Yakuza games in order: by release date, chronologically and ranked

Yakuza games in order: by release date, chronologically and ranked
There has never been a better time to play Yakuza games. The series made its western debut in 2006 and was previously exclusive to Sony platforms for several years. All of that has recently changed, as Yakuza's unique brand of action-adventure is now available on a host of platforms, including PS4, PS5, Steam, and Xbox Game Pass for console and PC. The Yakuza games revolve around the steely protagonist Kazuma Kiryu, who you follow on a journey into the heart of Japan's seedy underworld. You'll experience the life of a hard-nosed Yakuza, and while there's plenty to do (and people to shake), it's not all work and it's not all play. There are an incredible number of recreational activities on offer, from singing to karaoke, dining in restaurants, and playing Sega classics in arcades; you'll even end up running a cabaret club. Combat is a mainstay, as you'd expect in a world where conflicts are often resolved violently. You'll fight all manner of shadowy thugs, delivering devastating combos and overwhelming 'heat' moves that will make even the most hardened player cringe. Yakuza is certainly a mature series at heart, but it can also be downright fun. It's amazing how he manages to strike such a fine balance between being absolutely brutal and totally insane at the same time. It also makes definition difficult. Yakuza is often referred to as "Japanese Grand Theft Auto" or a spiritual successor to Sega's Shenmue series, but that doesn't do it justice. It's a mix of so many different systems and mechanics, from RPG progression to rhythm-based minigames, and it's much more story-driven than Rockstar's GTA. It also connects everything so beautifully that it really feels like there's nothing quite like it. With Yakuza: Like A Dragon out now, which is the eighth main entry in the series, we'll show you how to play the Yakuza games in order, how they rank compared to reviews, and list all the Yakuza games released to date. . Ready to show your dedication? It's time to hit the streets of Kamurocho and find out what it means to be a Yakuza...

How to play Yakuza games in order: chronological order

(Image credit: SEGA) Even if you're familiar with Sega's long run, the Yakuza timeline can be a bit confusing. To play the games in chronological order, you'll need to start with Yakuza 0, where a fresh-faced young Kazuma Kiryu begins to make his mark. Then there's Yakuza Kiwami and Yakuza Kiwami 2 (great remakes of Yakuza and Yakuza 2), and then... well, that's pretty self-explanatory from there. Here's how to read them all in chronological order:

How to play Yakuza games in order: release date and platform

(Image credit: SEGA) Want to play Yakuza games in order of release? Well, you'll have to dust off your old PlayStation 2 to play the first game in all its standard definition glory. However, we do not recommend doing this, as you can play Yakuza Kiwami and Yakuza Kiwami 2, which are modern remakes of the first two games. It should also keep him from going to the attic.

Yakuza: Like A Dragon gameplay, release date and exclusivity

(Image credit: Microsoft) The next mainline game in the Yakuza series, Yakuza: Like A Dragon, is a big change from previous games due to its combat system. Instead of real-time fighting, Yakuza: Like A Dragon gameplay features turn-based RPG combat, allowing for unique encounters. Characters now also have jobs (think character classes), and you need to manage your party member appropriately based on your playstyle. Another change for the series is the fact that Yakuza: Like A Dragon is set in the Yokohama ward of Isezaki Ijincho, based on the actual Isezakicho ward of Yokohama. Previous Yakuza games have mostly focused on Tokyo and its fictional recreation of Kubukicho, so it's refreshing to see a new location. We also get to play as a new protagonist, Ichiban Kasuga, instead of series mainstay Kazuma Kiryu. Yakuza: Like A Dragon is available now on PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and PC on November 10, 2020, and will also be coming to PS5, albeit three months later, on March 2, 2021. The PS4 version of the game you will receive one. Free upgrade to the PS5 version when it launches next year, however your save file will not carry over. Yakuza: Like A Dragon also supports Xbox Smart Delivery, which means that if you buy the Xbox One version, you'll get the Xbox Series X version for free. It is also an Xbox Series X launch title and one of the best Xbox Series X games.

Yakuza games on Xbox Game Pass for console and PC

(Image credit: SEGA) One of the biggest surprises of Microsoft's X019 event was the announcement of the final arrival of the Yakuza series on Xbox and, more importantly, Xbox Game Pass. Yakuza: Like a Dragon is also coming to Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PS4, PS5, and PC, and is a launch title for Microsoft's new console. If you're an Xbox Game Pass subscriber, here are the Yakuza games you can download right now. Buy Xbox Game Pass today

Best Yakuza Games Ranked

(Image credit: SEGA) While all game reviews are completely subjective, we've listed the best Yakuza games based on their metacritic rating. We highly recommend playing Yakuza 0 first if you are new to the series, as it is the most successful version of the game and makes for a great introduction. It is also the highest rated game according to critics, along with Yakuza Kiwami 2. Enter the world of Yakuza Yakuza: Like a Dragon -... Yakuza 6: Song of Life... Yakuza Remastered Collection...

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