Yakuza/Like a Dragon Megathread

[Fray Guillermo]

Combat was ass (unsure if worse than Y3 tho) but I enjoyed the story a lot

 

[fake-kun]

story was great, honestly. combat was wonky but super heat mode was OP af. I'm glad morning glory got it's happy ending, I would of been so fucking pissed if yuta died.

Good for you.

 

[ArkenDev]

Combat was ass (unsure if worse than Y3 tho) but I enjoyed the story a lot

Yakuza 3 combat was not ass, you just suck. Plus the Remastered versions fuck-up the timings on AI behavior.

 

[Fray Guillermo]

Yakuza 3 combat was not ass, you just suck. Plus the Remastered versions fuck-up the timings on AI behavior.

Well, then it's the remaster version's fault, not mine, isn't it? I had no trouble beating y3 but it felt boring, even if its story was among my favourites

 

[Konatalzumi]

Yakuza 3 combat was not ass, you just suck. Plus the Remastered versions fuck-up the timings on AI behavior.

Groundpound move completely changed my perspective on the games combat in Y3. it completely ignored enemies blocks and did extra damage while they were on the ground as for yakuza 6, super heat mode gave me a fighting chance, plus, blocking was rarer for enemies

Post automatically merged: Apr 7, 2025

I was honestly pretty underwhelmed by the story of Yakuza 6. I like Kiryu as the nurturing father type, and I was interested in the mystery to find Haruto's dad. But I was dissatisfied by how Haruka was put in coma jail the whole time, the mystery around the yakuza cover-up of the Yamato mark II, and how bitch ass Daigo Dojima got a heartfelt letter instead of his own fucking kids!!! Plus no weapons and fewer Heat actions is pretty lame

Yeah, but you gotta remember, weapons in the dragon engine are kinda.. ass. like in kiwami the wooden katana is not as OP as it is in yakuza 1 (ps2)

 

[Konatalzumi]

Me when I'm the freshest mf in the yakuza series

 

[Evaccaneer Doom]

Me when I’m beaten by the guy in the unlocalized sub series in freshness:

 

[therealiiesaiyan]

Akiyama is right there lmao

 

[DunkeyKong]

Me when Majima:

 

[Konatalzumi]

Akiyama is right there lmao

akiyama is #2, teenage daigo is the freshest of his era

 

[ArkenDev]

Daigo has absolutely nothing on this random npc

 

[Jimbo_McDumbo]

I follow RGG on Insta and I am getting sick of just hearing about Yakuza 0. Which is a fantastic game don't get me wrong. I think the focus on cash for upgrading or doing anything streamlines gameplay and strengthens the theme of the story and grounds it in the bubble period. But I wish casual enjoyers would dive into the great, the good, and the bad of the rest of the series. Like I love Yakuza 3 and hate it at the same time, but I get blank stares when I start to talk about it. I pray that more people play the series and fall in love with it like I did. Beyond 0.

I am so passionate about this because Yakuza was my way out during the lockdowns in 2020 and most of 2021. I got out of high school with dreams of seeing the world, but as soon as I started adult life and got a job, I was locked in a concrete shoebox with nothing to do. My hopes were dashed and I was feeling restless. Until I saw the whole mainline series on Gamepass. Life still sucked but I had an outlet/obsession. I started like 99% of new fans with 0, I devoured that moved on to the Kiwami duology, the PS3 era games, then the Dragon engine games. And I loved all of it, except for 6 because why does bitch ass Daigo Dojima get a heartfelt goodbye letter and not Haruka or the rest of the Morning Glory kids?!! 6 aside each game has a special place in my heart as games and as times in my life. That's why I want to get my thoughts out and hear from you guys.

Unrelated Opinions on each mainline game

Spoiler: Rants on the mainline series

Yakuza 0: Good game. You know this and I know this. But a lot of missed potential when it comes to Kiryu's side of the story. Since he starts the game as a noble and kind man with a hard edge and ends as a noble and kind man with a hard edge.

Yakuza Kiwami: decent little remake, but it definitely should've cut some of the fat from the original story and strengthened the revisions more. The depth they added to Nishiki was great, but there should've been more. It was like a tangy sauce on the side of an expensive meal, elegantly presented dots against the bulk of the meal, while I wanted that sauce smothering the meal like barbeque sauce on a rack of ribs.

