It might be hard to believe, but there was a brand-new Yakuza/Like A Dragon game released in 2025 in the form of Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, plus a Director’s Cut of Yakuza 0, plus updates to Kiwami and Kiwami 2.
Which is to say, Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio has been busy in 2025, but really, when aren’t they busy? There’s even a Kiwami 3 Direct scheduled for next week on December 23!
That said, there was a point when you couldn’t admit you were a fan of the series, at least, that’s what series lead and Executive Producer Masayoshi Yokoyama told Sony as part of a new post on the PlayStation Blog highlighting the 20th anniversary of Like A Dragon.
I’m Afraid To Get Into Like A Dragon, So I Keep Playing Yakuza Spin-Offs Instead
There are so many mainline Yakuza games, so why not start with a spin-off instead?
There’s Never Been A Bad Time To Be A Like A Dragon Fan, But Apparently That Wasn’t The Case Internally
When asked by PlayStation Blog about the things Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio is most proud of now versus when the series began, Yokoyama highlighted a very tragic reality that fans and even developers were once part of.
“Maybe people can finally say they enjoy the Like a Dragon series more openly,” Yokoyama said. “In the past, it wasn’t something you could really say out loud; its reputation and brand image made it hard to talk about publicly. Back in the early days, even some of the studio developers kept their involvement a secret from their parents or girlfriends. ”
However, Yokoyama asserts that 10 years in, the staff at Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio began “proudly acknowledging their work.” So much so that being part of the Yakuza/Like A Dragon franchise even helped someone gain approval for marriage.
“That’s when it really sank in how much the series’ presence and perception in the world had evolved,” Yokoyama further explained.
So what does the future hold for the Like A Dragon series?
“Now that RGG Studio is growing into a recognized brand, we want to continue nurturing it with care so that it remains something our staff, partners, cast and fans can all be proud of,” he concluded.
To me, that sounds like more games which the series has already outlined, including Stranger Than Heaven, which looks exquisite, by the way.
- Released
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February 21, 2025
- ESRB
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Mature 17+ // Blood, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Alcohol
- Developer(s)
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Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio
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