The Yakuza and Like a Dragon franchise is one bursting with distinctive titles. From inventive off-shoots to climactic conclusions for long-running sagas, the collection has seen extra innovation and creativity than most any of its contemporaries.
And but, with so many titles within the collection, there’s undeniably a hierarchy of high quality. So be part of us as we rank each Yakuza and Like a Dragon recreation from high quality to phenomenal.
13. Yakuza Useless Souls
![Majima Aiming Gun Into Zombie's Mouth in Yakuza Dead Souls](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Yakuza-Dead-Souls-Majima-Aiming-Gun-at-Zombie.jpg?resize=640%2C360)
Yakuza has seen a wealth of spin-offs through the years, and Yakuza: Dead Souls was the primary to make its means west.
Useless Souls is a far cry out of your typical Yakuza recreation, because it brings the zombie apocalypse to the bustling streets of Kamurocho. As a substitute of melee fight, there’s now a give attention to utilizing weapons and different weapons to blast zombies away.
It’s a neat premise, however the controls in Useless Souls are very finicky. Likewise, it’s clear that the developer was actually making an attempt to get a really feel for the best way to design a shooter, because the taking pictures mechanics lack the polish wanted to make the second to second fight totally partaking.
Regardless of these flaws, there’s loads of quirky writing and storytelling to be present in Useless Souls together with numerous comical substories to finish. Plus, it’s the one time within the collection that Ryuji Goda serves as a playable character.
Even when it’s removed from the most effective Yakuza title on the market, it’s nonetheless an fascinating “what if” situation and has some enjoyable moments for fan favourite characters. That also places it properly above many different video games on the market; simply not the remainder of the video games within the Yakuza and Like a Dragon collection.
12. Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Title
![Key Art for Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Like-a-Dragon-Gaiden-Key-Art-of-Kiryu-Behind-Logo-1.jpg?resize=640%2C360)
To be clear, there’s no arguing that Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Title has its flaws.
Shorter and fewer substantial in its narrative content material than different titles on this listing, the sport very a lot seems like a DLC growth stretched out right into a full recreation. The plot can meander at factors because it tries to make a contracted story work, and the gameplay can begin to really feel repetitive in case you don’t keep on with the primary story path.
And but, for all of those lows, there are some excellent highs. The brand new Agent fashion affords some actually wild and wacky methods to terrorize your enemies in fight, permitting you to toss them round and zoom round fight arenas utilizing spy-esque devices.
Alongside the fight is the story’s conclusion. Whereas the broader plot may not be perfect and even comes off as considerably unimportant, the finale incorporates a number of the most gut-wrenching and emotional scenes the collection has ever supplied; particularly in case you’ve stored up with each recreation’s story as much as that time.
It will not be excellent, nevertheless it nonetheless upholds most of what makes the broader Yakuza and Like a Dragon collection nice. For that purpose, it nonetheless manages to keep away from hitting the underside of our rating.
11. Yakuza
![Kiryu Talking to Haruka in Bar in Yakuza](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Yakuza-Kiryu-Talking-to-Haruka-in-Bar.jpg?resize=640%2C360)
The very first Yakuza recreation launched on the PlayStation 2 in 2005, and it established a lot of what the collection remains to be recognized for in the present day.
Most all the collection’ core parts are current within the recreation together with its trademark brawling system, warmth actions, and dramatic storytelling that mixes in goofiness. The beginning of Kiryu’s saga can be entrance and middle, and it’s as accessible as potential because of the truth that there aren’t some other video games that gamers have to have performed via earlier than.
Being the primary Yakuza title ever although, it positively exhibits its age. The way in which the sport segmented its fight and exploration definitely feels dated compared to the extra free-flowing expertise that later entries within the collection would current.
It additionally doesn’t assist that the English model of the sport really localizes the story into English with no subtitled Japanese dub choice. Though the English dub wasn’t dangerous, they stick out like a sore thumb when in comparison with different Yakuza video games and put extra emphasis on the crime points of the story than was current within the Japanese model.
