Since there are a lot of questions regarding where to go next in the Yakuza series for newcomers after Kiwami and 0, I thought I would repost this little FAQ I made (with some modifications).
Since the history of the Yakuza series is messy in the west, I thought making this FAQ/Guide would be helpful for those wanting to experience more of the story but don't know much about the rest of the series.
Official Websites and other notable publications
Ryu Ga Gotoku JP Official Website
Yakuza SEGA US Official Website
Yakuza Experience Interactive Guide Website
Yakuza Fan.com, a fansite that covers all things Ryu Ga Gotoku
General:
What is the difference between Ryu Ga Gotoku and Yakuza?
- The Yakuza series is called Ryu Ga Gotoku (Like a Dragon | 龍が如く) in Asian countries.
Are there any Yakuza games that didn't make it over to the West?
- Yes, but they are spin-offs. Ryu Ga Gotoku Kenzan! and Ishin both take place in feudal Japan. Kurohyou is a series of spin-offs released for PSP by the developers of Def Jam. They are good games but are not necessary to enjoying the main canonical plotline of the series.
What is Yakuza: Dead Souls? Is it canon?
- No, this is a spin-off game about a zombie outbreak occurring in Kamurocho, and focuses on shooting mechanics rather than brawling. It's full of fan-service and quirky moments the series is known for, but was not well received in the West and ultimately not a fundamental game in the series. It does star fan favourites like Goro Majima (who you know from Zero) and Ryuji Goda from Yakuza 2, which is fun. You can buy it physically or digitally on PS3.
What is Yakuza Kiwami and how is it different from 6?
- Yakuza Kiwami is a full remake of the first Yakuza game with additional content, and uses the same gameplay from Yakuza 0. Yakuza 6: The Song of Life is an upcoming title that follows Yakuza 5 chronologically and is built on a completely new engine that utilizes the power of the PS4. Kiwami was released on both PS3 and PS4 in Japan but will only be available on PS4 in the West.
Where can I buy older Yakuza games?
- Yakuza 1 and 2 were released on PS2, with a HD Remaster collection available exclusively in Japan. Yakuza 3, 4, Dead Souls, and 5 are on PS3. You can buy the latter three games on the Playstation Network but the first three may be hard to come by. There is a limited reprint issued for the first four games available at certain retailers and Amazon.
Why are some names changed from Zero?
- Yakuza 1 changed many names during the localisation process to avoid confusion. Since Shintaro Kazama's name was too close to Kazuma's, he was changed to Shintaro Fuma. Nishikiyama was shortened to Nishiki. The Florist of Sai (Sai no Hanaya) was changed to Kage the Florist. These are the only really significant name changes, but they are important to keep in mind since Kazama is referred to as Fuma until Yakuza 4.
Do any of the games feature an English voice track?
- Only the first game. From 2 onward, they have been Japanese with English subtitles.
I played the Japanese version of the game(s) and they had a different soundtrack during select sequences than the international version. Why?
- This is due to licensing fees. SEGA America opts not to re-license commercial songs, which is why intros and select scenes in the game will have different music.
What is Yakuza: Like a Dragon?
- It is a film adaptation of the first game directed by Takeshi Miike and starring famous Japanese crime-genre actors like Kazuki Kitamura and Show Aikawa. You can watch it on select streaming services or buy it here.
Have Ryu Ga Gotoku Studios made any other games separate from the Yakuza series?
- Yes. They created a third-person, squad-based shooter game called Binary Domain in 2012. It's rather good and has all the great writing and character development you would see in a Yakuza title. It is available physically and digitally on PS3, Xbox 360 and digitally on PC. In Japan, it even included a dlc pack for multiplayer where you could play as the cast from Yakuza: Dead Souls.
Are there any new games coming out from Ryu Ga Gotoku Studios in the near future?
- Yes. RGG Studios is currently working on Ryu Ga Gotoku: Kiwami 2, a remake of Yakuza 2, which will be releasing this winter in Japan. In addition, they are working an online RGG game for Windows and Mobile Phones and a spin-off based on Fist of the North Star/Hokuto no Ken titled "Hokuto Ga Gotoku". Also, they are working on a new console Yakuza game codenamed as "Shin: Ryu Ga Gotoku" (New Yakuza).
Who is this Kazuga Ichiban guy I've been seeing in all of the new Yakuza announcement videos?
- Ichiban is the official new protagonist of Ryu Ga Gotoku starting with Ryu Ga Gotoku Online and continuing onto New Yakuza. He will replace the Kazuma Kiryu, who was the starring protagonist since Yakuza 1 on PS2.
Yakuza 1 (Ryu Ga Gotoku)
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Released in 2005 in Japan, 2006 in the West | 2016 in Japan, August 29 2017 in the West (Kiwami)
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Platform: PS2, PS3 and Wii U (HD, Japan-only), PS4 (Kiwami | Disc and digital)
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Only game to have a full English dub, featuring a fairly star-studded cast including Mark Hamill, Rachel Leigh Cook and Dwight Schulz
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HD Remaster was released in 2012 for PS3 and 2013 for Wii U exclusively in Japan. Included improved controls and came bundled with an HD Remaster of Yakuza 2.
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Remade in 2016 as Yakuza: Kiwami. Kiwami is a full remake made with Yakuza 0's engine and includes extra content explaining motivations for underdeveloped characters like Nishikiyama and Yumi and extra boss battles with Goro Majima (Majima Anywhere).
