Classic PS2 Game Launched a Franchise 20 Years Ago

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The first Yakuza game came out in Japan on December 8, 2005, and was released internationally the next year. Sega worried that the game’s violence and adult themes might not appeal to players, but it turned out to be very popular.

Over the last twenty years, the Yakuza series has become one of the publisher’s biggest hits, achieving both critical acclaim and strong sales – something earlier games like Shenmue didn’t quite manage. A key to its success is the way it combines expansive open-world environments with compelling, focused stories, a balance few series handle so well. Now, after two decades, it’s a good time to revisit where Yakuza started and explore why it has not only lasted but flourished around the world.

Yakuza Debuted Two Decades Ago

First released in Japan twenty years ago, the Yakuza series has grown into a hugely popular and long-lasting gaming franchise. Created by Sega’s New Entertainment R&D, the original Yakuza game came out after the massive success of Grand Theft Auto. Though series creator Toshihiro Nagoshi faced challenges getting the game approved, his vision of portraying the complex world of Yakuza – their code of honor and criminal activities – eventually won Sega over. Interest from Sony and a PlayStation 2 release further helped launch the series.

After three years of work by a diverse team, the game Yakuza emerged as a large-scale, ambitious project. The story, refined by renowned Japanese crime novelist Hase Seishu, follows Kazuma Kiryu, an ex-Yakuza member, as he leaves prison and gets caught up in a search for his childhood friend and ten billion yen she’s linked to. This central crime story was captivating on its own, but the game also featured excellent combat, detailed world-building, and a polished presentation. Ultimately, Yakuza’s engaging design and immersive portrayal of Japanese culture made it a truly compelling experience.

How Yakuza Has Evolved

The original Yakuza game was a hit, leading to numerous sequels that followed Kazuma Kiryu’s story and the power struggles between criminal organizations in Japan. The main series now includes nine games, such as Yakuza 0 from 2015. Beyond the main games, several spin-offs have explored different angles, like setting stories in the past or adding horror themes. The series remains popular today with titles like Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, showcasing the wide range of gameplay experiences it offers.

The original Yakuza game offered players a surprising amount of side content, and that’s become even more extensive over time. Now, you can do everything from battling in arenas and racing go-karts to singing karaoke, all while navigating the criminal underworld. The series has consistently received excellent reviews, particularly in Japan, and has even earned multiple perfect scores from the notoriously critical Famitsu magazine – a testament to its ambitious storytelling and fun gameplay. As of 2024, the ‘Like a Dragon’ series of games and spin-offs has sold over 28 million copies, making it a huge success for Sega.

Why Yakuza Has Endured

The Yakuza series truly shines when it combines compelling stories with well-developed characters, which naturally enhances the gameplay experience. The narratives often explore deeply emotional themes like fractured friendships and a sense of flawed honor, giving them a more tragic feel than many other popular video games. However, the series also understands the importance of humor to balance out the serious moments.

The Yakuza series has become so popular because it expertly combines over-the-top action, engaging stories, and detailed worlds. Much like Grand Theft Auto, it can offer something for all kinds of players. Just as GTA uses a strong story to keep things focused despite the huge open world, Yakuza balances freedom and narrative, even including fun side activities like kart racing. This creates a series that successfully combines a truly open-world experience with a compelling storyline.

What really sets Yakuza apart is its incredible worldbuilding. The games create a fascinating underbelly hidden just beneath everyday life. The series’ quirky and often silly touches also help it stand out from the many GTAlike games, offering moments of levity when the story gets intense. Yakuza* truly has a unique identity, one that it established over twenty years ago with the first game, and it remains unmatched.

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2025-12-10 23:10