All the identical, it’s nonetheless an amazing recreation and plainly exhibits why the collection has gone on so long as it has.
10. Yakuza 3
![Yakuza 3 Key Art of Kiryu Looking up at Sky](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Yakuza-3-Key-Art-1.jpg?resize=640%2C360)
Yakuza 3 was the very first recreation designed for the PlayStation 3, and the workforce’s early expertise with the {hardware} positively exhibits.
All the pieces feels a bit stiff control-wise in Yakuza 3. Fight doesn’t move in addition to in different titles, and animations are a bit unusual exterior of cutscenes. It’s additionally shorter than most different entries within the collection, making for an expertise that looks like there needs to be extra to it.
Nonetheless, it performs simply high quality and options a number of the finest substories within the collection thus far. The third recreation additionally has among the best essential tales of the entire collection, as Kazuma Kiryu tries to depart the Yakuza life behind and give attention to working an orphanage in Hiroshima. The youngsters on the Sunshine Orphanage and the Ryudo Household in Hiroshima make for compelling characters, and actually give an emotional purpose for Kiryu to battle.
Although Yakuza 3 may not be excellent, it brings some implausible character growth for Kiryu, Majima, Haruka, and different distinguished characters. And, because of the discharge of the remaster in 2019, it’s by no means been simpler to dive into the most effective model of it.
9. Yakuza 2
![Kiryu Protecting Daigo in Yakuza 2](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Yakuza-2-Kiryu-Defending-Daigo-From-Ryuji.jpg?resize=640%2C360)
Yakuza 2, very like the primary recreation, feels a bit dated in comparison with the remainder of the collection when it comes to each graphics and gameplay, nevertheless it’s nonetheless simple to see why so many held it up as the most effective within the collection for years.
The sport made some significant modifications over its predecessor by including extra aspect content material and making fight smoother and extra partaking, all whereas introducing a wealth of recent story parts. Gamers can spend hours exploring each side of the sport’s setting, and the fight makes each battle really feel impactful and adrenaline-pumping.
It additionally takes loads of time to introduce the second greatest crime syndicate in Japan subsequent to the Tojo Clan, the Omi Alliance. The sport’s major antagonist, Ryuji Goda, is completely one of many collection’ finest, and amongst Kiryu’s best rivals. The place Kiryu is the “Dragon of Dojima,” Ryuji is named the “Dragon of Kansai,” and he’s a properly fleshed out and memorable character.
Toss in the truth that it has among the best tales in your complete collection, and the sport nonetheless shines even so a few years later. Fortunately for western followers too, Sega determined to depart within the unique Japanese audio, which helped solidify the cultural implications of the sport; and, cement a core facet of the collection western followers nonetheless love in the present day.
8. Yakuza 4
![Yakuza 4 Key Art of Protagonists Standing Together](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Yakuza-4-Cover-Art-1.jpg?resize=640%2C360)
Yakuza 4 is a large change for the collection, because it’s the primary recreation that options playable characters that aren’t Kazuma Kiryu.
The sport is cut up into 4 completely different components, every consisting of quite a lot of chapters. Every of the sport’s 4 protagonists are playable so as beginning with Akiyama, then transferring onto Majima’s sworn brother Taiga Saejima, the police officer Masayoshi Tanimura, and eventually culminating with Kazuma Kiryu.
Not like Yakuza 3, virtually all the recreation takes place in Kamurocho. This time round, nevertheless, town has been considerably expanded, letting you discover the sewers and underground in addition to the rooftops. Main enhancements had been made to fight too, with every character having their very own distinct fashion and Warmth Actions.
There’s additionally a wealth of recent minigames to undertake, and tons of aspect content material to dig into for every character. Most of mentioned aspect content material feels distinctive to them too, serving to to determine every protagonist’s misadventures as their very own.
