Yakuza series to stay as a turn-based RPG with future titles

Yakuza: Like a Dragon gameplay

During the Judgment Day event, Yakuza creator Toshihiro Nagoshi and producer Kazuki Hosokawa revealed to Yakuza fans that the main series will remain a turn-based RPG style, after the success of Yakuza: Like a Dragon.

The support from fans and their enjoyment of the new turn-based RPG style for Yakuza: Like a Dragon is what made them decide to keep the new style, as they originally stated that if the game was received poorly, they would scrap the idea for future games.

Yakuza: Like a Dragon
Credit: Rock, Paper, Shotgun

Those at the Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio decided that it would be best to separate the two series of Judgment and Yakuza and allow them to be their own thing, which is a good move considering many fans would like to keep the action-adventure style of the original Yakuza titles. This style will now remain in the Judgment series, while Yakuza continues to move forward with turn-based RPGs.

READ MORE: Lost Judgment announced to be arriving worldwide in September

Toshihiro Nagoshi and Kazuki Hosokawa said of the change in an exclusive interview for IGN:

The Yakuza series has been transformed into a turn-based RPG. On the other hand, over the years, Ryu ga Gotoku Studio has accumulated resources and know-how of making flashy and exhilarating action games that are effortless to enjoy. We decided that we should let our signature action gameplay live on through Lost Judgment.”

Credit: IGN
Lost Judgment announcement
Credit: NME

The original Yakuza games, from Yakuza 0 to Yakuza 6, followed Kazuma Kiryu as the main character, a former Yakuza who always seemed to get sucked back into the action despite trying to live a normal life. Yakuza: Like a Dragon saw a change in the main protagonist, with Kiryu’s story ending in Yakuza 6, and Ichiban Kasuga taking up the main role.

Yakuza: Like a Dragon has received very positive reviews, and was even nominated in the Best RPG category at The Game Awards 2020. That being said, the move to turn-based RPG for all future titles has upset a few Yakuza fans, but luckily the original action-adventure style will remain in the Judgment series.

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Check out the trailer for the newly-announced Lost Judgment game below, a sequel to the original Judgment that is sure to please fans of the series.

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