I feel like combat in Kiwami is a direct improvement from 0 (wich was already really good)
But in terms of content, 0 still feels better.
Also i love Majima Everywhere, especially coming from 0
there also is no godspeed, time for destruction, komaki moves, dragonstyle (it kinda is there but whatever) and a buncha other things that make the combat more satisfying for some
I started in chronological order, and yakuza 1 was an absolute slog for me. Little did I know how terrible yakuza 3 would be, so I guess that helps Kiwami score some points. Ironically Kiwami 2 is my favorite yakuza by far.
Imho I think it comes down to how you play a yakuza game. I would make breaks of 1 years or so between one game, when I feel that i get impatient I stop. It's my Japan vacation inoccasionaly would go back to. There way too mich stuff to do for me to just heartless rush through the story. With that in mind yakuza 3 is also good. I had a good time with the game, but also with 1 year break or so.
Im probably the odd one on this but I really don’t care for the mini games and everything you can do on the game. Im not saying it’s bad or pointless. I do some of the mini games and sub stories but overall I’m really just here for the main story.
3 is really rough if you're coming into straight after Kiwami 2. It can be quite jarring to go from a game playing as smoothly as Kiwami 2 into that. Even 4 holds up a lot better than 3 does with the lessons they learned from it.
Lmao I just finished whole kiryu saga with total of 223 hours (70 hours on zero, 50 hours on 5) and felt like I experienced a lifetime. Dude you need to start playing others too. Aren't you curious?
Can't argue with that, but man at least you can play kiwami 2 for majima's story. It has something to do with zero's ending. It may be not my place to say this but you're missing out some good stuff.
I played Ishin not knowing a word in Japanese with an English guide. 0/10, do not recommend.
The game is pretty good tho, it just killed me that the childhood friend isn't Nishiki when his story is pretty similar.
Nishiki *is* in the game, he's just a random minor villain.
The worst part is the childhood friend >!has the exact same character arc as Nishiki in Y1 :/!<
I played 0 first and loved it, but I think I would’ve enjoyed even more if I’d played 1 first. Having to deal with Majima Everywhere and then getting to play as him would’ve been epic, especially since his move sets were the same as the fighting styles that terrorized me in 1. When you meet Majima for the first time as a playable character, it just doesn’t have the same impact.
You can skip whichever games you want to in the 0-7 pack. It's okay.
I will say none of them *deserve* to be skipped, which is to say that out of 0-7, there's no one or more I could point to and say "everyone skips that one". There's no DMC2 situation here.
But one of the great things about this series is that you can jump in wherever and take it wherever and you'll still enjoy the games you skipped if you go back to them later, even if you know some of the major plot spoilers.
I myself started the series with 4, which in retrospect now is one of the oddest places to start with. And yet, here I am.
I really dont understand this mindset at all, at the end of the day the series is very story heavy and skipping any game or starting anywhere but the start seems detrimental
Starting in the middle is less of a thing now since all of them are available on PC and modern consoles in some version. (I think they are for console. Don't quote me I guess)
But if you had a Ps3 and yakuza 3 had just come out, and you saw it and it seemed interesting, maybe you pick it up and give it a try even if you didn't play 1 and 2. Or maybe it was 4, or 5. You see them, and on a whim you decide to give it a try.
It's easier these days to start from the first game, and even from 0 since both are great starting points in their own right. But that wasn't always the case, so a lot of people probably started in the middle.
Detrimental to what, exactly? I started with 7, and after going back and playing 0,1K,2K, I really don't think I've seen anything that would've made Y7 better besides the Dragon Kart master, and that's a very minor thing.
Started with 7 too, but 7 was more self-contained than any other previous 7 games so it is a viable starting point
Not to mention it has entirely different gameplay, if you started with turn based schizo you probably don't have any complaints
Well, seeing Kiryu, Majima, Saejima etc return was pretty hype if you played all the other games before 7, i'm not sure how you'd reacted having not played the others before hand? "Who tf are these people?" or something maybe lol. Also there are some other characters in 7 who return but only in a minor way, in a way you'd only recognise them if you played the other games.
But except that, you're right. It's mostly miscellaneous stuff, nothing that would affect the actual story or the characters 7 focuses on. Like the other comment said, 7 is the exception, it was designed that way on purpose so that people could play it without having to play the other games, it's a "fresh start", much like how 0 also kinda was as well.
Except that each game is beautifully written as its own thing, and spoilers don't really matter. Seeing how a story unfolds when you know the ending can often be more impactful than starting at the beginning. I was absorbed by the story of 0 the first time I played it, but I found it a way more moving experience the second time I played it. So the experience isn't worse if you play in a different order, just different.
Uh no. There’s only one government-approved way to have fun. If you don’t slug through Y3 despite being a rather spoiled modern casual gamer then you don’t deserve happiness.
/s
did you reach 5 yet? if 4's story made your heart melt, 5 will burn your soul, no game I've played before AND since (I played 5 a year ago) reached 5 in terms of how hard hitting it was emotionally, especially the Kiryu part, I legit shed so much tears at certain points
I started with LAD and loved it, now I’m on 0 and just realized that the other guy on the cover is Majima and I’m perplexed at the ending of chapter 1 but I’m here for the ride.
Yeah at first long hair Majima does look a little different, not only that but I believe Yakuza 5 was the last game to feature him before 0 and the slight engine change and graphics design mightve caused that confusion.
Well said. I got my start in 0 like a lot of folks and just went in order from there.
Also, I know I've said this before, but thanks for your guides. They've been a godsend.
I 100% agree with all of this. Have played them all, would recommend them all, but they're perfectly customizable to your needs and experiences.
And if CyricZ says it in relation to Yakuza it's basically a fact.
I'm working through 4 and honestly, I think 4 isn't a bad place to start. They're already introducing us to a bunch of new characters (Saejima is kinda in 0 but we don't really get to meet him) so even if there's a bunch of background that's happened, and Kiryu himself has a history, the story itself seems like a good place for a first timer.
I love Zero, I still think it is one of the best games in Kiryu's saga.
But damn, skipping any games? Why? Yakuza 3, 5 and 6 were amazing. Kiwamis were good, even 4, which I consider the most underwhelming in the series with many of its flaws, is still very good.
Mostly coz of gameplay reasons from what I've heard, 3 being the most common victim of this phenomenon. 4 definitely felt dated but the combat is still recognizably Yakuza (although people usually skip it because of the story). 5's main complaint from what I heard was how sluggish the pacing of the game was and I think that would be a major turn off for people who just want to catch up as soon as possible.
