Every Yakuza Game Ranked From Worst To Best
1. Yakuza 0 (2015)
Yakuza 0 turned the series into the worldwide phenomenon. As a prequel to the original, this entry not only was accessible for newcomers, but offered fan service for longtime players.
0 fixes the overstuffed story of the last two games by focusing on two protagonists: Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima. The title introduces numerous new supporting characters such as Makoto and Kuze while expanding on previously underdeveloped figures like Akira Nishikiyama and Masato Sera.
By streamlining the story and making things less convoluted, Yakuza 0 has one of the most tightly-written plots in the series that is both well-done and heart-wrenching.
Of course, the story would be nothing without gameplay and thankfully, the title features some of the most robust in the franchise with both characters having four main fighting styles. This encourages players to strategize and experiment with a deep upgrade system to boot. Aside from combat, there are tons of minigames such as disco, karaoke, real estate management and hostess clubs.
Yakuza 0 is a well-done game that thankfully garnered international attention, becoming responsible for the series' surge of popularity in the West.
Without it, the franchise wouldn't have expanded to the heights it sees today.