Celebrating Two Decades of Like a Dragon & Yakuza: Fresh Games Out Today and a Peek at What’s Next
Bold opening hook: A 20-year journey of the Like a Dragon & Yakuza saga has transformed from a niche title into a global phenomenon, and the celebration brings a fresh wave of releases and exciting promises for the future. But here’s where it gets controversial: does the series’ bold shift toward character-driven storytelling signal a new direction that could alienate long-time fans who crave the city-wide chaos of its early days?
Overview
- RGG Studio marks the 20th anniversary of the Like a Dragon & Yakuza franchise with three new arrivals for players worldwide: Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut, plus updated versions of Yakuza Kiwami and Yakuza Kiwami 2 for Xbox Series X|S.
- The lineup arrives alongside long-awaited accessibility improvements, including expanded language options and an updated English dub, alongside the return of a track that Western audiences didn’t get the first time around.
- Fans can anticipate Yakuza Kiwami 3 and Dark Ties, scheduled to release on February 12, 2026.
What’s new in the releases
- Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut: This is the acclaimed origin story enhanced with new cutscenes, an online co-op mode called Red Light Raid, an expanded English voice track, and added text support for French, Italian, German, Spanish, Latin American Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, and Russian. The Western debut of the theme song Bubble has also been included, which hadn’t appeared in the original Western version.
- Yakuza Kiwami: A faithful remake of the game that launched the series a couple of decades ago. Step into the shoes of ex-yakuza Kazuma Kiryu and unravel a massive 10-billion-yen conspiracy in Tokyo’s red-light district, driven by his formidable fists and unwavering resolve that forge a legend. The updated edition adds language support for French, Italian, German, Spanish, Latin American Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, and Russian, and includes the songs Receive You [Reborn] and Bleed, which were absent from the Western release.
- Yakuza Kiwami 2: Returns with Kazuma Kiryu, the Dragon of Dojima, as he faces off against Ryuji Goda, the Dragon of Kansai, in a climactic gang war. The enhanced version brings added multilingual options (French, Italian, German, Spanish, Latin American Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, and Russian).
RGG Studio developers reflect on two decades of growth—and what lies ahead
To mark the franchise’s 20th anniversary, a handful of RGG Studio team members — Masayoshi Yokoyama, Hiroyuki Sakamoto, and Ryosuke Horii — shared memories of how the series grew in the West and what fans can expect next.
What stands out about the series’ Western journey?
- Masayoshi Yokoyama, Representative & Executive Producer: In Japan, the first Yakuza game gained traction through word of mouth as a cabaret club experience in a nightlife district. Its popularity catalyzed sequels, and the Western draw has long been about stepping into a vivid, Japanese cityscape. Kamurocho, a fictional district inspired by Kabukicho, lets players immerse themselves in Japanese culture and daily life. The team hopes players continue to enjoy this authentic slice of Japan through the Like a Dragon & Yakuza series.
- Hiroyuki Sakamoto, Chief Producer: Initially, the project focused on Japanese audiences and urban drama, but as localization progressed, overseas players discovered its distinctive appeal. Today, it’s clear the IP has roots worldwide, and the goal is to keep making it accessible to players everywhere.
- Ryosuke Horii, Producer/Director of Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties: It’s amazing that many global players connected with something uniquely ours, even though the games began with Japanese audiences in mind. He notes that Western audiences often respond differently to humor, with a particularly strong affinity for moments like karaoke. The moment videos surfaced of people overcoming language barriers to sing along to songs like Baka Mitai moved him deeply, underscoring the emotional payoff of the series’ global reach. Development can be grueling, but such responses reaffirm the team’s passion.
What’s next for the franchise?
- Yokoyama: The team is confident in the quality of the upcoming Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties, slated for release on February 12, 2026. He’s already hands-on with gameplay and finds the title intriguingly focused on character development.
- Horii: Remaking and reimagining these games required difficult choices about what to change. The aim was to craft something even more compelling than the originals, ensuring both longtime fans and newcomers can love the new take. The entire team poured heartfelt effort into this project, and pairing it with Dark Ties should showcase that dedication.
- Sakamoto: The studio is also considering projects beyond this stretch, continuing to explore new directions for the brand.
A forward-looking note
Yokoyama envisions Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio continuing to center its work on Japanese culture and city life, delivering a broader, more complete sense of contemporary Japan to players. Fans are encouraged to keep an eye on future announcements and new experiences.
Engage now and gear up for the next chapter
Begin or continue the Like a Dragon & Yakuza journey with Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut, Yakuza Kiwami, or Yakuza Kiwami 2 on Xbox Series X|S, and prepare for Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties on February 12, 2026.
The 20-year milestone feels almost unreal, like time itself has been moving with the pace of a dragon. It’s a reminder of how far the series has come since the Yakuza: Like a Dragon launch alongside the Xbox Series X|S in 2020, and a prompt to keep watching this space for what’s next. Projections say the ride will stay fiery and dramatic—like a dragon.
