Me:Alright. I'll be flying solo for this one. While the request was for just one Yakuza game, I figured you guys didn't want any more of my fanboying over this series, so I decided to just make a list from worst to best.
Before I start, a couple of things:
I will not be counting Yakuza:Dead Souls due to it being non canon to the mainline series.
I also will not be counting Kiwami or Judgment. While they are canon, I've already reviewed them in previous chapters.
So let's begin:
Yakuza 3: We start with what I believe is the weakest enrty of the series. I just felt having half the game(not even kidding. The first 4-5 chapters!) take place in Okinawa watered down a lot of aspects of an otherwise decent story. Don't get me wrong: I love the Dragon Dad of Dojima as much as anyone, but I didn't expect to have Kiryu stay in "Dad mode" for half of the damn game. It's not a bad game, but it commits the cardinal sin of being BORING.
Yakuza 4:
A compelling story and the first time we play as 4 playable characters, Yakuza 4 is low on this list simply due to how it feels repetitive at times. I also felt thrown off with how it seemed Tanimura was the protagonist and Kiryu(who the series is based around) was more of a side character. But on the positives, "For Faith" is one of my favorite game themes. And we got the debut of Akiyama and Saejima.
Yakuza 6:The Song of Life:
The Finale of the Saga of Kazuma Kiryu, Yakuza 6 is a great game although its story is a bit shaky. The Hirose Family are a joy to hang out with and I love the fluidity of the fight controls. The biggest gripe however? The main villain is absolutely a joke. You'd think we would get a more badass final boss but nope!
Yakuza Kiwami 2: This game did so many things right. While the original started the franchise, 2 took what made it such a hot start and never looked back. Ryuji Goda is such an awesome villain and character. He also has a sense of honor which I love about him.
Yakuza 5: Taking the runner up spot is Yakuza 5. It does so many things right that Yakuza 4 got wrong. I'd also like to add that this is the longest Yakuza game in the series. But with a bigger world and so much more to do in terms of sidequests and story, it's never boring.
Yakuza 0:
The best game in the series, hands down. Never before has a prequel done so many things right to where it surpasses the games that come after. Yakuza 0 has great main characters in Kiryu and Majima, great villains such as Kuze and Shibusawa and an overall great story. As I said: The best in the series hands down.
