The Yakuza series is a Brawler RPG hybrid made by Sega which some consider a spiritual successor to the series Shenmue. The story revolves around the protagonist Kazuma Kiryu, an ex-yakuza whose brutal past keeps following him as he is sucked back into the Japanese mafia and their various endeavors and conflicts.
The writing is top notch and extremely cinematic. While playing, I felt like I was watching a movie due to the emphasis put on story telling. The story is always evolving with each installment and it never gets old. The gameplay takes the player through neon-lit Japan on mission-based objectives. Along the way, there are random encounters with thugs and yakuza, similar in concept to Final Fantasy and Earthbound.
Entering a battle transitions to a 3-D brawler where you take on the enemies using fighting skills and whatever weapon you can get your hands on. Experience is gained from battles and they are used to level up as well as learn new fighting moves and support abilities. Some levels consist entirely of fighting enemies and bosses.
Other than the main story, which is divided into chapters, there are many side quests. This makes the massive bulk of the gameplay. Some quests are simple and some are really complex. The rewards are mixed and can include experiences, rare items, new abilities, or more stories added to game.
Distractions include various mini-games. When you need a break from the main story, you can play sports, skill games, gamble, go to hostess bars, and even become a host yourself. There is a lot to do in these games and if you’re someone who likes 100% completion, you’re in for the long haul.
There are a total of five games in this series. The first game, Yakuza, made its debut on the Playstation 2. It was a very good start and is the only one that is translated in English. Yakuza has some camera issues, frustrating parts, slow load times, and it’s pretty easy. Still, this entry has one of the best storylines of the series making its shortcomings bearable.
Yakuza 2 expanded the fighting system, made the game more difficult and has faster load times, although the camera issues are still apparent. With a better flowing gameplay, more side stuff to do, and one of the best finalities I’ve ever seen in a game, Yakuza 2 is an excellent follow up and my personal favorite in this series.
Yakuza 3 is the first entry on Playstation 3. This time around the gameplay is similar but the physics have greatly improved, creating an overall smooth experience. The notorious camera issues have finally been solved with the ability to move it in angle you desire. The difficultly of play is increased and require better timing and skills. This entry has been a black sheep among U.S. fans because some side content was removed. This was done due to time constraints and could not be avoided if the game wanted to see a U.S. release.
Yakuza 4 was the first entry to allow more than one playable character. Kazuma is still the main character but he shares the spotlight now with three others, each with their own distinct stories and fighting styles. There is a lot of side stuff and distractions in this game, making it even more massive than the previous installments.
The fifth entry just came out in Japan and has yet to see a U.S. release. I can only hope it reaches America because I love this series and want to see what happens in the story next.
I recommend the Yakuza series to anyone who likes fighting games, good stories, Japanese culture, mafia concepts, side missions, and niche genre interest. If you decide to try this series out, start with the first one. Though you can play any game in any order, it’s highly recommended you start from the beginning to get the full experience.
Grade: A