Yakuza series – too many to choose one. The best mini-games

The Yakuza series is a dark crime drama about honor, sacrifice, loyalty, and betrayal in the world of Japanese criminal organizations. Yakuza are also karaoke simulators. And dating. It is possible to run a hostess club or a baseball team. There also are street gang RTS games. The game offers opportunities to play poker, blackjack, mahjong, and shogi. Or racing in self-built cars.

In each installment of the series about Kazuma Kiryu (as well as spin-offs), players find themselves in a small but crowded open world. Apart from completing the plot and performing twisted side missions, players can indulge in a number of other activities. Some, like mahjong and karaoke, are found in almost every installment of the saga. Others, such as baseball team management, only appear in individual games. Some are just meant as small interruptions lasting no more than several minutes, while others have unique plot threads and can provide even several hours of extra entertainment.

With its mini-games, the Yakuza series ascends to the heights of Japanese absurdity that can be either loved or hated.

They all have one thing in common – even if they rarely present an outstanding level, they do an excellent job as interruptions between the "more serious" parts of the game. And that's what we often remember most fondly from our adventures with Yakuza. Their diversity means that everyone should find something for themselves. And unlike what it might look like, they do not interfere with the immersion. On the contrary, they are one of the pillars that build the illusion of being in a slice of modern Japan.

1. More about the Yakuza series