What Order To Play The Yakuza Games?

The best way to play the Yakuza games is in their release order, starting with Yakuza 0, then Yakuza Kiwami, Yakuza Kiwami 2, Yakuza 3 Remastered, Yakuza 4 Remastered, Yakuza 5 Remastered, Yakuza 6: The Song of Life, Yakuza: Like a Dragon, and lastly, Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name.

So, you’re ready to dive into the world of the Yakuza, a series known for its captivating stories and intense action? Figuring out what order to play the Yakuza games can feel a little daunting with all the remakes and spin-offs. It’s a common question, and the answer impacts your entire experience.

We’re going to get right to the heart of this and make sure you know the perfect way to experience Kiryu’s saga and beyond. Following the chronological order isn’t always the best way, so let’s see the proper way.

What Order to Play the Yakuza Games

So, you’re ready to dive into the crazy world of the Yakuza games! That’s awesome! But with so many titles spanning different consoles and storylines, figuring out where to begin can feel like trying to navigate the winding streets of Kamurocho at night. Don’t worry; I’m here to help you. This guide will break down the best ways to experience the epic saga of Kazuma Kiryu and the other compelling characters in this thrilling series. Whether you want to follow the main story or explore every side path, this article is your map to the Yakuza universe. We’ll cover both release order and the story order. We will explore why either approach works and help you decide which path is perfect for you.

Playing by Release Order

One way to experience the Yakuza games is by playing them in the order they were initially released. This method allows you to see the evolution of the game mechanics, graphics, and storytelling over time. It’s like watching a movie series grow from its humble beginnings to a polished spectacle. This order lets you appreciate how the gameplay has changed and improved with each new title. It also preserves the surprise of plot twists and character introductions that were designed to be seen in this way.

The Original Yakuza Timeline (PS2 Era)

Let’s start from the very beginning:

Yakuza (PS2): This is where it all starts! It introduces you to Kazuma Kiryu, the Dragon of Dojima, and his world of honor, betrayal, and family within the Yakuza. It’s a bit rough around the edges compared to the newer games, but it’s a crucial starting point.
Yakuza 2 (PS2): The story continues the story of Kiryu as he is dragged into another Yakuza conflict, this time involving the rival Tojo Clan. It builds upon the foundation laid in the first game.

The HD Remakes and Remasters

Before diving into the later games, let’s look at the remasters and remakes that bridge the gap:

Yakuza Kiwami (PS4, PS3, PC, Xbox One): This is a remake of the original Yakuza, completely rebuilt with modern graphics and gameplay. If you find the PS2 version too dated, starting with Kiwami is a great option.
Yakuza Kiwami 2 (PS4, PC, Xbox One): Just like Kiwami, this is a remake of Yakuza 2, made with the Dragon Engine. It has a fresh look and enhanced gameplay.
Yakuza 3 Remastered (PS4, PC, Xbox One): This is a cleaned-up version of Yakuza 3. It doesn’t have the complete overhaul that Kiwami and Kiwami 2 had, but it makes the game look and play much better on modern platforms.
Yakuza 4 Remastered (PS4, PC, Xbox One): The HD remaster of the fourth installment. It introduces new playable characters and further expands the gameplay possibilities.
Yakuza 5 Remastered (PS4, PC, Xbox One): The fifth entry in the series gets the HD treatment. This game is huge, with multiple playable characters and a very broad scope.

The Mid-Series Entries (PS3 Era)

These games were initially released on the PS3, bridging the gap between the PS2 era and the later games. They are now available as remasters as noted above.

Yakuza 3 (PS3): This game marks a turning point as Kiryu moves to Okinawa to run an orphanage. The story involves his past catching up to him.
Yakuza 4 (PS3): This entry breaks the traditional formula by introducing multiple playable characters. Each character has their own unique perspective on the story.
Yakuza 5 (PS3): The biggest and most expansive entry yet, this game has five playable characters and tons of content to enjoy. It has multiple cities to explore, and a wide range of side stories.

The Mainline Saga Continues

Here’s where things get very interesting. These are the most current titles in the main series, leading to the current state of the Yakuza storyline:

Yakuza 0 (PS4, PS3, PC, Xbox One): While it’s a prequel, Yakuza 0 was released after several mainline games. However, it’s a perfect place to start for newcomers wanting to jump in with a modern title. It provides important background on Kiryu and Majima.
Yakuza 6: The Song of Life (PS4, PC, Xbox One): This marks the end of Kiryu’s main story. It provides an emotional conclusion to his long journey.
Yakuza: Like a Dragon (PS4, PS5, PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S): A major shift for the series as it introduces a new protagonist, Ichiban Kasuga, and turns the combat into a turn-based RPG style. This is the start of a new storyline.

