Everything YOU MUST KNOW about Yakuza: Like a Dragon - Ultimate Beginner's Guide

In this video, I provide all of the details you might require to get the best possible experience playing Yakuza: Like a Dragon.
GOT QUESTIONS? NEED HELP? I go live on Twitch every Sunday from 5-7PM MST. Catch me then to ask me any questions or if you just want to chat about the games: / chill_kaiju
Links of Interest:
My Business Management Guide: • THE ULTIMATE BUSINESS ...
My Shareholder Meeting Guide: • SHAREHOLDER MEETINGS E...
Recommended Party Comp Guide: samurai-gamers.com/yakuza-lik...
Drink Link Answer Guide: www.fanbyte.com/games/guides/...
All Taxi Locations: www.neoseeker.com/yakuza-like...
All Safe Locations: gamefaqs.gamespot.com/ps4/272...
All Tojo Crests: gamefaqs.gamespot.com/ps4/272...
Party Chat and Table Talk Guide: gamefaqs.gamespot.com/ps4/272...
Honk-honks: gamefaqs.gamespot.com/ps4/272...
Stats Guide: gamefaqs.gamespot.com/ps4/272...
All Sujidex records: gamefaqs.gamespot.com/ps4/272...
Where to start the Yakuza Series: • WHERE TO START THE YAK...
Timestamps
00:00 - Intro
00:37 - Background
01:47 - Basic Tips
03:38 - RPG Mechanics
06:04 - Jobs
07:45 - Part-Time Hero
08:46 - Personality and Bonds
11:51 - City Exploration
12:21 - Taxis
12:39 - Safes
13:04 - Secret Shops for Gold Keys
14:05 - Tojo Crests
14:29 - Party Chat and Table Talk
16:09 - Ichiban Confections Business Management Minigame
18:09 - Shareholder Meetings
18:59 - Romance Substories
20:23 - Secret Casinos
20:59 - Honk-honks
21:39 - Planting and Gardening
22:44 - I love Yakuza but hate turn-based RPGs, should I play this?
23:11 - Subbed or Dubbed?
23:23 - Is this game a good entry point for newcomers?
23:54 - Can I play through the game using default jobs only?
24:09 - Best Places to Grind
24:24 - Where is the Dragonkart Minigame?
24:30 - What do Stats do?
24:55 - Where is the Pawn Shop or Place to Sell Stuff?
25:16 - What to Sell?
25:28 - What to Spend Money on?
25:50 - Where to Buy Materials?
26:13 - Where to Find Insects?
26:26 - What goes well with cucumber?
26:31 - What carries over into new game plus?
27:00 - What level to beat the game?
27:23 - How many chapters are there?
27:27 - How to change jobs?
27:50 - How to change costumes?
28:11 - How to take photos?
28:22 - How many party members are there in the game?
28:32 - How to change difficulty?
28:53 - Where to get the premium sushi set?
29:07 - Where is the survive bar?
29:22 - Where to find toilet paper?
29:39 - Where is the Ichiban Confections Business Minigame?
30:12 - Conclusion

[@Heyitdave]

For those who didn't know dragon quest is so engrained in this game that ichiban's signature hero armor is the hero's legendary heroic armor in the recent dragon quest

[@ChillKaijuClan]

I hadn't heard about this, I'll keep an eye out for it!

[@VamosViverFora]

Yes, I just played this one before begin Like a dragon. Not just that. The controller is almost the same. There’s a huge difference with dragon quest because there you can send the hero to take the bench (out of the party). Another thing is the Fonfon (Puff puff in Dragon quest).

[@robinhalvarsson3138]

I've played DQ11 twice, and I didn't see the resemblance 😅

[@garyruttan7578]

​@@robinhalvarsson3138 itching it refers to dragon quest games from snes. They are wild

[@amberhernandez]

​@@garyruttan7578ITCHING IT 🤣

[@barehunterbachman5152]

I will never get over the shear insanity of how difficult it is to acquire cockroaches in a game.

[@Utubeuser000]

4:13 your efforts to keep this video as spoiler free as possible didn't go unnoticed! Well done! Very thorough and helpful guide!

[@ChillKaijuClan]

Thanks!

[@Mr8947030]

Hey bro I just started playing this game and your guide has been a lifesaver I appreciate the dedication and intricate details you put and said and even had a Q&A at the end Good job my guy

[@brodysdaddy]

How do you not have more subscribers? I’m doing my part to fix this…subscribed! Excellent job, really appreciate the hard work this must have taken.

