The last few years have been especially kind to the Yakuza franchise. These Sega brawlers put players in control of members of the Japanese underworld as they peruse the mean streets of Kamurocho, battling rival gangsters and dealing with increasingly sprawling crime narratives.

The latest entry in the series, Yakuza: Like a Dragon, was a breath of fresh air for the franchise. It not only changed the main character, but it even changed how the game itself was played. Future installments in the main series will continue to use Like a Dragon's mechanics, a choice that makes a lot of sense consider both the latest Yakuza game and new spin-off Judgment.

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Path of the Dragon

The Yakuza series had been one of the only remaining beat em 'up franchises, albeit one that was 3D instead of a traditional sidescroller. The gameplay had players running around Kamurocho while controlling Kazuma Kiryu, with enemy combatants randomly being spotted along the way. From there, players would mash buttons to take them down with high-flying fisticuffs, earnings points that could be used to upgrade Kiryu's moves. It was essentially a more action-based version of the failed Shenmue series mixed with a sometimes campy take on Japanese crime novels.

Like a Dragon upended this entirely, going full-circle with the light RPG elements of the previous entries. Like a Dragon isn't a beat 'em up brawler, but instead a turn-based RPG. While everything else about the game is recognizable to existing fans, the battle system is much closer to PersonaDragon Quest or classic Final Fantasy game. There's even a jobs system like those found in classic JRPGs. This was a total change of pace for Yakuza, but the game itself was well-received, especially for such a dramatic shake up of the formula. With that in mind, it makes sense for the series to maintain these new mechanics for the time being.

Like a Judgment

Official screenshot for Judgement

There's actually an in-game reason behind Like a Dragon's turn-based fighting system: Ichiban, the new protagonist who takes over for Kazuma Kiryu, is a huge gamer and fan of the Dragon Quest franchise. The turn-based battles and other elements clearly lampoons other JRPGs and are meant to reflect how the zany and over-the-top Ichiban sees the world.

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It seems Ichiban will continue to be the franchise's hero for a while, especially if he has the same longevity as Kiryu. Kiryu starred in seven main entries, and even his supposed retirement in Yakuza 6: The Song of Life turned out to be a ruse. With Ichiban likely sticking around for at least three or four more games, it makes sense for those games to also reflect his worldview through cartoony turn-based battles.

Thankfully for fans of the original battle system, that gameplay style will continue in further sequels to Judgment. Initially meant to be a brand-new IP, Judgment is a Yakuza spinoff that combines brawling street fights and classic arcade games with detective work and investigation. Judgment is an incredible success in its own right that fully captures the gritty crime novel tone better than any Yakuza game. It also takes itself more serious than other games in the franchise -- especially Like a Dragon.

With its grungier detective protagonist and more serious plot, this subseries is the perfect home for the first seven Yakuza games' two-fisted sense of justice. While it remains to be seen if the Like a Dragon saga will be as successful as Kiryu's, one thing is clear: Yakuza fans will have options for how they enjoy the franchise going forward.

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