Every Yakuza Game Ranked From Worst To Best
5. Yakuza: Like A Dragon (2020)
When RGG Studio announced that the next game in the series would be a full-blown RPG, many fans were understandably skeptical. The franchise already established itself firmly as a beat-up franchise and so could it survive this big leap?
The answer is a resounding YES as Yakuza: Like A Dragon took the series in a bold direction, despite a few hiccups here and there.
The RPG mechanics were solid, and maintained the series' aesthetic with numerous ridiculous moves from sky lasers to throwing thumbtacks at enemies. There are different classes to choose from where you can customize your party, while the Poundmates system allows for veteran characters to appear as summons. It also helps that the title is propelled by an interesting story featuring new protagonist Ichiban Kasuga, and his journey in Yokohama.
Sure there are some criticisms like the ragdoll system dragging the combat, and boss battles requiring ridiculous amounts of grinding, but Like A Dragon gets away unscathed due to its charming presentation. The game retains the Yakuza feel with its story, combat and minigames, yet is an exciting step forward for such a long-running IP.