Yakuza: Like a Dragon

Play it on: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Windows (Steam Deck OK)
Current goal: Get a story refresher ahead of Infinite Wealth
Buy it from: Amazon | Best Buy | Humble Bundle | Target

For a long time, people were convinced that Like a Dragon started as an elaborate April Fool’s joke from Sega. That bit of lore has since been debunked, but the Yakuza series’ pivot from an action beat-’em-up to a turn-based RPG remains every bit as goofy as its apocryphal origin story. Our new protagonist Ichiban Kasuga gets into all sorts of shenanigans in Yokohama, and with the help of his new besties, changes Japan’s criminal underworld forever.

There’s a lot to love about Like A Dragon, but the best part might be the job system, which is a far cry from the familiar mages and paladin fare of the RPG genre. In this game, you can make a character a chef or a dominatrix (along with about a dozen other things), complete with the outfit, skills, and weaponry to match. I’ve forgotten most of the story, so I’m dipping a toe back in before the upcoming sequel. Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, out January 26, sees Ichiban and longtime series lead Kazuma Kiryu team up for some new adventures in shitkicking—only this time, they’re in Hawaii. In the meantime, I’ll be beating up chumps with “adult novelties” and expanding my rice cracker empire back in Yokohama. — Jen Glennon

Sweet! | Yakuza: Like a Dragon | is on Game Pass

Not only can you download Ichiban Kasuga’s story with Game Pass on Xbox and PC, the whole Yakuza franchise is yours to explore with your subscription.