Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth released in January 2024. All over the world, The Yakuza franchise fans are clamoring to get their hands on the brand-new title from Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio.
The Sega-published game is a direct sequel to Yakuza: Like a Dragon (2020) and Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name (2023). While this game is yet to be critically reviewed with fans just beginning to sink their teeth into the new game, how did all the previous The Yakuza/Like a Dragon franchise mainline games and spinoffs fare?
We have ranked the games in descending order with the pick of the lot at the very end. Without further ado, let us get started.
15. Yakuza: Dead Souls (2011)
The zombie premise of the game was a far cry from the original identity of the game. While it could have been a good installment, a disconnected storyline, and awkward shooter gameplay made it the worst game of the franchise. The graphics of the game haven’t aged well either.
14. Yakuza (2005)
The first game of The Yakuza/Like a Dragon franchise was a big hit when it was released which led the studio to churn out Yakuza 2, 3, and 4 within the next 5 years. However, fast forward 19 years, and the graphics haven’t aged well at all as compared to some of the later games in the installment. The relatively simple storyline and gameplay mechanics ensure that it ranks as one of the worst Yakuza games of all time.
13. Yakuza 3 (2009)
The game came out with swashbuckling graphics which are still pretty acceptable to date. However, the orphanage management minigame available in it has divided fan opinions regarding it. The storyline isn’t that compact and the combat mechanics are way less engaging when compared to the other games in the franchise.
12. Yakuza 6: The Song of Life (2016)
The shortest entry in the franchise also feels rushed and does not do justice to being the final chapter for Kazuma Kiryu. The new picturesque setting of Onumichi, which takes some getting used to, is vastly different from the streets of Kamurocho. The graphics and the story are noteworthy but the lack of action-packed sequences make it the best of the lower-tier entries.
11. Yakuza 2 (2006)
The second installment of the franchise was considerably darker than its predecessor. The graphics were also pretty decent at the time. However, the combat mechanics of the game haven’t aged well at all. The emotional themes are used beautifully to delve deeper into Kiryu’s past. The clunky combat mechanics disrupt the fluidity of the game, making it a firmly mid-tier entry.
10. Yakuza 4 (2009)
A focused and well-developed storyline ensured that this game did not drown to the lowest tier but the clunky combat mechanics of Yakuza 2 was retained much to general displeasure. It makes for an enjoyable experience but lacks the refinement of the later installments from the franchise. Sparse variety plays a major role in the entry being a mid-tier game at best.
9. Yakuza 5 (2012)
This was one of the more ambitious entries from the franchise as they introduced five different playable characters with unique gameplay styles and storylines. But maybe the developers bit off more than they bargained for as the character arcs feel highly underdeveloped. The storyline feels wildly disjointed in places making for a pretty confusing experience. The combat experience introduced a lot more variety but was still not as refined as some of the best entries of The Yakuza/Like a Dragon franchise.
8. Yakuza: Kiwami 2 (2017)
This game was a remake of the original Yakuza 2. It improved significantly on the graphics and combat mechanics of the original entry which make for a considerably better experience. The only downside is the convoluted storyline that feels unnecessarily complicated, especially from the perspective of newer players.
7. Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name (2023)
This spin-off entry brings back Kiryu as a secret agent and offers a fresh perspective on the fan-favorite character’s past. But the developers recycled older game mechanics from the previous entries making for a lacklustre experience. Add to it the heavily predictable storyline and you have the best game from the mid-tier entries of the franchise.
6. Yakuza 0 (2015)
This prequel to the original Yakuza focuses on the origin stories of Kiryu and Majima. The storyline has a nice blend of humor, emotional depth, and action-packed sequences. The bustling streets of Kamurocho are filled with side activities and diverse characters. The varied and satisfying combat mechanics make it our first top-tier entry from the franchise.
5. Yakuza: Kiwami (2016)
A complete revamp of the original Yakuza, the game was considerably superior in all aspects. Stunning graphics for its time blended with an engaging and airtight storyline to create a captivating experience. The developers improved on the combat mechanics of Yakuza 0 to create a more satisfactory and smoother combat experience.
4. Yakuza: Like a Dragon (2020)
The developers shifted the franchise boldly to turn-based combat which was widely appreciated by fans. The gameplay had phenomenal tactical depth while the storyline was heartwarming and humorous. Set in Yokohama, the game is full of quirky characters and enthralling surprises.
3. Like a Dragon: Ishin! (2023)
Turning back time, this entry took players back to feudal Japan with surprisingly satisfactory sword fights. Historical figures are weaved together with familiar Yakuza tropes to create a captivating experience. To cap it off, the game has some of the best graphics in the franchise.
2. Judgment (2018)
Introducing Takayuki Yagami, Judgment features state-of-the-art investigation mechanics. The brawl-oriented combat is highly engaging. Along with excellent graphics and a strong storyline, it is easily one of the best entries in the franchise.
1. Lost Judgement (2021)
Building on the success of Judgment, Lost Judgement features a more compelling storyline along with the best graphics of the franchise. The refined gameplay makes for a smoother experience. Takayuki Yagami takes the players from a simple case of bullying to the dark web of cybercrime.
Set in the city of Kamurocho, the game also introduces the city of Yokohama. Side quests like drone racing, dance contests, and running a school club are a few of the many factors that led us to crown Lost Judgement as the best entry in the franchise.
With Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth now releasing, where do you think it’ll rank? Do you agree with the rest of the ranking? Do let us know in the comments.
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