Yakuza: Like a Dragon

Yakuza: Like a Dragon lives up to the monumental legacy of its predecessors but isn't afraid to strike out and carve a bold new identity of its own.

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In Yakuza: Like a Dragon, players control Ichiban Kasuga, a former yakuza member who is released from prison after 18 years and seeks to uncover the truth behind his former gang's betrayal. The game is set in the city of Yokohama and features turn-based combat, job system, and a multitude of minigames. The game's story offers a unique take on the yakuza genre with its focus on redemption, friendship, and the struggles of the working class.

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

95%

Audience ScoreBased on 12,191 reviews

story2,308 positive mentions

grinding592 negative mentions

story
5,684 mentions
41 % positive mentions
57 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The story of "Yakuza: Like a Dragon" has received widespread acclaim for its engaging narrative, rich character development, and emotional depth. Players appreciate the blend of serious themes, such as betrayal and redemption, with the series' trademark humor and absurdity, making it a compelling experience that resonates with both newcomers and long-time fans. While some critiques mention pacing issues and the need for grinding, the overall consensus is that the story is one of the best in the franchise, filled with memorable moments and a unique protagonist, Ichiban Kasuga, whose journey captivates players from start to finish.
- “The story and characters are by far the highlight of this game, with each character's development and relationship uniquely fleshed out and organically presented, featuring elements of betrayal, family, loss, and overcoming adversity.”
- “The story pulled me in right from the start, and like every Yakuza game I've played, it had that perfect mix of cringy, funny, and serious moments.”
- “The story is amazing, filled with emotional depth and engaging twists that kept me hooked from beginning to end.”
- “The story definitely was stretched out too much to pad time.”
- “The story is a little hard to follow and at most times it can make you laugh and enjoy the game.”
- “The story made me cry like a bitch.”
gameplay
1,617 mentions
32 % positive mentions
63 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Yakuza: Like a Dragon" marks a significant departure from the series' traditional beat-em-up mechanics, shifting to a turn-based RPG format that has garnered mixed reactions from players. While many appreciate the fresh approach and the integration of RPG elements such as job systems and character abilities, some find the combat simplistic and repetitive, particularly in the later stages of the game. Overall, the game is praised for its engaging story, memorable characters, and a wealth of side activities, though the pacing and balance of gameplay versus cutscenes can detract from the experience for some players.
- “The turn-based combat is uniquely inspired by the real-time guard mechanic to keep you constantly engaged, and the plethora of jobs/roles each party member can specialize in adds great style, strategy, and nuance to the gameplay.”
- “Despite the drastic change in gameplay style, I can safely say I am beyond impressed with everything so far.”
- “The gameplay is surprisingly engaging and I enjoyed it as someone who usually dislikes turn-based combat.”
- “The thing I absolutely cannot get past though, is how awful the gameplay is.”
- “Basically, it's watching an animated, boring movie with no gameplay.”
- “The gameplay feels like a drag with 90% of cutscenes and 10% of actual gameplay, and that's 7 hours in.”
humor
931 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in "Yakuza: Like a Dragon" is widely praised for its clever blend of absurdity and heartfelt moments, maintaining the series' signature style. Players appreciate the hilarious side quests, quirky character interactions, and the protagonist Ichiban's comedic charm, which often elicits genuine laughter. The game effectively balances serious themes with lighthearted humor, making it a memorable and entertaining experience.
- “Perfectly balancing a super serious mob crime drama with some of the funniest and goofiest moments that had me dying on the floor laughing, my first foray into the Yakuza series was a resounding success.”
- “The writing is excellent, and humor infuses the whole game.”
- “The game juggles amazingly between edge-of-your-seat action and drama, and hilarious goofy moments.”
- “I thought this game was supposed to be funny; instead, it gave me the sad.”
- “It's complicated, full of characters, grounded conspiracies, sound motivation, drama... and you get to experience it through Ichiban, the most shonen of all shonen protagonists, to the point that it's not funny anymore.”
- “This is in stark contrast with the story, which is rather tragic and not funny at all.”
grinding
604 mentions
1 % positive mentions
1 % neutral mentions
98 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting that while some grinding is necessary, it can often feel tedious and excessive, particularly in the late game where difficulty spikes require significant level grinding. Some players found the grinding to be engaging and rewarding, especially when tied to character progression and side activities, while others criticized it as a chore that detracted from the overall enjoyment of the game. Overall, the consensus suggests that while grinding is a staple of the JRPG genre, its implementation here can be frustrating and may not appeal to all players.
- “A challenging, yet fair and not grindy platinum to go for.”
- “Thankfully it's not grindy and it's quite easy to finish.”
- “I love JRPGs but I was highly skeptical they could make this fun and not grindy.”
- “The grindy parts distract from the fun.”
- “The only big downside is the combat, with one really rough difficulty spike near the end, basically forcing you to spend a couple of hours grinding without progressing at all.”
