Enter the Dragon of Dojima
When I first saw this cover art while holding it in my hands, I had a feeling that something great was coming my way.
And boy, oh boy, was I right. The very first OG Yakuza game on the PS2 is what got me into loving this franchise, a series about bashing heads with increasingly ridiculous finisher attacks and encountering silly townspeople. On a more serious note though, this is the story of a man who goes through some harsh experiences in life, and his journey of growth and emotion is nothing short of epic in my eyes and heart.
Story of the Criminal Underground and Feels
The saga of our hero, starting from the very first game, Yakuza 1, might seem like just another beat 'em up but with a sandbox-style setting.
It all begins rather slowly, with our protagonist arriving in a car alongside his aniki (a sworn brother by oath, don't mind my silly descriptions). It appears they are here as loan sharks, roughing up a company that refuses to pay its protection money to the Yakuza. At first, I wondered what kind of character our protagonist would be, just a muscle-bound brute doing similar jobs throughout the game? But then... a few hours later, after drinking with his sworn brother Nishikiyama, things start to take a turn.
We see that our protagonist is full of emotion and deeply cares about those around him. That is when it hit me, this guy is not just some generic tough guy, he is a friendly, honorable man beneath the macho exterior. Then, a few hours later, his sworn brother shoots the very boss of the organization they both work for. The shocking moment unfolds before our eyes, the old creep had tried to force himself on Yumi, a dear friend of both men, and Nishiki ended him with a gun. Visibly shaken and crying, Kiryu (our hero) stands there, worried and overwhelmed. This is when we realize our characters are deeply emotional, and that murder, despite their affiliation with the Yakuza, is not something they take lightly.
Since detailing the entire franchise would take ages, I will try to give a decent summary.
Gameplay and Mechanics
Looking back at the very first game, the mechanics were a bit clunky. Kiryu felt like controlling a train, once he moved in one direction, switching tracks was not easy. Combos were not swift, cancelable, or easily stopped. If you rushed headfirst into a group of enemies, chances were you would get knocked down like a bowling pin. Instead, the key was learning to position yourself strategically, attacking enemies one by one and avoiding getting overwhelmed.
As you progress, you unlock new moves and finisher attacks called Heat Actions. The Heat Bar functions like a rage meter, but instead of an ongoing berserk mode, it allows you to unleash devastating, cinematic attacks that deal significant damage, sometimes even more if you use weapons. Eventually, Kiryu meets a mysterious martial arts master who teaches him to go full Miyagi on anyone who dares challenge him. Over time, you unlock abilities like dodging multiple times in a row or attacking an enemy behind you while still dealing with another in front. This transformation makes our slow-moving freight train of a protagonist more agile and adaptable.
And then, you discover the Tiger Drop, one of the best, if not the absolute best, counter move in the series. It is so powerful that in the sequel, it can literally knock out a tiger! Oh my days...
As the series progresses, Heat Actions get flashier and flashier. Yakuza 3, however, introduces enemies who love to block non-stop (a technique I call "I Wanna Block All Night and Chill Every Day"). This can be frustrating, especially in the unpatched version. The best workaround? Stockpile every possible weapon, upgrade them to the max in the weapon shop, and obliterate the stubborn foes who refuse to take a proper hit.
By Yakuza 4 and 5, multiple playable characters enter the mix, each with unique fighting styles, which is pretty rad. Kiryu also becomes significantly faster and more fluid in combat. In Yakuza 6, the introduction of ragdoll physics makes Kiryu feel like an unstoppable force, you can grab one enemy and send an entire group flying. It is hilarious and chaotic at the same time.
Then comes Yakuza 0, which introduces fighting style switching and even more over-the-top finishers. With two playable characters and multiple move sets, the gameplay reaches new heights. Thankfully, the ragdoll physics from Yakuza 6 are toned down, bringing a better balance to the combat.
Overall, the combat is not too hard, but some enemies, especially bosses, have their own weapons and moves that can give you a tough time.