Seeing how every of the 4 character’s tales intersect within the recreation is its essential draw, and the finale with all 4 is extremely enjoyable. The sport totally proved that having different characters take the highlight in addition to Kiryu may actually repay, and supplied a framework for future titles to construct off of with the idea.
7. Yakuza Kiwami
![Majima Popping out of Manhole in Yakuza Kiwami](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Yakuza-Kiwami-Majima-Popping-Out-of-Manhole.jpg?resize=640%2C360)
Kiwami was a sort of high quality remake that we hadn’t seen a lot of upon its launch, utterly redefining the unique expertise with all the things the collection has realized since its begin on PS2.
A full-blown remake of the very first title, the sport is constructed on the identical engine that Yakuza 0 runs on. Sega stored the unique story utterly intact too, with cutscenes even sporting the very same digicam angles inside the new engine. The unique voice forged additionally re-recorded their strains, and new scenes are featured to additional flesh out the story of Nishikiyama, Kiryu’s sworn brother and the villain of the sport.
The sport even makes use of the combating types of Yakuza 0, however with much more changes and enhancements. You possibly can swap freely between the Brawler, Rush, and Beast combating types in fight, and the Dragon combating fashion will be unlocked by finishing particular aspect missions.
There’s additionally a model new system often called “Majima In every single place” that has everybody’s favourite one-eyed villain stalking Kiryu all through town of Kamurocho. He may pop up as a police officer and cease you randomly; leap out of the sewer from underneath a manhole; and even costume up as a hostess to actually give Kiryu a shock.
Yakuza Kiwami is a main instance of the best way to meaningfully remake a recreation, and it’s the right expertise to leap into proper after Yakuza 0. It builds upon the primary recreation, and makes it that a lot simpler to see how the collection began off so a few years in the past.
6. Like a Dragon: Ishin!
![Like a Dragon Ishin Key Art of Ryoma Holding Gun and Sword](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Like-a-Dragon-Ishin-Key-Art.jpg?resize=640%2C360)
Although the unique Ishin title by no means bought an official launch within the west, the remake Like a Dragon: Ishin! greater than makes up for it.
That includes a pseudo-historical fiction reimagining of the primary recreation’s premise set inside the Edo interval, this title locations everybody’s favourite Yakuza and Like a Dragon characters inside a samurai drama stuffed with blood, blades, and manly spirit. Every character’s common persona nonetheless shines via although, giving the sport the sensation of a wild what-if situation packed to the gills with element and energy.
The gameplay is nothing to sneeze at both. Although gamers solely step into the position of Kiryu’s look-alike Sakamoto Ryoma, they’re given 4 completely different fight types to work with within the type of the Brawler, Gunman, Swordsman, and Wild Dancer. Every is a blast to play with, and there are many battle situations to beat with every of them.
There’s likewise a metric ton of whimsical aspect missions and mini video games to participate in. For each critical story of homicide and samurai politics, there’s one about Ryoma collaborating in karaoke with buddies or rescuing the clumsiest cat on this planet from hazard.
It’s one of many extra inventive Yakuza and Like a Dragon titles round, and establishes itself amongst a number of the collection’ higher choices in consequence.
5. Yakuza 6: The Music of Life
![Kiryu Holding Haruto in Yakuza 6](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Yakuza-6-Kiryu-Holding-Haruto-While-Haruto-Points-Out-Window.jpg?resize=640%2C360)
Yakuza 6: The Music of Life lastly brings an finish to the lengthy story of Kazuma Kiryu, and what a becoming finish it’s.
Regardless of being the ultimate chapter, the sport is comparatively self-contained. It’s an emotional story that sees Kiryu’s daughter, Haruka, in a coma from successful and run in Kamurocho, requiring the Dragon of Dojima to handle her younger son Haruto whereas making an attempt to determine who the daddy is. The sport introduces a implausible forged of recent characters with the Hirose Household in Onomichi, and the presentation of the story is healthier than ever with the brand new Dragon Engine.
