Yakuza 2

Yakuza 2 is a direct sequel to the first game and the second entry in the series that later became internationally known as Like a Dragon. Players once again step into the role of Kazuma Kiryu, a former yakuza whose past drags him back into the world of organized crime – this time in connection with a brewing war between the clans of Tokyo and Osaka, into which he is pulled against his will because of an old acquaintance. The story directly continues the events of the first game, develops the relationships between characters established there, and adds a new generation of antagonists from the Osaka underworld led by Ryuji Goda, whose conflict with Kiryu becomes the main driving force of the entire story.

Compared to the first game, the game noticeably grew in every respect. A second major city, Osaka, was added, modeled on the Sotenbori district, functioning as a full-fledged parallel to Tokyo's Kamurocho with its own side quests, minigames, shops, and characters – for the first time in the series, the player switches between two distinct game spaces. The combat system was sped up and streamlined, new fighting styles and flashier finishers were added, and the game as a whole feels more confident, more cinematic, and visually more mature than the experimental first title. Yakuza 2 on the PlayStation 2 was also one of the first entries in the series to introduce a number of elements that became series staples, including the expanded Climax hostess club and more elaborate, longer side stories. The graphics and character animations also make use of the last generation of the PlayStation 2 engine, so the game noticeably looks better than the original title released two years earlier.

Why play it: For fans of the series, this is a key installment that established the formula of two connected cities and elaborate side stories, which the series has used in various forms ever since. It is also the best entry point into the early Yakuza era for players who want to experience the original version on a period console, rather than the later reworked remake Kiwami 2.