Yakuza Like A Dragon | A Complete History and Retrospective 

Idk if everyone realizes how insane it is that you just blew through the Yakuza series but that shit is hella tight. Respect and admiration, son. You made your pops proud.

“But ichiban doesn’t listen” could be a whole ass tagline of this game. Which is my favorite in the mainline series btw lol

This game's success or even its mere existence is just bizarre, how RGG managed to change both the main protagonist and the freaking genre 15 years into a franchise was incredible risky, and the weirdest thing about it is that...it worked! Anyway, great job, son, covering 8 Yakuza games in the span of 2 months is impresive.

Ichiban is a treasure.

Naming it Like a Dragon is a the type of power move you'd usually only expect from Resident Evil.

1:50:47 I also think the cutscene is supposed to show that Ichiban is coming back to his senses and seeing the world in a hopeful light again. Instead of the angry Ichiban that's confused and vengeful from before, he's back to seeing the world as a video game, his true nature back.

You couldn't finish True Final Millennium Tower because you kept getting one-shotted? You are grounded until you learn to grind for stat boosting drinks in Sotenbori.

The thing I noticed and really liked is that the male party members all have a consistent color scheme. Ichiban is Red, Adachi is Blue, and Nanba is Green. This probably has some deeper connection to classic JRPGs where characters or classes/jobs would have clear color palettes attached to them.

When I heard Ichiban saying that he's a Dragon Quest fan, I instantly thought: "I like this guy, I REALLY do."

I don't give a fuck what people say about the English dub. Any actor that can give that kind of performance and make me cry like a baby when Ichiban lays his heart out to his brother deserves commendation. Superb fucking shit, man!

The final scene of Ichi talking the young master off the edge only for him to get stabbed gets me teary eyed every time

This was my favorite Yakuza Game. Even after playing 0-6. This game did it. It had a strong story. Ichiban truly is an amazing character full of heart, and charisma. He truly is the best of us.

Liking before even watching, as Like a Dragon was powerful enough to bring me to tears with the story.

1:14:40 funny how I had Eri unlocked before this part so I was still running with a full party even after Nanba's departure

The only thing I have to say is that Eri is one of the best characters with her own clerk job. Thumbtack scatter is one of the best (if not the best) ability to deal with a lot of enemies at once,

Fun fact: the Honk Honk feature is a reference to the recurring "Puff-Puff" events you can trigger in the Dragon Quest series.

Fantastic video as always son, I’d definitely love to see you take on the Judgement/Lost Judgement games (in time of course)

1:03:48 you can unlock eri earlier before the JGH giving you a 4th member for his fight

It's surprising you didn't find much use for Eri in fights. I used her through the entire game. Her thumbtack AOE is nuts early game (especially if you make her a weapon early on that has crazy stats for how early you can get it), and her generally high dmg with status effects included is great. I was always a bit gutted that she wasn't in cutscenes (a la Vincent and Yuffie in FF7) because she's the only character in the game this happens with and it felt kind of mean when she's in every fight for me.

Hey Dad, how do you feel about the changes made in Yakuza Like A Dragon? 🐉

Yakuza like a dragon is honestly one of my favorite games all the time. The story, characters, and gameplay are great but I do agree in chapter 12 the game does get grindy money and gameplay-wise. I really don't like that chapter but overall it's a amazing RPG game.

Ichiban talking to Masato into putting the gun down breaks me every time. Such a good game with amazing characters. Thanks for covering the games through your retrospectives. I've been playing through all the Yakuza games (Judgment and Lost Judgment included) and I've been enjoying listening to other people's takes on them.

Your deep dive retrospectives have given me exposure to games I have NEVER thought of playing or heard of. So thank you so much being so passionate about game you cover. I hope you get some well deserved rest after so many hours of editing this.

I think 100 percent Masato Arakawa is alive still, restarting his life, and starting from the bottom again? That sounds like what Ichiban did from the homeless camp, starting from the bottom, plus the homeless camp is specifically for sending bodies to either get rid of or save their life, Ichiban is also praying over a picture of Aoki, not Masato, which I think is symbolic that Aoki died and went back to Masato

Just waiting for that 15 hour full series retrospective video with some more wild ass additional stuff right at the end

I've been waiting for this entry since you first started the Yakuza retrospectives, it's one of my favorites as well. Excellent work as always, son!

Darryl Kurylo did such a great job in this dub. I've been playing Yakuza since it starting on PS2, it's was great to have him voice Kazuma Kiryu again.

