The hallmark of theYakuzafranchise lies in its immersive open worlds, which have become a defining feature of the series. Spanning more than 10 games, the franchise showcases a variety of cities inspired by real-life locations in Japan. From the vibrant red-light district of Kamurocho to the neon-lit entertainment hub of Sotenbori, and the picturesque yet bustling coastal town of Okinawa, theYakuzaseries offers a rich and diverse array of settings to explore.
With so many games in the series, it’s natural for eachYakuzatitle to present a distinct world, even while sharing the same maps. Each installment offers a fresh perspective, unveiling new ways to explore familiar locations.
With so many distinctive open worlds, the series has its own ups and downs. While some places burst with vibrant life and activity, others can be dry and dull, lacking the energy that makes the setting truly captivating. With enough said, here are the bestYakuza/Like a Dragongamesranked according to the best open-worlds.
Yakuza 0is the prequel to Sega’s Japanese crime saga and the place where it all began for Kazuma Kiryu. Introducing the neon-soaked city of Kamurocho that forms the heart of the series, the game nails the look of bubble-era Japan.
Immersing in the 80s nostalgia with the bustling streets of Kamurocho inYakuza 0. From the packed aisles of Don Quijote to the vibrant karaoke bars where players can belt out tunes, and the pulsating disco clubs perfect for dance-offs, the game offers a world brimming with people, emotions, and endless surprises.
Yakuza 0masterfully immerses players in the vibrant atmosphere of the eighties. While players can’t freely travel between Kamurocho and Sotenbori, the incredible attention to detail in both cities captures their charm, encouraging players to revisit these bustling entertainment districts time and time again.
Taking a step back, away from organized crime and the Yakuza drama,Like a Dragon: Ishintakes players back into the Edo period. Moving from the way of Yakuza to the way of samurai,Ishin switches the gameplay from fists to guns and swordsas players take over the role of Sakamoto Ryoma.
Walking through the mud-riddled streets of Kyo and Tosa, the game does an excellent job at showing Japan from the 1800s. The city of Kyo is particularly beautiful and players will find themselves captivated by the city’s beauty at any time of day.
While players might think there won’t be much to do in 19th century Japan, it is exactly the opposite, as players can indulge in a variety of activities. Running a ramen shop or cutting canon balls in half, or playing rock, paper, scissors in a brothel, fans can distract themselves with a buffet of distractions.
Like a Dragon: Ishinis a spin-off entirely separate from the mainline series, making it optional for players to explore. However, its shift from a modern setting to a historical world offers a refreshing change, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a break from the mainline games or a starting point to dive into this long-running franchise.
The latest game in the franchise as of the time of writing,Like a Dragon : Infinite Wealth, follows the adventures of Ichiban Kasuga. The story of the game leads players from Yokohama to the off shores of Honululu. The game does an excellent job at recreating a real life simulation of real life places in the game and players can find strikingly similar references to a ton of places that can be found in reality.
Infinite Wealthgoes further by transforming ordinary reality into an open world filled with endless possibilities. The world ofInfinite Wealthhas its own unique characteristics and the city brimming with life offers a plethora of activities that will land a Hawaiian punch with a Japanese kick to the players.
Marking a new chapter in the long-running franchise,Yakuza: Like a Dragonbrings some of the boldest changes the series has ever seen. From introducing a new protagonist, shifting away from the iconic streets of Kamurocho or overhauling gameplay from beat-em-up combat to turn-based combat, Like a Dragon delivers surprises at every turn.
Bringing fresh energy to the franchise,Like a Dragonunfolds primarily in the Isezaki Ijincho district of Yokohama. As a brand-new setting for the series, the district feels noticeably more expansive than its predecessors. With its detailed demographics, unique architecture, and vibrant crowds, Isezaki Ijincho plays a pivotal role in the game, making the world feel truly alive.
The hotspot has plenty of activities to do and players will find themselves surprised at every corner of the district. Be it a random encounter with a strangeror the epic battles Ichiban’s brain spins up, making the ordinary combat into epic fantasy battles, making the open world of Isezaki Ijincho fairly interesting and irresistible for the players.
Yakuza 6 : The Song of Lifemarks the conclusion of Kiryu’s journey in the franchise as the main protagonist, bringing his story as the main protagonist to a close. However,the final chapter delivers a captivating narrative and an immersive worldthat keeps players hooked, encouraging them to spend countless hours in the game.
While the game also takes players to the city of Kamurocho, most of the game takes place in the serene rural town of Onomichi. The countryside offers less when compared to the entertainment city, but it has a charm of its own as it allows the player to relax as one jogs around the narrow paths of Onomichi.
