TheYakuzaandLike a Dragonseries are renowned for their rich and diverse content, inviting players to explore a fictional version of Japan through the eyes of main protagonist Kazuma Kiryu and his companions. Each game in this series is not just about the main storyline; players are treated to a vast array of additional content. This includes engaging, sometimes heartwarming andtypically hilarious substoriesand awide range of minigamesthat can be either incredibly fun or drive completionists absolutely bonkers.
The series experienced a revival in popularity with the release ofYakuza: Like a Dragon. This game marked a significant shift from the traditional brawler-style combat of its predecessors and introduced players to a new, highly charismatic protagonist namedKasuga Ichiban. The latest installment,Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, continues this trend and is likely to attract new players with its extensive and engaging content.
Technically, players new to the series can start withLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealthwithout prior knowledge of theYakuzaandLike a Dragongames and still enjoy it. WhileInfinite Wealthprovides some background on the characters and events from previous games, its main focus is on Ichiban’s adventures with hismix of friends, both old and new. This makes this new direction of the series accessible to newcomers, whether they have played any priorYakuzagames or not.
However, long-time fans of the series often suggest playing the previous titles to get the full experience, and they’re not wrong. WhileInfinite Wealthcenters on Ichiban’s story, it also brings a conclusion tothe saga of Kazuma Kiryu, the series’ long-time iconic hero. Therefore, to fully understand the depth and significance of certain events inInfinite Wealth, experiencing the entire backstory leading up to this point is ideal. Playing the earlierYakuzatitles is the best way to fully appreciate the narrative arc that culminates in Infinite Wealth.
How Many Chapters in Every Yakuza and Like a Dragon Game
The prospect of playing through all the previousYakuzaseries titles can seem quite overwhelming. IncludingLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, the YakuzaandLike a Dragonuniverse spans11 gameswhich have been localized and released in the West, nine of which are part of a continuous story of Kiryu Kazuma and his allies and the other two which are non-canon spin-offs. This number does not includeJudgmentandLost Judgment; although they take place in the same universe, they are technically not part of theYakuzasaga.
Yakuzagamesshould be experienced in numerical order, starting withYakuza 0and leading up to and includingLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth. Each game is divided into chapters which unlock as players progress in the main story, with some games featuring chapters that focus on separate characters than the game’s primary protagonist, Kazuma Kiryu. Below is a list of how many chapters players will experience in allYakuzaandLike a Dragongames. We have excluded the chapter titles to avoid potential story spoilers for each game.
17
13
16 (+3 in Majima Saga)
12
21
15
14
Yakuza
Sega’s Yakuza franchise is a series of action-adventure and role-playing games that revolve around characters who are a part of or associated with dangerous criminal organizations.The various games in the series tend to be led by gripping, emotional narratives but are supplemented by hilarious side stories and enjoyable mini-games that give players a welcome break from the drama.