Spin-offs and Side Stories

These games take place outside of the main saga but are part of the overall Yakuza universe. They can be enjoyed at any time without spoiling the main storyline:

Yakuza: Dead Souls (PS3): A bizarre spin-off featuring zombies! This game is very different from the others, but it’s still fun if you want a wild ride.
Judgment (PS4, PS5, PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S): A detective story set in Kamurocho that is an action game with a very good story. It features a new protagonist and a very unique plot.
Lost Judgment (PS4, PS5, PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S): The second entry in the Judgment series, continuing the story of Takayuki Yagami.
Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name (PS4, PS5, PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S): This is a direct story of Kiryu between Yakuza 6 and Like a Dragon. This provides more information on Kiryu’s journey and closes some unanswered questions.

Playing by Story Order

Another way to experience the Yakuza games is to follow the chronological order of the story. This means starting with the earliest events and progressing through the series’ timeline. This method helps you understand character development and how the storyline progresses. Starting with Yakuza 0 helps you see Kiryu and Majima’s younger days, making their later stories more impactful. By playing in the story order, you can see how the various events affect each other and understand the full context of every action.

The Best Story Order:

Here’s the best chronological order for experiencing the main story of the Yakuza series:

Yakuza 0: This is the best starting point if you prefer chronological storytelling. It’s the earliest point in the timeline and establishes the characters of Kiryu and Majima. It also makes understanding their later motivations more understandable.
Yakuza Kiwami: This is a remake of the original Yakuza. Playing this after 0 feels like a natural progression in Kiryu’s story.
Yakuza Kiwami 2: The remake of the second game is next. It continues Kiryu’s journey and sets up several elements that will be important in later games.
Yakuza 3 Remastered: Kiryu’s move to Okinawa, and his struggles with his new life, are next in the story.
Yakuza 4 Remastered: This introduces more characters and gives you different perspectives on the events.
Yakuza 5 Remastered: The events of this game greatly affect Kiryu’s future, so experiencing it in the story order is important.
Yakuza 6: The Song of Life: The end of Kiryu’s main story. It is a very emotional and fitting conclusion to his arc.
Yakuza: Like a Dragon: This introduces a new protagonist, Ichiban Kasuga, and begins a new story arc within the Yakuza universe. It’s best experienced after Kiryu’s main saga for context.
Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name: This is a direct sequel to Yakuza 6, which fills in some gaps between that game and Like a Dragon. This will give you a full understanding of Kiryu’s journey in the series.

For the spin-offs like Judgment and Lost Judgment, they don’t directly affect the main saga. You can play them whenever you want without disrupting the overall story of the main line Yakuza titles. However, playing the Judgment series after you complete Yakuza 6 is best, as it is set in the same world and it includes characters you may have already met.

Yakuza: Dead Souls, is a non-canon zombie spin-off and can be played at any time without any worries about story disruption.

Which Order is Right for You?

Choosing between release order and story order depends on what you value most in your gaming experience.

Release Order Benefits:

See the Series Evolve: You’ll witness the progression of gameplay mechanics, graphics, and storytelling.
No Spoilers: The surprises are maintained as they were intended by the developers.
Appreciate Innovation: You can see how new ideas were integrated and refined with each game.

Story Order Benefits:

Clearer Character Arcs: Understand the characters’ motivations from start to finish, in the proper story timeline.
Greater Emotional Impact: See the full weight of past actions on the present.
More Cohesive Narrative: Everything flows together chronologically.

If You’re New to the Series

If you are a newcomer to the Yakuza games, then starting with Yakuza 0 is the best way. It acts as a great prequel that eases you into the world, mechanics and story, before jumping into the Kiwami remakes, making it easier to understand everything.

My Recommendation

If you want to experience the series in the best way possible, I recommend going with the story order of the main line Yakuza games. Start with Yakuza 0, then the Kiwami remakes and move on through the numbered sequels and then move to the new story in Like a Dragon and Gaiden, when you have completed the main Kiryu saga. This method will help you understand the story, and characters, better, while not losing too much of the gameplay quality. The spin-offs can be enjoyed anytime you want for the most part.

Ultimately, the ‘right’ order is the one that best suits your preferences. The Yakuza series is so good that no matter how you start, you’re in for an incredible adventure. Happy gaming!

How YOU Can Get Into the Yakuza Series

Final Thoughts

So, the ideal starting point is Yakuza 0, followed by Kiwami, Kiwami 2, then Yakuza 3 through 6. Next, play Yakuza: Like a Dragon, and lastly, the latest title, Like a Dragon Gaiden.

This order provides the intended narrative experience, allowing you to follow Kiryu’s story. It also lets you see the progression of the gameplay mechanics. Knowing what order to play the yakuza games is must for true fans.