The Yakuza series was rebranded as Like a Dragon in 2022, but what was it like when it first started out? Well, it’s nothing short of an unexplained miracle in the video game industry. It began in 2005 as a Japanese cult classic and gradually became one of the world’s best-known works. From its fiercely realistic crime stories to incredibly funny jokes, Yakuza takes on everything with joyous abandon.
On its journey to international acclaim, Yakuza didn’t immediately hit it big. Instead, the gradual rise was fuelled by a loyal fanbase overseas, bold new direction, and smart localization.
Early Struggles of Yakuza
When the original Yakuza went on sale for PlayStation 2, it wasn’t a certain seller anywhere in the world outside of Japan. Its settings and themes of Japanese culture, taking place in the criminal underworld, seemed inappropriate for international consumption. There were no multinational logos or strategic partnerships to pump out its message. Because of this, while it did become recognized by Japanese game lovers, it passed by the rest of the world as just another flash in the pan.
In addition, the game was a mixture of different gameplay genres—the action and exploration helped to contribute both to its atmosphere and its charm, but left some players feeling confused about where it fitted. Despite the popularity of Japanese games like Final Fantasy VII, Yakuza struggled to find its foothold in the international market.
Turning Point: Smart Localization and Fan Support
The decisive moment for Yakuza was when Sega began taking localization more seriously. Starting with Yakuza 0 in 2017, the franchise underwent a significant change in how it was marketed to Western audiences. Sega for one thing dropped English voiceovers in favor of subtitles, which kept the authenticity of the Japanese dialogue intact. This choice appealed to fans, allowing them to enjoy the game just as it was presented originally.
The timing also couldn’t have been better. Around the same time, YouTube channels and social media exploded with gaming content. Streamers and content creators highlighted the side stories of the series, with its odd little dramas and full-tilt thrillers, attracting curious newcomers to experience what the series was all about. Word of mouth spread rapidly and before long, the little-known series had become a common topic in game communities.
On the internet, this boost in popularity combined neatly with the arrival of thousands of different niche platforms. Suddenly, everyone everywhere was talking about gaming. We can see this in other areas too – let’s take the digital casino as a great example here. Online slots have been a thing for years, but more and more people began talking about them, marveling over graphics improvements and better game varieties. The increased interest in the topic of gaming as a whole led to discussions about what made slots great, what the best options were – and like Yakuza, online slots really took off and made their mark on the internet.
Part of that success, of course, was down to good marketing, just like the success of Yakuza was down to Sega’s smart approach to selling the game. In both cases, they aimed for universal appeal, offering a game that anybody and everybody could enjoy – and making sure the world heard about it. These two areas demonstrate just how powerful word-of-mouth and good marketing can be – at opposite ends of the complexity spectrum, both have still managed to do phenomenally well as a result of these two approaches.
What Makes Yakuza Stand Out Today?
The Yakuza series remains popular because it doesn’t follow the beaten path. Each game dives into narrative-driven storytelling with deep characters and a strong sense of humor. It matches a dirty crime story with dueling karaoke, wrestling matches, and even running a cabaret club. It’s this kind of quirky unpredictability that has always been central to the series’ charm—setting it apart from other action-adventure titles.
It’s also a popular game because of its accessibility. As the series grew, Sega began releasing earlier titles in remakes or remastered editions like the Yakuza Kiwami series. These moves have made it easy for newbies to get started on the story while keeping long-term ones happy with modern updates.
Another reason for its popularity is that Yakuza: Like a Dragon used turn-based combat. This was a courageous decision, but one that paid off. While the series didn’t lose its familiar core, it opened new doors for people who may have found the brawler mechanics of previous entries intimidating.
The Future of the Yakuza
Yakuza’s future looks bright as ever and is evolving all the time. Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, the latest release in the series, exhibits its ever-increasing ambition in itself. Sea battles and an exciting Hawaii backdrop are new features integrated into the original mold. While Sega has taken a take-off-and-innovate approach, it hasn’t lost sight of what makes Yakuza Yakuza. Videos of the newly revealed in-game action, Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza, as seen on Niche Gamer, show how the franchise is all set to go beyond another level.
What makes Yakuza so thrilling is its ability to change and yet remain, in essence, itself. This equilibrium has propelled it from a fringe option into an indispensable feature of the gaming landscape. It enjoys both popular and critical acceptance.