[@flipsolo]

Excellent video! Thank you for avoiding spoilers!

[@ogre589]

Ok considering Ichiban's favorite game franchise is the Dragon Quest series, its safe to assume the Honk-Honk girls are references to a long running joke in the series, refered to as "Puff Puff." Dragon Ball also has this joke. Its basically a "motorboat" for those who don't know.

[@TMV420]

I finally started playing this on Christmas yesterday. can't believe it sat in my queue for so long. great video, I'm subbed for life! Merry Christmas pal!

[@ChillKaijuClan]

Merry Christmas + Happy Holidays!

[@khalel610]

I just started playing the game today. This is super helpful as i'm just a bit overwhelmed as to what to do next. This video really helped me plan some things ahead of time. Thank you.

[@FredMaverik]

Do all quests. Or don't and pile em up. There's really no secret

[@whysoserious4464]

​@@FredMaverik 🤦

[@angbald]

I just got this on ps5 plus last night looking forward to the madness. Thanks for the video. Got me even more pumped.

[@queso_king]

Holy shit i just started this game yesterday 1/10/24 and didnt even know it was the anniversary of the games release! Hoping the info here will help maximize my efficiency in the very deep game. Ty for the upload.

[@M9_Prime]

Fantastic video… this was very helpful

[@garthmarenghi4628]

Very well done!

[@bigpapapage7165]

Just beat LaD Gaiden and am going to replay Yakuza 7 - this video was a PERFECT refresher. Thank you!

[@cl-vision5029]

Wow cant believe i just found this channel. I been a Yakuza games fan for so many years. Great channel

[@ChillKaijuClan]

So glad you found me.

[@gabomur]

Thanks for information, very useful

[@MuffHam]

I love the turned based combat.

[@bencenagy5459]

The only flaws i see with it is that moves can become obsolete very easily (Head Trauma is fucking broken for being a skill with the cost of 5 MP, i think a dropkick from Ichiban does less damage) Also, in a game where positioning is important, i think you should get at least some control over where a party member moves.

[@ZrxFrenzy]

@@bencenagy5459at least they’re giving us movement in LAD:IW

[@FredMaverik]

@@ZrxFrenzy not really, it's the same thing. not that it is a problem for me, its a turn based game and a very fun one at that.

[@ZrxFrenzy]

@@FredMaverik if you don’t see a difference from movement between 7 & IW idk what to tell you.

[@tommyblade8093]

​@@ZrxFrenzy I just started yakuza 7 and rn saeko just joined the party. I got my as whooped by the Chinese kung fun NPCs TWICE 😂

[@LeeoGoneWild]

I just started playing this last night because I wanted a long game to play while waiting for that Harry Potter game. I started really enjoying it, so I decided to watch a beginner guide. After watching yours, I’m shocked how many things are in this game, WOW, I’m even more excited, yet quite overwhelmed haha

[@ChillKaijuClan]

Thanks for watching. I think the way this video presents this stuff makes it feel way more overwhelming than it should, as the game itself eases you into each system very gradually. You might check back after you've completed the first few chapters, and a lot more things should click. 🙂

[@LeeoGoneWild]

@@ChillKaijuClan thanks for the response! I’m sure they will! I guess overwhelming in a sense that I didn’t expect the game to have so many elements, but I’m also very grateful because I’m so used to RPG games being so lazy or leaving out a lot of things. I can tell I’m going to love this!

[@ChillKaijuClan]

@@LeeoGoneWild It's a fantastic title, might even prompt you to play the others in the series.

[@slumpedzen]

A few months back I never heard of a yakuza game before I picked this up, now I have 0- Kiwami 2 and plan on playing the whole series never have I been sucked into the amount of stuff to do in a game with the amount of heart put into this , if u thinking about it get this game 😭😭

[@TatsumiOga682]

Yakuza games absolutely devour your time, I discovered yakuza during the lockdown and they absolutely sucked me in for 3 whole months and i played through the entire franchise in one go

[@amberhernandez]

KZbin dragged me down the rabbit hole via my addiction to hour-long video essays, and I picked up LAD on that alone. A month and a half later, I've already gotten the platinum for it. Rarely have I been so utterly entranced by a game that I constantly think about playing it, how I feel about the story events, or brainstorming how I can tackle a hard encounter. Even the tedium of a week-long grind in the underground maxing every job for the TFMT was mitigated by numbers going up, which tamed my lizard brain enough to see it through. God-tier game design, in _multiple_ regards!!