Story Summary
In chronological order, the story unfolds like this:
Kazuma Kiryu and Akira Nishikiyama were orphans taken in by the Sunflower Orphanage. This place is mentioned multiple times throughout the series. The two became best friends, and eventually, sworn brothers. They admired their adoptive father, Kazama, and aspired to live a life like his, one of power and respect. Unfortunately, that life turned out to be the Yakuza, something Kazama never wanted for them. He tried to beat the idea out of their heads, quite literally.
But thick skulls remain thick, inside and out. Years later, both men found themselves part of the Tojo Clan. They got what they wished for, money, power, and influence. Yet, Kiryu always seemed a bit lost, as if something was missing. His friendship with Nishiki remained strong, until one fateful day.
Kiryu is blamed for a murder that brings the cops knocking on the Tojo Clan’s door. Unsure of what to do, he asks to be expelled from the clan. This is not taken lightly in the Yakuza world. After taking a few beatings, he finds himself face-to-face with Sohei Dojima, the clan’s boss, who barely cares what Kiryu does. Determined to prove his innocence, Kiryu sets off on a dangerous journey, with three powerful Tojo Clan bosses gunning for him.
Along the way, friendly faces help him navigate the labyrinth of crime and betrayal. Meanwhile, Majima Goro, one of the franchise’s most beloved characters, has his own struggles. Forced to take the fall for a hit that left 18 men dead, he spends 25 years locked away. Now, despite being the legendary "Lord of the Night" as a top cabaret club manager, he lives in a gilded cage, his every move monitored and controlled. Worse yet, he still carries the guilt of failing his sworn brother, Saejima.
The Yakuza franchise is heavy on story, rewarding players with cinematic moments for all their hard-hitting brawls. The side stories add a unique charm, often balancing the drama with humor and heartfelt moments. We see Kiryu taking care of Haruka, Yumi’s daughter, while Majima sacrifices his love to keep her safe. And when Kiryu finally faces Nishiki as an enemy, we understand just how much has been lost, Nishiki, once his best friend, was broken by the weight of his failures and the expectations placed upon him.
The story keeps getting better with each sequel (ahem, rubber bullets), so if you are intrigued, why not give it a try?
When I first saw this cover art while holding it in my hands, I had a feeling that something great was coming my way.
And boy, oh boy, was I right. The very first OG Yakuza game on the PS2 is what got me into loving this franchise, a series about bashing heads with increasingly ridiculous finisher attacks and encountering silly townspeople. On a more serious note though, this is the story of a man who goes through some harsh experiences in life, and his journey of growth and emotion is nothing short of epic in my eyes and heart.
Story of the Criminal Underground and Feels
The saga of our hero, starting from the very first game, Yakuza 1, might seem like just another beat 'em up but with a sandbox-style setting.
It all begins rather slowly, with our protagonist arriving in a car alongside his aniki (a sworn brother by oath, don't mind my silly descriptions). It appears they are here as loan sharks, roughing up a company that refuses to pay its protection money to the Yakuza. At first, I wondered what kind of character our protagonist would be, just a muscle-bound brute doing similar jobs throughout the game? But then... a few hours later, after drinking with his sworn brother Nishikiyama, things start to take a turn.
We see that our protagonist is full of emotion and deeply cares about those around him. That is when it hit me, this guy is not just some generic tough guy, he is a friendly, honorable man beneath the macho exterior. Then, a few hours later, his sworn brother shoots the very boss of the organization they both work for. The shocking moment unfolds before our eyes, the old creep had tried to force himself on Yumi, a dear friend of both men, and Nishiki ended him with a gun. Visibly shaken and crying, Kiryu (our hero) stands there, worried and overwhelmed. This is when we realize our characters are deeply emotional, and that murder, despite their affiliation with the Yakuza, is not something they take lightly.
Since detailing the entire franchise would take ages, I will try to give a decent summary.
Gameplay and Mechanics
Looking back at the very first game, the mechanics were a bit clunky. Kiryu felt like controlling a train, once he moved in one direction, switching tracks was not easy. Combos were not swift, cancelable, or easily stopped. If you rushed headfirst into a group of enemies, chances were you would get knocked down like a bowling pin. Instead, the key was learning to position yourself strategically, attacking enemies one by one and avoiding getting overwhelmed.
