
It not only modernized the visuals and added more story but fixed the original’s clunkier combat system, bringing it more in line with that of Yakuza 0 (more on that game later).
#Yakuza 4 game play Ps4
The game left enough of a lasting legacy to receive a full-fledged PS4 remake called Yakuza Kiwami in 2016. Yakuza marked an exciting beginning for the then-fledgling series, undoubtedly leaving a mark on those fortunate to play it. Everything in the world feeds into the growth of Kazuma Kiryu, allowing you to unlock more perks for the hero. While Kamurocho is a relatively small space to explore, it’s densely packed with side quests and activities that offer experience points upon completion, tying into the game’s role-playing mechanics. At the time, critics praised Yakuza for its authentic depiction of Japanese culture within its setting. It takes place in a fictionalized version of Tokyo’s Kabukicho district, known in-game as Kamurocho. The story that unfolds is gripping, emotional, and exciting, setting the stage for the franchise’s decades-spanning crime saga.Īs expected, the first game laid the early groundwork for what makes the series’s gameplay so memorable and iconic now. Yakuza debuted on the PlayStation 2 and introduced us to the longest-running protagonist of the series, Kazuma Kiryu, a yakuza lieutenant that makes it his mission to protect an orphan targeted by a criminal organization called the Tojo Clan.

Join us as we highlight each game and how it evolved the series. With multiple games in the series coming to PlayStation Plus*, now is the best time to become a Yakuza fan. Years later, thanks to continued localization from Sega, the help of memes, and the love of its established cult audience, Yakuza has earned popularity and become one of Sega’s most successful IPs.

While the series has long garnered a cult following, it achieved Western success in 2017 with Yakuza 0, an inviting new prequel set at the beginning of the series’ timeline. While the project struggled to be greenlit due to a perceived limited appeal, it eventually got a 2005 release on the PlayStation 2 with its debut entry. Yakuza comes from the mind of Toshihiro Nagoshi, who wanted to create a game telling a story based on Japanese crime syndicates.
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However, each game betrays this first impression, weaving a masterful blend of beat ‘em up combat, intriguing stories full of twists, memorable characters, absurdist humor, and a living world to explore. The series is unassuming at first, mostly seeming like a straightforward action-crime drama.
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Sega’s Yakuza is one of the most distinct and charming story-driven action-adventure franchises out there.
