The widely acclaimed “Like A Dragon: Yakuza” series is set to pull from the hugely successful prequel, Yakuza 0.
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With the show’s release just around the corner, now is the perfect time to dig into the game that has captured the hearts of many. I recently finished playing Yakuza 0, and I can confidently say it is one of the most engaging and enjoyable games out there.
If you enjoy games that offer a plethora of fun and zany activities, Yakuza 0 is for you. Beyond its surface-level entertainment, Yakuza 0 is essential for understanding some of the key characters in the series.
You don’t know this life…there’s no way out of this. #LikeADragon: Yakuza, October 24. pic.twitter.com/ZVl4SkZidO
— RGG Studio | Like a Dragon & Yakuza Series (@RGGStudio) September 30, 2024
The Yakuza series began in 2005, but Yakuza 0, which serves as a prequel set in the late 1980s, was released ten years later.
The game is a masterful blend of irreverent humor, intense brawler action, and intricate criminal drama.
The new trailer for the live-action ‘LIKE A DRAGON: YAKUZA’ series has been released.
Releasing October 24 on Prime Video. pic.twitter.com/SEh9jrVVR9
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Side activities like Majima’s cabaret minigame and Kiryu’s real estate management are so finely tuned that they could be standalone games. The money earned through these activities can be used to develop skills in the game’s progression system, enhancing the abilities of the two main protagonists: Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima.
Majima, who has been a prominent figure in the series since its inception, truly shines in Yakuza 0.
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Originally portrayed as an eccentric and chaotic villain, Yakuza 0 delves into his backstory, showing how he earned his reputation as the “Mad Dog of Shimano.”
This deeper characterization carries over into the remakes Yakuza Kiwami and Yakuza Kiwami 2, which revisit and expand upon the stories of the first two games. It’s likely that the show will draw from these enriched narratives, leveraging the extensive lore established in Yakuza 0.
Majima’s journey explored
Kiryu, the main character, is often seen as a stoic outsider trying to distance himself from the criminal underworld. Yakuza 0, however, paints a fuller picture of his youthful recklessness and the circumstances that drew him into the yakuza life.
The game also explores his relationship with Nishiki, his sworn brother, setting the stage for their complex dynamic in the first game. Given that the show’s first season will be just six episodes long, it will need to condense a lot of storylines, likely pulling from various parts of the series. The show appears to focus on Kiryu and Nishiki’s confrontation, originally set in 2005, but to fully appreciate this, viewers would benefit from understanding their backstory laid out in Yakuza 0.
Majima’s iconic and unhinged mannerisms, which are teased in the show’s trailer, gain more depth when you understand his journey as depicted in Yakuza 0. To do justice to his character, the show would benefit from incorporating his detailed backstory. While the show itself promises to be intriguing, adaptations often lose certain nuances from their source material.
Playing Yakuza 0 will provide a richer understanding of the characters and their motivations, offering a more immersive experience when you eventually watch the series. You have until the end of the month to immerse yourself in Yakuza 0 before the show premieres. Given the depth and length of these games, you may only have time for one, and Yakuza 0 is the best and most informative choice.
For these reasons, you must play Yakuza 0, and do it as soon as possible.
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