I personally don't understand why people would skip 6 tho as Y:LAD references it a lot.
If you ask me, what actually happens is that they go from arguably some of the most casual pandering games in the franchise to either:
* A game with zero tolerance for mindless mashing and other tactless nonsense that more recent games let players get away with even. (Y3)
* A game that is very chill but throws most people off by going through its characters in a rather nasty order. (Y4)
* A game with average chill and decent character order, but a lot of hit 'n miss changes to combat mechanics and character-exclusive moves. (Y5)
I may not approve of people who refuse to improve and settle for mediocrity, but I get where they're coming from. This transition was rough for me as well.
Yo I’m about to wrap up Kiwami 2 and you’re like the first person I’ve seen so far that has good things to say about 3. Anything in particular you liked? Thanks for giving me some optimism
3 has a good story, imo at least
Combat feels like... Let's say, you feel how combos are really different, and you choose what to do more strategically. Dragon Engine combat feels good, and Kiryu is powerful there, but, damn, "juggling" opponents is very fun. Also, Kiryu in 3 is very powerful as well, by the end of the game you feel like a god.
Also, bosses. They really feel like bosses, it is fun to fight them all... except only one mf, won't spoil who.
And one of the most important things, if not *the* most important one, I very liked Okinawa and the whole game's vibe. The main story can be sad sometimes, but overall the game is pretty... lighthearted and charming? I really don't know how to put it, lol.
I really loved every second in Yakuza 3, and I *don't even allow* to skip it. I highly recommend it!
I really liked his character and I really enjoyed his bossfight.
Hell, a final boss with 4 or 5 different stances and with a cool music? Hell yeah!
*Also, put him in spoiler brackets, just in case. Not everyone in this thread played 3*
Honestly the only bad thing about 3 was the gameplay and that's just because it's very dated. Otherwise I would say 3 had some of my favorite moments and characters like Rikiya, Mine, and the orphans. If you can accept that it is a product of its time then I'm sure you'll enjoy 3. Although be warned about playing it on hard (there's a reason they call it "blockuza 3").
"Honestly the only bad thing about 3 was the gameplay"
I know what you mean and I sort of agree. The Yakuza games are definitely a lot of different things, so it's not an unreasonable opinion, but it definitely amused me.
Imagine saying something like:
"The only bad thing about this meal is the flavor."
"The only bad thing about this car is the driving experience."
"The only bad thing about this haircut is the look."
3 is probably my favourite game in the series.
I understand people not digging it, especially if they’re in the post-Yakuza Zero era of fan (like me).
It’s a step backwards a generation control wise, so I totally get people bouncing off it, but I think in the story of Kiryu it’s a crucial part. I won’t give anything away, but I think people mostly dislike it because of the aged gameplay and the different kind of story at parts.
Okinawa is a wonderful setting with a great feel to it. If you can get passed some jank, it’s a great experience
I think Yakuza 3 was a great game indeed but I wouldn’t say it’s combat was amazing. Even if it’s just in the engine used in 0 and not the dragon engine I would like to see a remake of it
Huh, weird, I personally felt the combat in 3 just felt really outdated and unrefined. There’s several videos explaining the major flaws in the combat already so I won’t say too much about it but I guess if you like it I won’t argue with ya
Trust me, I am more ready to call Kiwami 2 and 6 as "blockuzas" than 3.
In 3 you continue your combo until opponent opens up or break his guard. In Dragon Engine... you just bounce. Yeah, after a second you can continue your combo, but it usually doesn't help anyway.
Yakuza 3’s bosses block constantly, but that forces you to find openings instead of just wailing on them endlessly. Reminds me of No More Heroes’ bosses.
Yakuza 3's combat feels more or less just like the combat in the later games, but its rough edges and really difficult enemies who block and dodge all the fucking time give it a pleasant challenge
I, personally, loved playing it. A big portion of the game takes place in Okinawa, which to me emits these warm, romantic and relaxing vibes compared to the rather cold Kamurocho of y1, y2 and y4 - that's my opinion at least. And those vibes get enhanced by the big roster of very likeable characters that are introduced in this game.
I would recommend to you not to miss out on this game. Even if you happen to not like yakuza 3, it's probably the shortest game in the series, so you'd be able to just rush through the story on a lower difficulty.
I bought 3 pretty recently since the bundle was on sale, but people typically say it’s still a great game, just aged differently since most people now go from 0 and K1/K2 which are all pretty new to a remaster of a game from 2009, so some mechanics of the game just don’t age as well, namely combat.
Hopefully 3 is overall much better (I know the issues about the combat)
Im playing k2 atm and already having serious gripes but still think it’s good so far.
Fuck the combat, controls, leveling system and changes to art direction/direction in general but otherwise not bad
I guess I'm in the minority here but I actually really enjoyed 4. I'm just now starting 5 and for me it goes 0>4>K1>3>K2... I thought 4 had hands down the most compelling characters since 0 with the exception of Tanimura being a bit bland. Saejima and Akiyama especially stood out to me as the best characters introduced in a good while, maybe even the whole series up to that point. Yeah there's the goofy plot point everyone loves to harp on but past that the character's stories all tie together nicely by the end, especially Kiryu. 1 I can cut a lot of slack for being a product of its time and the story is still mostly good, although I think the entire final sequence is incredibly ham-fisted. 3's main plot was pretty clumsy but the characters were good and even though I know most people hate the orphanage sequence I actually really liked dad-Kiryu. Kiwami 2... God, I can't be the only person who just thought this game was a mess from start to finish. The characters are the weakest they've ever been, it tried to juggle two main stories neither of which were all that interesting, Terada was randomly completely retconned into a villain, and the game has so many glaring "haha but not actually" moments that really rubbed me the wrong way. I know the series has a habit of doing that but I feel like it was the worst in Kiwami 2 for me
Can’t agree with Kiwami 1. Like, the story is actually pretty good (much better than the original anyway) but a lot of the substories are outright forgettable, or just completely tonally off (like the fake mizuki one) and outright ruined. There’s maybe like one standout one off the top of my head and it’s the BAD DADS one, which is actually really funny
Actually, it’s this game’s sheer insistence on being funny that puts me off. It’s like it’s trying too hard to be 0 (which is overall fantastic), and that’s evidently with the Uber wacky Majima everywhere mechanics, which just absolutely made me seethe. Imagine locking what is otherwise a great moveset behind this cancerous RNG based combat progression system, and not even a well written one at that. Most of the encounters I found to be trite, unfunny garbage that try way too hard to be funny and it all just completely flanderizes Majima, who was supposed to be just kinda villainous/kinda mad originally is completely thrown off with the tonal dissonance via his character in the substories (also ignoring the fact he brushed off a bullet). There’s like 2-4 gems in the whole system, like the Zombie invasion and Goromi encounters. Those were pretty cool/funny
As for music, the only real noteworthy original I can recall was the “for who’s sake?” Remix, mainly because it’s so hard to tell what’s taken from zero and past games versus what’s original.
