Yakuza

About

Yakuza is a story-driven action RPG set in Japan's underworld. You play Kazuma Kiryu, a yakuza member released from a decade-long prison sentence. After his boss dies under mysterious circumstances, Kiryu gets dragged back into organized crime when a massive cash heist shakes the criminal world. The game blends beat-em-up combat with open world exploration, letting you run bars, solve side cases, and navigate shifting loyalties. Choices matter as much as brawling, with dialogue and alliances shaping the plot. Critics called it "better than it has any business being" and praised its accessibility for newcomers. With a 86/100 OpenCritic score and 95% recommendation rate, the game stands out for its bold narrative twists and character depth. The core mystery of a vanished 10 billion yen hoard ties together heists, revenge plots, and a kidnapped girl who becomes Kiryu's unlikely partner. Over 20 years since release, its mix of tough-guy drama and chaotic side missions still feels fresh.

Storyline

The game follows the story of Kazuma Kiryu (Darryl Kurylo/Takaya Kuroda), a yakuza whose life changes when his boss, Sohei Dojima, attempts to rape Kiryu's childhood friend, Yumi Sawamura (Eliza Dushku/Miyako Uesaka)). When Dojima is murdered by Kiryu's best friend and fellow yakuza, Akira Nishikiyama (Michael Rosenbaum/Kazuhiro Nakaya), Kiryu accepts blame for the murder, and is imprisoned for ten years. During his incarceration, Kiryu is expelled from his organization, the Tojo Clan, and Yumi goes missing. After his release, he learns that ten billion yen has been stolen from the Tojo Clan's private bank, and that the entire Japanese underworld is now searching for the lost wealth.