[@rudolfagyemang5006]

This was helpful. Thank you.

[@Taeki]

Great and very helpful video, thank you :) gained a new sub. keep up the good work

[@ChillKaijuClan]

Thank you!

[@Dalmasen86]

Great video! If you keep this up you will have a lot more subscribers eventually!

[@JosThatGuy]

Dude you deserve way more subscribes your editing is amazing

[@ChillKaijuClan]

Thanks so much!

[@Tiblious]

The last JRPGS I played were FF12 and Eternal Sonata. I had a massive itch to try one. This is what I decided on. Amazing video. It may be frowned upon but I watch tips and tricks videos as my game reviews/ for own knowledge. You killed it. This was my first exposure but I hope your channel is loaded with videos. You’ll be my guide for this game for sure

[@Tiblious]

Sike. It’s your only video lol.

[@ghostmania.]

This is my first yakuza game ever and it got me so invested. Got my plat a few weeks ago and I’m still grinding the game to get each jobs best weapon (just to test them out). Once I’m done with those, I will start my yakuza journey and learn more about the lore and kiryu sama.

[@HollowGolem]

That's a journey I've been on over the last year. I recommend spacing things out, because I started feeling burnt out about 4. But every game was pretty good in its own way. I'm working on the Judgment games now, and they managed to be even better.

[@NickC_222]

Congrats on beating the True Final Millennium Tower. That place is no joke. I just came back for a second playthrough and am currently grinding Sotenbori to get all jobs to 50 to prep for another swipe at the Tower this time around. It's the only trophy I don't have and I can't stand it!

[@ghostmania.]

@@NickC_222 you should do the kamurocho underground dungeon if you wanna level up jobs fast instead of the sotenbori tower. There’s that one enemy mob that give tons of job exp when you kill him. I forgot his name. All you have to do is rinse and repeat

[@Jay-Tee58]

Thanks mate 👍

[@JeffBerggren]

Great video

[@WannaComment2]

If grinding shareholder meetings is too boring for you, save-scumming high stakes poker is also a good way to make money fast. Just keep raising the pot and load the game any time you don't win it. You can exchange chips back to money at the same rate you'd buy them by exchanging them for platinum plates and selling those elsewhere. I had some games pay upward of 5 million yen.

[@KururuFrog]

Dude, I really hope you do a guide on Yakuza 4. I just finished 3 today and your tips helped a whole lot! I don't even think I need one to make my way around 4 but I just love listening to your guides!

[@ChillKaijuClan]

I have a project in progress, just been a bit busy w/ work. It will be completed eventually.

[@droomish1]

thanks so much for putting this all in one place. great stuff!

[@buggytheprophet1017]

You deserve more subs, amazing video! Im sure that if you posted a bit more often your channel would grow

[@sheldonhiebert49]

I recently moved to another state for a job promotion and do not currently have internet and Yakuza has saved my life. Love it.

[@Titanxzero1]

I prefer both sub and dub I don't really care myself if the game takes plays in Japan I'd go with one that's easier to listen to especially when I'm doing other things. What I will say, I do appreciate them editing the lip motions the sync up better with the English voice acting so there isn't any syncing issues, like what they did for Judgment and Lost Judgment.

[@LeeoGoneWild]

I definitely prefer the English, especially since there’s a ton of dialog. I don’t have to read my screen the whole time, since the English speakers speak very clearly.

[@amberhernandez]

Both voice casts _slay_ in their performances, and having the option to switch them around makes repeat playthroughs more interesting. Hearing the differences between how Kazuhiro Nakaya and Kaiji Tang portray Ichiban in particular had me cackling and sobbing in equal measure. There's one scene in the story where Ichi gets the pimp slapped, and Nakaya gives this "nNNGYEOouh" sound that made me pause the game and _cry_ laughing! It was such a dramatic moment, but that sound really broke the tension, where Kaiji's "aAAGHh" of pain stoked my desire to beat the guy who caused it. Also, the part where Ichi says "Why am I still punching my way through you useless grunts?!" was such a subtle divergence; Kaiji sounds exhausted yet desperate for it to be over, and Nakaya is just _brutal_ in that performance. AND THAT'S _JUST_ ICHIBAN. There's so much vocal talent across the board; I _cannot_ stress enough how much people should strive to lend an ear to both!! A common complaint is that "it's weird hearing the series in English," or "I don't want to have to read subtitles," but it's super easy to adjust to in either regard, particularly if you've already played the game. This game is a treasure, and I mean that wholeheartedly.