The Dragon Engine likewise modifications lots in regards to the collection’ gameplay, overhauling Kiryu’s fight system again into one fashion as a substitute of the three present in Yakuza 0. Nonetheless, you do have much more management of Kiryu’s growth with a wealth of stats and expertise to pour expertise into, serving to it to really feel much less restrictive than in earlier entries.
There’s additionally an emphasis on making all the things seamless, and The Music of Life has no loading screens exterior of cutscenes. You possibly can merely stroll right into a retailer or constructing sans any interruptions, and it makes 6’s cities really feel extra plausible and alive. And, similar to previous video games, Yakuza 6 presents a wealth of minigames and substories to finish, and the writing in these substories is a number of the most heartfelt within the franchise.
Yakuza 6 is concurrently a recreation for longtime followers and newcomers, offering catharsis for the tip of Kiryu’s story whereas additionally displaying the way in which ahead. It’s plain to see how a lot the workforce behind the sport wished to make sure it landed as an exceptional Yakuza title, and it stays one of many higher entries within the collection in flip.
4. Yakuza 5
![Protagonists Together in Yakuza 5 Key Art](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Yakuza-5-Key-Art-1.jpg?resize=640%2C360)
Yakuza 5 carried on the pattern that its rapid predecessor arrange, presenting an epic overarching story with a number of plotlines that intersect.
As a substitute of 4 protagonists like within the earlier recreation, Yakuza 5 now options 5 playable characters — together with Haruka for the very first time. Yakuza 5 is cut up into 4 completely different components with Kiryu being the primary playable, adopted by Saejima, a chapter for each Haruka and Akiyama, and eventually the collection newcomer Shinada Tatsuo.
Amazingly, every of the sport’s essential components really feel like they could possibly be separate video games. Every one is about in a distinct metropolis, and oftentimes options distinctive gameplay mechanics and minigames. Every character likewise sports activities an extremely completely different fight fashion, and all of Haruka’s gameplay parts revolve round her journey to grow to be an idol through collaborating in dance battles, conferences with followers, and extra.
To high all of it off, the sport is completely stuffed to the gills with issues to see and do. There’s a boatload of substories, collectibles to seek out in every metropolis, and naturally, minigames. Whereas every a part of the title is separate, the story does lastly come collectively in satisfying methods, packing fairly a couple of emotional punches by the tip.
Yakuza 5 actually was greater and higher than its predecessor, and the modifications in surroundings had been appreciated; even when the opposite cities weren’t fairly as detailed as Kamurocho. It’s among the many better of the bunch from Yakuza’s seventh console technology choices, and properly price taking part in even so a few years later.
3. Yakuza: Like a Dragon
![Yakuza: Like a Dragon Key Art of Ichiban's Party Posing](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Yakuza-Like-a-Dragon-Key-Art-1.jpg?resize=640%2C360)
Ryu Ga Gotoku took a giant likelihood with Yakuza: Like a Dragon, shifting the collection not solely to a brand new protagonist but in addition to a brand new style. Happily, it greater than paid off, respiratory new life into the collection and giving it a implausible new lead for its present saga.
Ichiban’s story of redemption — whereas undeniably much like Kiryu’s — is one followers new and outdated can’t assist however be drawn into. There’s nonetheless all of the wild hijinks followers may need from the franchise, however with loads of coronary heart and a brand new emotional twist because of the empathetic nature of Ichiban and his buddies. The broader plot, in the meantime, is completely awful with all of the over-dramatic parts the collection is understood for, and it’s all the higher for it.
Gameplay-wise, Like a Dragon is essentially the most distinct within the collection because of its shift towards turn-based RPG gameplay. Whereas it’s positively unusual to not be capable to brawl it out with opponents freely, the system Ryu Ga Gotoku got here up with is partaking sufficient to maintain all the title’s myriad battles fascinating even dozens of hours in.