Yakuza Kiwami 2: First experience with the Dragon Engine and I was impressed. I even liked the green filter if I'm being honest. Kaoru Sayama is an total badass and I was really happy to see how much chemistry she had with Kiryu. I also love the way eating and drinking affect gameplay. Bonus points go to the game for letting me beat the tar out of Daigo Dojima in the opening hours

Yakuza 3: Shortly after playing Yakuza 3 I had the privilege to visit Tokyo and Okinawa and I was blown away by how I already felt home on the streets of Kabukicho and the cozy shopping streets of Okinawa. I am not ashamed to say that the story in Yakuza 3 from the jump made me cry like a bitch. I don't know what it was but so many moments had me sobbing ugly tears. Granted in terms of gameplay it was hard to readjust to an older style, but it is absolutely fascinating how all of the building blocks for the rest of the series are right here.

Yakuza 4: Was fantastic. I loved Akiyama, Saejima, Tanimura, and a returning Kiryu let loose on a Kamurocho that was bigger than ever. Going up, down, and all around Tokyo was great. And while the story is really shaky in the broad strokes, Damn did it have some killer moments and deeply charming characters. All the side quests were really fun, and really accentuated the 4 leads distinct personalities. Bonus points once again for letting me beat the hell out of Daigo Dojima

Yakuza 5: God Damn, this game is denser than a brick. I had to put it down for a month or two because it was so overwhelmingly BIG. 5 characters, 4 cities, and 5 mini games deep enough to be their own games. I spent the most time on Kiryu, Saejima, and Haruka. The story was complicated for me since I really liked Saejima's escape, Haruka's rise to the top, and Shinada's finding his place in the world. But Akiyama felt like an after thought and I was furious at Kiryu for abandoning his kids. Bonus points once again for being able to smack around Daigo Dojima.

Yakuza 6: mostly a tech demo for the Dragon engine. Really didn't care for the changes to Heat and the inability to use weapons. I liked the calm Hiroshima town in terms of vibes, but hated the lack of activities and stores. Fuck Daigo Dojima

Yakuza 7: This was a breath of fresh air. I love Ichiban Kasuga, as a hero he is a perfect contrast to the stalwart Kazuma Kiryu. The story hooked me, and made me cry plenty of times. I love how everyone chats with each other while walking around. But I wish you could skip fights with fodder enemies and Yokohama was so damn big that it was a trek to get anywhere. The English dub is pretty damn good, Kaji Tang really makes Ichiban his own, his performance has a real warmth and earnestness.

Yakuza 8: This game was great, gameplay is focused and improved in every way, but it officially killed any drama of nearly killing Kiryu for me. I was genuinely scared that Kiryu would die, but he didn't for like the 5th time. Fool me once shame on you, fool me 5 times then shame on both of us for keeping this up. Also Ichiban proposing to Saeko on their first date had me screaming at my TV like your Dad shouts at the referee penalizing his favorite team.

 

[Yousef Yousef]

Sure, let’s talk about it.
What do you wanna talk about?

 

[Jimbo_McDumbo]

Hot takes, cold takes, anything at this point m8

 

[Deleted member 560402]

they need to bring back the zombie one

 

[ThatOneLum ThatOneLum]

This is quite a coinky dink.

I just posted on my status about trying to slog my way through 5 so I can finally hit the next gen sandbox of 6 lmao.

I've owned Song of LIfe for literally years, but it has remained in plastic on my shelf until I can beat the rest of the series.

I originally tried to complete 4 a bunch of times (because I had it on PS3 for free) but kept bouncing off of it during character transitions. Since then, I've gone back and played every mainline game in the series other than 0.

I have to say, it has given me a new appreciation for Kazuma Kiryu, though I'm not exactly upset about Shun Akiyama either; they're both fun characters.

Somewhat feel like other elements of these later games have misstepped in places, though partially that was due to playing the updated Kiwami versions of 1/2, then going back to these simple remasters for 3/4/5 without any pausing in the cutscenes until you hit 5.

A friend warned me about the pacing in 5, and I do agree that it's a bit of a slog. Hours and hours spent working as a taxi driver, and then as a bear hunter, with a brief stint as a prisoner in between.

Currently, I'm on the last part of Taiga's parts in 5 and about to move onto Haruka/Shun Akiyama, which I'm looking forward to. Have to admit, it's been nice to revisit the sandbox from 2 again, as well as getting that Sapporo sandbox in Hokdaido as well. Reminds me of Golden Kamuy a bit.

