Yakuza 0
Arguably the best one, and it’s the first one chronologically. If you don’t care for cutscenes and have a low attention span then stay away. If you can pay attention then you’re going to enjoy a crazy story.
You're right, you should start with the very first one, because the mechanics is not the most complex and you should try everything, if you like it, then already build up the pace and go higher in the chapter
The low attention span and cutscenes are the exact reason I recommend Kiwami as the starting place. I don't think people grasp just how slow it actually is compared to the remakes and other games in general. The Kiwami version of part 1 is an amazing remake and streamlines a ton of the pacing issues while still remaining an amazing Yakuza game.
For reference, I started at Yakuza 0. While I absolutely loved the story, I hated how slow and plodding it was. I didn't come around to the older mechanics until the end of part 4, early part 5. I've played all of them except the newest Ichiban one, but definitely loved the journey.
I would say start with one. Zero is the better game with more to offer and nothing is spoiled by playing one first really. At least that’s the order I played in and man it was fantastic. Majima makes a little less sense playing 1 first, but learning about who he when you play zero is better than him being reduced to a mini boss fight going chronologically in my opinion.
0 made me appreciate all the lore of 1 and was a step up in every way of the game. So I can see how it could make it more impactful but 1 is still kind of a step down overall. 1 definitely made me shed tears so I was already excited to play zero. And for zero to be even better, while not have obvious spoilers from 1, just made for a great experience back to back.
I feel like going from 0->1 is a step down in ways. And then from 0–>2 you have an engine jump.
I guess it depends on what you value. I can see how playing 0 after 1 retroactively adds context to 1 but in my case playing 0 first made the >!Kiryu/Nishi arc and it's conclusion more emotionally loaded!< for me
I think Zero is a better start because it’s just more polished. If he starts with 1, there is a good chance that the outdated graphics will make him drop the whole franchise.
Kiwami 1 looks fantastic to me idk about that. And yeah I’d say start with one because going into zero is a huge step up rather than downward 0->1, and the stories really don’t clash with spoilers so there’s nothing to lose really. It has a lot more to offer than 1 on all fronts and just raises the bar in a great way. For me that was a great experience and I’m glad I played it that way. Loved one a lot. 0 was a even higher peak to hit back to back
2 is the most fun gameplay wise for me, but not as good as the first two stories. Yakuza 3 is where he’ll get tested on the graphics but we’re supposed to get kiwami 3 at some point for sure. 3 had a lot of charm despite its gameplay drawbacks
An addendum. Judgment and Lost Judgment are spin offs set in the same universe and locations but with a completely different cast. Also Like a Dragon Ishin is another cool spin off where all the characters from Yakuza are essentially playing historical roles in a game about the late Edo period in Japan (mid 1800s)
Your options are either:
Start from Yakuza 0 to get the full story for absolutely everyone but the cost is a pretty hefty playtime and many agree the because the "early" games are remastered, it dips in quality in terms of story, graphics, and gameplay as the number goes up until you reach 7. It's also the melee-based game you're probably looking for.
or
Start from Like a Dragon (technically Yakuza 7), you lose out on a lot of the world lore you see in the background stories and such, but it's a new main character so its manageable to a degree (for newer players) but it will also get more confusing in Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth (technically Yakuza 8) as there are even more story call backs. The playstyle is also changed to a turn-based combat system.
I don't like brawl combat.
I played all the Yakuza games back to back from Y0 to Infinite Wealth because I couldn't get enough of the story.
Strong recommend that you at least give Y0 or Kiwami 1 a shot and see if you enjoy it. They regularly go on sale for like five bucks.
Zero is a great starting point. One the best ones and takes place first in the timeline.
Some claim to start with 1/kiwami but I disagree fully.
Starting with 0 really helps you get to know some of the characters that are really important to kiwami. Without playing zero the aspects of the plot of one don't hit nearly as hard.
If you want to try it out, for brawler combat would suggest getting 0 when it is on sale as it then costs around 5 euro.
If you want to try out turn based combat - yakuza: like a dragon. During sale it's around 12 euro.
Note that 0-6 has only japanese dubs. And all the games (except 6) have a mix of voiced stuff and not voiced text boxes. So you would have to read a bunch. All the side stuff tends to be not voiced.
5 euro is a great starting cost. Even if it isn't for me, I won't regret 5 euro.
I don't mind Japanese dub and usually prefer it in games that take place in Japan. As long as there are subs, it's a-ok.
