Like a Dragon – a beginner’s guide to the best games you (may) haven’t played yet
The Like a Dragon games are becoming increasingly popular. But getting started in the long-running series isn’t easy. Here’s an overview to help.
Note: this article was originally published on 26 January 2024 and updated for the launch of Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii on 20 February 2025.
The long-running Japanese fighting game series is back with a new spin-off. In this crazy spin-off, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, you play an ex-Yakuza who’s lost his memory and becomes a pirate.
This makes it the 24th (!) game in the series. Like a Dragon is a unique, absurd and surprisingly touching franchise. However, finding the right entry point to this Japanese crime epic isn’t easy. The confusing names of its many games don’t make things any easier.
With all this in mind, here’s an overview with tips on where to start your Yakuza adventure.
In short, what are the Yakuza and Like a Dragon games about?
The series can be roughly divided into two sections: the Kiryu saga (Yakuza games) and the Kasuga saga (Like a Dragon games).
In the old Yakuza games, ex-Yakuza Kazuma Kiryu takes centre stage. He was once a loyal soldier of the Tojo clan, one of Japan’s largest Yakuza organisations. In the course of the games, he tries to find a way out of his life of crime. Time and again, the legendary fighter is drawn back into Japan’s underworld by conspiracies and criminal organisations. Both him and people close to him suffer as a result.
Source: Sega
Starting with the seventh mainline game, a new protagonist is in the spotlight – Ichiban Kasuga. He takes the blame for a murder his boss committed and goes to prison for 18 years. After his release, his former boss completely abandons him. Kasuga wants to know why and uncovers a huge conspiracy within the Yakuza.
Source: Sega
The games are known for their absurd humour. Despite their completely crazy characters, side activities and missions, the games manage to tell a serious and emotional story. This unique blend of absurdity and emotion is unparalleled in the gaming world.
Source: devilleon7/YouTube
A clean start with the prequel – Yakuza 0
If you want to experience Kiryu’s saga first, I recommend starting at the very beginning. No, not with part one, but even earlier: with Yakuza 0.
As the name suggests, Yakuza 0 is a prequel to the first game. The game is set in 1988, around 17 years before the events of the first release. You don’t need any previous knowledge of storylines or characters, the game was explicitly designed as an entry point for new fans.
You play as both Kiryu and the iconic Goro Majima. In later Yakuza games, he’s known as a violent psychopath. Here, you find out how this came to be. For many fans, Yakuza 0 offers the best combat system as well as the best side activities and the most exciting story in the entire series.
- Original release: 2015
- Available for: PS3, PS4, Xbox One, PC
- Length: approx. 64 hours
The classic entry – Yakuza Kiwami
It’s the old Star Wars dilemma: should newcomers start with the prequels or the older originals first? If you don’t want to start with the prequel Yakuza 0, it’s best to go with Yakuza Kiwami.
The game is a remake of the first Yakuza, released on the PS2 in 2005. The game was developed from scratch in a new engine, including revised graphics, a new combat system and additional story elements. Once again, you don’t need any previous knowledge to get started.
- Original release: 2017
- Available for: PS3, PS4, Xbox One, PC
- Length: approx. 33 hours
The modern entry – Yakuza: Like a Dragon
If you prefer starting with Kasuga’s story, pick up the seventh mainline title Yakuza: Like a Dragon. It’s the first game with the newer character as protagonist. It’s also the first game in the series to focus on turn-based RPG brawls rather than real-time battles.
Previous knowledge of events from older Yakuza games is an advantage, but not essential. The focus is on Kasuga’s story, Kiryu plays a comparatively small role – he’s legally deceased and has retired from the Yakuza world.
- Original release: 2020
- Available for: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC
- Length: approx. 67 hours
The pirate entry – Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii
In the latest release, you play Kiryu’s psychopathic Yakuza buddy Goro Majima. He’s lost his memory and washes up on the coast of a small island near Hawaii. Through a chain of bizarre coincidences, the forgetful Yakuza becomes a real pirate – complete with his own ship and pirate crew.
It’s an absolutely crazy and absurd adventure that has very little to do with the actual story of the mainline games – at least at the start. If you’ve never played a Like a Dragon game before, Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is a good, if not entirely representative, introduction to the series. Without any previous knowledge of Majima’s Yakuza life, immersing yourself in the amnesia story is even easier.
- Original release: 2025
- Available for: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC
- Length: approx. 25 hours
The historical standalone entry – Like a Dragon: Ishin
You can try an unconventional introduction with Like a Dragon: Ishin. The game’s a bizarre samurai spin-off set at the end of the historical Edo period in the 19th century. Instead of fistfights with Yakuza henchmen, you can expect katana duels in a historical setting in Ishin.
Numerous characters from the mainline games pop up, just in a completely different, historical context. No previous knowledge required.
- Original release: 2014
- Available for: PS3, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC
- Length: approx. 45 hours
The compromise entry – Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name"
In Japanese, Gaiden means something like side story or addition. That perfectly fits Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name. It’s the game with the longest name but the shortest playtime in the series. It was conceived as a small snack and as a link between Yakuza: Like a Dragon (part 7) and Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth (part 8). In terms of content, you can find out why Kiryu has gone into hiding and why Ichiban has taken over as the protagonist.
Admittedly, the game isn’t perfect as an introduction. It’s a jump into the deep end. A compromise if you don’t have enough time to play through all the old Yakuza games with Kiryu. The game gives you a relatively compact impression of how the older Yakuza games felt in terms of gameplay. It also gives you a solid foundation of content to better understand Kiryu’s storyline in Kasuga’s Like a Dragon games. But prepare to be confused – the game references past storylines and characters from the Kiryu saga non-stop.
- Original release: 2023
- Available for: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC
- Length: approx. 21 hours
Starting with the detective spin-off – Judgement
Are you taken with the Japanese setting and absurd humour of the Like a Dragon games, but completely overwhelmed by the staggering number of entries? Then I recommend the detective drama Judgement.
The game’s set in the Like a Dragon universe. Environments and characters from the series also make an appearance. But you don’t need any previous knowledge. The plot focuses on ex-lawyer Takayuki Yagami, who’s investigating a brutal series of murders in Tokyo’s red light district. The gameplay is reminiscent of classic Yakuza games with its chaotic real-time battles. It’s supplemented with detective mini-games.
- Original release: 2019
- Available for: PS4, Xbox One, PC
- Length: approx. 45 hours
Entry point for manga fans – Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise
The most unconventional entry into the world of Like a Dragon is the spin-off Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise. The game is an adaptation of the manga of the same name and has nothing to do with the Like a Dragon universe in terms of content. In terms of gameplay, however, it’s very close to the over-the-top combat of the Yakuza games. Critics claim it’s just a Yakuza game with anime skins. Speaking of which, there’s even an official Kiryu skin.
- Original release: 2018
- Available for: PS4
- Length: approx. 31 hours
An overview of every Like a Dragon and Yakuza game
To help you plan your catch-up, here’s an overview of every game in the series. You can sort the table by year of release, playtime and order in the story. Suggested entry points are marked with an asterisk. The list only includes games released outside of Japan.
Header image: Sega
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Domagoj Belancic
Senior Editor
Domagoj.Belancic@digitecgalaxus.chMy love of video games was unleashed at the tender age of five by the original Gameboy. Over the years, it's grown in leaps and bounds.