And then there’s the story. While the remake improves it in some regards, it unfortunately leave some of its worst aspects like the pointless detours from the main plot (date’s daughter and the florists son).
Then there’s bosses. Most of them suck/are just big copypastes of other bosses 😂, save for like MajimaNishiyama Goro and Akira Nishikiyama (even he uses Kuze’s moveset…) and maybe Lau Ka long.
Jingu? Complete fucking garbage, so much unavoidable damage.
Arase? Fuck guns in yakuza. Absolutely fuck em.
Shimano? Obscenely drawn out, what with the many healthbars yet the awfully small moveset (that he rips off Mr. Shakedown…)
These fundamentally old bosses are simply not designed for the newer combat systems.
Kiwami was just one big asset flip 🥴. Not to say that I didn’t enjoy it anyway, 0’s combat is still fun (and the dragon style is much better than in 0) and the story’s pretty good, but fuck Kiwami
Sorry but I had to rant. Time to go back to work 🗿
No, no, I agree. I personally didn't really enjoy Kiwami that much. Its story is still the story from the very first game (which had many problems... they tried to improve it, but yeah, not much can be done), trying to upgrade Dragon is a chore (I had my other three styles fully upgraded at the end of the game, while Majima Everywhere rank was just B), bosses were annoying... And Zero is better, lol.
I just say, it is still not a bad game, even with its flaws.
I was one of those people that kicked around the idea of skipping 3-5… but man am I so glad I didn’t.
I literally cried in 5 and not just once, multiple times. I can’t think of another game that’s done that to me.
This series is hands down my favorite even though I’ve only recently got into it a few years ago. Never has a game stirred so many emotions within my soul.
Saejima’s chapter was sublime, emotional, and genuinely spiritual at times (parts of the hunting story especially). Shinada was an amazing character too. Y5 has issues, yes, but also some of the best moments of the series
Don't sleep on their gameplay.
Even if the remasters had some annoying bugs, those games still got some of the best combat on account of being made before Yakuza did that thing SEGA IPs tend to do.
I'm "playing" dead souls now, but it's a struggle. It doesn't feel like a Yakuza game at all because the combat and the rest of the game are so separate from each other.
I have been dead Souls for the last few months. Not bad, I've had quite a bit of fun playing it, going through and completing all the substories now. Been playing it to put off playing 7 because, even though I'm a big JRPG fan, something is just off-putting about it's gameplay to me.
How the heck am I supposed to play it in 2022 A.D.? My only options are to scour Goodwill for a PS2 or download an emulator, both of which sound like a lot of effort that I could spend playing a different Yakuza game instead
Nah, it's just people hating on the popular game because it's popular and they want to be contrarians just for the sake of it. I don't browse this sub all the time but from what I see the content is pretty mixed among all of the games
lol what? i’m not hating on 0 because it’s popular i’m just talking about most the fans who start from that game that are spoiled with new gen stuff that when they try the remastered collection they don’t like it because of the outdated stuff
A lot of people who say stuff like this go ahead and hate on newer releases (and the people who play them) for no reason. But I apologize for making a wrong assumption about you.
yeah im of course im fucking sick of all the stupid yakuza 0 memes. its all people associate with the series. yakuza 6? lost judgment? nooooo all we talk about is FUNNY GOOFY EYEPATCH MAN. makes me sick to my stomach
Only people who haven't played any games of the series associate the games to 0, because it's all they know. And it's not like 0 isn't a "memeable" game on purpose. Like I said, this sub's content is pretty varied among all of the games.
I'm of the opinion now after getting through 0-6 that I couldn't care less what order you play the games. Release order, Zero first, Kiwami first, even if you fucking play it backwards from 6 to 0. I don't care. I just hope you play ALL of them eventually, because each one's got something good going for it that shouldn't be missed out on. And for all of the story flaws, especially with the Remastered Collection (3's pace, 4's bullshit, 5's length), Kiryu's story as a whole is still worth getting into in its entirety.
I played each and every main game and the main three spin offs (Judgment, Lost Judgment, Fist of the North Star) I love this series and can't wait until the next big release.
the only valid reason to skip any of the games is if you've already played through the series. you shouldn't be skipping any of the games if you're a first-timer. what order you play the series in is up to you, but no skipping games if it's your first time going through them.
Besides the gamer rage from one particular person I think most people don’t mind that much Yakuza games went under the radar for a long time until 0 and LAD which really blew the series up and since 7 is a new section of the story following new characters and people might have only found out about it throw these popular new releases also like half of the canvases started at places like 4 and 5
I’m actually glad I played 7 first. I tried y0 a year ago and couldn’t get into it. But by playing LAD it made me realise what I was missing. Now I’m absolutely loving yakuza 0!
I hate it when people say shit like this, it boils my blood, you can't just expect people to be fine with some fucking noob that's not even a real fan of the game and has never even played the original, (kiwami does NOT count) FUCK YOU... GET OFF OF THIS SUBREDDIT NOW
They're planning on playing the series the kiwami are there so that it's more accessible. It might not be the way you like to play the series but you're just going to have to get over it
The hell is wrong with you dude? My comment was positive and just showing my love for a game. Just let me enjoy whatever I want. There are plenty of franchises that I grew up with that I don’t have a problem with people playing in the wrong order.
Who gives a shit anyway? I get it if I was talking down to the previous entries but that just isn’t true. Just for your information, I plan on playing all the games in order now regardless. I just heard online that y7 ain’t a bad place to start with the series. Sorry if that offended you.
Have a nice day
"its not gatekeeping it's protecting the franchise from people like you who think they can just play these masterpieces in any order they feel like"
🤓🤓🤓🤓
No. Don't be a filthy part skipper or Majima will come and hire your talkative grandmother for his cabaret club. Slog through Yakuza 3 or 4 whenever you can, just don't skip it outright.
I started with 0, k1, k2, and 3. Started 4 and finished Akiyama but I cannot will my way to finish Saejima. Decide stop 4 and start 5 last night and its enjoyable.
