Best Yakuza Game To Start With For New Players Entering The Series
The Yakuza franchise, now officially known as Like a Dragon, has grown into one of gaming's most celebrated action-adventure RPG series. With over a dozen entries spanning decades of narrative timeline, deciding where to take your first steps into Kamurocho can feel overwhelming. Choosing the right entry point ensures you fully appreciate the rich narrative, engaging characters, and unique blend of dramatic crime storytelling with quirky side activities.
Yakuza 0: The Ultimate Prequel Starting Point
For most newcomers, Yakuza 0 serves as the absolute gold standard for entering the franchise. Set in the vibrant, neon-soaked 1980s Tokyo and Osaka, this prequel establishes the origins of series protagonist Kazuma Kiryu and his iconic rival Goro Majima. Starting here provides crucial emotional context that makes subsequent entries far more impactful.
The gameplay in Yakuza 0 delivers dynamic real-time brawling mechanics alongside memorable side quests and deep business management minigames. Because it was crafted as a narrative prequel, the story requires zero prior knowledge of the overarching lore. It introduces the core themes of loyalty, redemption, and underworld politics in an accessible manner.
Yakuza Kiwami: The Modern Remake of the Original
Another viable starting path is Yakuza Kiwami, a ground-up remake of the original 2005 PlayStation 2 title. This game modernizes the combat system and visual presentation while retaining the original narrative structure that launched the series. It directly follows the story after the events of Yakuza 0, making it a natural second step or alternate beginning.
While Kiwami features a smaller scope compared to larger entries, it offers a focused look at Kiryu's primary struggle to protect his loved ones in the criminal underworld. The experience introduces core mechanics seamlessly while maintaining a tight pacing that keeps new players engaged throughout the campaign.
Yakuza: Like a Dragon: A Fresh Turn-Based Beginning
If you prefer turn-based role-playing games over traditional action brawlers, Yakuza: Like a Dragon offers a complete soft reboot for the franchise. Introducing a new protagonist, Ichiban Kasuga, this entry shifts the setting primarily to Yokohama and changes the gameplay paradigm entirely. It respects the past continuity while giving new players a fresh slate free from heavy backstory burdens.
Ichiban's optimistic outlook and turn-based combat style offer an inviting atmosphere for RPG enthusiasts who want to experience the series' hallmark storytelling. The party system and modern urban exploration bring a distinct flavor to the familiar chaotic charm of the universe.
Choosing the Path That Fits Your Playstyle
Deciding between these entry points ultimately depends on your personal gameplay preferences and story priorities. Players seeking a classic beat-em-up experience with rich chronologically ordered narrative progression should begin with Yakuza 0. Conversely, those who enjoy modern tactical turn-based RPG mechanics will find a brilliant jumping-off point in Like a Dragon.
No matter which game you choose, the series promises hundreds of hours of deep storytelling, memorable side content, and rewarding gameplay. Stepping into this world opens up one of the most consistent and immersive sagas in modern gaming history.