The franchise Like a Dragon, or Yakuza as we knew it, has just celebrated a very important milestone. A full cycle of two decades! That’s twenty years of Kiryu’s serene and silent looks, Ichiban’s wild hairstyles, and more karaoke and street fights than anyone could ever think of. The creators, Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, are going through this all and look back on the adventure—the great stories, the completely ridiculous fighting, and the side activities that made you forget you were watching a crime drama. They even wrote a piece on the subject and to be honest? It has a very pleasant vibe.
So what’s the problem? The players have been engaged in a dialogue because of the celebrations and not only about the good old times. The anniversary was shared by the official PlayStation account and the reactions turned out to be a whole blend of nostalgia, love, and even a few very serious grievances from the gamers. This means that it is an accurate representation of the state of this much-loved series after 20 years.
To put it differently, the positive side of things comes first, which is a cliché. The love between the players and the series is very strong and positive. They refer to it as an “incredible journey” while at the same time encouraging the studio by saying that it has been “great games” one after the other. Someone put it beautifully when he said, “no series balances sincerity and absolute nonsense better.” And that’s so true! The game world offers you a chance to be a gun-wielding character who can’t stop crying every 5 seconds and at the same time run a chicken business or sing Baka Mitai. This very odd mixture has been drawing people back to play since the days of PS2. “Playing the first game on PCSX2 10 years ago feels almost like yesterday,” a player narrates, and indeed this is a very common feeling. Time sure does fly when you’re punching the bad guys in Kamurocho.
Now, if only… you could scroll a bit down. On the other hand, a different atmosphere is somewhat established. There is a frustration that has been hidden under the carpet and this celebration. Many players are taking advantage of the occasion to air their very specific demands, or complaints, depending on how you look at it. The primary request? A Yakuza: Kiwami for PS5 upgrade. A large number of the comments are directly requesting a fix or making the demand excessively. “Fix upgrade kiwami ps5” is a very straightforward way someone puts it. A different individual is commenting that he/she is hoping for a fix to come “so I can finally upgrade.” It is certainly an issue that the community considers very painful.
Another grievance is the entire PlayStation Plus situation. Since the series has been mostly taken out of the subscription catalog and with Like a Dragon Gaiden being reported to be taken out in January, the players are feeling the pinch. “Here’s hoping the original PS2 Yakuza and Yakuza 2 eventually joins the Classics Catalog!” is the wish one fan is expressing. Another person simply states, “Hopefully the original PS2 versions… are added to PS Plus Premium one day!” It is a reminder that while we are honoring the legacy, getting access to it is not always easy.
And, wow, does the argument in one corner ever heat up! One user accused strongly that the post celebrating the anniversary showed only the “Americanized” games and went on to describe the recent titles as “soulless trash” and “meme slop fan fiction.” To this, another person replied by calling the first viewpoint “Japanese soulless trash.” It’s a messy situation! It clearly highlights the gap that exists between those who promote a certain vision of the series’ original tone and those who have simply adapted to the quirky and globalized direction of the recent Like a Dragon titles. Not everyone is celebrating in the same way, you know?
The main feeling that comes out through the noise is gratitude. The third Judgment game is being asked for, deluxe editions are being hoped for their sales, and the “pure chaos” of it all is just being admired. “It’s insane man,” one user put it and indeed that is the best description for the 20 years of the franchise.
So what can be deduced from all this discussion? The Like a Dragon series consists of not just games but also a community that has very significant and deep memories as well. Celebrating 20 years is definitely a momentous occasion for Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, showing their unique vision. However, player feedback suggests that the legacy comes with certain expectations—how to deal with the technical problems, how to keep access to the classics, and how to manage the evolution of the identity of the series. It’s a rocky, passionate, and totally unforgettable family, just like the very games themselves.