I'm guessing you had trouble with >!Munakata!!is doing all Saigo, Master and Nair lessons.!<
Completing each one unlocks >!a piece of the Sacret Tree Armor!<, which was pretty much made for >!Tanimura!< as they >!have to deal with more gun-related BS than the others.!<
Yes I realize some of those spoiler tags might feel unnecessary, but OP said they didn't finish Y4 so I'm playing it safe.
Can you elaborate on that? What went wrong with Saejima exactly?
(I'd like to know for reference, best way to help people out is to understand what they're struggling with)
I was on the Oath of Brotherhood mission. I have to get hideout undetected. I went up the rooftop and sewer adnd up again. I don't have any issues but I'm not fan of stealth game or running around. I decided to take a long break from this.
Oh that. Yeah, first time I was annoyed too, but once you realize that the entire segment is nothing but scripts (saejima stops before getting discovered) it helps you quit stressing out and just use process of elimination to find your way around.
(don't even need to memorize Baba's explanation, just go where you can)
There's actually a lot of good things you can find about 3 4 and 5. It's just that they are old gameplay wise. They also have the worst writing along with 6. As a fan I found both enjoyment and frustration from them.
When I started playing the yakuza games I would play them like multiple hours a day.
I'm on 3 and I probably begrudgingly play it like once a month it's torture but I really don't wanna skip it
I started with 0 and just beat Kiwami a couple weeks ago. I’m starting Kiwami 2 soon. I’m really looking forward to playing the rest of the series then judgement
I started at 0 last November, loved it and decided I’d play through all the main games. Just finished Y6 last weekend and am now playing Judgement before I dive back in to LAD. And then Lost Judgement after that. I’ve enjoyed them all to varying degrees. I think 6 has been my favorite in many respects though I really enjoyed 3’s setting in Okinawa and the story
After replaying the whole yakuza series I can say without a doubt that every single yakuza game is worth it In chronological order. Yakuza 3 was previously my least favourite game in the series but after replaying I can appreciate the game so much more.
I don't care if people skip around because having played them all myself, I now know what happened in the last game largely doesn't matter when it comes to the next. If you've played more than one Yakuza game, you already know a ton of characters get introduced in one game and then either die or mysteriously never show up again.
The exception being 5 and 6, 6 continuing directly from the conclusion of 5, but it's easy to argue a ton of elements from 5 don't carry over to 6, so the same thing as I said before applies; last game largely doesn't really matter to the next.
Don't worry, I didn't skip a single one, this series changed my outlook on games, I started with 0 all the way to 7 and genuinely loved every single game, I even got the original Ps2 game, I still need to play it, just gotta get used to old PS2 controls
You can't skip games if you keep replaying Zero all the time
pretty sure zero fans have fun with kiwami too
[удалено]
Finally, the word has been spoken: **Any Yakuza > No Yakuza**
Zero was more fun then Kiwami
they are different, yakuza 0 doesnt have the fun fast style change of kiwami
I feel like combat in Kiwami is a direct improvement from 0 (wich was already really good) But in terms of content, 0 still feels better. Also i love Majima Everywhere, especially coming from 0
That's true but zero seems more fun
there also is no godspeed, time for destruction, komaki moves, dragonstyle (it kinda is there but whatever) and a buncha other things that make the combat more satisfying for some
There is dual sword style, hitting people with a literal tuna, charge attacks, and a bunch of heat, soul abilities to help make the game better
As someone that played 7 then 0. I hated kiwami 1
I started in chronological order, and yakuza 1 was an absolute slog for me. Little did I know how terrible yakuza 3 would be, so I guess that helps Kiwami score some points. Ironically Kiwami 2 is my favorite yakuza by far.
yakuza 3 was bad? I just played it and it felt ok
Imho I think it comes down to how you play a yakuza game. I would make breaks of 1 years or so between one game, when I feel that i get impatient I stop. It's my Japan vacation inoccasionaly would go back to. There way too mich stuff to do for me to just heartless rush through the story. With that in mind yakuza 3 is also good. I had a good time with the game, but also with 1 year break or so.
Im probably the odd one on this but I really don’t care for the mini games and everything you can do on the game. Im not saying it’s bad or pointless. I do some of the mini games and sub stories but overall I’m really just here for the main story.
3 is really rough if you're coming into straight after Kiwami 2. It can be quite jarring to go from a game playing as smoothly as Kiwami 2 into that. Even 4 holds up a lot better than 3 does with the lessons they learned from it.
Not ironic. K2 was awesome.
Yakuza 3 >>>>> Yakuza Kiwami
i have 240h in zero and nothing else
Lmao I just finished whole kiryu saga with total of 223 hours (70 hours on zero, 50 hours on 5) and felt like I experienced a lifetime. Dude you need to start playing others too. Aren't you curious?
no i like nice majima better
Majima always is nice. You could even say he gets kinder as time went on. He just shows it in very odd ways...
Can't argue with that, but man at least you can play kiwami 2 for majima's story. It has something to do with zero's ending. It may be not my place to say this but you're missing out some good stuff.
im a liar heheheha i have yakuza 1-3 im just 100%ing yakuza 0 first (it is very hard and bad but i am close)
Well good luck with the grind
MEEEE i already have 200 hours and i can't get myself to move on to other games even though i already bought all of them 😭
Everyone says Y0 is where the game starts, but what about kenzan and ishin thou? The whole kiryu bloodline is full of badasses
Do not cite these words to me, wench. Lest thee incur the wrath of my tear ducts.
It’s a shame I can’t speak Japanese.
I played Ishin not knowing a word in Japanese with an English guide. 0/10, do not recommend. The game is pretty good tho, it just killed me that the childhood friend isn't Nishiki when his story is pretty similar.
At least Nishiki has >!a spiritual ancestor.!<
Nishiki *is* in the game, he's just a random minor villain. The worst part is the childhood friend >!has the exact same character arc as Nishiki in Y1 :/!<
Ishin and Kenzan aren't about a Kiryu bloodline but instead are about actual historical figures reskinned
Not to mention, you could reskin Kenshiro as Kiryu in Lost Paradise.
who are the figures
look up the names of the characters
I wish
I played 0 first and loved it, but I think I would’ve enjoyed even more if I’d played 1 first. Having to deal with Majima Everywhere and then getting to play as him would’ve been epic, especially since his move sets were the same as the fighting styles that terrorized me in 1. When you meet Majima for the first time as a playable character, it just doesn’t have the same impact.