The game tells you that you should train before the majima fight. Read what the game tells you

This has been a great series of videos. As someone with no deeper knowledge of the Yakuza games I have thoroughly enjoyed your deep dives into the stories I would otherwise never have looked into.

Appreciate the refresher before I start Infinite Wealth. Come to you for the Boglim and stay for the Yakuza...who would've thought?

Another one for the record books. Good job. This will be a hell of a retrospective when you merge it with the other parts. And I’m here for it.

A 2 hour retrospective for Like a Dragon was exactly what I was waiting for. Thank you!

Ichiban was a breath of fresh air for the series. His optimism is contagious. You just can't help but root for the guy.

I really enjoyed Like a Dragon but it does have difficulty issues. Most normal enemies feel like nothing but late game big enemies felt like they would be near impossible or just take a completely unreasonable amount of time without access to the orbital laser from completing the management side activity. It felt like a major crutch for my play through but it also felt like it was often the only move doing anything

Yakuza Like A Dragon was so enjoyable and had so much fun stuff to do that even the difficulty spike and ridiculous final achievement I didn't mind so much. Throughout the game I felt itching for a real challenge as I was pretty experienced at JRPGs in general, and I saw this final dungeon as giving me that challenge. I do wish the challenge was spread throughout the game instead of being large spikes like you mentioned, but given this was the first Yakuza game I got all achievements on goes to show how much I enjoyed it.

Like a Dragon has a special place in my heart. I played it expecting to hate the new combat system, but i ended up falling in love with this game, with its characters, its soundtrack, everything. Before i noticed, LaD became my favorite game not only in the entire series, but in every game i've ever played. Ichiban is such an amazing protagonist that made me feel hope, right when i was going through a hard time. He's really inspiring to me, and i can't say the same about many other videogame characters. . Thank you so much for this video! I first came here because of silent hill, but i'm definetly staying to see the rest of the Yakuza series vids!

Ichi is my favorite character in gaming. I don't think I could go back and play old Yakuza games without him.

To clarify Ichiban Kasuga never met KIryu Kazuma in prison because both were separate prisons until after the fact.

I just managed to finish this game last night, a few hours before you uploaded this video. I had never played a Yakuza game before. I watched your video on Yakuza 1 and really enjoyed it. I’m a big JRPG fan, so I decided to give Like A Dragon a shot. Thank you for getting me into this series. I gotta go back and play the others now.

Damn son, i think this is the only video in which you did not utter the phrase "bread and butter"

I haven't teared up in years from watching any form of film or game but Like A Dragon made me shed tears! This man Ichiban is an inspiration. Became one of my fav protags in any medium!

I downloaded this game not expecting much because it was free on the store and I don't have any history with previous Yakuza games (yet!) And I can't describe how much I love it and Ichiban. Great video as always son, can't wait to see what content comes next.

For me I need to do as much side content as possible before moving on with the main quest. I was always prepared for main story fights this way and never had to "grind"... even though that's technically what side content is... favorite Yakuza game hands down. I usually experience some burn out while playing the other titles; didn't experience it once on this game! Congratulations on making it through so many so quickly son!!!

Only after you mentioned it I realised that Kashiwagi is the Bar owner LOL. I love how this series has characters returning or showing in different games. Such fun. And great video as always son!

The business management is the second most addicting money grind in the who series next to the Cabaret Club in Zero.

Not gonna lie, I absolutely loved the shift over to a turn-based RPG. It allowed the series' serious-comedy aspect to shine with stuff like what actions characters took to perform "magic" (like healing by lying down to take a nap). While I don't think Kiryu can ever truly be replaced in this series Ichiban was a great character, and the game's story and characters in general stood up to the Yakuza standard. Absolutely loved the time I spent with the game. Can't wait to see you cover the Judgement games. While I don't quite like them as much as the rest of the franchise they were still fun.

Well done on finishing the mainline series of Yakuza retrospectives! One thing I'd like to note about Eri; she is actually pretty darn strong as a physical attacker, either as a Dealer or Matriarch. I actually used her as part of my True Final Millennium Tower group and was the true MVP in many of the match-ups along the way. I know you can get that platinum trophy, Son. Keep up the good work.

I think Masumi Arakawa allwas know that Ichiban was he's son that the feeling I get from whan I played it

Just finished all your Yakuza videos awesome work man couldn't stop watching em all. NIce work son.

1:18:57 I think the reason is because that skill can only be used on humanoids, that's why you can't use it on the tiger and the machinery

I can’t put this game down I’ve never played the yakuza games. This is the one I recommended

Your ability to pump out such high quality content at the rate you have been is inspiring. I haven't played any of the yakuza games but these videos are great regardless.