Post automatically merged: May 30, 2025

they need to bring back the zombie one

I also have this saved on my PS3 harddrive because I've been dying to try it out. Going to revisit it once I'm done with the main games. I know it's supposed to take place during/after 4 but I've also heard mixed things so I Didn't want to try it until I'm already done with the others.

 

[Yousef Yousef]

I follow RGG on Insta and I am getting sick of just hearing about Yakuza 0.

Wholeheartedly agreed there.

But I wish casual enjoyers would dive into the great, the good, and the bad of the rest of the series. Like I love Yakuza 3 and hate it at the same time,

It’s my favorite!

but I get blank stares when I start to talk about it.

Me too.

I pray that more people play the series and fall in love with it like I did. Beyond 0.

Sadly they all stop after K2 (og is better tbh)

I am so passionate about this because Yakuza was my way out during the lockdowns in 2020 and most of 2021.

I got into it in 2017. Played all games as they come out. Good series.

I got out of high school with dreams of seeing the world, but as soon as I started adult life and got a job, I was locked in a concrete shoebox with nothing to do.

Wow we have similar backgrounds

My hopes were dashed and I was feeling restless. Until I saw the whole mainline series on Gamepass.

Ssme I played them on GP on Xbox but I own them on ps4 too and might play on steam too cuz I’m friends with some modders.

Life still sucked but I had an outlet/obsession. I started like 99% of new fans with 0, I devoured that moved on to the Kiwami duology, the PS3 era games, then the Dragon engine games. And I loved all of it, except for 6 because why does bitch ass Daigo Dojima get a heartfelt goodbye letter and not Haruka or the rest of the Morning Glory kids?!!

LOOOOOOOL

6 aside each game has a special place in my heart as games and as times in my life. That's why I want to get my thoughts out and hear from you guys.

Awesome

Spoiler

Unrelated Opinions on each mainline game

Spoiler: Rants on the mainline series

Yakuza 0: Good game. You know this and I know this. But a lot of missed potential when it comes to Kiryu's side of the story. Since he starts the game as a noble and kind man with a hard edge and ends as a noble and kind man with a hard edge.

Spoiler: Rants on the mainline series

Agreed

Yakuza Kiwami: decent little remake, but it definitely should've cut some of the fat from the original story and strengthened the revisions more. The depth they added to Nishiki was great, but there should've been more. It was like a tangy sauce on the side of an expensive meal, elegantly presented dots against the bulk of the meal, while I wanted that sauce smothering the meal like barbeque sauce on a rack of ribs.

Yakuza Kiwami 2: First experience with the Dragon Engine and I was impressed. I even liked the green filter if I'm being honest. Kaoru Sayama is a total badass and I was really happy to see how much chemistry she had with Kiryu. I also love the way eating and drinking affect gameplay. Bonus points go to the game for letting me beat the tar out of Daigo Dojima in the opening hours

OGs are better tbh

Yakuza 3: Shortly after playing Yakuza 3 I had the privilege to visit Tokyo and Okinawa

Duuude that’s so sick

and I was blown away by how I already felt home on the streets of Kabukicho and the cozy shopping streets of Okinawa. I am not ashamed to say that the story in Yakuza 3 from the jump made me cry like a bitch.

Same

I don't know what it was but so many moments had me sobbing ugly tears. Granted in terms of gameplay it was hard to readjust to an older style, but it is absolutely fascinating how all of the building blocks for the rest of the series are right here.

It’s a good game

Yakuza 4: Was fantastic. I loved Akiyama, Saejima, Tanimura, and a returning Kiryu let loose on a Kamurocho that was bigger than ever. Going up, down, and all around Tokyo was great. And while the story is really shaky in the broad strokes, Damn did it have some killer moments and deeply charming characters. All the side quests were really fun, and really accentuated the 4 leads distinct personalities. Bonus points once again for letting me beat the hell out of Daigo Dojima

Same I agree I love 4 nice to see another one who appreciates it. Even 3 fans hate 4 lol. I loved all 4 chars. Hell yeah beating daigo was awesome.