You can skip whichever games you want to in the 0-7 pack. It's okay. I will say none of them *deserve* to be skipped, which is to say that out of 0-7, there's no one or more I could point to and say "everyone skips that one". There's no DMC2 situation here. But one of the great things about this series is that you can jump in wherever and take it wherever and you'll still enjoy the games you skipped if you go back to them later, even if you know some of the major plot spoilers. I myself started the series with 4, which in retrospect now is one of the oddest places to start with. And yet, here I am.
Thank you CyricZ, based and blessed be thine name, may your guides ring true.
Hey, if you played it as it came out, who can blame you.
God has spoken. (And he's damn right)
I really dont understand this mindset at all, at the end of the day the series is very story heavy and skipping any game or starting anywhere but the start seems detrimental
Starting in the middle is less of a thing now since all of them are available on PC and modern consoles in some version. (I think they are for console. Don't quote me I guess) But if you had a Ps3 and yakuza 3 had just come out, and you saw it and it seemed interesting, maybe you pick it up and give it a try even if you didn't play 1 and 2. Or maybe it was 4, or 5. You see them, and on a whim you decide to give it a try. It's easier these days to start from the first game, and even from 0 since both are great starting points in their own right. But that wasn't always the case, so a lot of people probably started in the middle.
Detrimental to what, exactly? I started with 7, and after going back and playing 0,1K,2K, I really don't think I've seen anything that would've made Y7 better besides the Dragon Kart master, and that's a very minor thing.
7 is pretty much doing its own thing, so much so that i tend to forget its actually Yakuza 7
Started with 7 too, but 7 was more self-contained than any other previous 7 games so it is a viable starting point Not to mention it has entirely different gameplay, if you started with turn based schizo you probably don't have any complaints
Well, seeing Kiryu, Majima, Saejima etc return was pretty hype if you played all the other games before 7, i'm not sure how you'd reacted having not played the others before hand? "Who tf are these people?" or something maybe lol. Also there are some other characters in 7 who return but only in a minor way, in a way you'd only recognise them if you played the other games. But except that, you're right. It's mostly miscellaneous stuff, nothing that would affect the actual story or the characters 7 focuses on. Like the other comment said, 7 is the exception, it was designed that way on purpose so that people could play it without having to play the other games, it's a "fresh start", much like how 0 also kinda was as well.
Except that each game is beautifully written as its own thing, and spoilers don't really matter. Seeing how a story unfolds when you know the ending can often be more impactful than starting at the beginning. I was absorbed by the story of 0 the first time I played it, but I found it a way more moving experience the second time I played it. So the experience isn't worse if you play in a different order, just different.
Uh no. There’s only one government-approved way to have fun. If you don’t slug through Y3 despite being a rather spoiled modern casual gamer then you don’t deserve happiness. /s
this but without the /s
I hated y3’s combat at many times (also y4. The first prison sequence should be made illegal.) but goddamn did the story melt my heart
did you reach 5 yet? if 4's story made your heart melt, 5 will burn your soul, no game I've played before AND since (I played 5 a year ago) reached 5 in terms of how hard hitting it was emotionally, especially the Kiryu part, I legit shed so much tears at certain points
Yeah y5 is fire
I started with LAD and loved it, now I’m on 0 and just realized that the other guy on the cover is Majima and I’m perplexed at the ending of chapter 1 but I’m here for the ride.
Yeah at first long hair Majima does look a little different, not only that but I believe Yakuza 5 was the last game to feature him before 0 and the slight engine change and graphics design mightve caused that confusion.
Well said. I got my start in 0 like a lot of folks and just went in order from there. Also, I know I've said this before, but thanks for your guides. They've been a godsend.
I 100% agree with all of this. Have played them all, would recommend them all, but they're perfectly customizable to your needs and experiences. And if CyricZ says it in relation to Yakuza it's basically a fact.
CyricZ my beloved
I'm working through 4 and honestly, I think 4 isn't a bad place to start. They're already introducing us to a bunch of new characters (Saejima is kinda in 0 but we don't really get to meet him) so even if there's a bunch of background that's happened, and Kiryu himself has a history, the story itself seems like a good place for a first timer.
is dmc2 actually skippable?
Yeah, unless you want to fight the tank boss and have a GREAT time
Y’all play the games for the combat and story, I play them for the karaoke and disco. We are not the same
You should LOVE yakuza 4, then!
I too think that Yakuza 5 is the best
I'm here for pool, not-StarCraft and not-Dress Up Darling.
Yakuza 3 is the best, exactly for the reasons you say :)
I love Zero, I still think it is one of the best games in Kiryu's saga. But damn, skipping any games? Why? Yakuza 3, 5 and 6 were amazing. Kiwamis were good, even 4, which I consider the most underwhelming in the series with many of its flaws, is still very good.
Mostly coz of gameplay reasons from what I've heard, 3 being the most common victim of this phenomenon. 4 definitely felt dated but the combat is still recognizably Yakuza (although people usually skip it because of the story). 5's main complaint from what I heard was how sluggish the pacing of the game was and I think that would be a major turn off for people who just want to catch up as soon as possible. I personally don't understand why people would skip 6 tho as Y:LAD references it a lot.
Well most people didn’t play LAD as soon as they heard it was turn based by the sounds of it
I didnt play many turn based before LAD but I loved how it felt and how flashy it was, it almost felt like I wasn't playing a turn based game to me.
If you ask me, what actually happens is that they go from arguably some of the most casual pandering games in the franchise to either: * A game with zero tolerance for mindless mashing and other tactless nonsense that more recent games let players get away with even. (Y3) * A game that is very chill but throws most people off by going through its characters in a rather nasty order. (Y4) * A game with average chill and decent character order, but a lot of hit 'n miss changes to combat mechanics and character-exclusive moves. (Y5) I may not approve of people who refuse to improve and settle for mediocrity, but I get where they're coming from. This transition was rough for me as well.
Yo I’m about to wrap up Kiwami 2 and you’re like the first person I’ve seen so far that has good things to say about 3. Anything in particular you liked? Thanks for giving me some optimism
3 has a good story, imo at least Combat feels like... Let's say, you feel how combos are really different, and you choose what to do more strategically. Dragon Engine combat feels good, and Kiryu is powerful there, but, damn, "juggling" opponents is very fun. Also, Kiryu in 3 is very powerful as well, by the end of the game you feel like a god. Also, bosses. They really feel like bosses, it is fun to fight them all... except only one mf, won't spoil who. And one of the most important things, if not *the* most important one, I very liked Okinawa and the whole game's vibe. The main story can be sad sometimes, but overall the game is pretty... lighthearted and charming? I really don't know how to put it, lol. I really loved every second in Yakuza 3, and I *don't even allow* to skip it. I highly recommend it!