Heya son, keep this amazing work that u do on those vids up! Waiting eagerly for more content 100%

I've thoroughly enjoyed these retrospectives God_son. I may not be able to watch all of this one rn,as I'm currently mid playthrough of this. This and yakuza 5 are the only ones i could play along with your review schedule. Sorry for the long text, thanks for your excellent content and dedication

Ichiban Kasuga reminds me of the scarface movie...because it's about an ordinary man who joined the Yakuza at the lowest rank and went on to becoming the top dog in all of Yokohama,Japan.He defeated the best of Yakuza Clans,rose through the business ranks made some friends and enemies along the way while getting betrayed but kept going.i really feel for this character.

Son, it's not slander when it's written! It's libel! 1:04:30

Yakuza 7 was my first Yakuza. I loved it so much I binged 0-6. Currently on Judgment. Can't believe I used to think Yakuza was overrated...

Can’t wait for you to cover the Judgment games.

I'm glad you made this video covering the story in pretty good detail. Just finished 6 and watched this. Now I'm finally ready to dive into LAD Gaiden 👍🏻 so glad they went back to the style they had before this one for Kiryu's sake 💪🏻

Hey Son, good video, very proud of you. I think Yakuza 7 is one of the best in terms of writing, solely because of the cyclical nature of the story. Arakawa losing his father before eating Peking Duck and then Ichiban losing Arakawa before he has it is a good example. The ending of the game hits me really hard and honestly when I beat the game I cried because of how beautifully the story was crafted. The beginning of Masato’s life was at those coin lockers with Arakawa taking him and running off with him, hoping he is still alive. The end of his life being at those same coin lockers but with Ichi carrying him off, hoping he can be saved. It was that beat that hit me so hard and just absolutely made this one of my favorites in the series.

Been waiting for this video! When I heard it was gonna be an RPG I was all "wtf?" but it works so well.

So much Love for Ur Great Work! I enjoyed the whole Video :) Thank You!

You have done an excellent job on this. I am proud of you, son.

probably the best game i have ever played in my life, an absolute masterpiece. amazing video!

i genuinely love this game’s story, it’s probably my favourite in the series still. it’s so direct, humble and has a large central focus on how the characters interact with the events of the story (which is something i missed in the sort of more scattershot nature of infinite wealth’s story)

I just finished the game yesterday. I waited to watch this until then. I’m looking forward to your retrospective…son

The bread physics made the game worth it

Eri isn't great? Oh come on, we all how how freaking great her thumbtacks scatter skill is, it's the strongest aoe skill early game. And if you let her join your party after Nanba left, she could also make up for the missing 4th team member slot for a short period before Han aka Korean Vergil joins in. Plus the actress who plays her is cute (she also looks way cuter irl than her in-game model).

In my top three Yakuza games! It's amazing how RGG Studios theme the combat around their main characters, and the justification for going JRPG was brilliant. Great characters, great story, great time.

Long videos, great presentation suitable for watching or listening and you get all this for free and dont have to watch ads every 5 minutes... he truly is a favorite son!

Yakuza 7 is what got me into the series. Went on to play Kiwami 1 and 2 and loved them as well!

My first Yakuza game, and I'm absolutely in love with the series now thanks to it.

Ichiban I too love Dragon Quest 🔥🔥

Hey son, I’ve been listening to you talk non-stop these past few weeks about those Yakoozah games you like so much. And I think it’s time I got into them to see why you enjoy them. My Windows 98 computer might be a bit dusty though. Also please call your mum back, she wants to know what you want for dinner.

i think yakuza 7 actually impacted my view on the series to an (kiwami means) extreme level, and the only reason i viewed it as such was thanks to the cutscene after defeating kiryu, i looked back on every single fight with certain characters who had tattoos and viewed them all as mythical beasts duking it out, a legendary dragon versus a half-dragon koi, a golden dragon, or a okinawan viper, etcetera, etcetera. i will always view yakuza 7 as a golden statue in comparison to the rest thanks to this outlook, because it made these tales of the japanese criminal underworld feel all the more amazing to go through, even on repeat playthroughs amazing video btw!! i’m close to reaching the end and i love the narration you give, alongside how certain fights were and how events in the story were an impact :)

I 100% cheated on the Vocation school. I did the first intro test easily, but then it was just a lot of questions I didn't know the answer to

I spent most of the game spamming the Orbital Laser once I got it lol

I really appreciate what you said about the dub. I mostly watch this stuff while I'm cooking so it certainly helps me. I'm surprised you didn't talk more about the gameplay, IMO it has a lot of cons but I think it's a significant improvement over the old style.

