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Yakuza: Like a Dragon similar games & best alternatives

Yakuza: Like a Dragon

PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 • 2020

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Quick resume

Become Ichiban Kasuga, a low-ranking yakuza grunt left on the brink of death by the man he trusted most. Take up your legendary bat and get ready to crack some underworld skulls in dynamic RPG combat set against the backdrop of modern-day Japan.

Global score

94/100

Genres

Action, Adventure, Role-playing (RPG)

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    Pros

    • Engaging story and characters
    • Diverse and humorous side content
    • Innovative turn-based combat with timing elements
    • Large, vibrant open world to explore
    • Strong party dynamics and customization

    Cons

    • Combat can become repetitive and grind-heavy
    • Difficulty spikes requiring leveling grind
    • Long cutscenes and pacing issues
    • Some balancing issues with jobs and skills
    • Minor ui and control annoyances

    Motivations

    • Autonomy

      Game with the same Autonomy vibe

      4

      "Players have extensive freedom to customize characters, choose missions, and explore the open world with many side activities."

      Capsule for Saints Row: The Third Saints Row: The Third

      "Players have freedom to choose character jobs, customize party, and explore a large open world with many side activities."

    • Competence

      Game with the same Competence vibe

      3

      "Combat involves timing-based turn mechanics requiring skill and strategy, though some find it becomes repetitive."

      Capsule for South Park™: The Stick of Truth™ South Park™: The Stick of Truth™

      "Combat involves strategic turn-based mechanics with timing elements and positioning, but many fights become repetitive and grinding is required for progression."

    • Competition

      Game with the same Competition vibe

      -2

      "Focus is on story and personal progression; some optional arena battles provide challenge but no strong emphasis on player-vs-player or ranked competition."

      Capsule for Skyborn Skyborn

      "Focus is mostly on personal story and exploration; some competitive elements exist in battle arenas but are not central."

    • Continuation

      Game with the same Continuation vibe

      4

      "Players report long playtimes, habitual engagement, and strong attachment to story and characters."

      Capsule for .hack//G.U. Last Recode .hack//G.U. Last Recode

      "Players report long playtimes, habitual engagement with side content, and strong attachment to characters and story."

    • Cooperation

      Game with the same Cooperation vibe

      3

      "Party system encourages working with multiple characters and coordinating their actions, though multiplayer cooperation is not mentioned."

      Capsule for Knights in Tight Spaces Knights in Tight Spaces

      "Party-based gameplay with character interactions and team synergy; cooperation is within the player’s party rather than multiplayer."

    • Creativity

      Game with the same Creativity vibe

      3

      "Job system and character customization allow experimentation with builds and strategies."

      Capsule for OCTOPATH TRAVELER II OCTOPATH TRAVELER II

      "Job system and character customization allow creative builds; many mini-games and side activities encourage experimentation."

    • Domination

      Game with the same Domination vibe

      -3

      "Interactions are balanced within the party; no evidence of power imposition or dominance over others."

      Capsule for Skyborn Skyborn

      "Interactions emphasize camaraderie and mutual respect within the party; no evidence of power imposition over others."

    • Escapism

      Game with the same Escapism vibe

      5

      "Strong immersion in fictional Liberty City with engaging stories and varied activities provides a significant escape from reality."

      Capsule for Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City

      "Strong immersion in a vibrant fictional city with engaging story and side content provides escape from real life."

    • Expectation

      Game with the same Expectation vibe

      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily driven by intrinsic interest in story, atmosphere, and gameplay."

      Capsule for SIGNALIS SIGNALIS

      "Players engage voluntarily driven by intrinsic interest and enjoyment of story, characters, and gameplay."

    • Experimenting

      Game with the same Experimenting vibe

      4

      "Players try new characters, builds, and side activities, exploring different mechanics and strategies."

      Capsule for HoloCure - Save the Fans! HoloCure - Save the Fans!

      "Players try different jobs, skills, and mini-games; exploration of mechanics and side content is encouraged."

    • Exploration

      Game with the same Exploration vibe

      4

      "Large open world with varied districts, collectibles, and secrets encourages discovery and revisiting areas."

      Capsule for LEGO® The Incredibles LEGO® The Incredibles

      "Large open world with many districts, secrets, and substories encourages discovery and curiosity."

    • Expression

      Game with the same Expression vibe

      3

      "Character customization and equipment allow personal expression within gameplay."

      Capsule for Bloons Adventure Time TD Bloons Adventure Time TD

      "Character job changes and equipment customization allow personal expression within gameplay."

    • Fantasy

      Game with the same Fantasy vibe

      4

      "Strong fantasy setting with absurd and imaginative elements, parodying RPG tropes and featuring exaggerated characters."

      Capsule for DeathSpank DeathSpank

      "Imaginative fiction with exaggerated characters, absurd humor, and JRPG elements create a strong fantasy experience."