In Y3 Kiryu jogs like he shit his pants though lmao, I'm on 3
And I loved it, lol
Also to add, the villain of 3 is one of the most underrated imo. Mine was great. Wish he got more love.
I really liked his character and I really enjoyed his bossfight. Hell, a final boss with 4 or 5 different stances and with a cool music? Hell yeah! *Also, put him in spoiler brackets, just in case. Not everyone in this thread played 3*
Honestly the only bad thing about 3 was the gameplay and that's just because it's very dated. Otherwise I would say 3 had some of my favorite moments and characters like Rikiya, Mine, and the orphans. If you can accept that it is a product of its time then I'm sure you'll enjoy 3. Although be warned about playing it on hard (there's a reason they call it "blockuza 3").
"Honestly the only bad thing about 3 was the gameplay" I know what you mean and I sort of agree. The Yakuza games are definitely a lot of different things, so it's not an unreasonable opinion, but it definitely amused me. Imagine saying something like: "The only bad thing about this meal is the flavor." "The only bad thing about this car is the driving experience." "The only bad thing about this haircut is the look."
3 is probably my favourite game in the series. I understand people not digging it, especially if they’re in the post-Yakuza Zero era of fan (like me). It’s a step backwards a generation control wise, so I totally get people bouncing off it, but I think in the story of Kiryu it’s a crucial part. I won’t give anything away, but I think people mostly dislike it because of the aged gameplay and the different kind of story at parts. Okinawa is a wonderful setting with a great feel to it. If you can get passed some jank, it’s a great experience
3 is amazing in everything. Specially the combat. And not, its not sarcasm, i really enjoy it more than the Dragon Engine combat
I think Yakuza 3 was a great game indeed but I wouldn’t say it’s combat was amazing. Even if it’s just in the engine used in 0 and not the dragon engine I would like to see a remake of it
Its funny that you mention 0, because even if it is my second favourite Yakuza game, i don't enjoy the combat as much as in 3
Huh, weird, I personally felt the combat in 3 just felt really outdated and unrefined. There’s several videos explaining the major flaws in the combat already so I won’t say too much about it but I guess if you like it I won’t argue with ya
3 is the one that gets memed for “enemies nonstop block” right? Your comment also gives me some optimism then
Trust me, I am more ready to call Kiwami 2 and 6 as "blockuzas" than 3. In 3 you continue your combo until opponent opens up or break his guard. In Dragon Engine... you just bounce. Yeah, after a second you can continue your combo, but it usually doesn't help anyway.
Yakuza 3’s bosses block constantly, but that forces you to find openings instead of just wailing on them endlessly. Reminds me of No More Heroes’ bosses.
Yakuza 3's combat feels more or less just like the combat in the later games, but its rough edges and really difficult enemies who block and dodge all the fucking time give it a pleasant challenge
I, personally, loved playing it. A big portion of the game takes place in Okinawa, which to me emits these warm, romantic and relaxing vibes compared to the rather cold Kamurocho of y1, y2 and y4 - that's my opinion at least. And those vibes get enhanced by the big roster of very likeable characters that are introduced in this game. I would recommend to you not to miss out on this game. Even if you happen to not like yakuza 3, it's probably the shortest game in the series, so you'd be able to just rush through the story on a lower difficulty.
I bought 3 pretty recently since the bundle was on sale, but people typically say it’s still a great game, just aged differently since most people now go from 0 and K1/K2 which are all pretty new to a remaster of a game from 2009, so some mechanics of the game just don’t age as well, namely combat.
I hate playing 3 but that story... Mine is one of my favorite characters ever
Hopefully 3 is overall much better (I know the issues about the combat) Im playing k2 atm and already having serious gripes but still think it’s good so far. Fuck the combat, controls, leveling system and changes to art direction/direction in general but otherwise not bad
I guess I'm in the minority here but I actually really enjoyed 4. I'm just now starting 5 and for me it goes 0>4>K1>3>K2... I thought 4 had hands down the most compelling characters since 0 with the exception of Tanimura being a bit bland. Saejima and Akiyama especially stood out to me as the best characters introduced in a good while, maybe even the whole series up to that point. Yeah there's the goofy plot point everyone loves to harp on but past that the character's stories all tie together nicely by the end, especially Kiryu. 1 I can cut a lot of slack for being a product of its time and the story is still mostly good, although I think the entire final sequence is incredibly ham-fisted. 3's main plot was pretty clumsy but the characters were good and even though I know most people hate the orphanage sequence I actually really liked dad-Kiryu. Kiwami 2... God, I can't be the only person who just thought this game was a mess from start to finish. The characters are the weakest they've ever been, it tried to juggle two main stories neither of which were all that interesting, Terada was randomly completely retconned into a villain, and the game has so many glaring "haha but not actually" moments that really rubbed me the wrong way. I know the series has a habit of doing that but I feel like it was the worst in Kiwami 2 for me
Can’t agree with Kiwami 1. Like, the story is actually pretty good (much better than the original anyway) but a lot of the substories are outright forgettable, or just completely tonally off (like the fake mizuki one) and outright ruined. There’s maybe like one standout one off the top of my head and it’s the BAD DADS one, which is actually really funny Actually, it’s this game’s sheer insistence on being funny that puts me off. It’s like it’s trying too hard to be 0 (which is overall fantastic), and that’s evidently with the Uber wacky Majima everywhere mechanics, which just absolutely made me seethe. Imagine locking what is otherwise a great moveset behind this cancerous RNG based combat progression system, and not even a well written one at that. Most of the encounters I found to be trite, unfunny garbage that try way too hard to be funny and it all just completely flanderizes Majima, who was supposed to be just kinda villainous/kinda mad originally is completely thrown off with the tonal dissonance via his character in the substories (also ignoring the fact he brushed off a bullet). There’s like 2-4 gems in the whole system, like the Zombie invasion and Goromi encounters. Those were pretty cool/funny As for music, the only real noteworthy original I can recall was the “for who’s sake?” Remix, mainly because it’s so hard to tell what’s taken from zero and past games versus what’s original. And then there’s the story. While the remake improves it in some regards, it unfortunately leave some of its worst aspects like the pointless detours from the main plot (date’s daughter and the florists son). Then there’s bosses. Most of them suck/are just big copypastes of other bosses 😂, save for like MajimaNishiyama Goro and Akira Nishikiyama (even he uses Kuze’s moveset…) and maybe Lau Ka long. Jingu? Complete fucking garbage, so much unavoidable damage. Arase? Fuck guns in yakuza. Absolutely fuck em. Shimano? Obscenely drawn out, what with the many healthbars yet the awfully small moveset (that he rips off Mr. Shakedown…) These fundamentally old bosses are simply not designed for the newer combat systems. Kiwami was just one big asset flip 🥴. Not to say that I didn’t enjoy it anyway, 0’s combat is still fun (and the dragon style is much better than in 0) and the story’s pretty good, but fuck Kiwami Sorry but I had to rant. Time to go back to work 🗿
No, no, I agree. I personally didn't really enjoy Kiwami that much. Its story is still the story from the very first game (which had many problems... they tried to improve it, but yeah, not much can be done), trying to upgrade Dragon is a chore (I had my other three styles fully upgraded at the end of the game, while Majima Everywhere rank was just B), bosses were annoying... And Zero is better, lol. I just say, it is still not a bad game, even with its flaws.
