Patreon essay: On the Yakuza series and its relationship to the cinema of the 60's

Essay by Matt S.

The seven-entry narrative arc that comprises the Yakuza series (0 through to 6) is considered by many to be a crowning glory of video game storytelling, and rightfully so. The arc takes Kiryu, his friends, rivals and special ward (Haruka) from impetuous youngsters right through to weary (so very tired) veterans, and does so with a balance of hard action, serious narrative, and outrageous humour. What has always been so impressive about the series is that it has managed to find that balance with such precision and consistency it’s almost mystifying how the development team managed to achieve it.

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