Parents' Guide to

Yakuza: Like a Dragon

Game PlayStation 4 , Windows , Xbox One , Xbox Series X/S 2020
Yakuza: Like a Dragon Poster Image

Common Sense Media Review

Matt Cabral By Matt Cabral , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 18+

Mafia saga has violence, language, other mature content.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 18+?

Yakuza series, which includes a number of sequels and spin-offs.</p> ">

Any Positive Content?

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  • Yakuza: Like a Dragon Screen #1
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Parent and Kid Reviews

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age 13+

Based on 2 parent reviews

James W.
James W. Adult
August 9, 2024
age 15+

A goofy tale with a positive tone but a complex morality

Yakuza: Like A Dragon is a relatively simplistic, but still very entertaining, JRPG with a long, involved and depthful story. The protagonist, Ichiban Kasuga, is a former yakuza in Tokyo's Tojo Clan crime syndicate who spends 20 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit. Upon leaving prison, he amasses a gaggle of oddball friends to investigate why he was abandoned by his father figure. Although Ichiban is a former criminal (and an active criminal in the game's prologue), he is not a cruel or unpleasant man in the mould of the GTA protagonists. Rather, he's a relentlessly upbeat, endlessly loyal and ultimately goodhearted man whose difficult upbringing led him - for a time - down a dark path. Although the game takes efforts to make it clear that he's a rubbish criminal, other criminals, including his father figure, are much more dangerous and morally grey. This is actually the theme of the game, as Ichiban finds himself defending the unwanted members of Japan's society - not just criminals, but also sex workers, the homeless, illegal immigrants and the poor - from a NIMBY organisation that aims to "bleach" all moral "grey zones" by driving them out. Ichiban learns that society creates an underclass that is trapped and must do what it can to survive, including sometimes criminal acts that richer classes get away with. It never excuses criminals, but also rarely presents them as 2D evil people. This is a level of complexity that will be lost on younger children. The game features graphic violence, although thanks to Ichiban's mental health issues, these are usually presented as fantastical, if bloody, RPG battles. Nevertheless, there are realistic cutscene depictions of beatings, gunshots, knife attacks and a split-second shot of a man's eyes being gouged out. Sex workers are portrayed sympathetically, but there is no nudity. Characters smoke and drink regularly. The game is ultimately warmhearted and often surprisingly goofy, but too much for younger kids.
GameRX12112
GameRX12112 Adult
December 17, 2020
age 11+

For 11+ kids

Yakuza Like A dragon . 5/5
See all 2 parent reviews

What’s It About?

YAKUZA: LIKE A DRAGON is both the latest sequel in Sega's long-running Yakuza series and a bit of a reboot for the Japanese mafia franchise. As with previous entries, the game contains a sprawling story heavily focused on the criminal underworld, where most disputes are settled with flying fists and feet. While the urban Japanese setting, shady characters, and frequent street brawls return, the latest entry trades series' protagonist Kazuma Kiryu for newcomer Ichiban Kasuga. After spending nearly 20 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit, Kasuga sets out to rebuild his life and uncover the many family mysteries and larger conspiracies that were created in his absence. In addition to its standalone story and fresh antihero, the game adopts a new turn-based combat system, forgoing previous installment's action-focused brawling for more strategic showdowns.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2 ):
Kids say (5 ):

Anyone who's spent some time behind the skyrocketing fists and feet of this series' sharp-dressed anti-heroes will feel right at home in the franchise's latest installment. Yakuza: Like A Dragon, Sega's newest entry in the saga, retains the detailed, urban settings, optional mini-games, colorful characters, dramatic storytelling, and brutal beat-downs of its predecessors. But these familiar elements are nicely balanced by a few fresh, notable features that make for a deeper, more compelling take on the series' formula. Regular protagonist Kazuma Kiryu passes the torch to Ichiban Kasuga, a likable, sometimes clueless character that not only injects the story with some kindness and charm, but also counters the melodrama with some welcome laughs.

This isn't to say Kasuga's softer personalty comes at the cost of the series' signature, brutal combat. On the contrary, encounters are bone-crushingly satisfying, packing more depth, variety, and over-the-top style than ever. Most of this comes courtesy of a new turn-based battle system, a huge departure from the franchise's previous real-time action brawls. The new take adds a ton of nuance and strategy, from managing a four-member party of fighters to carefully selecting their offensive, defensive, special moves, and consumable items. The system also doesn't entirely abandon the immediacy of real-time combat, as characters can still wield makeshift melee weapons and even unleash grenades and other table-turning goodies. While generally a positive for the series, the more methodical fights occasionally display some clunkiness, such as characters getting caught behind environmental objects and targets moving erratically. Like a Dragon also suffers from some slow narrative stretches, especially in its early hours. Still, it does a fantastic job retaining and polishing what's made these games cult-favorites, while also introducing enough fresh tweaks to evolve the series for a new generation of wannabe gangsters.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the game's protagonist. Is he a good guy or bad guy? Is it possible to be both? What are some of his best and worst character traits?

  • How does the game's city change after its twenty year jump in time? What technology is new? Has the city changed for the better or worse?

  • How does the game glamorize gangsters and criminal activity? Is it okay for entertainment mediums to positively showcase this lifestyle? What are the pros and cons of games sensationalizing criminals and criminal behavior?

Game Details

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