I've been growing ever more interested in the Yakuza series over the last year, to the point where I failed miserably to install a new HDD in my PS3 in order to enjoy the last one released in the west, but have unfortunately not been in a position to actually play any of the games as I've neither had the time nor the appropriate consoles set up. This is all looking to change when they finally, FINALLY, release the next installment on current gen.

In the meanwhile, I'd like to catch up on the series, at least in terms of the story. Can you fellas recommend me a good way of doing so, be it a good play-through, a "movie" edition someone has stitched together, or heck, maybe just some really well written summary?

Thanks in advance, and don't forget that while beating people up on the street with bicycles and swords isn't respectable, it's alright as long as you keep a zoo of cats that adore you.

4 has a recap section for the previous 3 games.

That is the summary for 1, 2 and 3 that is found in Yakuza 4.

Best would really be to watch that then play 4, then play Yakuza 5.

But it seems you will only play Yakuza 0? Which is a prequel to the Yakuza games, it all gets a bit weird.

If you`re going to play 0 you might not need to catch up on the series since it`s a prequel. I have no idea what`s going on in that games story though so who knows.

I, too, have long felt the need to experience this series one way or another, and the Shenmue ER and recent other threads around various forums finally pushed me over the edge.

I considered the Y4 recap option, but as the consensus opinion seems to be that Y2 is amazing and possibly best-in-series, I decided to take the plunge and experience the growth of the series first-hand.

I'm most of the way through Yakuza 1 right now, playing on PCSX2, and it's sort of incredible how well it holds up. The combat feels kinda funky, certain (but shockingly few) textures are blobs at super-high res, and the voice acting is odd, if not charming - but overall, everything feels quite impressive for a ten-year-old game. It's pretty damned cool, and even funny. I'd recommend it if possible - but as these games aren't particularly short, going whole-hog won't be for everyone.

I've now got Y2-5 queued up, really looking forward to 2. Hope you find some way to enjoy 'em.

@atwa: 0 will be my actual entry to the series as my PS3 Hard-drive isn't large enough to download 5. I'd actually purchased it and was forced to return it as the download exceeds the space of the entire original PS3 memory. If I end up enjoying 0, I'll definitely pick up the remake of the first game, and then 6 once that hits the western hemisphere. 6 in particular looks fucking bonkers in a way that has me salivating. Thanks for the link, though, I'll definitely check this out and then try to figure out what to do about 4&5.

@i_speel_my_dreenk: you're in for a treat with 2.

Some mafia infighting happened which caused a billion yen briefcase to explode inside an exploding mafia tower. Each game involves solving said infighting with more fighting and more explosions.

I started off with Yakuza 4, as odd as that may be, and it wasn't too difficult to gather all the knowledge I needed to finish the game.

I Beat Yakuza 5 last year and LOVED it, and i'm currently playing through Yakuza 3, while Hotly anticipating playing Yakuza Zero, Kiwami and 6.

Don't stress too much about where you start, you can definitely get by without having to find a PS2 for the first two games. and the Huge recap available in Yakuza 4 does a decent job hitting all the big plot points.

Sure, you'll miss quirky side stuff by skipping the first few games, such as Ryu punching tigers in the face, but you'll manage.