- “The big criticism here, as mentioned in other reviews, is the tedious grind expected of you towards the late game (last 3 or 4 chapters or so).”
music
511 mentions
49 % positive mentions
49 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The music in "Yakuza: Like a Dragon" has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its diverse and energetic soundtrack that enhances the game's atmosphere and emotional moments. While some tracks are described as "bangers" and fitting for various scenes, a few players noted that certain battle themes can become repetitive over time. Overall, the soundtrack is considered one of the best in the Yakuza series, contributing significantly to the game's charm and enjoyment.
- “The music is wonderful, the plot isn't 'quick lemme google these 20 terms!' with things being explained naturally, I love the turn-based combat (reminds me of Persona 5 a lot, with some of the music being in the game that you can buy in shops), many amazing moments that made me laugh so far, and a lot more.”
- “The soundtrack is absolutely brilliant, every song fits its role and the karaoke songs are a pleasure to listen to.”
- “The music is so good that even the shop that sells maid outfits has a banger of a song and the pharmacy's music in Isezaki Ijincho sounds like something you would hear in a nightclub.”
- “The weakest soundtrack in the series.”
- “It is not the only type of music or sound effects you get, but this is truly the worst kind of stock-music hell you can get.”
- “The only reason I docked a point is the lack of soundtrack diversity -- every dungeon except the final has the same music.”
emotional
451 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "Yakuza: Like a Dragon" has been widely praised, with players highlighting its ability to seamlessly blend absurd humor with deeply touching moments. Many reviewers noted that the story evokes a wide range of emotions, from laughter to tears, particularly in its exploration of themes like friendship, redemption, and personal growth. The protagonist, Ichiban Kasuga, is often described as endearing and relatable, making players feel genuinely invested in his journey through a mix of heartfelt narratives and quirky side quests.
- “The story was an emotional journey from start to finish that had me laughing and crying, especially in one of the final cutscenes between Ichiban and the primary antagonist.”
- “This game made me cry like a baby; the story is so good.”
- “The main story can hit you hard emotionally, as I'm not ashamed to admit that tears were flowing at the end.”
- “The game has a boring story that fails to engage emotionally, with side content that feels lackluster.”
- “While the gameplay might have its moments, the story is on rails for far too long, leading to a tedious experience.”
- “The emotional depth is lacking, making it hard to connect with the characters or the narrative.”
graphics
349 mentions
50 % positive mentions
48 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals, detailed character models, and immersive environments, often described as some of the best in the Yakuza series. While many players appreciate the vibrant aesthetics and smooth animations, some have noted inconsistencies in texture quality and performance issues on lower-end systems. Overall, the graphics are considered a strong point of the game, contributing significantly to its engaging storytelling and gameplay experience.
- “The graphics are stunning, there are a lot of wacky things to see and do, and the new cast of characters are fun.”
- “Graphically, the game is stunning, with detailed character models and environments that bring the world of Yakuza to life.”
- “The graphics are great and everywhere you go feels buzzing and alive - the small details on buildings, parks, and everything else is incredible.”
- “Underwhelming: the graphics and overall presentation did not meet modern standards.”
- “The graphics are somehow worse than Yakuza Kiwami 2, despite it coming out years later.”
- “For a 2020 title, the graphics and animations here are pretty crap...”
optimization
118 mentions
32 % positive mentions
52 % neutral mentions
16 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players experiencing significant stuttering, freezing, and texture issues, particularly on PC. While some users report smooth performance on high-end systems, others struggle with frame rate drops and poor optimization, especially in crowded areas or specific locations. Overall, while there are instances of good performance, many players feel the game is poorly optimized, particularly for lower-end hardware.
- “Good story, good characters, good gameplay, very funny and technically very well optimized game, must play.”
- “The game runs great, with plenty of options to tweak for performance.”
- “Optimization is wonderful and the game runs smoothly in a clean 60 fps without any effort even on a middle of the road PC while looking fantastic.”
- “But lately for some reason, the game has just started stuttering for no reason whatsoever.”
- “Terrible optimization for PC - the game won't stop stuttering, even when you downgrade all the settings so it looks worse than Yakuza 0.”
- “You know I am absolutely pissed off that I am basically not allowed to experience this game without awful hiccups; the frame rate constantly drops way below 60, and even setting it to 30fps, the frames drop way too low to single digits whenever I turn a corner in the game.”
character development
60 mentions
52 % positive mentions
43 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
Character development in "Yakuza: Like a Dragon" is widely praised, with players highlighting the depth and organic growth of characters, particularly the protagonist Ichiban Kasuga, who is noted for his exceptional development compared to previous series leads. The game effectively intertwines character arcs with the narrative, offering rich backstories and engaging side quests that enhance player investment in the characters. Overall, the writing, voice acting, and character interactions contribute to a compelling and emotionally resonant experience.
