GTA 5 is fun, that's not up for debate. But there is a series of games that many compare to GTA, but in my opinion actually surpasses the Rockstar hit. However, it is still ignored by many players.
A comment from Nathan Navrotzki:
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This series can easily compete with GTA
GTA is repeatedly compared to another franchise because there are players in both series to criminals and are given an open world to explore. A twisted sense of humor is also part of the whole charm.
We're talking about the underdog Yakuza, or Like A Dragon – a series that fans often refer to as that Japanese GTA referred to as. Although I can highly recommend the series to every GTA fan, the comparisons are a bit far-fetched. Not least because, in my opinion, Yakuza does many things better than GTA.
If you don't have a picture of Like A Dragon in your head right now, check out the trailer for the latest game in the main series here:
A more thoughtful combat system
In terms of gameplay, GTA and Like A Dragon don't actually have much in common. While GTA is a sandbox action shooter in which you can also drive, Like A Dragon is Role playing games. Depending on the offshoot, the fights here take place as classic beat 'em ups or turn-based RPGs.
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What should be emphasized, however, is that the fights are definitely a lot of fun. The combat system is also much more well thought out than in GTA. As is typical of the genre, it offers skill trees and allows for different playing styles. Meanwhile, fights in GTA are often similar and usually just end in one big shootout.
But as I said, we are comparing two different genres here. So it's all a matter of taste.
The world is small but beautiful
GTA 5 is known for its huge map. Over 80 square kilometers offer a good breeding ground for chaos and chases. The map of Yakuza: Like A Dragon, the seventh and newest offshoot of the main series, can only a sweet 20 square kilometers show. And yet it is vastly superior to GTA 5. How come?
Quite simply: the environment appears much more alive in Like A Dragon. There is something interesting to discover on every corner: be it the many details, such as the various signs in the red light district, or shops and establishments where you can spend your time fun mini games can distribute.
These range from karaoke games, where your sense of rhythm is required, to classic card games and old Sega arcade games. You can even try your hand at crane games Figure collection to complete. Despite its modest size, the world as a whole has more to offer.
Like A Dragon shows that gangster stories can also be exciting
Maybe I'm in the minority, but I don't play GTA for the story or the characters. Sure, GTA stories can also have interesting twists and make me laugh with one or two jokes. But Like A Dragon is on one completely different level, when it comes to staging and story writing.
Even the toughest gangsters will be moved to tears here, because the stories pull you straight into the world of Yakuza and give you the feeling that you can really understand the characters. The characters are also written in an extremely complex way.
Humor that doesn't exclude
Absurd, sexual or simply stupid jokes are also an integral part of Like A Dragon – especially in the side quests. These are really common over the top, but rarely hurtful or discriminatory towards a marginalized group. On the contrary: instead of making fun of minorities, the protagonist often takes their side.
However, Rockstar also wants to in the future more sensitive handle his jokes, presumably to avoid contributing to discrimination against minorities. At least that's what insider reports from last year say:
But it will probably be a while before GTA 6 is released. If you want to sweeten your waiting time with another row in which you… in the shoes of a gangster then you should take a closer look at the Yakuza games.
Because there is so much heart in these games, they are still too unknown outside of Japan. So if your interest is piqued, take a look Yakuza: Like A Dragon or Yakuza 0 in – depending on whether you're more into beat em' up or turn-based RPG. Both are great entries into the series.
Yakuza: Like A Dragon is available for PC and here for PS4, PS5 and Xbox One: Yakuza Zero is available for PC, Xbox One and PS4.