The Yakuza series launched in 2005 to great success in Japan and developed a cult following in the west until the 1980s set Yakuza 0 introduced the series to a much larger western fanbase in 2017. The games feature semi-open and faithfully recreated Japanese settings of Tokyo’s Kabuchiko, Osaka’s Dotonbori, Okinawa, Nakasu, Susukino, and Sakae. The Yakuza saga is a series of self-contained stories that focus on series’ lead Kiryu and span seven games in the west including the prequel.
Despite the modern and realistic settings, the games feature brawling mechanics similar to the old school beat-em-ups combined with traditional JRPG elements with near-random battles and leveling up. That said, there’s nothing quite like Yakuza series but that doesn’t mean there aren’t other games that won’t appeal to fans of series.
Updated December 25th, 2020 by Thomas Bowen: Although the Yakuza series has always been fairly formulaic, its most recent entry plays quite differently than its predecessors. Yakuza: Like a Dragon incorporates many RPG elements into its combat including a job style system. Not only does this new direction help to keep the series feeling fresh for series veterans, but it also opens up the franchise to a whole new audience. Those who enjoyed Ichiban’s debut outing would do well to check out some of the other great RPG games that are out there; many of which are also set in Japan. Anybody looking to delve deeper into the criminal underworld, however, would perhaps be better off taking a look at some of the offerings from the west instead.
14 Persona 5 Royal
Persona 5 Royal may have a different vibe to the Yakuza games, but its setting will feel comfortingly familiar to anybody who’s played a Yakuza title. The game takes place in several areas across Tokyo with a few of them looking and feeling incredibly similar to Kamurocho. When it comes to characters, much like Kiryu and Ichiban, Joker is a really well developed protagonist and the supporting cast are equally charming.
The game’s combat system might take a little bit of getting used to as too will the routine through which the game is played. That said, it’s a fantastic system which those who played Yakuza: Like a Dragon shouldn’t have too much trouble picking up. They are far from the same, but there are enough similarities that players should have a fairly good idea of what they’re doing. There are also plenty of side activities to keep players busy — which should be a big plus for Yakuza fans.
13 Final Fantasy VII Remake
When it comes to games with free flowing combat systems in which players take control of criminals, Final Fantasy VII Remake is a stand out title. Strictly speaking, Cloud and co. are eco-terrorists rather than criminals, but for all intents and purposes, the two may as well be the same thing. They blow up buildings and kill law enforcement at will and have very little respect for the law.
Final Fantasy VII Remake is quite a bit more structured than the original game and the average Yakuza title in general. As a result, those who dislike linear gameplay may be better served elsewhere. That’s not to say that there are no distractions to be found in the game, but compared to the Yakuza series they are few and far between. Where the game really shines, however, is through its combat — which manages to feel both intuitive and fluid even in spite of its depth.
12 Devil May Cry 5
The Devil May Cry series has always been renowned for its magnificent combat. There’s just something incredibly satisfying about stringing together massive combos and tearing through large groups of enemies like a piece of wet tissue paper. After a few sub-par titles, Devil May Cry 5 is a true return to form and is arguably the best DMC game to date. Better still, it’s available on both the PlayStation 5 and the Series X and looks truly stunning.
It’s hard to draw too many comparisons to Yakuza given how drastically different both the narrative and setting of Devil May Cry 5 is. Even so, anybody who found themselves disappointed by the new combat system in Yakuza: Like a Dragon and yearning for that classic free-flowing combat of yesteryear owes it to themselves to check out what DMC 5 has to offer.
11 Streets Of Rage 4
There may still be plenty of hack ‘n slash games on the market, but beat ’em up style combat is becoming increasingly rare in modern gaming. Despite being a staple of the Yakuza series for so many years, with the team at Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio opting for a turn-based JRPG style system in Like a Dragon, that may no longer be the case. Thankfully, another classic Sega franchise can offer a nice alternative.
The Streets of Rage series returned earlier this year following an incredibly long hiatus. Despite spending so long on the sidelines though, the series has not lost its touch. Streets of Rage 4 provides one of the best beat ’em up experiences in years and manages to do so while also looking great. Compared to Yakuza, its story is incredibly basic and there is next to no freedom outside of combat. Those desperate to kick some ass old school Yakuza style though should be able to look past these limitations fairly easily.
10 The Slater
The Slater is a very short game with very little replay value, but it provides a singular experience that should leave players with a grin on their face. Developed by Laina Interactive, the game puts players in the shoes of Mark Slater, a former police officer who’s out for revenge. It mixes together action, stealth and puzzle elements surprisingly well and looks pretty good too. Its narrative does stumble here and there due to some awkward writing, but it just about manages to avoid falling flat.
The game’s combat is more Deus Ex than it is Yakuza, but it’s through the game’s story that comparatives can be drawn. Slater’s quest to avenge his father leads him deep into the underworld wherein he encounters his fair share of drug dealers and crime lords. This isn’t a AAA game and so expectations will need to be kept in check to a certain degree, but, for what it is, it’s a pretty great game.