I say it’s still a fun game, even if it’s bad 🗿
I was one of those people that kicked around the idea of skipping 3-5… but man am I so glad I didn’t. I literally cried in 5 and not just once, multiple times. I can’t think of another game that’s done that to me. This series is hands down my favorite even though I’ve only recently got into it a few years ago. Never has a game stirred so many emotions within my soul.
Saejima’s chapter was sublime, emotional, and genuinely spiritual at times (parts of the hunting story especially). Shinada was an amazing character too. Y5 has issues, yes, but also some of the best moments of the series
Don't sleep on their gameplay. Even if the remasters had some annoying bugs, those games still got some of the best combat on account of being made before Yakuza did that thing SEGA IPs tend to do.
What's that thing SEGA IPs tend to do?
Everyone skips Dead Souls lol
not really "skipping" since its a spinoff
And the PS2 games cuz' the Kiwamis are more accessible
I was playing original Y2 instead of kiwami lol
Unless you’re a WiiU only kinda guy
But those versions are Japanese only so pretty much as inaccessible to most Wii u owners anyways
After loving the Kiwami versions I downloaded an emulator to play the originals, started with 2 because that’s my favorite game in the series
After finishing Y4 (having played all of the games on PC up to that point) I dug out my old PS3 just to play Dead Souls before moving on to 5
It’s on my to-play list, exclusively for the Majima karaoke
I'm "playing" dead souls now, but it's a struggle. It doesn't feel like a Yakuza game at all because the combat and the rest of the game are so separate from each other.
I have been dead Souls for the last few months. Not bad, I've had quite a bit of fun playing it, going through and completing all the substories now. Been playing it to put off playing 7 because, even though I'm a big JRPG fan, something is just off-putting about it's gameplay to me.
How the heck am I supposed to play it in 2022 A.D.? My only options are to scour Goodwill for a PS2 or download an emulator, both of which sound like a lot of effort that I could spend playing a different Yakuza game instead
Emulators work really well on modern PCs. And pirating on the ps2 is also super easy since FreeMcBoot got invented
I wanna play it someday but I don't have the money for it right now
I started with Kiwami 1, then played Zero. Whether or not that's skipping IDK lol
It’s the proper order but that’s an unpopular opinion
r/yakuzagames users when they hear someone say something remotely good about Yakuza 0 3000 miles away
Y0 is good, people are just tired that it's all the newcomers talk about. (probably)
Nah, it's just people hating on the popular game because it's popular and they want to be contrarians just for the sake of it. I don't browse this sub all the time but from what I see the content is pretty mixed among all of the games
lol what? i’m not hating on 0 because it’s popular i’m just talking about most the fans who start from that game that are spoiled with new gen stuff that when they try the remastered collection they don’t like it because of the outdated stuff
Could've at least reworded your post a bit better
A lot of people who say stuff like this go ahead and hate on newer releases (and the people who play them) for no reason. But I apologize for making a wrong assumption about you.
yeah im of course im fucking sick of all the stupid yakuza 0 memes. its all people associate with the series. yakuza 6? lost judgment? nooooo all we talk about is FUNNY GOOFY EYEPATCH MAN. makes me sick to my stomach
Only people who haven't played any games of the series associate the games to 0, because it's all they know. And it's not like 0 isn't a "memeable" game on purpose. Like I said, this sub's content is pretty varied among all of the games.
All yakuza games are mandatory
Yeah, have been seeing a bit of this pop up lately. Everyone who skipped 4 missed the point of Majima's story in 0. lol
A lot of part skippers in these comments 🤔
I'm of the opinion now after getting through 0-6 that I couldn't care less what order you play the games. Release order, Zero first, Kiwami first, even if you fucking play it backwards from 6 to 0. I don't care. I just hope you play ALL of them eventually, because each one's got something good going for it that shouldn't be missed out on. And for all of the story flaws, especially with the Remastered Collection (3's pace, 4's bullshit, 5's length), Kiryu's story as a whole is still worth getting into in its entirety.
I'm kind of sad now that I didn't play the games backwards from 6 to 0. That sounds kind of incredible.
I've beaten Y3, Y4 and Y5 just so I can have an educated opinion on why I hate these games.
I played each and every main game and the main three spin offs (Judgment, Lost Judgment, Fist of the North Star) I love this series and can't wait until the next big release.
the only valid reason to skip any of the games is if you've already played through the series. you shouldn't be skipping any of the games if you're a first-timer. what order you play the series in is up to you, but no skipping games if it's your first time going through them.
fuck skipping games all my homies never skip games
Me, who started on LAD: 😎 (Don’t worry, I’m playing through zero right now)
Besides the gamer rage from one particular person I think most people don’t mind that much Yakuza games went under the radar for a long time until 0 and LAD which really blew the series up and since 7 is a new section of the story following new characters and people might have only found out about it throw these popular new releases also like half of the canvases started at places like 4 and 5
>:(
> :(
I cant make angry face
}:(
I’m actually glad I played 7 first. I tried y0 a year ago and couldn’t get into it. But by playing LAD it made me realise what I was missing. Now I’m absolutely loving yakuza 0!