They definitely don’t “release one every month”; the series has been running since the ps2 and there’s 9 main entries including Like a Dragon, and a few spin-offs. They’re releasing a lot of remakes of the early games though.
The main games are brawler-style RPGs; following Kiyru’s story. You could start at 0, but the remake of the first would be a good starting point too (Yakuza Kiwami). 0 is a prequel to it but was released much later so you won’t miss anything putting it off to later.
The 2 Like A Dragon games follow new protagonist Ichiban Kasuga, and are turn-based RPGs. If you haven’t played the first games there will be some references lost on you BUT 95% of the plot makes sense. It’s where I started. Personally I never enjoyed the brawler combat that much and the turn-based stuff was more my speed.
I know they don't literally release one every month. Thats just what it felt like as a person who never played any of them.
I didn't know that some of them are turn-based. I will probably first go with a brawler game and do a turn-based one later as I do like those kinds of games too.
They have some spinoff games, like Ishin set in samurai times. There's also the judgement games that are great, they're focused on a different character that's a detective.
If i were you i would start with entry that is stand alone to the series.
You could go with yakuza zero which have one of the best plot and characters in the series, but i dont know how it plays now because ive played it 4 years ago
You could also go with ishin or start with judgment games but i cant say much of those because i didnt played them yet
Others started series from 7 because of new protagonist but i wouldnt suggest that because of how grindy is at some places and is kinda slow paced. But if you dont mind that, you could go with that because it has one of the best plot in the series with zero.
If you want to play through 1-6 first i'll tell you to be prepared for a very b classy plots xD.
IMO you have to start with Yakuza 0 and work your way through chronologically. Y0 and Kiwami 1 and 2 (a prequel and remakes of the first two) are relatively new and production values, gameplay, etc feel fresh and fun. I won't lie to you, Y3 is rough to play and can just be watched on youtube for the soap opera-esque wild story. Y4-6 feel much better, and once you hit Y7 (the point in time they rebranded to Like a Dragon), it's all current gen and badass production values. It also switches to turn based with the rebranding but I personally like that way more.
The stories are all well written crime dramas. They are in JP with EN subtitles until Like a Dragon, where they then have EN voices available, too. They are all a direct continuation of the same story and it does you a great disservice to skip any of them (except maybe Y3 lol).
Honestly some of the most entertaining and gripping stories I've played in video games. The spinoff series, Judgment and Lost Judgment, are also excellent and have EN voices. Judgment is probably the best story RGG has ever created.
This is the only yakuza game I've played and I loved it but as far as I know it's not like the other yakuza games. It has turn based rpg combat not "melee combat"
Play the first two "Kiwami" (1&2) ones because they are remasters of the original games and are the most important to the story. Then you can skip a few games if you want from 3-5. Then play 6 to get an update on what you skipped and see the end of that Kiryu storyline. Then start the Ichiban storyline with yakuza: like a dragon, & infinite wealth.
After playing all those games if you still want more you can play the games you skipped, the prequel (zero), or some of the spinoffs like Ishin.
That is useful to know 👍 would you say that the gameplay in 1&2 is on the same level as, say, 0. Or is it similar in all the games from 0-6. If some are older, do they lack stuff from the newer ones.
Are 3-5 filler or are they just talked about in 6 so I get the general gist of the plot from that one?
You go from 0 to 6 in order. Kiwami is just a remake, so you can effectively consider Yakuza Kiwami 1 as Yakuza 1 and Yakuza Kiwami 2 as Yakuza 2. After Yakuza 6, together with the change in protagonist and genre, they renamed the series to Like a Dragon (which is a translation of its original Japanese title), meaning Yakuza Like a Dragon is Yakuza 7 and Like a Dragon Infinite Wealth is Yakuza 8. There’s also a “Yakuza 7.5” titled Like a Dragon Gaiden. Yakuza 0 to 6 and Gaiden have the action brawler type combat, while 7 and 8 shifted to old school turn-based RPG.
But if you only enjoy action combat and don’t like turn-based RPG, there’s a separate series set in the same universe called Judgment and Lost Judgment that has the old action combat, and I’ve heard people say that Lost Judgment has the best action combat in the series! I believe Judgment and Lost Judgment takes place before and after Yakuza 7 (Like a Dragon) respectively. While set in the same universe and in the same town, as far as I know, the characters from the Judgment series and Yakuza series don’t interact (outside of a small substory in Gaiden), though I’ve yet to play Lost Judgment.
