JRPG Fans Are Still Sleeping on 1 of the Best Games of the 2020s

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Creating a JRPG that truly stands out is challenging today. Popular series like Final Fantasy and Persona have defined what players expect, leaving many other games feeling derivative. But Yakuza: Like a Dragon, released in 2020, shows that it’s still possible to innovate and deliver a fresh JRPG experience.

Like a Dragon, the eighth game in the Yakuza series, took a bold new direction. Instead of the series’ traditional action-packed fighting, it introduced turn-based combat. This change led to a critically acclaimed game, considered one of the best of the 2020s, and a must-play for any fan of Japanese role-playing games.

Yakuza: Like a Dragon Has the Best Story in the Franchise

Yakuza: Like a Dragon boasts the most detailed and expansive setting in the entire series. Previous Yakuza games largely took place in Kamurocho, a fictional district modeled after the real Kabukicho in Tokyo. This time, the story moves to the vibrant city of Yokohama.

The new location, Isezaki Ijincho, is based on the Isezakichō district in Yokohama. It’s a lively setting that fits the series’ new focus, and introduces a completely different criminal underworld.

Yokohama’s criminal underworld isn’t controlled by the traditional Tojo Clan and Omi Alliance anymore. Now, three groups fight for power: the Yokohama Liumang, a mix of Chinese and Japanese gangsters; the Geomijul, a Korean-Japanese organization; and the Seiryu Clan, a local group. Each of these factions deals with internal conflicts and shifting partnerships.

As a long-time fan, I was really surprised to see they swapped out Kiryu as the main character in the latest Like a Dragon! Instead, we’re playing as Ichiban Kasuga, and honestly, it’s a great change. Both characters have tough pasts, but Ichiban is way more upbeat and sees the world through the eyes of a gamer – it really shifts the story’s vibe. The game starts with him getting out of prison after eighteen years for a crime he didn’t even commit – he took the fall for someone else!

Kasuga anticipated a hero’s welcome after his release from prison, but he quickly learned the yakuza world had changed. His old mentor was not only ruined but also believed to be dead, and people whispered that he’d turned against his own family.

Confused and determined, Kasuga begins investigating why his mentor was arrested and attempts to assist the police in tracking down those responsible. But unlike most Yakuza games, his journey isn’t a straightforward crime drama – Kasuga is a huge Dragon Quest fan, and that influences how things unfold.

Like a Dragon Revitalized the Yakuza Series

Previous Yakuza games were often compared to Grand Theft Auto because they both featured large, open worlds and action-packed gameplay. But while GTA emphasized shooting, Yakuza focused more on fighting with your hands and took cues from classic martial arts films.

Beyond the fighting, the Yakuza games were known for their incredibly detailed open-world environments, packed with optional side activities – everything from singing karaoke to racing miniature cars. Similar to Grand Theft Auto, many players found themselves spending more time exploring and enjoying the game’s world than actually progressing through the main storyline.

The Yakuza series became well-known as Japan’s version of Grand Theft Auto, but it always had a special quality that set it apart. Since action-adventure games often build upon the foundations of role-playing games, the shift from Yakuza’s classic beat-’em-up style to a turn-based RPG in Like a Dragon felt surprisingly smooth and logical.

The game definitely took the series in a new direction, swapping its quick, action-packed battles for a more thoughtful, turn-based system similar to Dragon Quest. While this shift could be surprising for those familiar with past Yakuza games, the fact that it still features a large, open world to explore helps ease the transition.

The game retained the core feel of the Yakuza series, despite featuring a new main character and a completely revamped combat system. And because Yakuza games are known for their quirky and lighthearted moments, the more fantastical elements actually fit right in.

Like a Dragon Was a Hit With Yakuza Fans

Released in the US on November 10, 2020, just before the PlayStation 5 launched, Yakuza: Like a Dragon became popular thanks to its availability on many different gaming systems. By 2025, the game had sold a total of 2.8 million copies, making it a commercial hit.

The game Like a Dragon was well-received by critics, although some were hesitant at first because it moved away from the series’ classic beat-’em-up style to a turn-based RPG system. Eventually, both critics and longtime fans grew to appreciate the changes, and the game’s strong sales proved it was a successful and important new direction for the franchise.

One of the biggest changes brought about by Yakuza: Like a Dragon is a new direction for the series as a whole. The game marked the official switch from the title “Yakuza” to its original Japanese name, Like a Dragon (or Ryū ga Gotoku). This consistent global title reflects the growing popularity of the series in Western markets.

Following the release of titles like Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth and the spin-off Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, the series has continued to expand on the innovative foundation laid by the original Like a Dragon. Yakuza: Like a Dragon is considered one of the most important JRPGs of the 2020s, and it’s a must-play for fans of the genre.

The Yakuza series started as an action game, but Like a Dragon now appeals to fans of Japanese role-playing games (JRPGs) with its turn-based battles and nods to Dragon Quest. It also features a memorable cast of characters. This game is a modern JRPG that stands up to the best classic titles in the genre.

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2026-03-22 05:14