The best Yakuza game depends on what you enjoy most about the series. Some players come for the emotional stories; others stay for the combat, side activities, and unforgettable characters.
The franchise has changed a lot over the years. It started with real-time street fights and later introduced turn-based RPG combat with a new main character.
Despite those changes, the heart of Yakuza has always been its stories and characters.
Some entries are better for new players, while others have a greater impact once you know the series. The right starting point can make your first Yakuza experience much better.
What is the Best Yakuza Game, and Does It Depend on What You Want?
The best Yakuza game by critical and community consensus is Yakuza 0. That answer holds across fans, critics, and anyone who has spent serious time with the series. There’s no real challenger.
But “best” and “right for you” aren’t the same question.
The franchise has split into two distinct lines. Kazuma Kiryu’s saga is built around real-time brawler combat, fast, physical, and demanding.
Ichiban Kasuga’s line, starting with Like a Dragon, runs on a turn-based RPG system closer to classic Final Fantasy than street fighting.
These aren’t just different styles. They reflect a permanent structural fork in the franchise.
Like a Dragon sold well enough that RGG Studio committed to the Kasuga line long-term. Both lines are now running in parallel, indefinitely.
That matters for where you start. If you push through Kiryu’s games and discover mid-series that you’d rather be playing a turn-based RPG, you’ve gone the wrong direction.
The combat systems aren’t a preference: they’re fundamentally different games wearing the same name. Yakuza 0 is still the answer. Just know which question you’re actually asking.
The Best Yakuza Game: Which One is Actually Worth Playing?
Yakuza 0 is the answer you hear most often. Ranked lists and long-time fans all point to it. But “best” depends on what you want from the series and where you start. The series does not stay in one style.
It moves between real-time brawlers and turn-based RPG combat, which changes how each entry feels. The best entry point, the strongest overall story, and the most fun return point are not always the same game.
1. Yakuza 0
Yakuza 0 is the game many fans recommend when someone asks for the best entry in the series.
It captures everything Yakuza does well, from emotional storytelling and intense fights to strange but memorable side activities.
The 1988 setting also gives it a unique feel compared with later games.
You play as Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima before their famous roles in the series. Since it is a prequel, new players can start here without needing any background knowledge.
2. Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is one of the biggest and most ambitious Yakuza games.
It continues Ichiban Kasuga’s story while also giving Kiryu a major role, creating a mix of new and familiar characters. The larger world, improved turn-based combat, and party systems make it a strong modern RPG.
However, it works better after playing earlier games because many moments carry more weight for longtime fans.
3. Yakuza Kiwami 2
Yakuza Kiwami 2 is a remake of the original Yakuza 2, rebuilt using the Dragon Engine.
It improves the visuals, combat, and overall presentation while keeping the original story’s focus on Kiryu’s journey.
The game delivers a strong mix of serious crime drama and classic Yakuza humor. If you start with Yakuza 0, Kiwami 2 feels like the natural next step in Kiryu’s story.
4. Like a Dragon (2020)
Yakuza: Like a Dragon changes the formula by introducing Ichiban Kasuga as the new main character.
It also replaces the traditional brawler combat with a turn-based RPG system inspired by classic role-playing games.
The change works because Ichiban brings a different energy to the series. It is a great choice for players who enjoy RPGs or want a fresh starting point without having to follow Kiryu’s full story.
If you enjoy turn-based combat and long-running RPG stories, our Final Fantasy games ranked list can help you find another series worth starting.
5. Lost Judgment
Lost Judgment follows detective Takayuki Yagami and offers some of the smoothest action combat in the Yakuza universe.
It improves the fighting system with faster movement, new abilities, and more polished encounters. You do not need to play every Yakuza game to enjoy it.
The story stands on its own while keeping the same mix of drama, comedy, and detailed side content that fans expect.
6. Yakuza Kiwami
Yakuza Kiwami is a remake of the original 2005 game and the start of Kazuma Kiryu’s main story. It follows Kiryu after his prison sentence as he returns to a world that has changed without him.
The game introduces key characters and conflicts that shape the series. While the combat feels older than newer entries, the added scenes and connections to Yakuza 0 make it an important part of Kiryu’s journey.