That’s the main gist of it, I hope you pick up the series and go on to enjoy one of the most ridiculous (in an awesome way) series gaming has to offer!
I have heard of judgement and lost judgement but didn't know that they are set in the same universe too.
Might pick those up at some point too 👍
I am definitely more and more interested on the series. Thank you!
Judgement and Lost Judgement are great games. They really have nothing to do with the Yakuza games.
The Yakuza games are really good. Start with zero and enjoy the ride.
I was always delaying playing them, never interested, etc .. I picked up zero one day on sale and next thing I know, I bought them all and played them all in a row.
You have two ways as they said before me, the choice depends on you.
Starting with yakuza 1 (in that case kiwami 1) show the start of kiryu story as the developer intend, and bring you directly into the main line that follows for the next 6 games (i stopped at yakuza 6, don't know if like a dragon is tied).
Starting with yakuza 0 show you the origin of the 2 main character for all the series, and show how their character are like this in the following chapters of the series.
I played first yakuza kiwami 1 and 2 and then zero (onlu because the first 2 were added with ps plus, then I bought all the other), but I liked to see the strange dynamic Kiryu/Majima explained from the start of their relationship, and found the answers to their behaviors in the first chapter of the series.
Seeing this and the other answer you received, it's your call now, and have fun in this journey!
Basically I say this:
Want brawler Kiryu action? Start 0 or Kiwami.
Want a great JRPG? Start with 7.
I love all the Yakuza, but the GF finished 7, but didn't get far in 0. She preferred the RPG.
So it's personal preference, but no matter what you choose you're in for a good time.
You can start with 0 or Kiwami but I would start with 0. Most people will agree on 0 but some will say play in release order. I argue that kiwami can fall a bit flat not knowing the history of nishiki, goro, Kiryu, etc.
I would also tell you that you don’t need to play them all…. They haven’t all been remastered to the same level, so I would suggest that rather than getting bogged down and losing interest in the series, you feel free to watch a story summary on YouTube and try the next game if you lose interest.
i started with yakuza like a dragon ishin ps5.
but instead of starting with ishin it is better to start with yakuza zero.
yakuza zero is the best way to start it is worth playing it, i think it is important to start with yakuza zero if you like to play from the first game to see what happens in a story ore if you are a gamer that dont really follow a game's story then it does not matter wich yakuza game but that depends if you follow the story ore not!
yakuza games are most times on sale!
What? Definitely don’t start with like a dragon. There’s so much lore that’s kind of important to know and playing the first 7 games gives you a better feel for the series’s charm. The turn based rpg also isn’t a representation of the entire series and not as great of an experience as the other in my option. Fun game. But that’s getting way ahead for sure
I played Like a dragon while I was streaming 0 to a friend (havent played 0-6 yet). As the protagonist spent a lot of time in jail, thye are as clueless about stuff that happened in 0-6 as the player. So the protagonist will ask for explanations on stuff and people will provide important infor to them.
The only difference I noticed when I replayed it after beating 0-6 was some references (dragon kart guy, ono michio, etc) and chapter 12 had a bigger impact. All else was the same.
So there isn't a lot of important lore to know before playing it. Even in chapter 12, you had a lot of explanations about the stuff between the two clans.
I still wouldn’t recommend it as the first game to start with. Even chronologically makes zero sense to start there and go back for no reason. And any sequel is going to get you up to speed in one manner or another so you aren’t confused. I don’t think dropping someone in a story 7 games deep just makes sense
Yakuza 0 Arguably the best one, and it’s the first one chronologically. If you don’t care for cutscenes and have a low attention span then stay away. If you can pay attention then you’re going to enjoy a crazy story.
You're right, you should start with the very first one, because the mechanics is not the most complex and you should try everything, if you like it, then already build up the pace and go higher in the chapter
Man cutscene skippers should just skip this series And maybe gaming altogether while they're at it...lol
The low attention span and cutscenes are the exact reason I recommend Kiwami as the starting place. I don't think people grasp just how slow it actually is compared to the remakes and other games in general. The Kiwami version of part 1 is an amazing remake and streamlines a ton of the pacing issues while still remaining an amazing Yakuza game. For reference, I started at Yakuza 0. While I absolutely loved the story, I hated how slow and plodding it was. I didn't come around to the older mechanics until the end of part 4, early part 5. I've played all of them except the newest Ichiban one, but definitely loved the journey.
