What Yakuza Game To Start With: A Beginner’S Choice

What Yakuza Game to Start With

So, you’re thinking about jumping into the wild world of the Yakuza series? Awesome! It’s a fantastic series full of action, drama, and some truly hilarious moments. But with so many games, it can feel a bit overwhelming to know where to begin. Don’t worry, you’re not alone! Many new players face this same question. This guide will help you find the perfect starting point for your Yakuza journey.

Understanding the Yakuza Series Structure

Before we dive into specific game recommendations, let’s quickly break down how the Yakuza series is structured. It’s not as simple as just playing them in the order they were released. The core of the series primarily revolves around the story of Kazuma Kiryu, a legendary figure in the Yakuza underworld. These main games are numbered, like Yakuza 0, Yakuza 1, Yakuza 2, and so on. However, there are also spin-offs and games that feature other protagonists. Knowing this distinction is important when deciding where to begin.

The main games primarily follow one central storyline. These entries have a direct connection with the past games, for example, Yakuza 2 will continue from where Yakuza 1 leaves off. On the other hand, spin-off games tell different stories. These side stories and characters could be in the same world as the main games, but they are designed in a way that you don’t have to play all the main numbered entries to understand the story.

The Best Starting Points: Main Series

For most players, the best entry point to the Yakuza series is with the main storyline following Kazuma Kiryu’s story. Here’s a breakdown of the top contenders:

Yakuza 0: The Fan-Favorite Prequel

Yakuza 0 is widely considered the best place to begin your Yakuza journey, and there are many good reasons for it. Here’s why:

• A Great Beginning: Yakuza 0 takes place before all other games, making it a perfect starting point in terms of the story’s timeline. It introduces Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima at the start of their careers in the Yakuza.
• Excellent Storytelling: The game offers a rich, engaging narrative with great character development. This helps establish your connection with the main characters of the series right from the beginning.
• Two Protagonists: You get to play as both Kiryu and Majima, giving you two completely different play styles and perspectives.
• Modern Gameplay: Yakuza 0 has a modern control scheme, making it much easier to get into than older games.
• Awesome 1980s Setting: The 1980s setting is so much fun with its vibrant cityscapes and music.

If you want the full story experience, starting with Yakuza 0 is definitely a great choice. It sets the stage for everything that comes after and makes the characters’ journeys much more impactful.

Yakuza Kiwami: A Remake of the Original

Yakuza Kiwami is a remake of the first Yakuza game, and its sequel, Yakuza Kiwami 2, remakes the second game. These are also great points to start, but not better than starting from the prequel Yakuza 0. If you decide to start here, you should keep these things in mind:

• Remastered Experience: Yakuza Kiwami has better graphics, gameplay, and improved voice acting. It plays similar to Yakuza 0, so you will get the modern experience of Yakuza.
• Direct Sequel to Yakuza 0: You can experience the story directly after Yakuza 0 if you want a natural progression of the timeline.
• Focus on Kiryu: This game focuses solely on Kiryu’s story. It’s a good way to dive right into his life and adventures.
• Slightly Less Polished: Compared to Yakuza 0, Kiwami is not that much exciting at first. While still a great game, it builds on the game mechanics of Yakuza 0, which means if you play Kiwami first, you will miss some things that made Yakuza 0 so special.

If you are not sure about playing a prequel first, then this is the second best place to start your Yakuza adventure.

Why Not Start With Other Main Games?

While you can start with any game in the series, it’s not always recommended. Games like Yakuza 3, 4, 5, and 6 heavily rely on the story and character development from previous entries. Starting here would be like jumping into the middle of a movie – you’d be confused about who everyone is and what’s going on.

It’s possible to get the overall gist of it from the main storyline, but you won’t get the full emotional impact and the same understanding and appreciation. Therefore, it’s generally best to play these later.

Here’s a quick overview:

• Yakuza 3, 4, 5 & 6: These titles have complex narratives that build directly on previous games. If you start here, you may have a hard time following the storylines, as there will be a lot of references you won’t understand. Starting here would be like jumping into the middle of a book and expecting to understand what’s happening.

Exploring the Spin-Offs

The Yakuza series also has spin-off games, which can be enjoyed without playing the main games. They are worth exploring but are generally not recommended as starting points. Here are some popular spin-off titles:

Judgment and Lost Judgment: Detective Action

Judgment and its sequel, Lost Judgment, are both action detective games. These titles are completely separate from the main Yakuza storyline. You play as Takayuki Yagami, a lawyer turned detective. These are a good starting point if you are not interested in the main Yakuza storyline initially.

• Fresh Perspective: These games offer a different gameplay experience focused on investigations and detective work.
• New Characters: You play as a new protagonist with his own story and cast of supporting characters.
• Standalone Stories: You don’t need any prior knowledge of the Yakuza universe to play these games.
• Shared World: They take place in the same world as the mainline Yakuza games, but there are only very few connections.

If you want a break from the main Yakuza storyline, the Judgment series can be a good change of pace with a fresh perspective.

Yakuza: Like a Dragon: A New Turn-Based Adventure

Yakuza: Like a Dragon is a significant change to the series. It features a new protagonist and is a turn-based RPG rather than an action beat ’em up. Here’s what you need to know:

• New Protagonist: You play as Ichiban Kasuga, who has a very different personality from Kiryu.
• Turn-Based Combat: This is a big change from the action combat of previous games. If you enjoy turn-based RPGs, you may really like this.
• New Story: While some of the same locations as the other games appear, the story and characters are mostly new, making it a decent place to start if you don’t want to start from the beginning of the series.

If the action brawling gameplay of other Yakuza games is not for you, then this turn-based RPG is a very good choice as your starting point. It can easily bring new players into the Yakuza series. Even though this game is different, it still has the core Yakuza style and charm.

Which Yakuza Game Should You Pick?

Here is a summary of the best places to start:

So, which Yakuza game should you choose to start your journey? If you want to experience the story of Kazuma Kiryu from the very start, then you should start with Yakuza 0. If the prequel is not your thing, then you can start with Yakuza Kiwami, which is the remake of the first game. If you want to experience a very different style of game in the same universe, then go with the Judgment series. And finally, if you want to experience a turn based Yakuza game then Yakuza: Like a Dragon is a perfect place to begin. Each of these starting points offer a different experience, and you can make a choice based on your preference.

No matter which game you choose to start with, get ready for a wild ride filled with crazy characters, intense battles, and emotional stories. The Yakuza series has a lot to offer, and you are about to become a fan. Happy gaming!