Yakuza

 PlayStation 2
  • Publisher: Sega
  • Release Date: Sep 5, 2006
User Score
8.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 142 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 116 out of 142
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 142
  3. Negative: 9 out of 142
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  1. Mithyus
    Apr 1, 2007
    10
    Kazuma and his story are entangling and amazing from start to end, and while the gameplay plays as a lesser element, it still does a pretty decent job.
  2. hugoboy
    May 26, 2011
    10
    this game does not have a name or the packaging like god of war or devil may cry that easily acttracts gamers and so it's often overlooked. And who can blame us,i mean who really cares about yakuzas (i know i don't) but after a friend recommended it to me i finally got the game and i was so glad i did. The story in this game can only be found in a great movie or a best seller novel forthis game does not have a name or the packaging like god of war or devil may cry that easily acttracts gamers and so it's often overlooked. And who can blame us,i mean who really cares about yakuzas (i know i don't) but after a friend recommended it to me i finally got the game and i was so glad i did. The story in this game can only be found in a great movie or a best seller novel for it's that damn good.it involves love,betrayer,honour and even tragedy.after taking the fall for his best friend,our hero gets out of prison only to find out his girlfriend is missing,betaryed by bestfriend and yakuza world in chaos.he must protect a mysterious little who would lead him to the truth. With awesome characters,great combat system,free roaming gameplay and great looking cut scenes i must say yakuza is a master piece. A game for only hardcore gamers,casual gamers be warned… Expand
  3. LegendaryBurger
    Apr 11, 2013
    10
    this game is freaking awesome its a spiritual successor to Shenmue and man did it surpass shenmue already amazing story and a unique gameplay for an open world game like this was just genius if sega ever plans to make Shenmue 3 then they should leave it in the hands of the people who made Yakuza 1-5
  4. DarkwingSchmuck
    Apr 2, 2022
    8
    Yakuza is a mix of Shenmue and Final Fight with a terrific narrative and a ton of fun side activities. While the game's battle system would be refined in sequels, it's a bit imbalanced in this game while boss fights are more tanky endurance matches than a fun challenge. Despite its flaws, Yakuza is still a very enjoyable game and a solid start for what would become a fantastic franchise.
  5. Istike55
    Dec 12, 2015
    10
    Incredible game with incredible story. Nowhere near to 10 point but because of the "professional review" I increase the overall. I looking forward to play the next installments.
  6. MixedKing
    Oct 6, 2015
    8
    The start of a good series, the cut scenes were good as were the characters. I think I had the most fun playing this in any of the other games in the series.
  7. frederik1478
    Sep 6, 2021
    8
    A good stepping stone to a fantastic game series but you can feel that it's the first one, it's still holds of even if the Combat is very stiff and you are gonna hit the air more times then you like, and the English dub is good and hilarious, I would recommend that you start with this game if you want to play the franchise
  8. Lilahkiz
    Oct 15, 2017
    9
    Impressive game with a good story my only gripe is the combat its stiff
    well what else can i say oh it has a good amount of content for a ps2 game so its worth a while
  9. jugadorhardcore
    Feb 5, 2018
    10
    A masterpiece. The beginning of a legendary saga. To bad that it is so underrated in the Western public...
  10. EnsarO
    Jun 28, 2022
    10
    Ten Years In The Joint Made You A F*cking P*ssy
    Ten Years In The Joint Made You A F*cking P*ssy
    Ten Years In The Joint Made You A F*cking P*ssy
    Ten Years In The Joint Made You A F*cking P*ssy
    Ten Years In The Joint Made You A F*cking P*ssy
    Ten Years In The Joint Made You A F*cking P*ssy