    • Fellowship

      Game with the same Fellowship vibe

      3

      "Strong sense of party camaraderie and character bonding events foster community feeling within the game world."

      Capsule for The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak II The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak II

      "Strong sense of party camaraderie and community within the game world; social connections with NPCs and companions."

    • Growth

      Game with the same Growth vibe

      3

      "Players develop skills, unlock abilities, and improve characters through gameplay and story progression."

      Capsule for Captain Tsubasa: Rise of New Champions Captain Tsubasa: Rise of New Champions

      "Players develop skills, level up jobs, and improve characters; story and character development also contribute."

    • Health

      Game with the same Health vibe

      -4

      "Primarily sedentary gameplay with no physical activity elements."

      Capsule for Clone Drone in the Danger Zone Clone Drone in the Danger Zone

      "Primarily sedentary gameplay with no physical activity elements."

    • Idle

      Game with the same Idle vibe

      -3

      "Requires focused attention during combat and story; not designed for casual or background play."

      Capsule for FINAL FANTASY XVI FINAL FANTASY XVI

      "Requires focused attention during combat and story; not designed for casual or background play."

    • Intimacy

      Game with the same Intimacy vibe

      2

      "Character relationships and interactions provide emotional connection, though no deep social features."

      Capsule for OCTOPATH TRAVELER II OCTOPATH TRAVELER II

      "Character bonding and party interactions provide emotional connection, though no deep social relationship mechanics."

    • Leadership

      Game with the same Leadership vibe

      2

      "Player directs party members and tactics, but no evidence of leading others beyond own group."

      Capsule for Ikenfell Ikenfell

      "Player directs party composition and strategy, but no evidence of leading others beyond own group."

    • Progression

      Game with the same Progression vibe

      4

      "Strong emphasis on leveling up, acquiring items, unlocking skills, and upgrading equipment."

      Capsule for Sword Art Online: Hollow Realization Deluxe Edition Sword Art Online: Hollow Realization Deluxe Edition

      "Strong emphasis on leveling, job upgrades, equipment, and business management minigames."

    • Relaxation

      Game with the same Relaxation vibe

      2

      "Humorous story and colorful visuals provide enjoyable flow, though grinding and difficulty spikes add tension."

      Capsule for Superdimension Neptune VS Sega Hard Girls Superdimension Neptune VS Sega Hard Girls

      "Humorous and engaging story provides flow, but grinding and difficulty spikes can cause frustration."

    • Sensation

      Game with the same Sensation vibe

      3

      "Stylish visuals, dynamic combat animations, and energetic soundtrack provide sensory stimulation."

      Capsule for No More Heroes 3 No More Heroes 3

      "Vibrant visuals, dynamic combat animations, and varied soundtrack provide sensory stimulation."

    • Status

      Game with the same Status vibe

      1

      "Some recognition through in-game achievements and story progression, but social status is not a core focus."

      Capsule for Yakuza 5 Remastered Yakuza 5 Remastered

      "Some recognition through achievements and in-game progression, but social status is not a major focus."

    • Story

      Game with the same Story vibe

      5

      "Highly praised narrative with deep character development, immersive lore, and emotional impact."

      Capsule for Masquerada: Songs and Shadows Masquerada: Songs and Shadows

      "Highly praised narrative with deep character development, emotional engagement, and rich lore."

    • Strategy

      Game with the same Strategy vibe

      3

      "Combat requires planning, timing, and tactical use of skills and equipment."

      Capsule for Fearless Fantasy Fearless Fantasy

      "Combat requires tactical planning, timing, and resource management, though some fights are straightforward."

    • Thrill

      Game with the same Thrill vibe

      2

      "Some suspense in boss fights and hardcore modes, but overall gameplay is predictable and grind-focused."

      Capsule for Dwarven Realms Dwarven Realms

      "Some suspense in boss fights and story moments, but overall combat is predictable and grind-heavy."

    • Value

      Game with the same Value vibe

      4

      "Players report high replay value, extensive content, and good return on time and money invested."

      Capsule for Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed Collection Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed Collection

      "Players report high replay value, extensive content, and satisfying return on time and money invested."

    • Violence

      Game with the same Violence vibe

      2

      "Combat involves fighting enemies with weapons like staplers and briefcases, but violence is stylized and humorous."

      Capsule for Suits: A Business RPG Suits: A Business RPG

      "Combat involves fighting enemies with various weapons; violence is stylized and often humorous."

    • Survival

      Game with the same Survival vibe

      1

      "Combat involves avoiding death and managing resources, but no survival mechanics or resource scarcity."

      Capsule for Quantum Break Quantum Break

      "Combat involves avoiding defeat but is not focused on survival mechanics or resource scarcity."

    Analysis

    A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Cooperation, Fellowship, Intimacy, Leadership. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Story, Status, Leadership.

    How to use the graph
    Similar games map

    Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Motivations” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

    • Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
    • Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
    • Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
    • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

    Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers.

    Where to buy

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    Last update: 30/04/2026