17:11 Its not a ramen shop, its gyudon. Come on...

I really wish you did a retrospective on lad gaiden and infinite wealth :( im usually never a long video watcher but your yakuza videos are so fun to watch!!!

Kume is the biggest villain in the whole series.

Id love to see yakuza on the list of "top 10 games you play as a dragon"

Just a quick but important criticism around @11:21 you said the hostess is Masato's GF when that is 100% not the case as she works the bar and is only nice to him due to "Customer Is Always Right Stuff". See what Yumeno says in the bathroom is dickish but also right at the same time, the Western Version of buying a "Lambo" for a Hooter's girl, saying they will be together forever and other borderline incel shit saying that he "owns" her. See a KEY part of Masato character is his MASSIVE inferiority complex as even tho two girls ARE into him, he cant accept them as he NEEDS is the "NUMBER ONE GIRL" to feel valid to himself. Like, another point is how much of a cock he is to Ichiban even tho Ichiban has been nothing but nice to him, with people like him it's all about "Dont be a better person, just FEEL better than everyone else.". During the game, there are SEVERAL times when Masato had already clearly won but he risk everything as he has to get a PERFECT win instead of walking away with a a win, like having to WIN the election in the Greyzone which be part of his downfall and had no reason to it other to show off how great he was to himself....

this is a phenomenal recap for a game i find myself lost in the story sometimes

Kiryu and Tendo are both weak to cold damage. So is Saejima. Since YFS thinks Kiryu and Tendo resist _everything,_ I don't believe YFS ever actually _got a move that deals cold damage._

Appreciate all the effort of explaining this great game..

Lol, I had so much money because of the business mini-game. I wasn't forced to play it. It's one of my favorite things to do in all the Yakuza games.

Excellent presentation style! Suggestion: drop some teasers for these long videos. Sometimes I need some enticement to get into a 2 hour journey.

Another great one, son.👍

There's a reason why 3 million yen was picked as the candidate entry fee: It's the same amount you get for completing one business cycle of the business management mini-game at rank 1. I got to rank 1 in chapter 5, the mini-game is completely doable that early. There's are two other big benefits to finishing this game as early as possible: hitting rank 1 will get Eri's bond level to 5, meaning you can make her a permanently back-up party member with no consequences. This is useful when Namba leaves and you have 3 party members for awhile, Eri will give you a fourth. Also, the second best set of armor in the game is available for only money in the romance workshop in chapter five, but at a cost of over five million yen a set (plus over 22 million yen to upgrade the workshop to be able to make that armor). Finish the business management mini-game, acquire top-tier armor and even the toughest boss fights won't scratch you.

I'm so glad this video exists. Infinite Wealth is finally discounted so I'm getting it and this is a great recap of the 7, thank you son.

Fantastic video. Subscribed

Now all you have left to do is Yakuza: Dead Souls and Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise. 😏

I allways passed on the yakuza series but this video and the fact it's more rpg like made me give it a shot this will be my first game in the series but I'm looking forward to the others after cuz im enjoying the humor so far great work

awesome video! thank you!

seeing as you've made so many videos on Yakuza series, might i suggest you try out "Way of the Samurai" 3 and 4? They're quite similar in the densely packed world, but are focused on replayability, each has a lot of endings and a lot of content. 4th one is my personal favorite. E: Imo they both do the "Open world" thing right. It doesn't need to be gigantic, it needs to be packed with content and feel lived in.

There may never be another Earthbound/Mother game from Nintendo, so lets all be thankful for SEGA's Yakuza's series for taking Like a Dragon into a Dragon Quest inspired JRPG with a few other nods to other JRPGs. Final Fantasy's Summons becoming Like a Dragon's PUND BUDDIES was genius.

Two things that I don't think were brought up in your video: 1: When you unlock the management minigame, you can unlock Eri fairly early on, and since you unlock it before Nanba leaves the party for a bit, you can have her fill in the last party slot so you can have a full party until he comes back, which is a major help going into the boss battles before you get Joon 2: I'm not sure if you noticed, but the guy who introduces Sujimons, the professor dude, sounds very similar to the voice actor for evil congressman from Persona 5 (Can't remember his name, been a while since I last played). Just thought it would be a good thing to point out given some of the Persona 5 references in the game.

This game is def my number 2 RPG of the gen. It was so amazing.

Been going through this series , trying to get caught up before gaiden next month On this one now chapter 10, will have to wait to finish your video then, though good quality as always