The Yakuza series, developed by Sega, offer players a unique experience immersed in the underworld of Japanese crime, full of drama, action and twists. With a complex narrative and captivating characters, the series has won a dedicated fan base around the world. However, for newcomers who want to dive into this Yakuza series universe, it can be a challenge to understand the correct order to play the games.
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The series has a variety of games that follow especially the story of Kazuma Kiryu, but in the latest games the protagonist (and the style of play) has been replaced, but still bringing a lot of the old characters established in the franchise.
You may well choose to choose to play for the release order of the Yakuza franchise games, but there are details and nuances that can be lost in history, or you can choose to start directly from the titles called in Like A Dragon, who present a new protagonist to the series. Anyway, we set up this guide with the best way to play and make the most of this franchise.
Yakuza 0
Starting the Order, Yakuza 0 serves as a prelude to the series, introducing players to young Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima in a 80’s Tokyo. Even though it was released later, after the series is already relatively successful, this game explores the origins of the main characters and the events that shaped the world of Yakuza, which explains the fact that it is a great option to start.
Yakuza Kiwami
After Yakuza 0 events, players should go to Yakuza Kiwami, a remake of the first game in the series that was released for PlayStation 2. Here we witnessed Kiryu’s journey after being arrested for taking on a crime he did not commit and his return to the crime world, facing betrayals and conflicts of loyalty.
Yakuza Kiwami 2
Continuing Kiryu’s saga, as expected, the next game in order is Yakuza Kiwami 2, which like the previous game is a remake of the original game released for PS2. Here, the players dive into a plot that takes place 1 year after the first game events, with Kiryu being called after the murdered of one of Yakuza’s leaders.
Yakuza 3
Advancing in order, Yakuza 3 offers a quieter view of Kiryu’s life, now away from Yakuza and managing an orphanage with his adopted daughter in Okinawa. However, his tumultuous past reaches him once again, with a local clan demanding that they leave the place, which makes Kiryu return to their relationship with crime once again.
Yakuza 4
In Yakuza 4, the narrative expands to include multiple protagonists, providing a broader experience in Yakuza’s world. Here we assumed the roles of Kiryu, Tanimura, Akiyama and Saejima, investigating a murder that occurred within the territory of the Tojo clan.
Yakuza 5
As one imagined in order, Yakuza 5 continues the saga, offering a plot that prepares ground for what would become the end of the history of legendary Kyriu. In this game, Kazuma again is experiencing a modest and peaceful life as a taxi driver, until a war between all Yakuza clans is about to happen and it is up to him to solve this problem.
Yakuza 6: The Song of Life
Concluding the journey of Kazuma Kiryu, Yakuza 6 plunges players into an exciting narrative, exploring family themes and redemption. This final chapter begins when Kiryu’s adopted daughter apparently has an accident. However, Yakuza’s legendary leader knows that accidents are uncommon in the world of crime and from this he is investigating what happened.
Like A Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Ersed His Name
Despite being released later, this game fits the Yakuza 6 and Like A Dragon in the order of the franchise, as we follow the journey of former protagonist Kazuma Kiryu to erase his name and get rid of his past as a leader of the Japanese criminal submundo to lead a life like an unknown.
Yakuza: Like A Dragon
Although Yakuza: Like Dragon is an independent entry in the series, players who have completed previous games can better appreciate references and connections with the established universe. This game features a new protagonist, Ichiban Kasuga, and a change to a shift -based combat system. We returned to Kamurocho, after Ichiban spent 18 years stuck in his clan and the story is set to be betrayed thanks to his devotion.
Like A Dragon Infinite Wealth
And finally the franchise brings us to the last game released so far. In Like the Dragon Infinite Wealth again we embody Ichiban Kasuga, after the events of the first game, now the character is in Honolulu and ends up again with the legendary Kazuma Kiryu, who according to the game’s own synopsis, is in his last days.
Spin-offs
The Yakuza franchise also has some spin-offs, that is, games outside the original chronology, which can be played regardless of the order you choose to start the franchise. One of them is JUDGME, which takes place 2 years after Yakuza 6, where you embody Takayuki Yagami, a former wisdom forced to work as a private detective and eventually gets involved in a Yakuza crimes investigation.
After this it is possible to play Lost Judgment, which is a direct sequence of the game, where Yagami returns to his old life, until he came across the murder of a woman and again decides to investigate him.
Finally, there is still one of the spin-offs that can be played at any moment and has no direct connection with the franchise games, which is like Dragon Ishin!
Following this order of games, players can enjoy the Yakuza saga in a cohesive and immersive way, following the journey of Kiryu and his allies from the beginning to the end, and follow the beginning of the Ichiban journey. Each title offers a unique experience, full of drama, action and unforgettable moments.