Yakuza Series Marks 20 Years Since Western Debut
Sega's Yakuza franchise celebrates the 20th anniversary of its original PlayStation 2 release outside Japan, which introduced iconic hero Kazuma Kiryu and
The Yakuza series began its journey outside Japan in September 2006, with the release of the original game on PlayStation 2. According to Polygon, this debut introduced Western players to Kazuma Kiryu, a stoic ex-convict who would become one of gaming's most iconic characters.
The Original Yakuza Story
After serving a ten-year prison sentence for a crime he did not commit, Kazuma Kiryu returns to Tokyo's vice district. His mission is to find 10 billion yen stolen from the Tojo Clan and to investigate the disappearance of his childhood friend Yumi. The narrative unfolds into a conspiracy threatening the clan's leadership, involving betrayal from a close friend and Kiryu becoming a protector to a young girl.
Gameplay and Lasting Appeal
The first game established core elements that defined the series. Its combat featured button-mashing brawls with over-the-top finishers, such as throwing a bicycle at an enemy. Before major fights, Kiryu would dramatically remove his suit jacket and shirt. While the main story was a serious crime drama, the game was also packed with absurd sidequests, like one titled "Crisis on the Crapper" where players deliver tissues to a man in a public restroom.
The original Yakuza also debuted the Kamurocho district, a detailed neighborhood that has appeared in every subsequent game. It offered numerous optional activities, including arcade games, darts, karaoke, and gambling, allowing players to ignore the main story for hours.
Introduction of Key Characters
This first installment introduced Kiryu's frenemy, the chaotic Goro Majima. Majima, known for his eyepatch and shirtless snakeskin blazer, constantly challenges Kiryu to fights. The character is famous for appearing in drag, being stabbed at least once per game, and having a penchant for driving trucks into buildings.
Marketing and Evolution
Initial Western marketing for Yakuza misleadingly compared it to Grand Theft Auto and Saints Row, focusing on gritty crime drama while downplaying its humor. The game featured an English dub with a notable cast, including Michael Madsen as Kiryu and Mark Hamill as Majima.
Sega later embraced the series' unique identity of weird humor and soap-opera plots. Following the breakout success of Yakuza 0 in 2017, the company released remakes of the early games. The 2017 remake, Yakuza Kiwami, is considered the definitive way to play the first game today. It features enhanced visuals, expanded stories, and more activities, and is available on PlayStation, Switch, PC, and Xbox platforms.