[@idolsensei7]

Playing this in Ps4 right now. Really addicting game. Like Im grinding to unlock the skills of the different jobs. I like Adachi san he's a total Daddy character. 😅

[@KururuFrog]

I love you! Please come back! 😢

[@paulnolan4971]

Just about to jump into this on PC. First Yakuza. I'm just gonna explore the map and get all the taxi points and see what I can pick up to level and loot, while maybe avoiding fights.

[@paulnolan4971]

Subbed. Great vid ^^

[@KururuFrog]

Thank you

[@86Realz]

I would like a choice of dub or sub it would make it funner other than that I love it and it's always something to do

[@therealsirdj5934]

I am so happy the Yakuza series has reached the West. I watched some Yakuza 0 and the sheer crazyness of the game hooked me. I really wanna play Yakuza, but atm I have so many games to play atm, that I feel like playing it rn wouldn't do the franchise justice

[@OGbrundle]

Play Yakuza Kiwami and Kiwami 2 first, THEN play Yakuza 0

[@Seb2404]

For the romances if your stat goes higher than 4 or 7 do you miss the chance to romance the characters or are you still able to do it?

[@heartlessangel2910]

If there’s one thing I’ve learnt about playing the Yakuza games, personally, it’s best to have some sort of roadmap/checklist for the game’s core and elements, such as side quests, exp and money framing, availability, top tier items, etc I’ve been reluctant to play 7 for its RPG mechanics and heavily extensive length, but the his video is a nice introduction and deserves a lot of love.

[@MuffHam]

For money just max out management mini game in Chapter 5. Seriously money dosent even bother me any more. I can get 3mil in 5 to 7 minutes of gameplay.

[@Bluedog7o7]

Can you do a yakuza 4 guide I am about to start yakuza 4 after playing yakuza 1-3 and watching your guides on them

[@ChillKaijuClan]

Absolutely! I worked all weekend on the script for that, and it's still not quite complete. It's definitely on the way!

[@alihorda]

Boy I missed the info that I need survivor bar to progress bond further lol. And I was wondering why bond from fights wasn't growing

[@idolsensei7]

You can go to seagull cinema, play darts in bee or the random convo can grow bonds as well but survive bar will unlock the padlock to continue the bond

[@amberhernandez]

​@@idolsensei7Don't forget the Rose Blossom Cabaret/Lin-Lin Hostess Bar for a super fast (but expensive!) bond increase with your boys. Once you can reliably run the business game for the ¥3M, the cost becomes negligible in comparison.

[@CabbageRoyale]

I am not a jrpg player but wow this game is fun ty gamepass

[@cookncaleb]

Wow, you totally deserve more subscribers and views for this, this is an insanely well put together and detailed guide. I just started playing a few weeks ago and even 40-something hours into the game I learned some new things (embarrassed to say I'm on Chapter 9 and had no idea I could be selling the plates for cash lol). Thank you so much for this resource! Definitely saving to come back to all those handy links when needed and you have gained a new follower! 😁

[@ChillKaijuClan]

Thanks so much for the kind words!

[@azku]

Does this game have a system to track all the main and side missions like Judgement? Or there’s nothing like Yakuza 0?

[@amberhernandez]

The "Tasks" option in the menu will tell you what your current place in the main story AND substories are. Sometimes substories aren't so easy to determine when/what to do next, though; I'd recommend progressing the story to change between night and day for some substories.

[@azku]

@@amberhernandez I’ve already bought the game and about 15 hours in. 😆 Thanks for your reply anyway. I think the menu system is good enough. Better than Y0. Judgment still has the best menu in the franchise in my opinion.

[@kaitori607]

this game should seriously be on the nintendo switch so everyone can play while on the go

[@ChillKaijuClan]

I don't imagine a Switch port being very likely anytime soon, as much as the community would love it. However, most of the RGG games run excellently on the portable gaming PCs that have been coming out, like the Steam Deck or ROG Ally. So, we're not completely out of luck. ☺

[@ludilight2948]

This game is so intimidating

[@NullVoid-rm7jm]

I'm really not looking forward to being done with this game. This is probably my favorite game of all time. I'm excited for the new Yakuza game and as cool as I think it is that the game will be set in Hawaii i'm gonna miss Yokohama. I really love how they re use Yokohama and Kamurocho in these games. I can't wait for sujimon battles though

[@Ahmalik_Yaaz]

I purchased the dlc characters for management mode but I’m not seeing any of them when I open up there management mini game?

