The best GTA alternative is an absolute underdog

GTA 5 was solid. But there’s a series that’s often compared to GTA that Rockstar just can’t quite match.

A commentary by Nathan Navrotzki:

This series can easily compete with GTA

Again and again, GTA is compared to another franchise because the game ends in both series to criminals and will be given an open world to explore. Also, a wacky sense of humor is part of the whole charm.

We’re talking about the underdog Yakuza, or Like A Dragon – a series that fans often refer to as the Japanese GTA referred to as. While I would highly recommend the series to any GTA fan, the comparisons are a bit far-fetched. Not least because Yakuza, in my opinion, does many things even better than GTA.

In case you don’t have an image of Like A Dragon in your head right now, check out the trailer for the latest game in the main series here:

A more sophisticated 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. Depending on the offshoot, the battles here run as classic beat ’em ups or turn-based RPGs.

It should be emphasized, however, that the fights are always a lot of fun. The combat system is also much more thoughtful than in GTA. As is typical for the genre, it offers skill trees and allows for different ways of playing. Meanwhile, battles in GTA are often similar and usually just end up in one big shootout.

But like I said, we’re comparing two different genres here. So it’s all a matter of taste.

The world is small but fine

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 sweet 20 square kilometers show. And yet it is vastly superior to that of GTA 5. How come?

Quite simply: The environment in Like A Dragon is much more alive. There is something interesting to discover around 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 with fun mini-games can expel.

These range from karaoke games, where your sense of rhythm is required, to classic card games and old Sega arcade games. With crane games you can even try yours figure collection to complete. Overall, despite its modest size, the world has more to offer.

Like A Dragon shows: Gangster stories can also be exciting

Maybe I’m in the minority, but I don’t play GTA for the story or the characters. Of course, GTA’s stories can also have interesting twists and make me laugh with a joke or two. But Like A Dragon is on one completely different level in terms of staging and story writing.

Even the toughest gangsters will be brought to tears here as the stories pull you right into the world of Yakuza and make you feel like you can really relate to the characters. The characters are also extremely complex.

Humor that doesn’t exclude

Also absurd, sexual or simply stupid jokes are an integral part of Like A Dragon – especially from 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 would also like to do so in the future more sensitive deal with his jokes, presumably in order not to contribute to discrimination against minorities. At least that’s what insider reports from last year say:

It will probably be a while before GTA 6 is released. If you want to sweeten the waiting time with another row in which you in the shoes of a gangster can hatch, then you should take a closer look at the Yakuza games.

In any case, for the heart that goes into these games, they’re still too little known outside of Japan. So if your interest is piqued, check it out 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 introductions to the series.

• Yakuza: Like A Dragon exists for the PC as well as here for PS4, PS5 and Xbox One to buy:

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