It is a long wait till Like a Dragon 8 and Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name, two of the upcoming Yakuza games, releases in 2024. Players have plenty of time to catch up to the Yakuza series.
New players who want to catch up to the latest Yakuza games may find it confusing to find a starting point. The series spans across 7 games and contains various spin-offs as well. It is not necessary to play the Yakuza games in the chronological order or in its release order.
For new players, they may be overwhelmed with the number of games that the Yakuza series has. But don’t worry, you can either play it in its chronological order or in its release order.
1. The Chronological Order to Play the Yakuza Series
For new players, finding a starting point for the Yakuza series can be pretty confusing. The Yakuza series does not proceed in chronological order which is why even veterans Yakuza players may get confused sometimes.
In this order, you’ll come across Lost Judgement which is a spin-off to the Yakuza series. Unlike the Yakuza mainline games which follow the story of Kazuma Kiryu, this game follows the story of Takayuki Yagami.
If you want to play the entire Yakuza series in its chronological otder, then this is the list:
- Yakuza 0 (Timeline: 1998)
- Yakuza Kiwami (Timeline: 2005)
- Yakuza Kiwami 2 (Timeline: 2006)
- Yakuza 3 (Timeline: 2009)
- Yakuza 4 (Timeline: 2010)
- Yakuza 5 (Timeline: 2012)
- Yakuza 6: The Song of Life (Timeline: 2016)
- Yakuza: Like A Dragon (Timeline: 2019)
- Lost Judgment (Timeline: 2021)
2. The Release Order to Play the Yakuza Series
The release order for the Yakuza series contains two remakes – Yakuza Kiwami and Yakuza Kiwami 2 which have been remade for PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC. This means that you aren’t required to own a PlayStation 2 in order to play the older Yakuza games.
If you wanna play the Yakuza games in its release order, then this is the list:
- Yakuza (PS2) – 2006
- Yakuza 2 (PS2) – 2008
- Yakuza 3 (PS3) – 2010
- Yakuza 4 (PS3) – 2011
- Yakuza: Dead Souls (PS3) – 2012
- Yakuza 5 (PS3, PS4) – 2015
- Yakuza 0 (PS4, Xbox One, PC) – 2017
- Yakuza Kiwami (PS4, Xbox One, PC) – 2016
- Yakuza Kiwami 2 (PS4, Xbox One, PC) – 2018
- Yakuza 6 (PS4, Xbox One, PC) – 2018
- The Yakuza Remastered Collection (PS4, Xbox One, PC) – 2019
- Yakuza: Like A Dragon (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC) – 2020
- Lost Judgment (PS4, Xbox One, PS5, Xbox Series X/S) – 2021
3. Which Yakuza should you play first?
If you’re new to the Yakuza series, then I suggest that you start the series with either of these two games: Yakuza Kiwami or Yakuza 0. However, you can start with whichever Yakuza title you like and you’ll have a great experience regardless of the game you’re starting with.
Yakuza Kiwami is a good place to start the Yakuza series as it is a remake of the original Yakuza, which released back in 2005. Start with this game and then work your way through the series by its release order.
Yakuza Kiwami provides an improved experience over its original, which is outdated. With its HD resolutions, faster frame rates and loading times, and higher-quality textures, along with new story content, Yakuza Kiwami will be the best place to start the series with it.
4. Can you play Yakuza: Like a Dragon first?
Yakuza: Like a Dragon is a good starting point for Yakuza fans. It is always advised to play the previous Yakuza games so as to understand all of the key plot points throughout the series. However, if you want to jump right into Yakuza: Like a Dragon, then go for it.
Yakuza: Like a Dragon is a turn-based RPG featuring a whole new set of protagonists and villains, with the old cast still around on the sidelines. The game follows the story of Ichiban, who is a delightful protagonist for the series and wildly different from Kiryu Kazuma. You’ll have a blast playing this one as your first Yakuza game.
5. Which Yakuza game features the best storyline?
When it comes to having the best story out of all the games, Yakuza 0 takes the cake. With its dynamic and enjoyable combat and a dual-protagonist story, it is Yakuza at its very best. It’s worth noting that Yakuza 0 is a prequel to the first Yakuza game.
You’ll be more than happy to start the series with Yakuza 0. After all, it serves as a prequel to the first game. Hence, if you’re starting the Yakuza series with Yakuza 0, then you’d be following the chronological order for the series. Following the chronological order will make sure that you have a great journey through the Yakuza series.
6. About Yakuza: Like a Dragon
Yakuza: Like a Dragon is a role-playing video game developed by Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio and published by Sega. The first mainline title in the Yakuza franchise developed as a turn-based RPG, it was released in Japan and Asia for PlayStation 4 on January 16, 2020.
It has been developed by Ryu ga Gotoku Studio as the eighth main installment (fourteenth overall) of the Yakuza series. It had a worldwide release in November 2020. The PS5 version was released on March 2, 2021 as a free upgrade for all owners of the PS4 version and as a separate purchase.
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