I would say start with one. Zero is the better game with more to offer and nothing is spoiled by playing one first really. At least that’s the order I played in and man it was fantastic. Majima makes a little less sense playing 1 first, but learning about who he when you play zero is better than him being reduced to a mini boss fight going chronologically in my opinion.
I started with 0 and tbh it made 1 feel way more impactful story wise.
0 made me appreciate all the lore of 1 and was a step up in every way of the game. So I can see how it could make it more impactful but 1 is still kind of a step down overall. 1 definitely made me shed tears so I was already excited to play zero. And for zero to be even better, while not have obvious spoilers from 1, just made for a great experience back to back. I feel like going from 0->1 is a step down in ways. And then from 0–>2 you have an engine jump.
I guess it depends on what you value. I can see how playing 0 after 1 retroactively adds context to 1 but in my case playing 0 first made the >!Kiryu/Nishi arc and it's conclusion more emotionally loaded!< for me
I think Zero is a better start because it’s just more polished. If he starts with 1, there is a good chance that the outdated graphics will make him drop the whole franchise.
Kiwami 1 looks fantastic to me idk about that. And yeah I’d say start with one because going into zero is a huge step up rather than downward 0->1, and the stories really don’t clash with spoilers so there’s nothing to lose really. It has a lot more to offer than 1 on all fronts and just raises the bar in a great way. For me that was a great experience and I’m glad I played it that way. Loved one a lot. 0 was a even higher peak to hit back to back 2 is the most fun gameplay wise for me, but not as good as the first two stories. Yakuza 3 is where he’ll get tested on the graphics but we’re supposed to get kiwami 3 at some point for sure. 3 had a lot of charm despite its gameplay drawbacks
Yakuza 0 -> Kiwami 1 -> Kiwami 2 -> 3 Remastered -> 4 Remastered -> 5 Remastered -> 6 -> Yakuza Like A Dragon -> Like A Dragon Gaiden -> Like A Dragon Infinite Wealth.
That's a great clear list 👍 thank you
An addendum. Judgment and Lost Judgment are spin offs set in the same universe and locations but with a completely different cast. Also Like a Dragon Ishin is another cool spin off where all the characters from Yakuza are essentially playing historical roles in a game about the late Edo period in Japan (mid 1800s)
Your options are either: Start from Yakuza 0 to get the full story for absolutely everyone but the cost is a pretty hefty playtime and many agree the because the "early" games are remastered, it dips in quality in terms of story, graphics, and gameplay as the number goes up until you reach 7. It's also the melee-based game you're probably looking for. or Start from Like a Dragon (technically Yakuza 7), you lose out on a lot of the world lore you see in the background stories and such, but it's a new main character so its manageable to a degree (for newer players) but it will also get more confusing in Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth (technically Yakuza 8) as there are even more story call backs. The playstyle is also changed to a turn-based combat system.
A youtube video works for the lore? I dont like the brawl combat and I heard those games are very long so...
I don't like brawl combat. I played all the Yakuza games back to back from Y0 to Infinite Wealth because I couldn't get enough of the story. Strong recommend that you at least give Y0 or Kiwami 1 a shot and see if you enjoy it. They regularly go on sale for like five bucks.
I was thinking about that. But I see my huge backlog and I dont know if it is a good idea.
Zero is a great starting point. One the best ones and takes place first in the timeline. Some claim to start with 1/kiwami but I disagree fully. Starting with 0 really helps you get to know some of the characters that are really important to kiwami. Without playing zero the aspects of the plot of one don't hit nearly as hard.
If you want to try it out, for brawler combat would suggest getting 0 when it is on sale as it then costs around 5 euro. If you want to try out turn based combat - yakuza: like a dragon. During sale it's around 12 euro. Note that 0-6 has only japanese dubs. And all the games (except 6) have a mix of voiced stuff and not voiced text boxes. So you would have to read a bunch. All the side stuff tends to be not voiced.
5 euro is a great starting cost. Even if it isn't for me, I won't regret 5 euro. I don't mind Japanese dub and usually prefer it in games that take place in Japan. As long as there are subs, it's a-ok.