7. Yakuza 5 Remastered
Yakuza 5 is one of the largest games in the franchise, featuring five playable characters across different locations. Each character has a separate story, combat style, and gameplay experience.
Its broad scope gives players a deeper look into the world of the Yakuza.
The pacing can feel uneven because of its size, but the amount of content makes it one of the most complete entries.
8. Yakuza 4 Remastered
Yakuza 4 expands the series by introducing multiple playable characters alongside Kiryu.
Each character brings a distinct personality, fighting style, and perspective on the criminal world.
The story has some uneven moments, but the variety keeps the game interesting. It also proves the series could grow beyond Kiryu while introducing characters who matter in later titles.
9. Yakuza 3 Remastered
Yakuza 3 continues Kiryu’s story after the events of the first two games.
It focuses more on his life outside the streets and his role in caring for the children at Morning Glory orphanage.
The slower story creates some memorable character moments, but the combat has aged poorly. It is better played after the earlier games because its emotional scenes depend on Kiryu’s history.
10. Yakuza 6: The Song of Life
Yakuza 6 serves as the conclusion to Kazuma Kiryu’s main storyline. It focuses on his relationships, sacrifices, and the people he has spent years protecting.
The Dragon Engine improves the visuals and combat, while the smaller story feels more focused. New players may miss some emotional impact, but longtime fans get a meaningful farewell to Kiryu.
11. Yakuza: Dead Souls
Yakuza: Dead Souls is one of the most unusual games in the series. It replaces the usual street fights with zombie battles, turning Kamurocho into a chaotic survival shooter.
The game is not a good starting point because it is far removed from the main formula. Still, fans who already know the characters can enjoy its ridiculous humor and over-the-top action.
The Best Yakuza Game to Start With (Based on What You Want)
Start with the game that best matches what you want from the series.
- Yakuza 0: Pick this if you want the cleanest starting point and the strongest overall introduction. It makes no assumptions, builds the emotional story from the beginning, and gives you the best baseline for later games, depending on history.
- Like a Dragon 2020: Pick this if you prefer turn-based combat. It was built around that style from the start, and you do not need earlier Yakuza games to understand the main story.
- Full modern route: Pick this if you care about the current storyline and long-term payoff. Start with Yakuza 0, then play Like a Dragon 2020, then Infinite Wealth so the later emotional moments connect properly.
Once you feel ready to play more, you can go back and try the other Yakuza games at your own pace.
Conclusion
There is no single answer to the question of the best Yakuza game, but Yakuza 0 remains the strongest recommendation for most players.
It gives you the best introduction to the characters, the world, and the style that made the series popular.
From there, you can decide whether you want to continue Kiryu’s brawler journey or move into Ichiban’s RPG-focused games.
If you prefer turn-based combat, start with Like a Dragon. If you want the full emotional experience, begin with Yakuza 0 and follow the story forward.
The right starting point is the one that matches how you like to play.
Which Yakuza game would you start with first, Yakuza 0 or Like a Dragon? Tell us, share with us in the comments below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is Considered the Best Yakuza Game Overall?
Yakuza 0 holds the strongest consensus across critics and fans.
Its dual-protagonist structure, self-contained story, and 1988 setting make it both the recommended starting point and the creative benchmark for the series.
Ask a longtime fan what to play first, and the answer is almost always the same.
Should I Play Yakuza Games in Release Order or Story Order?
For most players, the alignment is close enough that it doesn’t matter. Start with Yakuza 0, then Kiwami, then Kiwami 2.
That order gives you the cleanest narrative and mechanical progression before the series opens up into more complex territory.
Is Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth Worth Playing without Prior Knowledge of the Series?
You can follow the story. But several key moments carry real emotional weight only if you already know these characters.
New players will understand what happens; they just won’t feel it the same way. Playing Like a Dragon (2020) first closes that gap significantly.
Are Yakuza and Like a Dragon the Same Series?
Yes. Sega rebranded the franchise as Like a Dragon internationally, starting with the seventh mainline entry. Games featuring Kiryu use real-time brawler combat.
Games starring Ichiban use turn-based RPG systems. Different formats, the same fictional universe, and the same city of Kamurocho running through it all.