    Overrated game
  11. LironesAlviento
    Aug 20, 2020
    8
    Quizas uno de los juegos de PS2 que a día de hoy (2020) me pongo a jugar y me sigue pareciendo entretenido, no es un GTA5, pero es muy divertido.
  12. FawazB.
    Jan 10, 2007
    9
    One of the coolest bash em up games I've played...but they should have added some more features to make it more like a true crime kind of game play. Would have been better.
  13. GioD
    Apr 10, 2008
    9
    Damn...talk about a TRUE underrated gem. Yakuza,from top to bottom, is just a fantastic game. The story is (in my opinion) 1 of the best ever in the history of videogames. Its LIITTERALY a phenominal crime/mafia novel in videogame form and its 1 (of the many) strongest things about the game. Main character Kazuma is a true badass who has a huge amount of honor and is insanely likeableDamn...talk about a TRUE underrated gem. Yakuza,from top to bottom, is just a fantastic game. The story is (in my opinion) 1 of the best ever in the history of videogames. Its LIITTERALY a phenominal crime/mafia novel in videogame form and its 1 (of the many) strongest things about the game. Main character Kazuma is a true badass who has a huge amount of honor and is insanely likeable because of it. He's just a great character all around. The city that you explore is so alive that it just completely took me by surprise. It really feels like a living, breathing place that exists. And theres TONS to do in it. Bored? Go to a strip club. Feeling down? Go to bars and get drunk. Need some "action"? Meet up with escorts and have a good time. Feel like spending some dough? Go to the gambling casino's and let the good times roll. The variety in the game is delieverd in spades. Yakuza also has a very solid and easy to learn fighting system. Every punch, kick, throw, etc is meet with satisfying bone crushing impact. The more you fight, the more expirence you gain, the more moves you learn. Voice acting is great all around, controls are very simple to learn, and the graphics are some of the very best on the PS2. The ONLY negative a can come up with is that it does have alot of loading. It just sucks that part 3 just got released in japan and we have yet to get part 2. Here's to hoping it may come state side. One of the very best games on PS2.… Expand
  14. Devin
    Oct 9, 2006
    10
    One of the best games I've played this year. If you like story driven games akin to RPG's but without all the micromanegment and the visceral fighting in action games Yakuza certainly delivers. Notwithstanding, the fighting gameplay and envirtonment are pretty basic, but their good enough to drive the game. The story is what really shines. It one of the few games that you One of the best games I've played this year. If you like story driven games akin to RPG's but without all the micromanegment and the visceral fighting in action games Yakuza certainly delivers. Notwithstanding, the fighting gameplay and envirtonment are pretty basic, but their good enough to drive the game. The story is what really shines. It one of the few games that you actually build an emotional attachment to the characters.… Expand
  15. MaxT.
    Sep 29, 2006
    9
    Best game I've played in along time, fraction to easy.
  16. MachinelliO.
    Sep 7, 2006
    10
    I love this game! Good.
  17. GemmaB.
    Sep 8, 2006
    10
    An excellent game all around. good story cool guy and a cute little girl to pull on your heart strings but enough butt kicking action to keep you on your toes. Very enjoyable.
  18. AndrewL.
    Sep 14, 2007
    8
    This game has so much potential that was not utilized. The story and characters are great. There is entirely too much cursing and the beat downs you administer to others quickly get old. I like how when you get approched by a thug he says a curse word that can only be described as sounding like a chicken cluck. The game is plagued with bad camera angles that do not make the game This game has so much potential that was not utilized. The story and characters are great. There is entirely too much cursing and the beat downs you administer to others quickly get old. I like how when you get approched by a thug he says a curse word that can only be described as sounding like a chicken cluck. The game is plagued with bad camera angles that do not make the game unmanageble but do make it annoying. The weapons system is not unlike streets of rage in that you use a weapon so many times than it is disgarded, but I think the game could benefit from permanent weapons. Despite all the things I have said it is still a good game and is very enjoyable. It however just lacks the refinement required to make it a great game.… Expand
  19. TIMOFEIKA
    Feb 12, 2023
    10
    English dub. That's it English dub. English dub? English dub! Too bad they didn't have the English dub in yakuza 2.
  20. DanielGG91
    Nov 14, 2022
    8
    Juego que no conocía y me encantó en su momento. Una especie de GTA pero en Japón, con una ambientación e historia super interesantes. Muy recomendado.

Awards & Rankings

43
#43 Best PS2 Game of 2006
22
#22 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2006
17
#17 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2006

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 58 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 37 out of 58
  2. Mixed: 19 out of 58
  3. Negative: 2 out of 58
  1. Deeko
    85
    I still enjoyed this game, for the character development and good storyline kept things interesting. I enjoyed the battles too, though they could have used some variety. It's almost too linear in its presentation, which makes it feel like 95 percent of the game falls under the "beat the hell out of thugs and go from point A to point B" scenario. [JPN Import]
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  2. GameBrink
    94
    Unlike 99% of games, in Ryu Ga Gotoku you play as a guy who is pretty much the coolest, most badass, most likeable character in the world. He's the ultra strong guy with a heart of gold; the suave guy whom everyone wants to be friends with. So following Kazuma through his adventure tends to be extremely satisfying since he's such a great character. [JPN Import]
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  3. Official Playstation 2 Magazine UK
    70
    No threat to "GTA," but it's not meant to be. Instead it's an absorbing role-playing adventure with plenty to keep you busy. [Sept 2006, p.74]
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