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[RavageX]

I've played the series off and on for years starting with PS3. I would also say start with 0, BUT just know that it's kinda the high point. The other games are fine, but its a process. In my opinion, the story is so-so with most of the games and I would spend my time fooling about.

Do NOT try to play these back to back. Take your time with them. I originally expected to go back and replay some of the games, but I have yet to do that. Once seems to be enough for me, even though there's cool stuff I'd want to do again.

A lot of people love the Like A Dragon one. Its a fine game, but I like the beat em up aspect better. The story was good in that game also.

Having said that, the games are starting to head in a direction I don't like. The sequel in Hawaii is ok, but the upcoming game I am not convinced.

Also, the spin offs...I did not like Gaiden. All that crazy stuff they added like James Bond...no thanks. The story was fine though. Ishin I didn't really like either. Dead Souls was...different. Didn't finish that one.

The Judgment games....I liked them, the story was good in the first, second one was ok. I didn't like them as much as the Yakuza series. I think its good they introduced a new set of characters, I don't like some of the flippy combat at all and if they had done that with Kiryru....I would not have been happy.

 

[Chuck Berry]

OP wants to start the Yakuza series

I don't think you should start with 0.

......

 

[adamsapple]

Gonna start playing Yakuza for the first time. What am I in for?​

-


But jokes aside. These are fantastic games, but they're a bit of commitment. Not small, and I would recommend and encourage you partake in the side content as it's extremely good for world building.

Start with Yakuza 0 -> Kiwami -> Kiwami 2 -> Yakuza 3 - 4 - 5 - 6

These are the core games of Kiryu's story that I would definitely recommend.

The newer JRPG ones, you can do afterward if you're still interested in more. But too much Yakuza in a row might cause fatigue and over-saturation, so I'd recommend give some space between each game.

 

[Beechos]

Lots and lots of sidequests which they call side stories.

 

[Comandr]

Kiryu should just do it himself.

It’s actually my head canon that

Spoiler

Haruka couldn’t continue after being injured by T-Set and Kiryu picked up the slack for her, ofc, being the ultimate dad. Majima, never missing an opportunity, returns the favor to T-Set and then shows up to take their place in the finals against Kiryu. It’s too poetic.

 

[stn]

I don't think you should start with 0.

But just don't try to play every games in a row. Enjoy one. Take a break. Enjoy another, take a break etc...

I agree with you! Its true that Zero is the first chronologically, but I think OP should play the games in order of release.

Why?

Spoiler: HEAVY SPOILERS - AT YOUR OWN RISK

I believe that anyone who has played the other Yak games before Zero will really appreciate and internalize Majima's transformation, as opposed to having Zero be the first time they meet Majima at all, and don't know how truly crazy he is.

OP - you are fine if you start with Zero, but also fine if you play them in order. Enjoy, its an amazing series. Just take breaks between them so you don't get burned out. Most of them are 30 hours long and that's if you only do the main quest.

 

[HRK69]

Yeah I'm probably the only person on earth who ever played a Yakuza game and had this impression

And yet, the rest of us somehow managed to have a blast. Truly a phenomenon

 

[KiteGr]

Start with 0.
It was made as a starting point, and it represents much better what the series is all about. Kiwami is a remake of 1, but despite the extras, the formula was in it's infancy.

 

[Buggy Loop]

Play Zero first because that's where the story starts chronologically and it's one of the best so it might hook you on the series.

I don't think you should start with 0.

Not a confusing series at all…

 

[elbourreau]

Not a confusing series at all…

OP wants to start the Yakuza series



......

Maybe it's just me but starting a LONG serie of game with the peak is the best way to be disapointed after the first one. But you guys must be waaaaaaaay smarter than me, for sure...

I agree with you! Its true that Zero is the first chronologically, but I think OP should play the games in order of release.

Why?

Spoiler: HEAVY SPOILERS - AT YOUR OWN RISK

I believe that anyone who has played the other Yak games before Zero will really appreciate and internalize Majima's transformation, as opposed to having Zero be the first time they meet Majima at all, and don't know how truly crazy he is.

OP - you are fine if you start with Zero, but also fine if you play them in order. Enjoy, its an amazing series. Just take breaks between them so you don't get burned out. Most of them are 30 hours long and that's if you only do the main quest.

Glad to see someone understand. Cheers, mate.

 

[Fahdis]

Ok bro's I started already. Hahah, already at the daytime trying to get a cab to the Dojima captains this actually is my type of jam.

 

[Heimdall_Xtreme]

Why don't many people like Yakuza 5... I thought people didn't like Dead Souls.

 

[Bashtee]

Ok bro's I started already. Hahah, already at the daytime trying to get a cab to the Dojima captains this actually is my type of jam.

LET'S GO!

Why don't many people like Yakuza 5... I thought people didn't like Dead Souls.

They are all wrong. ALL OF THEM.

 

[Wolves hunt in packs]

Going to be a great ride aniki, also Y6 is the best Yakuza, and if you're on Xbox it got a FPS Boost.

 

[RAIDEN1]

Even Sleeping Dogs was more enjoyable, but sadly didn't have as many parts to it like Yakuza, and YET AGAIN it will take the fans of that franchise to revive it because these publishing studios have no interest whatsoever in bringing it back..

 

[semiconscious]

I agree with you! Its true that Zero is the first chronologically, but I think OP should play the games in order of release.

Why?

Spoiler: HEAVY SPOILERS - AT YOUR OWN RISK

I believe that anyone who has played the other Yak games before Zero will really appreciate and internalize Majima's transformation, as opposed to having Zero be the first time they meet Majima at all, and don't know how truly crazy he is.

OP - you are fine if you start with Zero, but also fine if you play them in order. Enjoy, its an amazing series. Just take breaks between them so you don't get burned out. Most of them are 30 hours long and that's if you only do the main quest.

correct. & for exactly the reason you mention. otherwise, you're depriving a newcomer of an essential element that made the game so special for the rest of us...

 

[Lunarorbit]

I started with kiwami last year. Really enjoyed it. There was something bugged with majima showing up consistently; 2/3 thru the game he just started showing up on the streets again. It was annoying cause I was getting toward the end game and his stuff was way under levelled.

 

[DryvBy]

I started at 3 and went from there. But having finished all the games, you have a split. The first series is 0-6. You can pretty much start wherever you want and not really be confused. If I have any advice, do not start at 5. It's the weakest game and the story won't make a lot of sense. One reason to not start at 0 is they throw so much stuff at you and it's an origin story that works best when you get to know the cast. I'd save that one for the end. It's also the best game of the originals.