Gamers laud the Yakuza: Like a Dragon series for its stories. The main narratives are equal parts complex and satisfying. That's largely thanks to their engaging characters, labyrinthine plots, and resonant themes. As Ryu Ga Gotoku fans know, though, the main stories are only half the equation.

Each entry also comes with a collection of side stories. They might be one-off gags found in substories, or they could be full-fledged tales involving robust minigames. Recent entries have expanded these exploits to an impressive extent. Players can spend just as long with these side hustles as they do the primary plot. That addictive longevity pulls audiences deeper into this colorful world, creating an immense and memorable experience.

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5 Yakuza 0

Cabaret Clubs & Silly Side Quests

This pivotal prequel lets players control both Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima. Not only are their main stories compelling, but each man has an optional business pursuit. Majima lends his hosting expertise to a burgeoning cabaret club. Players recruit hostesses with different talents and send them to corresponding tables to maximize profit. The cycle is addictive.

Somewhat less so is Kiryu's real estate venture. He buys up properties and assigns protection from vandals, squatters, and competitors. Compared to the cabaret club, the process is slow and awkward. Thankfully, the game makes up for that shortcoming through its other side content.

Yakuza 0 has some of the series' best substories. They excel in their wacky charm, and that zaniness causes the objectives to vary. One minute, players might race toy cars in the Pocket Circuit League. The next, they could distract a crowd so that a human statue can sneak to the restroom. There's rarely a dull moment with Yakuza 0, and that's largely thanks to the side cpntent.

4 Lost Judgment

Yagami Heads Back to School to Solve a Mystery and Join Clubs

This sequel improves on the first Judgment in several ways, and that's apparent in the side activities. Takayuki Yagami may have fewer cases to solve, but they're more substantive. Plus, barely any of them involve the predecessor's tailing mechanic. That mercy alone is admirable, but it pales in comparison to the larger side job.

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In Lost Judgment, Yagami becomes an advisor to a high school mystery club. To stop a shadowy villain preying on gullible youths, he must infiltrate other clubs and cliques. This involves various minigames: dancing, boxing, esports, motorcycle races, and more. Each of these has its own progression system. Granted, not all work as well as they should. The bot battles, for instance, are clunky and frustrating. However, the hits outweigh the misses, especially when factoring in the storytelling.

Every club has distinctive characters and arcs, and they all provide vital clues to the overarching mystery. The resulting tale is almost as long and engaging as the main narrative. In short, would-be detectives get two huge capers for the price of one.

3 Like a Dragon: Ishin

Become One with the Samurai Setting Through Side Stories

A new setting offers new possibilities, and Like a Dragon: Ishin takes advantage of that setting. Reimagining feudal Japanese history with Yakuza characters, this title uses that premise to inform its side quests. Players step into the sandals of a samurai, and the adventure has ample opportunities to test those skills. The faction barracks has numerous missions featuring optional dungeons and enemy gauntlets. The seedy part of town also includes arena battles against tougher foes. Using each stance improves its abilities; studying with the corresponding master can enhance it further. This makes for constant growth in a simple fighting system. However, Ishin is just as intriguing outside of combat.

This entry has perhaps the most organic blending of side content. The substories' theme of defending the downtrodden clashes hilariously with the series' silly tone. Aiding townsfolk with their weird problems earns virtue points. Players can use these to purchase rare items or renovate the farm.

That's right, Ryoma (Kiryu) takes on an indebted farm for a recently orphaned girl. Players upgrade the facilities and plant seeds to produce food for cooking or delivery. He can then use the literal fruits of his labor to complete more substories, and the cycle continues, turning a failing shack into a self-sufficient farm is incredibly fulfilling. That idea of building oneself up from nothing is the most consistently appealing part of Ishin.

2 Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth

A Hawaii Vacation Holds Intriguing Ventures

Yakuza: Like a Dragon (or Yakuza 7) was already a massive and refreshing entry, and the follow-up expands on virtually everything. Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is a gigantic time sink. The developers pack the Hawaiian sandbox with amusing substories and activities. These are always good for one-off laughs, but more rewarding are the progression-based pursuits.

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Infinite Wealth is a true JRPG. The long-form tasks directly benefit protagonist Ichiban Kasuga and his party. To start, they have a larger business management sim via a resort chain. Juggling this responsibility is challenging, yet it's a great use of the idyllic setting. In addition, the endearing social mechanics let players forge organic bonds with both their party members and total strangers. This ties into the varied job system, giving fans even more incentive to try different skill sets. Experimentation is the key to both level-ups and laughs.

The downside to all of this is that the tale is a bit too self-indulgent in its silliness. These farcical quests sometimes overshadow the more poignant side content, such as Kiryu reconnecting with his loved ones. Depending on how fans play, though, that may not be an issue. Either way, Infinite Wealthprovides the most bang for one's buck.

1 Yakuza Kiwami 2

The Series' Best Minigames Return

The remake of Yakuza 2 has the benefit of hindsight. In that, Yakuza Kiwami 2 carries over elements from later entries for a winning formula. On one hand is the cabaret club from Yakuza 0. This is as engrossing as ever, and its narrative even builds on the previous rendition.

That's not the only favorite making a return. Fans also have the clan builder from Yakuza 6. This involves defending Majima's construction venture from gangs and rivals. The matches still balance chaos and strategy, with better arenas and familiar faces mixing up the formula. These pastimes keep Kiryu occupied for hours.

When they're done, players still have plenty of substories left over. These small missions boast the series' trademark humor: random and ridiculous. To get a clear picture, players need only look at a brawl involving a yakuza family in diapers. Suffice it to say, Like a Dragon's brand of wackiness is intact. Naturally, it makes fans curious to seek out every quest.

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