Yakuza 5: God Damn, this game is denser than a brick. I had to put it down for a month or two because it was so overwhelmingly BIG. 5 characters, 4 cities, and 5 mini games deep enough to be their own games. I spent the most time on Kiryu, Saejima, and Haruka. The story was complicated for me since I really liked Saejima's escape, Haruka's rise to the top, and Shinada's finding his place in the world. But Akiyama felt like an after thought and I was furious at Kiryu for abandoning his kids.

I love 5

Bonus points once again for being able to smack around Daigo Dojima.

So true

Yakuza 6: mostly a tech demo for the Dragon engine.

Even the devs admitted it

Really didn't care for the changes to Heat and the inability to use weapons. I liked the calm Hiroshima town in terms of vibes, but hated the lack of activities and stores.

It was ok. I platted it and still didn’t care for if.

Fuck Daigo Dojima

So real.

Yakuza 7: This was a breath of fresh air. I love Ichiban Kasuga, as a hero he is a perfect contrast to the stalwart Kazuma Kiryu. The story hooked me, and made me cry plenty of times. I love how everyone chats with each other while walking around.

So true

But I wish you could skip fights with fodder enemies and Yokohama was so damn big that it was a trek to get anywhere.

Yeahhhhh

The English dub is pretty damn good, Kaji Tang really makes Ichiban his own, his performance has a real warmth and earnestness.

Agreed I love Kaiji Tang so much

Yakuza 8: This game was great, gameplay is focused and improved in every way, but it officially killed any drama of nearly killing Kiryu for me.

Kiryu literally died like 4 times by now it’s stupid.

I was genuinely scared that Kiryu would die, but he didn't for like the 5th time. Fool me once shame on you, fool me 5 times then shame on both of us for keeping this up.

LOOOL

Also Ichiban proposing to Saeko on their first date had me screaming at my TV like your Dad shouts at the referee penalizing his favorite team.

LOOOOOOL

 

[Yousef Yousef]

Hot takes, cold takes, anything at this point m8

Nice my hot takes are 3 and 4 are my favorite and my cold take is that 0 is really fun. My lukewarm takes is that 5 is good and the ps2 OGs are also good. That’s kinda it. I need to play the psp games too.

 

[Jimbo_McDumbo]

they need to bring back the zombie one

Honestly I think they should remake Dead Souls. RGG made a decent 3rd person FPS after with Binary Domain. I'm sure that the zombies and other creatures would look fantastic in the Dragon engine.

 

[Yousef Yousef]

Honestly I think they should remake Dead Souls. RGG made a decent 3rd person FPS after with Binary Domain. I'm sure that the zombies and other creatures would look fantastic in the Dragon engine.

SAAAME I agree dead souls is so awesome and i actually love binary domain it’s backwards compatible so it’s really easy to play on Xbox.

 

[Jimbo_McDumbo]

Nice my hot takes are 3 and 4 are my favorite and my cold take is that 0 is really fun. My lukewarm takes is that 5 is good and the ps2 OGs are also good. That’s kinda it. I need to play the psp games too.

I'd love to play the Black Panther games. But I also hear that there is an award winning J-Drama adapting the story. Also I'll never forgive RGG for adding that whole run around quest for Yumi's ring in Kiwami when they already made a beautiful 40 minute short film on the Sunflower Orphans becoming adults that came out in 2005

 

[ThatOneLum ThatOneLum]

Wait, they made PSP yakuza Games?!?!

 

[Jimbo_McDumbo]

Yea, Kurohyo 1 and 2. They're about a cocky and strong teenager joining the underground fighting circuit. Apparently you can make your own combos and the fighting is kinda like those Def Jam games. I haven't seen much but the cutscenes are in an ultrakino black and white comic style

 

[Yousef Yousef]

I'd love to play the Black Panther games. But I also hear that there is an award winning J-Drama adapting the story. Also I'll never forgive RGG for adding that whole run around quest for Yumi's ring in Kiwami when they already made a beautiful 40 minute short film on the Sunflower Orphans becoming adults that came out in 2005

It is but it’s only subbed in French

 

[Yousef Yousef]

Wait, they made PSP yakuza Games?!?!

It’s fun

Yea, Kurohyo 1 and 2. They're about a cocky and strong teenager joining the underground fighting circuit. Apparently you can make your own combos and the fighting is kinda like those Def Jam games. I haven't seen much but the cutscenes are in an ultrakino black and white comic style

Yeah it’s like tekken