Yakuza 3

Yakuza 3 finds Kazuma Kiryu, the legendary Dragon of Dojima, trying to live a peaceful life as the caretaker of an orphanage in Okinawa, before the past of the yakuza clans drags him back into the violent underworld of Kamurocho. Sega brought the series to PS3 with significantly improved graphics and a smoother combat system, while preserving the characteristic mix of brutal street brawls, serious crime drama, and bizarrely comedic side activities ranging from karaoke through baseball to hostess clubs.

Battles took place in small arenas set right in the streets, where Kiryu made use of the surrounding environment, from bicycles to signs and crates, and unleashed flashy finishing moves at key moments. Progress wasn't tied only to the main storyline: money and experience could be earned through practically anything, motivating the player to wander the city without a specific goal. The open environment of Kamurocho offered a densely populated district full of shops, restaurants, and minigames, making the game function as a kind of tourist trip into a stylized version of Japanese nightlife, with faithfully observed storefronts and neon signs.

Critics in Japan had long loved the series, but in the West it remained a relatively niche affair until later remasters and localizations. Yakuza 3 nonetheless helped the series expand its international fanbase and cemented Sega's reputation as a creator of uniquely atmospheric crime stories. The orphanage in Okinawa served as an emotional anchor setting the third installment apart from the harsher tone of previous games, and through this contrast between tenderness and brutality the series gradually built a reputation as one of the most human crime narratives in the gaming industry. Today the series, renamed Like a Dragon, is one of the most respected Japanese brands, and its roots on PS3 remain a key chapter in its development.