@sakaixx: I applied the times you yourself provided plus the ones from an independent source. Also your argument that nobody cares about systems that are available in the game is problematic as it's purely subjective, especially as the original poster asked how the games play in relation to GTA which is filled with non-critical activities.
Look, we seem to have completely different approaches when it comes to what counts as valid game time, so I'll just leave it with the numbers I've provided and let the OG decide. As long as they are entertained by the series their question is answered.
@sakaixx: Alright, let's do the math. You wrote that substories take about 10 to 20 minutes to complete. I'll count them as 15 minutes/60 sub stories which adds up to about 15 hours per game. "How long to beat" lists the average completiton time for story only as follows:
Yakuza 0: 31,5 hours
Kiwami 1: 18 hours
Kiwami 2: 18,5 hours
Yakuza 3: 17 hours
Yakuza 4: 21 hours
Yakuza 5: 36 hours
Yakuza 6: 18,5 hours
Like a Dragon: 45,5 hours
Ishin: 24 hours
Judgment: 27,5 hours
Lost Judgment: 24 hours
That's an average of 25,5 hours for the story only. Adding the 15 hours for sub stories is 40,5 hours, not counting any other side activities.
@sakaixx: I count my playtime as finishing all sub stories, clearing most of the optional stuff and not using a guide. Judgment took me about 70 hours including post game, Yakuza 0 about 45. And even if you‘re rushing through the story it‘ll take about 12-15 hours to finish each one. Considering the price of most Yakuza games I‘d say that it‘s a pretty fair deal.
@illegal_peanut: OK, so you have your main line with Yakuza 0, Yakuza Kiwami 1 and 2 (which are touched up versions of the originals) and 3 to 6. They are basically action adventures in an open world, which seems a lot smaller than GTA games but is densely packed with activities. Seriously, think about 40-60 hours per game. Whenever you run into enemies the screen switches to a battle arena in which you fight them hand to hand (mostly), earn XP and enhance your charcter. There are a lot of cool, weird and funny moments in the story and side missions. As you‘re always starting in the established city district, you see it change over time which is a nice easter egg for long time players. Be aware, though, that Yakuza 0 to 6 have japanese audio only with subtitles.
Then there is a semi-reboot called „Yakuza -Like a Dragon“ which is sort of part 7 but with a new protagonist and a turn based JRPG fighting system. In a few days we get the side story „The man who erased his name“, which is a set up for „Infinite Wealth“ (Yakuza 8), coming early next year.
There are also two games for the spin off „Judgment“ with completely new characters who run a detective agency in the established district from the other games. Fighting is action oriented as it was in the early Yakuza games and spiced up with some very basic detective work. These two games are considered weaker stories, though I liked them as equally because of the characters.
There are also two historical spin offs, of which Yakuza Ishin got an upgraded english release. Kenzan remains a japanese PS3 exclusive. Both games feature the established Yakuza cast as historical figures. Just don’t expect the most accuracy… There‘s also the PS3’s Yakuza Desd Souls (3rd person shooter, not worth it) as well as two japanese PSP side stories (which got fan translations).
Yes, there are a lot of games but you can‘t go wrong with them. If you‘re interested you could start with Yakuza 0, Ishin or Judgment. You can get them fairly cheap and also Yakuza 3-5 were bundled into a HD collection. You come for the open world and stay for the characters.
I feel as if 2018 is a year of player pushback. Which I appreciate.
Battlefront 2, Battlefield 5, Diablo Immortal, the whole loot box discussion and now Fallout 75 hopefully show the big developers that they are out of touch with gamers and that their audience won't eat every lazily assembled thing they throw out.
Xerosch's comments