As you progress, you unlock new moves and finisher attacks called Heat Actions. The Heat Bar functions like a rage meter, but instead of an ongoing berserk mode, it allows you to unleash devastating, cinematic attacks that deal significant damage, sometimes even more if you use weapons. Eventually, Kiryu meets a mysterious martial arts master who teaches him to go full Miyagi on anyone who dares challenge him. Over time, you unlock abilities like dodging multiple times in a row or attacking an enemy behind you while still dealing with another in front. This transformation makes our slow-moving freight train of a protagonist more agile and adaptable.
And then, you discover the Tiger Drop, one of the best, if not the absolute best, counter move in the series. It is so powerful that in the sequel, it can literally knock out a tiger! Oh my days...
As the series progresses, Heat Actions get flashier and flashier. Yakuza 3, however, introduces enemies who love to block non-stop (a technique I call "I Wanna Block All Night and Chill Every Day"). This can be frustrating, especially in the unpatched version. The best workaround? Stockpile every possible weapon, upgrade them to the max in the weapon shop, and obliterate the stubborn foes who refuse to take a proper hit.
By Yakuza 4 and 5, multiple playable characters enter the mix, each with unique fighting styles, which is pretty rad. Kiryu also becomes significantly faster and more fluid in combat. In Yakuza 6, the introduction of ragdoll physics makes Kiryu feel like an unstoppable force, you can grab one enemy and send an entire group flying. It is hilarious and chaotic at the same time.
Then comes Yakuza 0, which introduces fighting style switching and even more over-the-top finishers. With two playable characters and multiple move sets, the gameplay reaches new heights. Thankfully, the ragdoll physics from Yakuza 6 are toned down, bringing a better balance to the combat.
Overall, the combat is not too hard, but some enemies, especially bosses, have their own weapons and moves that can give you a tough time.
Story Summary
In chronological order, the story unfolds like this:
Kazuma Kiryu and Akira Nishikiyama were orphans taken in by the Sunflower Orphanage. This place is mentioned multiple times throughout the series. The two became best friends, and eventually, sworn brothers. They admired their adoptive father, Kazama, and aspired to live a life like his, one of power and respect. Unfortunately, that life turned out to be the Yakuza, something Kazama never wanted for them. He tried to beat the idea out of their heads, quite literally.
But thick skulls remain thick, inside and out. Years later, both men found themselves part of the Tojo Clan. They got what they wished for, money, power, and influence. Yet, Kiryu always seemed a bit lost, as if something was missing. His friendship with Nishiki remained strong, until one fateful day.
Kiryu is blamed for a murder that brings the cops knocking on the Tojo Clan’s door. Unsure of what to do, he asks to be expelled from the clan. This is not taken lightly in the Yakuza world. After taking a few beatings, he finds himself face-to-face with Sohei Dojima, the clan’s boss, who barely cares what Kiryu does. Determined to prove his innocence, Kiryu sets off on a dangerous journey, with three powerful Tojo Clan bosses gunning for him.
Along the way, friendly faces help him navigate the labyrinth of crime and betrayal. Meanwhile, Majima Goro, one of the franchise’s most beloved characters, has his own struggles. Forced to take the fall for a hit that left 18 men dead, he spends 25 years locked away. Now, despite being the legendary "Lord of the Night" as a top cabaret club manager, he lives in a gilded cage, his every move monitored and controlled. Worse yet, he still carries the guilt of failing his sworn brother, Saejima.
The Yakuza franchise is heavy on story, rewarding players with cinematic moments for all their hard-hitting brawls. The side stories add a unique charm, often balancing the drama with humor and heartfelt moments. We see Kiryu taking care of Haruka, Yumi’s daughter, while Majima sacrifices his love to keep her safe. And when Kiryu finally faces Nishiki as an enemy, we understand just how much has been lost, Nishiki, once his best friend, was broken by the weight of his failures and the expectations placed upon him.
The story keeps getting better with each sequel (ahem, rubber bullets), so if you are intrigued, why not give it a try?
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