Complete List of Spinoff Games in the Yakuza and Like a Dragon Franchise

The Yakuza/Like a Dragon series has seen a remarkable rise in popularity, establishing itself as one of the most noteworthy game franchises in recent years. The latest title, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, invites players to Hawaii, departing from the franchise’s traditional backdrop of the fictional Kamurocho district in Tokyo. Additionally, the series includes various spin-off titles, some of which are exclusive to certain gaming consoles.

Here’s a comprehensive overview of the notable spin-offs in the Yakuza (known as Ryu Ga Gotoku in Japan) franchise, presented in chronological order.

All Spin-Off Games in the Yakuza/Like a Dragon Franchise

1) Ryu Ga Gotoku: Kenzan (2008)

After the success of Yakuza 2 on the PS2, Sega launched Ryu Ga Gotoku Kenzan on the PS3. This title retains the engaging gameplay and combat mechanics of its predecessors, while introducing a new inventory system designed for extensive item storage.

Set in Kyoto during the Edo period of the 1600s, players take on the role of Miyamoto Musashi, a historical figure who served as an inspiration for the beloved character Kiryu Kazuma. Kenzan remains exclusive to the PS3 and has not been localized in English, making it available solely in Japanese.

2) Kurohyō: Ryu ga Gotoku Shinshō 1&2 (2010, 2011)

Ryu Ga Gotoku Kurohyō 1 and 2 (Image via Sega)

In 2010 and 2011, two Yakuza spin-offs, Kurohyo: Ryu Ga Gotoku Shinsho and its sequel Kurohyo 2: Ryu Ga Gotoku Ashuraiki, were released on the PSP handheld console. The first title in this spin-off introduces Tatsuya Ukyo as the protagonist, stepping away from Kiryu’s storyline.

Similar to Kenzan, both Kurohyo titles were never ported to other platforms or localized for Western gamers, leaving them exclusively available in Japanese on the PSP.

3) Yakuza: Dead Souls (2011)

Taking advantage of the surge in popularity of zombie-themed games, Yakuza: Dead Souls was launched for PS3 in 2011.

This title immerses players in a zombie-ridden Kamurocho, tasking them with eliminating the undead and restoring the city to its former state. The game features four beloved characters from the franchise: Kiryu Kazuma, Shun Akiyama, Goda Ryuji, and Goro Majima.

Uniquely, Yakuza: Dead Souls is the first game where Ryuji takes the lead role and the first to make Majima a playable character. Notably, it was also the first Yakuza spin-off to achieve a worldwide release.

4) Ryu Ga Gotoku: Ishin!/Like a Dragon: Ishin! (2014/2023)

Premiering in 2014 on PS3 and PS4, Ryu Ga Gotoku Ishin! explores the Bakumatsu era in Japanese history, placing players in the shoes of Sakamoto Ryoma, a character reimagined akin to Kiryu Kazuma.

Initially, the title was not available in English, but it saw a global re-release in 2023 as Like a Dragon: Ishin! on PS4, PS5, PC, Xbox Series X/S, and Xbox One. This re-release is essentially a remake utilizing Unreal Engine.

5) Judgment (2018)

In 2018, Judgment was released, introducing players to Takayuki Yagami, a former lawyer turned detective who runs his own office in Kamurocho. This character is modeled after the Japanese actor and singer Takuya Kimura, who engages in investigative work through activities like lock-picking and tailing suspects.

Originally a PS4 exclusive, Judgment was later re-released in 2021, bundling all DLCs for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Stadia, and eventually Amazon Luna and PC in 2022.

6) Lost Judgment (2021)

Launching in 2021 for PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Xbox One, Lost Judgment continues Yagami’s story, introducing new gameplay features such as a dance mini-game, additional side quests, and extra fighting styles. Its DLC, The Kaito Files, allows players to explore the narrative from the perspective of Masaharu Kaito, Yagami’s ally.

Many fans regard the combat system in Lost Judgment as one of the best within the series.

7) Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name (2023)

The latest chapter in the franchise, Like a Dragon: Gaiden, released in 2023, centers on Kiryu Kazuma. This game fills the narrative gap between Yakuza 6 and Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, featuring Kiryu under the alias of Joryu.

Players can make use of various advanced gadgets throughout the adventure, which takes place in Osaka’s Sotenbori and Yokohama’s Isezaki Ijincho, both of which have been featured in earlier entries of the series.

Like a Dragon: Gaiden is available on PS4, PS5, PC, Xbox Series X/S, and Xbox One.

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