- “The story and characters are by far the highlight of this game, with each character's development and relationship uniquely fleshed out and organically presented, featuring a classic Yakuza story spin with elements of betrayal, family, loss, and overcoming adversity.”
- “Ichiban Kasuga is a phenomenal main character who shows character development throughout the story, and the voice acting for all characters is fantastic.”
- “Yakuza: Like a Dragon combines likable characters, outstanding character development, story writing, and the uniqueness of the Yakuza game series, succeeding in ways you won't find in any other games.”
- “I love story and character development, but the amount of dialogue and cutscenes is insufferable.”
- “As usual, the story might not be everyone's cup of tea; the character development is kind of stilted in spots, and a few recurring elements are a frustrating exercise in dramatic irony.”
- “Not that huge of a deal, just felt like a missed opportunity for more character development.”
stability
38 mentions
18 % positive mentions
3 % neutral mentions
79 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is generally praised, with many players reporting minimal to no bugs or glitches, especially in comparison to other recent titles. While some users experienced occasional stuttering in specific areas and minor graphical issues, the game runs smoothly on a variety of systems, including the Steam Deck, and is noted for its solid performance and polish. A few players did encounter bugs, particularly in combat scenarios, but these were not deemed game-breaking.
- “Been playing mostly on my Steam Deck where it runs great.”
- “So far, I've encountered absolutely no glitches, bugs, or crashes.”
- “The game runs great, with plenty of options to tweak for performance.”
- “My only complaint is that sometimes the game glitches and buildings go missing.”
- “Bought the legendary hero edition; turns out if the game freezes while you're redeeming the DLC items, they just disappear and you have to pay $10 each for them to show up again.”
- “The game does have noticeable flaws though - combat in street encounters is extremely buggy and characters often get stuck for minutes.”
atmosphere
34 mentions
44 % positive mentions
47 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and detailed environments, capturing the essence of Japanese culture and urban life, particularly in Tokyo and Yokohama. Reviewers highlight the vibrant settings, engaging music, and the emotional depth conveyed through the characters and story, creating a rich and captivating experience. However, some note that repetitive gameplay can detract from the overall atmosphere, though the game's heart and humor remain strong points.
- “From the well-detailed signs and street posters to the alluring cafes, even the meticulously crafted architecture of the buildings, the attention to detail immersed me into the atmosphere of the city, giving me a refreshing take on open world games, at a time where most of them take place in the US.”
- “The music, the atmosphere, the localization, the dialogues, the one-liners, the amazing voice actors both in Japanese and English dub (I prefer the English dub and would give an award for best performance to pretty much everybody) the story, the characters, the cities, everything has so much heart in it.”
- “At some point it gets too way repetitive and it kills all atmosphere.”
- “The atmosphere is so thick that you can almost feel the problems and joy the characters go through.”
- “Even if you aren't a big fan of turn-based games, this one is definitely worth playing if you like the setting and atmosphere of the rest of the Yakuza series.”
replayability
28 mentions
46 % positive mentions
43 % neutral mentions
11 % negative mentions
The game boasts exceptional replayability, with a rich story, a charismatic cast, and an abundance of content, including numerous mini-games and side quests. Players appreciate the flexibility of the new turn-based combat system and the variety of jobs, which encourage experimentation and replaying on higher difficulties. Overall, it offers a wealth of engaging experiences that keep players coming back for more.
- “Tons of replayability, packed full of content, minigames, and tons of side stuff to do.”
- “That being said, the game is jam-packed with content, perhaps the most compared to all other Yakuza games. The depth in the new combat system, the different jobs/characters, and the variety in enemies make the game very flexible and replayable, providing opportunities to try different approaches to situations.”
- “The endgame and replay value come from playing New Game+ on higher difficulties and maxing out every job (there are a lot).”
- “As for replay value, I ended my run at 60 hours, and as usual, aside from the main story and substories, there is a plethora of minigames which I didn't bother to 100% complete.”
- “The endgame and replay value comes from playing New Game+ on higher difficulties and maxing out every job (there are a lot).”
- “I've placed 55+ hours into this game and have not even touched New Game+, which includes hard and legend difficulties for replayability.”
monetization
12 mentions
8 % positive mentions
17 % neutral mentions
75 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with players expressing concerns about the presence of microtransactions in a single-player experience, which some find unnecessary. While some appreciate the depth of the game's business mechanics and the clever integration of advertisements, others feel that the reliance on in-game purchases detracts from the overall experience. Overall, the monetization strategy appears to be a contentious point among players, balancing nostalgia and gameplay with concerns over cash-grabbing tactics.
- “Microtransactions - in-game purchases.”
- “Ryu ga Gotoku has become a cash grab studio :(”
- “I know the boosts can be ignored, but microtransactions in a single-player game are just so iffy to me.”
- “Especially the sound design – the music sounds like those 'you won’t last 5 seconds' animated porn ads.”