I completely missed the Yakuza series and at this point I'm afraid to ask.

@[email protected] I've also started with 0. There's a bit of a learning curve over the first hour or two, but the characters are great, and I'm really enjoying it. I'd say you get used to the limited save facility, but be warned that it's a big game - I'm only maybe a quarter of the way through so far.

@[email protected] I was in the same boat until last year. I started with 0, despite not being made first, it felt like the natural place to jump in. Alternatively, maybe Yakuza: Like a Dragon since the fighting changed to turn based in that one, which is more my style.

@[email protected] I started Yakuza 0 in 2022 and fell in love. I've been playing the whole series from there and am now on Like A Dragon.

Yakuza 0 is where I would recommend starting, it's a prequel and a high point in the storytelling.

If you're not sure you want to commit to a 500+ hour saga, Judgement is a spin off game that gives a lot of the same vibes in just two games.

If you start with either they're self contained, so if you find out they're not for you you can stop playing from there.