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Kiwami's launch edition included a steelbook and slipcover depicting the Koi and Dragon tattoos of Nishiki and Kiryu respectively as well as key art of Kamurocho.
Yakuza 2 (Ryu Ga Gotoku 2)
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Released 2006 in Japan, 2008 in the West | Winter 2018 in Japan (Kiwami 2)
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Platforms: PS2, PS3 and Wii U (HD, Japan only)
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Rarest Yakuza game yet, very limited print run
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Introduces Daigo Dojima and the Omi Alliance, so don't skip this one
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First game to have another city in the form of Sotenbori
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Starts with optional lengthy flashback to the first game
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HD Remaster was released in 2012 for PS3 and 2013 for Wii U exclusively in Japan. Included improved controls and came bundled with an HD Remaster of the first Yakuza.
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Will be remade as Ryu Ga Gotoku: Kiwami 2 for PS4, which will release this December in Japan. This remake will be built on Yakuza 6's Dragon Engine and will feature a new scenario featuring fan favourite character Goro Majima.
Yakuza 3 (Ryu Ga Gotoku 3)
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Released 2009 in Japan, 2010 in West
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Platforms: PS3 (Disc only)
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Hard to find since no digital release
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Western release was cut heavily for content. Hostess clubs and around 30 sub-stories were removed, as well as many minigames. Full list of changes here
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Has a (paid) DLC pack that adds local 2-player minigames and costumes
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Features two cities: Kamurocho and Okinawa
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Knowledge of Yakuza 1 and 2 recommended, but starts with optional flashbacks for both those games
Yakuza 4 (Ryu Ga Gotoku 4: Densetsu wo Tsugu Mono)
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Released 2010 in Japan, 2011 in the west
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First game to feature multiple characters. This one has four: Akiyama, a loan-shark; Saejima, a criminal convicted for killing 18 members of a rival gang; Tanimura, a cop notorious for gambling and dealing with foreigners; and Kiryu Kazuma himself.
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Each character has a different fighting style and story that intersects with the other three
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Kiryu plays a much smaller role here, and it is said that this is a good beginning point for newcomers thanks to that
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Instead of featuring multiple cities, Kamurocho is expanded to include rooftops and underground malls and parking lots
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Includes recap videos for the first three games
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There is a free DLC pack that allows you to interact with Haruka and adds two new Karaoke tracks
Yakuza 5 (Ryu Ga Gotoku 5: Yume, Kanaeshi Mono)
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Released 2012 in Japan, 2015 in the West
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Platforms: PS3 (Digital only)
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Disc format only available in Asian countries. Game was a digital-only game in the West.
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Features 5 playable characters: Kiryu, Saejima and Akiyama from the previous game, a newcomer Shinada, and Kiryu's adopted-daughter Haruka
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Features new graphics engine with more detailed character models
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Massive game with an incredible amount of content. Side stories that are fully fleshed out and feature varied minigames like taxi-racing, hunting, dancing and baseball batting
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Features five cities: Kamurocho in Tokyo, Sapporo, Nagoya, Hokkaido and Osaka
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Requires knowledge of past games
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Unlike the previous titles, Yakuza 5 does NOT contain any recap videos
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All DLC was included in the digital Western release
Yakuza 0 (Ryu Ga Gotoku 0: Chikai no Basho)
Release Date: 2015 (Japan), January 2016 Worldwide
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Prequel starring Majima Goro and a younger Kiryu Kazuma as playable characters.
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Fairly standalone story, no knowledge of previous games required
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Features Sotenbori and Kamurocho for playable locations
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Each character has four different fighting styles - three varied movesets and one Legend mode only obtainable after completing each character's side-story
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Side-stories include real estate management for Kiryu and a playing as a Cabaret Club manager for Goro
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DLC was released each week for one month following release and pertained to bonus items similar to other Yakuza titles.
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The Day One edition of the game included a metal business card holder with three business card mock-ups.
Yakuza 6: The Song of Life (Ryu Ga Gotoku 6: Inochi no Uta)
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Release Date: 2016 (Japan), March 20, 2018 (west)
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Platforms: PS4 , PS4 Pro (Disc Launch Edition and After Hours Premium Edition)
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Billed as Kazuma Kiryu's last game, is the only playable character
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While knowledge of the previous games is an asset, the game is fairly standalone with a new cast of supporting characters and is easy for newcomers to get into
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That being said, it starts with 5's ending so if you don't want spoilers on that end, beat Yakuza 5 before playing this
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First game since Yakuza 3 to be built on a new engine. As a result, the graphical quality has increased and the combat and gameplay has changed dramatically
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Features two cities: Kamurocho and Hiroshima
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There are story recaps for the previous five games (sans Zero) in the form of slides
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There is a demo out on the Japanese Playstation store currently, but it covers the first 2 hours of the game so keep in mind it is spoiler heavy
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PS4 Pro updates include a resolution boost from 900p to 1080p, eliminates screen tearing and most shimmering issues
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NA Day One edition will come with an artbook slipcover. There is a collectors edition as well, that comes with a hardcover artbook and drinking glasses.
Let me know if there is anything I could do to improve this list. I hope it helps people decide on which Yakuza game to play next. Enjoy!
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