And naturally, there’s the boatload of aspect content material to contemplate. The sport is stuffed to bursting with Aspect Missions, minigames, and actions galore, and so they all bolster Ichiban’s story as one which’s greater than worthy to face amongst even the most effective of Kiryu’s adventures.
We may go on, however the level stays: Yakuza: Like a Dragon is an exceptional title. It’s among the many finest video games within the wider collection, and set the franchise up for continued success even after the conclusion of Kiryu’s saga.
2. Yakuza Kiwami 2
![Yakuza 2 Kiwami Key Art](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Yakuza-Kiwami-2-Key-Art-of-Kiryu-and-Ryuji-Facing-Each-Other-1.jpg?resize=640%2C360)
The primary Yakuza Kiwami did an exceptional job of remaking the primary recreation within the collection, however Yakuza Kiwami 2 managed to do a fair higher job and created one of many easiest Yakuza experiences but.
Yakuza 2 has probably the most beloved tales of the collection, and Kiwami 2 makes use of the Dragon Engine to remake each cutscene step for step in beautiful element. Each character mannequin is dripping with element, and it makes each second that rather more gripping.
The sport additionally makes use of the identical fight and improve system at Yakuza 6, however all the things has been iterated on and expanded. Weapons are added in as soon as once more which permits for a lot extra choices in fight, and Kiryu’s transfer set and warmth actions have extra selection because of the upgraded tech. Fight as an entire simply feels tighter, smoother, and extra visceral than earlier than.
After all, there’s an entire wealth of aspect content material to dive into. The large additions, nevertheless, are the return of the Cabaret Membership and Clan Creator minigames, each of which have been expanded on significantly. The previous sees Kiryu working as flooring supervisor for Membership 4 Shine, whereas the latter has him helping Majima Building in defending their gear.
As if all of that wasn’t sufficient, there’s even a model new story part often called the Majima Saga. It has some nice emotional payoff for anybody that performed Yakuza 0, and connects the broader collection’ plots in a tangible means.
There’s a lot time and care put into each facet of Yakuza Kiwami 2 that it finally ends up being way over only a easy remake. It’s simply among the best entries but, and exhibits the collection remains to be heading in the right direction.
1. Yakuza 0
![Yakuza 0 Key Art of Kiryu and Majima](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Yakuza-0-Key-Art-of-Kiryu-and-Majima-Against-Red-Background-1.jpg?resize=640%2C360)
Yakuza 0 is hailed as each the most effective Yakuza recreation of all time and among the best video games of all time full cease, and it’s simple to see why.
The title gave us a have a look at Kamurocho that we’ve by no means had earlier than, taking us again in time to the Eighties. Kamurocho blazes with neon lights and crowds of individuals heading to disco golf equipment, whereas the long-lasting Millenium Tower has but to be constructed.
It additionally options twin protagonists in Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima, taking us via their youthful days and the way they turned concerned within the Tojo Clan. It’s an interesting look into the 2 characters, one which’s full of historical past and acquainted faces, regardless of being a prequel to the collection.
This remaster/remake is well essentially the most strong bundle the collection has seen, filled with content material and a gripping story that doesn’t require any earlier data of the collection. It overhauls the fight system utilized by the previous few entries, and offers each Kiryu and Majima three completely different fight types to modify between on the fly.
The writing is likewise exceptionally properly carried out, and there’s a prolonged aspect story for every character that includes working a cabaret membership for Majima and dealing in actual property for Kiryu. On high of that, there’s a ton of substories and minigames to dig into, lots of which really feel applicable for the time interval.
Zero served as a place to begin for a lot of gamers, introducing an entire wave of recent followers to the Yakuza collection. It stays the most effective recreation within the collection, and an exemplar of what the most effective Yakuza and Like a Dragon video games ought to try to be.