The ultimate beginner’s guide to Like a Dragon

The new Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is one of the craziest and most touching games I’ve ever played. But I can’t recommend it to everyone. Why? Well, the game combines a number of storylines, game mechanics and characters from previous instalments. Newcomers will quickly feel overwhelmed.

The Like a Dragon series (formerly known as Yakuza) now comprises 23 (!) games – remakes and spinoffs included. Finding the right way to access to this Japanese crime drama isn’t easy. The confusing naming convention doesn’t make things any easier. This overview will provide you with tips on where to start your Yakuza adventure.

What are the Yakuza and Like a Dragon games about?

In the old games, ex-yakuza member Kazuma Kiryu takes centre stage. He was once a loyal soldier of the Tojo clan, one of Japan’s largest yakuza organisations. Throughout the games, he tries to find a way out of a life of crime. Time and again, the legendary fighter is pulled back into Japan’s underworld by conspiracies and criminal organisations. Both he and the people closest to him suffer as a result.

In the two latest games, a new protagonist is in the spotlight – Ichiban Kasuga. He takes the fall for his boss, going to prison for 18 years for a murder he didn’t commit. After his release, his former boss completely abandons him. Kasuga wants to know why and uncovers a huge conspiracy within the yakuza. His story is continued in Infinite Wealth. Our hero, with his electric shock hairstyle, sets off across Honolulu in search of his mother, whom he presumes dead.

The basics of Infinite Wealth – Yakuza: Like a Dragon

To play Infinite Wealth, you should’ve at least played part seven of the series, Yakuza: Like a Dragon. It’s the first game with Ichiban as the protagonist, as well as the first in the series to focus on turn-based RPG brawls rather than real-time battles.

Previous knowledge of the events from older Yakuza games will help, but isn’t essential. The focus is on Ichiban’s story, Kiryu only plays a small role.

• Original release: 2020
• Available for: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC
• Length: approx. 67h

The compromise entry – Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name

In Japanese, Gaiden means something like side story or addition. That perfectly fits Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name. It’s the game with the longest name but the shortest playtime in the series. It was conceived as a small snack and as a link between Yakuza: Like a Dragon and Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth. In terms of content, you can find out why Kiryu has gone into hiding and why Ichiban has taken over as the protagonist.

Admittedly, the game isn’t perfect as an introduction. It’s a jump into the deep end. A compromise if you don’t have enough time to play through all the old Yakuza games with Kiryu. The game gives you a relatively compact impression of how the older Yakuza games felt in terms of gameplay. It also gives you a solid foundation in terms of content so that you can better understand Kiryu’s storyline in Infinite Wealth. But get ready to be confused – the game references past storylines and characters non-stop.

• Original release: 2023
• Available for: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC
• Length: approx. 21h

A neat and clean start via the prequel – Yakuza 0

If you want to fully understand Ichiban’s story in Infinite Wealth and Kiryu’s as well, play the old Yakuza games all the way through. Yakuza 0 is a very good introduction to Kiryu’s saga.

As the name suggests, Yakuza 0 is a prequel to the first Yakuza game. The game is set in 1988, around 17 years before the events of the first game. You don’t need any previous knowledge of storylines or characters – the game was designed as an entry point for new fans.

You play not only as Kiryu, but also as Goro Majima. He’s known as a violent psychopath in the later Yakuza games. Here you can find out how this came to be. For many fans, Yakuza 0 offers the best combat system as well as the best side activities and the most exciting story of the entire series.

• Original release: 2015
• Available for: PS3, PS4, Xbox One, PC
• Length: approx. 64h

The classic introduction – Yakuza Kiwami

It’s the classic Star Wars dilemma. Should newcomers be recommended the newer prequels or the older originals? If you don’t want to start with the prequel, it’s best to start with Yakuza Kiwami.

It’s a remake of the first Yakuza game, originally released on the PS2 in 2005. The game was developed from scratch in a new engine, including revised graphics, a new combat system and additional story elements. Again, you don’t need any previous knowledge to get started.

• Original release: 2017
• Available for: PS3, PS4, Xbox One, PC
• Length: approx. 33h

Starting with the detective spinoff – Judgement

Are you taken with the Japanese setting and absurd humour of the Like a Dragon games, but completely overwhelmed by the staggering number of games? Then I recommend the detective drama Judgement.

The game’s set in the Like a Dragon universe. Environments and characters from the series also make an appearance. But you don’t need any previous knowledge. The plot focuses on ex-lawyer Takayuki Yagami, who’s investigating a brutal series of murders in Tokyo’s red light district. The gameplay is reminiscent of classic Yakuza games with its chaotic real-time battles. It’s supplemented with detective mini-games.

• Original release: 2019
• Available for: PS4, Xbox One, PC
• Length: approx. 45h

Like a Dragon: Ishin – the historical standalone

You can try an unconventional introduction to the series with Like a Dragon: Ishin. The game is a bizarre samurai spin-off set at the end of the historical Edo period in the 19th century. Instead of fist-fights with yakuza henchmen, you can expect katana duels against a historical setting in Ishin.

Numerous characters from the mainline games show up, but in a completely different, historical context. No previous knowledge required.

• Original release: 2014
• Available for: PS3, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC
• Length: approx. 45h

Entry point for manga fans – Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise

The most unconventional entry into the world of Like a Dragon is the spin-off Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise. The game is an adaptation of the manga of the same name and has nothing to do with the Like a Dragon universe in terms of content. In terms of gameplay, however, it’s very close to the over-the-top combat of the Yakuza games. Critics claim it’s just a Yakuza game with anime skins. Speaking of which, there’s even an official Kiryu skin.

• Original release: 2018
• Available for: PS4
• Length: approx. 31h

An overview of every Like a Dragon and Yakuza game

To help you plan your catch-up, here’s an overview of every game in the series. You can sort the table by year of release, playtime and order in the story. Suggested entry points are marked with an asterisk. The list only includes games released outside of Japan.