[@ChillKaijuClan]

Did you claim the DLC with your ingame smartphone?

[@jekw23]

Wow. Held off getting this for ages and nearly gave up in Chapter 2 as I felt I was just watching an animated movie. Glad I held out. Only on Chapter 6 but man when this game opens up it’s so much fun. Having a blast.

[@PastaMaster115]

When you use the word "attributes" as a noun, you stress the first syllable. Not the second. You stress the second syllable when it's a verb.

[@HarrysDogmalaysia]

2:26 YOU CAN DO THAT? i spend 62 hours in the game not knowing this, welp 62 hours too late to replay the game

[@garyhoang9923]

What does the "special services" actually do for you?

[@ChillKaijuClan]

Raises personality stats. You get a charisma boost and a trophy for visiting all 5.

[@NullVoid-rm7jm]

I despise turn based combat and this is still my favorite Yakuza game and I love the combat in this one as much as the combat in all the other ones too

[@hatedapparelph]

How to redeem the free legendary costume pack bro

[@BaronUnderbite]

Yo can someone give the ID on this videos intro song?

[@ChillKaijuClan]

All of the music in the video is from Harris' Streambeats. The music chosen for this video was from their Chiptunes collection. I forget the name of the specific track, but you should still be able to find and download it on their Google Drive.

[@BaronUnderbite]

@@ChillKaijuClan biggups. You a real one

[@VassalRavenKills]

Strangely enough, I never played a yakuza game and this is my first one and I chose it only because it’s turn-based

[@kevinalford]

I remember when I gave my wife 16 rose bouquets and she beat me with them.

[@amberhernandez]

" HOW *(WHACK)* AM I *(WHACK)* SUPPOSED TO *(WHACK)* TAKE CARE *(WHACK)* OF _ALL_ THESE *(WHACK)* DAMNED FLOWERS?!" *(WHACK)*

[@TheToeSong]

Had to repeat a party chat 6 times because enemies kept spawning

[@FredMaverik]

already beat the game, don't care i'm watching it

[@muliawanwonys4958]

How you get songhui in staff??

[@ChillKaijuClan]

Sorry, not possible. I know it's a bummer. She def should be a party member.

[@amberhernandez]

Seong-hui appears in the Business Management DLC pack! That pack is pretty immersion-breaking ngl 😅

[@kurisu7885]

It's a shame that Kamurocho and Sotenbori didn't have a lot of story related stuff to do or any sub stories.

[@ChillKaijuClan]

True!

[@skintxisu]

I'm so overwelmed

[@LeeoGoneWild]

Haha I just started playing last night and after watching this guide, now I’m overwhelmed, but excited!

[@powerfulech0356]

Just chiming in here, after completing the main story you can come back and do any stuff you missed in Premium Adventure

[@Draffut2003]

I am not playing any Shogi or Mahjong unless they give me lots of cheat items. I refuse.

[@richardsonrichly8456]

This game gives me south park stick of truth vibes

[@ChillKaijuClan]

Oh yeah, how so? The rpg mechanics?

[@richardsonrichly8456]

@@ChillKaijuClan just the larpy vibe of it plus some moves they do

[@Paatryk387]

Game is fun but there is wayyyyy too many waayyyyy too long cinematics

[@Lupo32]

It's like the 1st ever m-rated Jrpg

[@TBoneTony]

Q: How high of a level do I need to be in order to finish the game? A: For me, I go for Level 69 for any JRPG game as a minimum I level grind to before trying to final stretch of the game.

[@NickC_222]

I left a comment with several valuable tips and you deleted it? That's super weird but okay.

[@ChillKaijuClan]

No sir, haven't deleted any comments. Are you sure that you posted it? I appreciate people leaving tips in my comments and have in some cases pinned them. If you have the will to compose your list again, feel free to post them.

[@idonttext9783]

The story and graphics are good but game play isn't that great fighting isn't fluid it stops and you have to pick to make a move.

[@alexbarrera9425]

That’s…what turn based combat is???

[@pcwildcat]

"uh-trib-ute" No. Just no.

[@renchikun]

Nope, no one needs to know anything before playing.

[@The808Mixmaster]

Fuck so thays why i cant take the taxi to certain places i never interacted with some because i didnt need too but now i know if u do i can go to that area. Man this game doesnt tell u much lol you kinda have to learn it on your own as you go