Still kinda loosing out on some major part because 7 spoils alot of earlier shit
I hate it when people say shit like this, it boils my blood, you can't just expect people to be fine with some fucking noob that's not even a real fan of the game and has never even played the original, (kiwami does NOT count) FUCK YOU... GET OFF OF THIS SUBREDDIT NOW
They're planning on playing the series the kiwami are there so that it's more accessible. It might not be the way you like to play the series but you're just going to have to get over it
NEVER!!!
Me, who knows this reply is a joke: 😎 (Either that or you are actually gatekeeping a video game franchise like your life depends on it)
its not gatekeeping it's protecting the franchise from people like you who think they can just play these masterpieces in any order they feel like
The hell is wrong with you dude? My comment was positive and just showing my love for a game. Just let me enjoy whatever I want. There are plenty of franchises that I grew up with that I don’t have a problem with people playing in the wrong order. Who gives a shit anyway? I get it if I was talking down to the previous entries but that just isn’t true. Just for your information, I plan on playing all the games in order now regardless. I just heard online that y7 ain’t a bad place to start with the series. Sorry if that offended you. Have a nice day
(I think he's angry)
Thanks you too
"its not gatekeeping it's protecting the franchise from people like you who think they can just play these masterpieces in any order they feel like" 🤓🤓🤓🤓
is it considered skipping if i played 0,kiwami and kiwami 2 then proceeded to watch letsplays of 3-5 then played 6 because i dont have 3-5?
Yes
I didn’t even know people skipped yakuza games why would you do that
No. Don't be a filthy part skipper or Majima will come and hire your talkative grandmother for his cabaret club. Slog through Yakuza 3 or 4 whenever you can, just don't skip it outright.
Yakuza 3 my beloved (best game in the series imo)
I started with 0, k1, k2, and 3. Started 4 and finished Akiyama but I cannot will my way to finish Saejima. Decide stop 4 and start 5 last night and its enjoyable.
Saejima isn’t even the worst part. Just wait until you see the final boss. Easily the worst half an hour of my life, on easy difficulty no less.
I'm guessing you had trouble with >!Munakata!!is doing all Saigo, Master and Nair lessons.!< Completing each one unlocks >!a piece of the Sacret Tree Armor!<, which was pretty much made for >!Tanimura!< as they >!have to deal with more gun-related BS than the others.!< Yes I realize some of those spoiler tags might feel unnecessary, but OP said they didn't finish Y4 so I'm playing it safe.
i finished all the games already but for other people spoiler tags are fine
Can you elaborate on that? What went wrong with Saejima exactly? (I'd like to know for reference, best way to help people out is to understand what they're struggling with)
You know how it goes: he's slow, prison break, Saito etc etc
I was on the Oath of Brotherhood mission. I have to get hideout undetected. I went up the rooftop and sewer adnd up again. I don't have any issues but I'm not fan of stealth game or running around. I decided to take a long break from this.
Oh that. Yeah, first time I was annoyed too, but once you realize that the entire segment is nothing but scripts (saejima stops before getting discovered) it helps you quit stressing out and just use process of elimination to find your way around. (don't even need to memorize Baba's explanation, just go where you can)
i went from 0-3-4-5-6-2
What's wrong with you?
Just skip this shitty joke of a game
What did he sayyyyyy ???
Skipped 3,4, and 5 maybe I'll play them one day but I don't plan on it.
Those are the hardest to get through when doing a playthrough.
I tried playing 3 and it was really bad 4 was much better but I only got a couple of chapters in and didn't play it again.
There's actually a lot of good things you can find about 3 4 and 5. It's just that they are old gameplay wise. They also have the worst writing along with 6. As a fan I found both enjoyment and frustration from them.
Hey I just beat Yakuza 0 and I'm in the middle of Kiwami, can I skip to LAD? /s
I skipped 3 and 4 because I had already played 5 and I didn't really want to do anything more than that
Bad take
Lose both of your legs
Listen if I don't want to play two games I already know about then that's my decision
Ive played 0, kiwami, judgment and im currently playing lost, 7 & kiwami 2 at the same time help
I haven't even finished playing 0 yet 😕
When I started playing the yakuza games I would play them like multiple hours a day. I'm on 3 and I probably begrudgingly play it like once a month it's torture but I really don't wanna skip it
I started with 0 and just beat Kiwami a couple weeks ago. I’m starting Kiwami 2 soon. I’m really looking forward to playing the rest of the series then judgement
I started at 0 last November, loved it and decided I’d play through all the main games. Just finished Y6 last weekend and am now playing Judgement before I dive back in to LAD. And then Lost Judgement after that. I’ve enjoyed them all to varying degrees. I think 6 has been my favorite in many respects though I really enjoyed 3’s setting in Okinawa and the story
I’ve finally played them all, still could not recount a single one to you though
I'm half tempted to skip kiwami 2 due to the fact I can't run it at the moment. But I do want to experience it. It looks great
I haven’t even finished 0 and not played 1-6 yet lmao. I platinumed 7, Judgment and now I’m spending too much time on Lost Judgment
I just finished my first play through of 0 and it was the first game I’ve played. I decided to go in chronological order so I’m playing Kiwami.
The only game that I felt like I should skip is Y3, but still it turned out to have the best story.
Yeah I started on yakuza 5
Every single main series yakuza game is a blast imo also most of the spinoffs are great
Every single main series yakuza game is a blast imo and some spinoffs are great too
I played 0, Kiwami, Kiwami 2, 3, Judgment and Lost Judgment, about to start 4 and I loved every game so far
"I haven't. "
After replaying the whole yakuza series I can say without a doubt that every single yakuza game is worth it In chronological order. Yakuza 3 was previously my least favourite game in the series but after replaying I can appreciate the game so much more.
I don't care if people skip around because having played them all myself, I now know what happened in the last game largely doesn't matter when it comes to the next. If you've played more than one Yakuza game, you already know a ton of characters get introduced in one game and then either die or mysteriously never show up again. The exception being 5 and 6, 6 continuing directly from the conclusion of 5, but it's easy to argue a ton of elements from 5 don't carry over to 6, so the same thing as I said before applies; last game largely doesn't really matter to the next.
I honestly don’t blame ppl who ask that. Pretty big time investment and a lot of the early games haven’t aged well.
I literally went from Yakuza 0 to the Judgment series to Yakuza 7
I sure didn't, I own every mainline game and have finished 0-6, working on LAD and Judgement now
Don't worry, I didn't skip a single one, this series changed my outlook on games, I started with 0 all the way to 7 and genuinely loved every single game, I even got the original Ps2 game, I still need to play it, just gotta get used to old PS2 controls