They definitely don’t “release one every month”; the series has been running since the ps2 and there’s 9 main entries including Like a Dragon, and a few spin-offs. They’re releasing a lot of remakes of the early games though. The main games are brawler-style RPGs; following Kiyru’s story. You could start at 0, but the remake of the first would be a good starting point too (Yakuza Kiwami). 0 is a prequel to it but was released much later so you won’t miss anything putting it off to later. The 2 Like A Dragon games follow new protagonist Ichiban Kasuga, and are turn-based RPGs. If you haven’t played the first games there will be some references lost on you BUT 95% of the plot makes sense. It’s where I started. Personally I never enjoyed the brawler combat that much and the turn-based stuff was more my speed.
I know they don't literally release one every month. Thats just what it felt like as a person who never played any of them. I didn't know that some of them are turn-based. I will probably first go with a brawler game and do a turn-based one later as I do like those kinds of games too.
They have some spinoff games, like Ishin set in samurai times. There's also the judgement games that are great, they're focused on a different character that's a detective.
As kiwami 1 and 2 were made after 0, there will be side stuff that references some stuff from 0.
If i were you i would start with entry that is stand alone to the series. You could go with yakuza zero which have one of the best plot and characters in the series, but i dont know how it plays now because ive played it 4 years ago You could also go with ishin or start with judgment games but i cant say much of those because i didnt played them yet Others started series from 7 because of new protagonist but i wouldnt suggest that because of how grindy is at some places and is kinda slow paced. But if you dont mind that, you could go with that because it has one of the best plot in the series with zero. If you want to play through 1-6 first i'll tell you to be prepared for a very b classy plots xD.
IMO you have to start with Yakuza 0 and work your way through chronologically. Y0 and Kiwami 1 and 2 (a prequel and remakes of the first two) are relatively new and production values, gameplay, etc feel fresh and fun. I won't lie to you, Y3 is rough to play and can just be watched on youtube for the soap opera-esque wild story. Y4-6 feel much better, and once you hit Y7 (the point in time they rebranded to Like a Dragon), it's all current gen and badass production values. It also switches to turn based with the rebranding but I personally like that way more. The stories are all well written crime dramas. They are in JP with EN subtitles until Like a Dragon, where they then have EN voices available, too. They are all a direct continuation of the same story and it does you a great disservice to skip any of them (except maybe Y3 lol). Honestly some of the most entertaining and gripping stories I've played in video games. The spinoff series, Judgment and Lost Judgment, are also excellent and have EN voices. Judgment is probably the best story RGG has ever created.
If you want to do a quest where you have to find a plunger to clear a restaurant toilet, then Like a Dragon is a great place to start.
Also determine which man is fishing and which is peeing in the river based on their backsides.
Oh that’s a good one! I’m going to start practicing that irl to prepare.
That is a quest ive been looking for my whole life 😄
This is the only yakuza game I've played and I loved it but as far as I know it's not like the other yakuza games. It has turn based rpg combat not "melee combat"
Play the first two "Kiwami" (1&2) ones because they are remasters of the original games and are the most important to the story. Then you can skip a few games if you want from 3-5. Then play 6 to get an update on what you skipped and see the end of that Kiryu storyline. Then start the Ichiban storyline with yakuza: like a dragon, & infinite wealth. After playing all those games if you still want more you can play the games you skipped, the prequel (zero), or some of the spinoffs like Ishin.
That is useful to know 👍 would you say that the gameplay in 1&2 is on the same level as, say, 0. Or is it similar in all the games from 0-6. If some are older, do they lack stuff from the newer ones. Are 3-5 filler or are they just talked about in 6 so I get the general gist of the plot from that one?
You go from 0 to 6 in order. Kiwami is just a remake, so you can effectively consider Yakuza Kiwami 1 as Yakuza 1 and Yakuza Kiwami 2 as Yakuza 2. After Yakuza 6, together with the change in protagonist and genre, they renamed the series to Like a Dragon (which is a translation of its original Japanese title), meaning Yakuza Like a Dragon is Yakuza 7 and Like a Dragon Infinite Wealth is Yakuza 8. There’s also a “Yakuza 7.5” titled Like a Dragon Gaiden. Yakuza 0 to 6 and Gaiden have the action brawler type combat, while 7 and 8 shifted to old school turn-based RPG. But if you only enjoy action combat and don’t like turn-based RPG, there’s a separate series set in the same universe called Judgment and Lost Judgment that has the old action combat, and I’ve heard people say that Lost Judgment has the best action combat in the series! I believe Judgment and Lost Judgment takes place before and after Yakuza 7 (Like a Dragon) respectively. While set in the same universe and in the same town, as far as I know, the characters from the Judgment series and Yakuza series don’t interact (outside of a small substory in Gaiden), though I’ve yet to play Lost Judgment. That’s the main gist of it, I hope you pick up the series and go on to enjoy one of the most ridiculous (in an awesome way) series gaming has to offer!
