Yakuza (Like a Dragon) Series - How to Play in Chronological Order
The original name of the Yakuza series is known as Ryu ga Gotoku (Like a Dragon). This name is used frequently in the later games of the series.
TL; DR
Our recommended play order for the Yakuza series to experience the most fun, we still advise you to read the whole thing though.
- Yakuza 0
- Yakuza / Yakuza Kiwami
- Yakuza 2 / Yakuza Kiwami 2
- Yakuza 3
- Yakuza 4
- Yakuza 5
- Yakuza 6: The Song of Life
- Spin-off: Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name
9. Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
- Judgement
- Lost Judgement
- Like a Dragon: İshin
In Which Order Should I Play Yakuza?
The Yakuza series, whose first game was released in 2005, has 23 games in total. The Yakuza series consists of 9 games that tell the main story and 14 games that tell side stories. You can consider each game of the Yakuza series as an anime season. In other words, if you are interested in anime or Japanese culture, you should definitely experience the Yakuza series! If you're wondering which order you should play to follow the main story of the Yakuza series, read on!
1-) Yakuza 0
Although Yakuza 0, released in 2015, is the sixth game in the series and serves as a prequel to Kiryu, it covers the years between 1988 and 1989. For this reason, if you want to follow the main story of the series, you should play this game first. This game tells the story of the past of the character Kiryu and how he ended up in prison. Additionally, this game is a great opportunity for you to get to know Kazuma Kiryu.
2-) Yakuza / Yakuza Kiwami
Yakuza, the first game of the series released in 2005, is a game in which we control the character Kazuma Kiryu, who has just been released from a 10-year prison punishment. After Kazuma Kiryu is released from prison, he discovers that 10 Billion Yen was stolen from the Tojo clan, of which he was a former member, and that the third chairman (elder) of the clan died in the meantime. For this reason, there is a power vacuum in the Tojo clan and a power struggle for the empty seat. While Kazuma Kiryu protects the young girl named Haruka Sawamura, who is related to the stolen 10 Billion Yen, he also struggles in the cruel and lawless world of the yakuza.
Yakuza Kiwami is the remake version of the first game in the series. If you prefer a remake of the game using the latest game engine (Modern Dragon Engine), Yakuza Kiwami is the way to go.
3-) Yakuza 2 / Yakuza Kiwami 2
Yakuza 2, released in 2006, is the second game in the series and continues the story. After restoring order in the Tojo clan and solving the problem of the stolen 10 Billion Yen, Kazuma Kiryu begins a new competition when the clan's fifth elder is shot. In this game, we have to fight Ryuji Goda from the rival clan Omi alliance, who wants an all-out war with the Tojo clan. Kazuma Kiryu is tasked with stopping the war between two clans and ensuring peace. As if the threats of this mission were not enough, Kiryu also faces threats from Korean mafia organizations.
Yakuza Kiwami 2, developed with the Modern Dragon Engine, is the remake version of the Yakuza 2. If you want to experience the story with more up-to-date graphics, Yakuza Kiwami 2 is the way to go.
4-) Yakuza 3
Yakuza 3, which was released in 2009 and continues Kiryu's story, was written by a different author, unlike the previous two games. The entire story of the game takes place in a fictional region called Okinawa. In addition to the main story, Yakuza 3 also has different and entertaining side stories and unique characters. Some of these characters include Haruka, whom Kazuma Kiryu adopted in the first game, and eight other children he raised in the orphanage.
5-) Yakuza 4
In Yakuza 4, released in 2010, Kazuma Kiryu again finds himself in events and competitions that are beyond his control. A member of a clan allied with the Tojo clan is shot by another member. As if that wasn't enough, a detective investigating the murder is stabbed to death. Forced to protect his clan's honour, wealth, and power, Kiryu has no choice but to take action.
6-) Yakuza 5
In Yakuza 5, released in 2012, our main character Kiryu must protect himself and his clan. The seventh head of the Omi alliance is on his deathbed, and this will cause a battle between the Yojo clan and the Omi alliance. Anticipating this, the Tojo clan forms a new alliance to rival the Omi alliance. Tired of all the battles, Kiryu continues his life as a taxi driver. Hearing the footsteps of a new war between the Tojo clan and the Omi alliance, Kiryu returns to his old clan to end the power struggle between the clans.
7-) Yakuza 6 -The Song of Life
In 2016, Kazuma Kiryu confessed to his crimes and was freed after willingly serving three years in prison. The reason why Kiryu surrenders is that he wants to live a peaceful life with his adopted children. Kiryu, who received the worst news of his life as soon as he got out, learns that his adopted daughter, Haruka Sawamura, disappeared and was later found in a coma. An unidentified driver hit Haruka with his car, fatally injuring her, and then ran away.
Kazuma Kiryu, who wants to find out what happened to Haruka and take revenge, takes action again. Having solved all the mysteries and guaranteed the peaceful life of his adopted children, Kiryu realizes that he has no place in this peaceful life and disappears silently before anyone notices him. Yakuza 6 – The Song of Life was the last game to tell Kiryu's story, at least until we learned that Kiryu was one of the playable characters in Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth.
8-) Yakuza – Like a Dragon
Yakuza - Like a Dragon, which tells the story of a new character in the Yakuza series and was released in 2020, begins with the release of Ichiban Kasuga after eighteen years in prison. Kasuga was imprisoned because he was accused of a murder he did not commit. After being released from prison, he discovers that his old friend Arakawa is collaborating with the Omi alliance to destroy Kasuga, his family, and the Tojo clan. Wanting to take revenge on himself and uncover the truth, Ichi takes action.
9-) Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, which will be released on January 26, 2024, is a game in which we can control Kiryu and Kasuga. What we know so far about the game's story is that Kasuga will find his biological mother, Akane, and form an alliance with Kiryu to protect her. Also, since Kiryu has cancer, he is doing his best to survive. We can assume that Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, like all other Yakuza games, will have various mini-games and offer impressive storytelling.
Spin-Offs
The Yakuza series is popular with its various spin-off games. After experiencing the main story of the Yakuza series, we recommend that you experience the spin-off games. Our recommended order for spin-off games:
- Judgment
- Lost Judgment
- Like a Dragon: Ishin
Additionally, if you want to experience Kazuma Kiryu's story more, we recommend that you try the game "Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name" after finishing Yakuza 6: The Song of Life, which is the seventh game in the series.
Is the Yakuza Series Worth Playing?
We learned the correct order in which to play the Yakuza series. The next question is: who does this game appeal to? If you enjoy anime, Japanese culture, and mafia stories, and are interested in games that offer unique gameplay mechanics, we recommend trying the Yakuza series, which is a combination of all of these elements.