Not only does it warm my heart, it also gets to me.
To experience the series in the richest way possible, there’s an obvious answer.
Now pick up that bike and walk with me.
What order should you play the Yakuza games?
Do play a bit of Yakuza 0 first, though.
This is the approach I took, and I’m glad I did!
Without spoiling anything, Majima’s special story bit legitimately made me cry.
It features a certain encounter which will mean everything to you if you’ve played Yakuza 0.
Oh, and the Cabaret Club management minigame is an all-consuming delight, with its own story to tell.
it’s possible for you to also drop kick a tiger.
Truthfully, it’s Shun Akiyama’s story which shines here.
He’s charismatic, funny, and has a fighting style that’s as flashy as his personality.
He also shares a great relationship with his assistant Hana.
Play it for Akiyama.
Yakuza 4 may have featured four protagonists, but well, Yakuza 5 goes one further.
The story is sweeping, and at times, not really a lot to do with Kiryu.
It gets a lot of flack for this, but I reckon it’s fine.
Fights are replaced by dance battles.
You get to sign autographs.
It’s literally an idol simulator and it’s absolutely wonderful.
Fresh out of jail, Kiryu finds that Haruka has gone missing.
Then discovers that she has a son?!
I adore Yakuza 6 because it shows a different, fatherly side to Kiryu.
Not to mention that it’s about Kiryu grabbing hold of a criminal organisation whose lost its way.
), then return to a savage betrayal by a man he respected the most.
The new locale Yokohama is vast and vibrant, with some of the funniest, most heartfelt stories yet.
Technically, you could play this as your first Yakuza and still have a grand time.
Technically, yes, you could play this as a newbie.
But you’d be far better off coming into this knowing Kiryu and what he’s been through.
In myLAD Gaiden review, I was a bit mixed on its story beats and its side activities.
Welcome pal, you’ve just joined the ranks of my favourite Yakuza games ever.
In myInfinite Wealth review, I slapped a Bestest Best badge on it for good reason.
The story is deeply personal and one of the series' standouts.
Story aside, the game features numerous tweaks to the turn-based combat and the reward loop in general.
Little things, like your personality traits or bonds with pals, now tie into activities that motivate.
With this in mind, I’d say you’d almost certainly want to play Yakuza: LAD first.
Like A Dragon: Ishin!
Ishin could also be considered a great starting point for newcomers, as the game comes with no baggage.
What’s next for the Yakuza series?
The next game in the Yakuza series is out soon.
Besides this upcoming release, the makers of the Yakuza series have also announced another in-the-works project.
If you’re still itching for more Yakuza, then I’ve got the just the thing for you.
Have you consideredJudgmentandLost Judgment?
Both games are by RGG Studio and share the same DNA as Yakuza.
I wrote about how they’re asolid gateway into Yakuza, too.
Again, I’d start with Judgment then move into Lost Judgment for that chronological goodness.
