unpredictable sidekick Goro Majima, who find themselves embroiled in conflicts between rival factions in order to obtain land known as “Vacant Land.”
The most acclaimed innovation coming from Yakuza 0 is its revamped combat system. Kiryu and Mashima now have multiple attack styles that they can switch between on the fly. This ingenious, free-flowing combat system has captured the hearts of fans and newcomers alike.
Yakuza 6 Song of Life
US release: 2018 | PlayStation 4
Yakuza 6 brought an even bigger visual upgrade to the franchise. His most recent entries at the time, Yakuza 0 and Kiwami, launched on modern hardware, but both games were tethered to previous generation engines. As the first game built from the ground up on PlayStation 4, Yakuza 6 utilizes the Dragon Engine to give the action the much-needed facelift thanks to enhanced visuals and more dynamic physics.
Yakuza 6 is the finale to Kiryu’s story, where he’s the only playable character, and brings things back to basics again. As Kiryu, explore Kamurocho and the added Onomichi. Although he’s lost the ability to switch between multiple fighting styles, the old dog comes with some new tricks: Extreme His Heat His mode debuts here, increasing his knockback resistance on attacks. , ferocious heat his combo his ender deals massive damage to enemies. With these new mechanics and much of the series’ signature storytelling, Kiryu’s final chapter ended with a bang.
Yakuza: Like a Dragon
US Release: 2020 | PlayStation 4 & PlayStation 5
The sixth official entry in the franchise, Yakuza: Like a Dragon turns the script upside down with an all-new protagonist and gameplay style. Ichiban Kasuga, a Dragon Quest-obsessed hero, was banished after being released from prison after 18 years, rather than committing crimes to prove his loyalty to his clan. Work together to solve the mystery of his betrayal and become a ‘hero’ to others.
In keeping with the protagonist’s love of Dragon Quest, Like a Dragon is the first in the series to feature turn-based JRPG combat. The idea actually came out of his April Fool’s Day 2019 joke, which, funny enough, makes the title so unique. Such a radical departure made this a great entry point into the world of the yakuza and is now hailed as one of the best in the franchise.
Whether you’re a newcomer interested in finally diving into Sega’s gripping crime saga, or a fan eager to get back to the streets of Kamurocho, now’s the time for the superheroes coming to PlayStation Plus in 2022. It’s the perfect opportunity to dive into a major yakuza title.
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