9 Grand Theft Auto 5
Although the Grand Theft Auto series has very little in common with the Yakuza series in terms of gameplay, the two are often compared for several other reasons. Both games put the players in the shoes of an anti-hero navigating the criminal underworld and both have a ton of side quests and mini-games to explore in their incredibly detailed worlds.
In addition, Grand Theft Auto V features three protagonists with intertwining stories – a feature used to great effect in Yakuza 4 and Yakuza 5. Similarly, both games use satirical humor in contrast with the serious overtones of the main story.
8 Mafia 3
In terms of its world, Mafia 3 would have benefited from being more like the Yakuza series by scaling it down to provide a more focused gameplay experience. However, fans of SEGA’s franchise will absolutely appreciate the attention to detail in the New Orleans inspired setting.
Yakuza fans, however, will find a lot of enjoyment with Mafia 3’s biggest strength which is a narrative and characters that the audience can get behind. Players that can look past an open world that’s often at odds with its pacing will find Mafia 3’s mature plot a rewarding one.
7 The Warriors
Developed by Rockstar, The Warriors is a licensed action game based on the movie of the same name. In terms of scale and activities, The Warriors is a much smaller game than Yakuza but those that loved brawling with gangs in the streets will find a similar experience with this game.
Like Yakuza, The Warriors combat mechanics pays homage to old school beat-em-ups like Streets of Rage and Double Dragon. Fans that love frequenting the Club SEGA arcade will be thrilled that The Warriors features its own in-game arcade machine called “Armies of The Night” which pays tribute to ’90s 2D beat-em-ups.
6 Bully
Bully is another open-world Rockstar title that may also appeal to fans of Yakuza. However, because it takes place at a private school the experience is more refined and scaled-down than the Grand Theft Auto series. As a result, the game is packed with memorable and relatable characters and more focused gameplay.
The game’s protagonist deals with gangs and issues with hierarchy not a million miles away from a Yakuza title. Also, the school Bullworth Academy features a compact world that has a lot more in common with Yakuza’s Kamurocho than the wide-open spaces seen in a GTA title. The game is also filled with lots of side quests and mini-games to keep players busy in-between its main story.
5 Way Of The Samurai 4
If there is another series embroiled in Japanese culture that isn’t quite like anything else on the market it is the Way of the Samurai series. Set in 19th century Japan the player will find themselves in a world that feels distinct and very much alive.
Just like Yakuza, the Way of the Samurai series features a large cast of weird and wonderful characters, lots of mini-games, and side quests to complete. What makes Way of the Samurai different is its short main story that requires multiple playthroughs. However, every action the player takes in one completed will have a direct impact on the next.
4 Sleeping Dogs
When it comes to the western equivalent to the Yakuza series Grand Theft Auto is usually mentioned the most. However, it is the often-overlooked Sleeping Dogs that combined elements of both Yakuza and GTA that is the best match.
Instead of a Tokyo setting, Sleeping Dogs puts the players in the shoes of an undercover cop that’s infiltrated the Triads in a lovingly recreated Hong Kong. While the combat system has more in common with the Batman: Arkham series it featured brutal environmental finishers just like Yakuza. In addition, the mini-games are very reminiscent of a Yakuza title with Poker Mahjong, martial arts classes and of course Karaoke.
3 Fist of The North Star: Lost Paradise
Fist of the North is a post-apocalyptic Mad Max-inspired action-adventure game based on the anime of the same name. The game is also developed by the same time behind the Yakuza series and as a result, the combat system will be instantly familiar to Yakuza veterans.
Kiryu Kazama’s voice actor Takaya Kuroda takes the lead once again as the warrior Kenshiro. In another nod to Yakuza, Kenshiro’s rival Jagi is voiced by Hidenari Ugaki who is better known as Kiryu’s longtime rival Goro Majima.
Lost Paradise’s town Eden isn’t quite as attractive or as dense Yakuza’s Kamurucho but it is packed with the things to keep the player distracted. These distractions include finding and playing SEGA arcade classics like OutRun, Space Harrier, Super Hang-On, and it even has its own unique spin on the Karaoke mini-game from Yakuza.
2 The Shenmue Series
Before the Yakuza series arrived in 2005 there was SEGA’s Shenmue on the Dreamcast console in 1999. Despite some mechanical differences like Shenmue’s day and night system and the heavy focus on the life simulation mechanics much of the same DNA can be found in the Yakuza series.
Being set in 1986, Shenmue’s setting feels close to the 1980s set Yakuza 0. There are familiar mini-games like slots, darts, street fighting, and of course arcade perfect games like Space Harrier, After Burner, and OutRun. Additionally, the game’s share similar semi-open world designs, and a story that focuses on revenge and crime.
1 Judgment
There is no other series more similar to Yakuza than the newly released Judgement from the same team. Also being set in Kamurucho, it is considered a spin-off title. However, it is a brand series with no direct connection to Yakuza’s past stories or its characters.
Judgment does, however, use a similar fighting system to Yakuza 0 using Chinese martial arts styles. It also has enough of its own gameplay mechanics to stand on its own as a unique title. The game requires the player to investigate and solve crimes as a private investigator tailing suspects, finding clues, and using infiltration techniques.
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