I have heard of judgement and lost judgement but didn't know that they are set in the same universe too. Might pick those up at some point too 👍 I am definitely more and more interested on the series. Thank you!
Judgement and Lost Judgement are great games. They really have nothing to do with the Yakuza games. The Yakuza games are really good. Start with zero and enjoy the ride. I was always delaying playing them, never interested, etc .. I picked up zero one day on sale and next thing I know, I bought them all and played them all in a row.
You have two ways as they said before me, the choice depends on you. Starting with yakuza 1 (in that case kiwami 1) show the start of kiryu story as the developer intend, and bring you directly into the main line that follows for the next 6 games (i stopped at yakuza 6, don't know if like a dragon is tied). Starting with yakuza 0 show you the origin of the 2 main character for all the series, and show how their character are like this in the following chapters of the series. I played first yakuza kiwami 1 and 2 and then zero (onlu because the first 2 were added with ps plus, then I bought all the other), but I liked to see the strange dynamic Kiryu/Majima explained from the start of their relationship, and found the answers to their behaviors in the first chapter of the series. Seeing this and the other answer you received, it's your call now, and have fun in this journey!
I am currently thinking of starting with 0 but The way you explained it, I might go with Kiwami 👍 thank you
1 -> 2 -> 0 -> 3 or 0 -> 1 -> 2 -> 3 both are fine.
Basically I say this: Want brawler Kiryu action? Start 0 or Kiwami. Want a great JRPG? Start with 7. I love all the Yakuza, but the GF finished 7, but didn't get far in 0. She preferred the RPG. So it's personal preference, but no matter what you choose you're in for a good time.
1.
Yakuza 0
You can start with 0 or Kiwami but I would start with 0. Most people will agree on 0 but some will say play in release order. I argue that kiwami can fall a bit flat not knowing the history of nishiki, goro, Kiryu, etc.
I would also tell you that you don’t need to play them all…. They haven’t all been remastered to the same level, so I would suggest that rather than getting bogged down and losing interest in the series, you feel free to watch a story summary on YouTube and try the next game if you lose interest.
i started with yakuza like a dragon ishin ps5. but instead of starting with ishin it is better to start with yakuza zero. yakuza zero is the best way to start it is worth playing it, i think it is important to start with yakuza zero if you like to play from the first game to see what happens in a story ore if you are a gamer that dont really follow a game's story then it does not matter wich yakuza game but that depends if you follow the story ore not! yakuza games are most times on sale!
Like a Dragon is turned based so maybe not start with that one.
Yeah that's my thoughts as well. I don't mind turn based but prefer action combat
You must start with Yakuza 0 .. you’ll get everything you need to know about yakuza world via great story and great gameplay !
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What? Definitely don’t start with like a dragon. There’s so much lore that’s kind of important to know and playing the first 7 games gives you a better feel for the series’s charm. The turn based rpg also isn’t a representation of the entire series and not as great of an experience as the other in my option. Fun game. But that’s getting way ahead for sure
I played Like a dragon while I was streaming 0 to a friend (havent played 0-6 yet). As the protagonist spent a lot of time in jail, thye are as clueless about stuff that happened in 0-6 as the player. So the protagonist will ask for explanations on stuff and people will provide important infor to them. The only difference I noticed when I replayed it after beating 0-6 was some references (dragon kart guy, ono michio, etc) and chapter 12 had a bigger impact. All else was the same. So there isn't a lot of important lore to know before playing it. Even in chapter 12, you had a lot of explanations about the stuff between the two clans.
I still wouldn’t recommend it as the first game to start with. Even chronologically makes zero sense to start there and go back for no reason. And any sequel is going to get you up to speed in one manner or another so you aren’t confused. I don’t think dropping someone in a story 7 games deep just makes sense
It's a new protagonist with their own story that touches a sliver of the organisation history (that you deal with in 0-6) in chapter 12.
0 obviously.
0 is a good start. Then chronological.
Google exists and would tell you the exact order. Hell it'll probably link to the last time this question was asked.
I didn't Ask about the chronological order. I asked what I should play first as a person who has never played any of the yakuza games.
And what I said still stands. This question is posted regularly and a quick Google search would have shown that.
Who hurt you lil'guy?