Yakuza Games With The Best Stories, Ranked

Summary

• Yakuza games have compelling combat and engrossing narratives with legendary characters.
• Yakuza Kiwami 2’s dynamic between Kiryu and Ryuji enhances the story.
• Yakuza: Like a Dragon is praised for fresh gameplay and emotional storytelling.

Yakuza is one of the most popular video game franchises of all time. As more and more players introduce themselves to this long-running series, they come to understand why fans go gaga over these titles. Every Yakuza game features compelling combat that is epic to see in action.

Another major draw for every Yakuza game is an engrossing story that introduces new characters, strengthens relationships, and lets some of the most legendary characters in the series play pivotal roles. Not every narrative in the Yakuza series boasts the same level of quality, with some being notably better than others.

8

Yakuza Kiwami 2

The Dynamic Between Kiryu And Ryuji Carries The Narrative

It’s easy to see the many inane plot twists of Yakuza Kiwami 2 and label its story as a mess, but there’s more to this ambitious narrative than meets the eye. Kiryu’s relationship with Kaoru, coupled with the rivalry he develops with Ryuji Godo, makes for a compelling story that fans will love to see to completion.

The emotional final boss makes it clear why players love the narrative of Yakuza Kiwami 2. It may have its faults, but the inclusion of arguably the most compelling antagonist in the series is enough to make its story more memorable than most other Yakuza games.

7

Yakuza Kiwami

The Story Has A Stronger Impact Because Of Yakuza 0

Since Yakuza Kiwami wanted to serve as a faithful remake of the first game, it’s easy to see why some of its plot points may seem confusing. Toshihiro Nagoshi still had a ways to go before the narrative in the Yakuza games became better than ever before, but there’s a lot that Kiwami does to make its story more emotional than ever before.

People who enjoyed Yakuza 0 will love how this game serves as an excellent narrative payoff for the relationships established in the prequel. The best part about Yakuza Kiwami is the additional cutscenes that detail Nishiki’s descent, painting him as a chilling villain once his tragedies are brought to light.

6

Lost Judgment

Engaging, Even If It Feels Like A Step Down From The First Game

While it may be odd to see a grown detective beat down high-school bullies, Lost Judgment is still a great game that tackles the damage bullies can cause. As long as players are willing to accept Yagami’s involvement in these crimes, they’ll have no problem getting invested in the story of Lost Judgment.

The plot is engaging, with players investigating a murder tied to several instances of bullying in Seiryo High School. As long as players aren’t too distracted by the open-world activities of Lost Judgment (which is easier said than done), they’ll have no problems getting invested in this narrative.

5

Yakuza 3

Kiryu’s Character Gets To Blossom

Yakuza 3 may feature the worst gameplay in the series, but this is something fans are willing to tolerate because of how interesting the story is. Seeing Kiryu try to retreat from the life of a gangster to provide for orphans is perfectly in line with this gentle giant’s personality.

However, it doesn’t take long for the hero to be roped back into the world of the Yakuza, trying to take out a host of heinous villains and keep his children out of the fire. Yakuza 3 is a game that fans will either love or hate, but even its harshest critics have to agree that the story is well-told.

4

Yakuza 6: The Song Of Life

Kiryu’s Arc Is Amazing To Witness

While Kiryu’s arc technically ended with Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, many players consider the sixth mainline entry to be the perfect sendoff for his character. Despite his best efforts to avoid his life of crime, Kiryu realizes that his presence will just endanger the very children he wants to protect.

So, in an emotional narrative with strong themes of getting old and moving on, Kiryu makes a valiant sacrifice so that he isn’t a liability to the people he cares about. The new Dragon Engine had some annoyances that prevented this title’s gameplay from reaching great heights, but this is easily forgiven because of how great Yakuza 6‘s story is.

3

Judgment

A Compelling Quest With An Amazing Plot Twist

With the mainline Yakuza series utilizing elements of turn-based combat, the beat-em-up action of past titles was reserved for spinoffs and sidequels instead. Judgment is no exception here. Players step into the shoes of a detective who must solve a twisted serial killing where the culprit carves out the eyes of their victims.

It’s an amazing story with one of the best plot twists ever featured in a Yakuza game. The reception to Judgment‘s protagonist was divisive, but everyone agreed that the narrative was in a class of its own.

2

Yakuza: Like A Dragon

Ichiban’s Introduction Is Brilliant, & The Climax Is Emotional

Many people were worried about Yakuza: Like a Dragon. The introduction of a new protagonist, coupled with the gameplay shift to turn-based combat, made many people wonder if this title would be a worthy entry in the series. However, all these worries were quelled when the game was released.

Many people consider Yakuza: Like a Dragon to be one of the greatest games in the series, featuring fresh gameplay and a story that turns Ichiban into one of the most endearing protagonists in the series. The ending is a genuine tearjerker as everyone feels Ichiban’s desperation, turning this eccentric character into an upstanding hero and one of the best protagonists in gaming history.

1

Yakuza 0

Kiryu & Majima’s Origin Stories Are Fascinating

Yakuza 0 is the perfect video game for fans to get into this series. Many players love the idea of controlling both Kiryu and Majima as they slowly blossom to become the Dragon of Dojima and the Mad Dog of Shimano, respectively.

While Kiryu’s narrative is arguably more compelling than Majima’s, both characters get their time to shine as they get embroiled in a land dispute over the Empty Lot, which would eventually become the land that would house the Millennium Tower. It’s a perfect story that isn’t burdened by the events of past titles, and it can get players engrossed in no time.