Providing a distinct contrast,Yakuza 6provides the best of both worlds and players can choose whether to indulge in their desires and enjoy the wild side of Kamurocho or the calm and peaceful city of Onomichi.
Dragon Engine adds life to the Yakuza games and the remake of the second Yakuza game,Yakuza Kiwami 2, makes the game better than it ever was as it allows players to explore the streets of Kamurocho and Sotenbori that closely resemble their real life counterparts.
Kiwami 2also introduces a convenient quality-of-life feature that enables seamless transitions between interiors and exteriors, providing greater flexibility in gameplay. The game also excels in the quality and variety of its side activities, offering an astonishing array of options that immerse players in countless activities across the two cities.
The neon lit Kamurocho is a sight to behold and, whileKiwami 2spends time in previously explored territories like its predecessors, the game doesn’t feel dull and repetitive thanks to engaging side content that keeps the player engaged and entertained.
Like a Dragon Gaiden : The Man Who Erased His Nameis supposed to be a spin-off game. Taking place afterYakuza 6andLike a Dragon, Gaiden acts as a road that leads toLike a Dragon : Infinite Wealth. While being a small game that takes only around 10–15 hours to complete, Gaiden is packed with content that can hook the players for hours with its enthralling world.
Mostly taking place in the city of Sotenbori that players are well familiar with sinceYakuza 0. However, the center of attraction in the world of Gaiden is The Castle, a lavish entertainment hub built inside an abandoned naval ship. As crazy as it sounds, the castle is full of leisure and luxury. The place also serves as an anchor point for the main story and players will find themselves spending a significant time in this area.
Gaiden also features some new spots that were not available in the previous installments, from the immersive cabaret club where live action actresses play the role of a hostess to revisiting the old Sega Classics,Like a Dragon Gaiden : The Man Who Erased His Nameensuresplayers enjoy their time before going back to the main titles in the franchise.
Yakuza Kiwamiis the remake of the first Yakuza game, and it does a spectacular job at reimagining Kamurocho with the help of Dragon Engine. Unlike the prequel that takes place in two different cities,Yakuza Kiwamisolely keeps its focus on the city of Kamurocho.
While people debate about Kiwami being a good remake or not or a worthy successor after the events of Yakuza 0, one thing that no one can deny is how beautiful the world of the game looks like.
However, the thing that puts Kiwami so down on the list is the presence of the prequelYakuza 0. While essentially being different games, it features the same city, minigames, mechanics and a world that is graphically similar toYakuza 0. The side stories take a nosedive when compared to 0 as well, which makes the city of Kamurocho more engaging and exciting, making Kiwami fall down on this list.
WhileYakuza 4does not particularly stand out with its story as it is considered to be one of the weakest games in the franchise, the same cannot be said about the open world featured in the fifth game in the series.Yakuza 4only focuses on the city of Kamurocho and remains the only game in the series that doesn’t explore another open world playable district outside Kamurocho.
Unlike other games that rely on modern graphics or altered settings to differentiate Kamurocho from its predecessors,Yakuza 4expands the experience to the skies and under the ground, as players can now navigate through the rooftops or interconnected sewers in the game.
Yakuza 4lets players experience the story through the eyes of four distinct characters, offering fresh perspectives for fans of the franchise as they roam the streets of Kamurocho. From a dutiful police officer to a former Yakuza, the game is packed with engaging content and activities,such as helping a struggling dojo, escaping prison or chasing down criminals on the loose.Yakuza 4ensures Kamurocho’s streets remain as captivating as ever.
Continuing the legacy of multiple protagonists from the previous game,Yakuza 5features 5 playable characters as a Japanese mafia story unfolds. Unlike 4 that remained rooted in the city of Kamurocho,Yakuza 5expands its wings as it explores different cities based on real life locations in Japan.
Set across five cities,Yakuza 5makes up for its modest shortcomings with top-tier side content that serves as an excellent diversion. From rising to become the #1 idol or hunting the legendary bear Yama-oroshi to taking down a street racing gang as a taxi driver, the game delivers some of the franchise’s best side activities, making it well worth stepping away from the main story to explore everything it has to offer.
The attention to detail in the world ofYakuza 5deserves immense praise. Convenience stores, medical shops, hostess bars and a variety of places in the game are carved with precise attention to give them a real-life feeling.The rich content inYakuza 5is so engagingthat the Yakuza business often feels like a secondary focus.
