FAQ

Answers to frequently asked questions about Yakuza 6: The Song of Life, including its release, rating, and gameplay differences.

What is Yakuza 6: The Song of Life?

Yakuza 6: The Song of Life is the seventh mainline game (counting Yakuza 0) in the series of the same name by SEGA, also known in Japan as "Ryu ga Gotoku" ("Like a Dragon"). The game was released in late 2016 for the PlayStation 4 in Japan and in 2018 for other territories. It was later released in 2021 on Xbox One and Steam.

Is this a good game to start the Yakuza series with?

As the final chapter of a seven-part story, this is not the best place to start the series. However, Yakuza games are designed so they can be played individually without necessary knowledge of prior events. If you do not care about past games and want to check out the series at its most current, you can begin here. For a better starting point, consider Yakuza 0, available on the same systems, which serves as a great introduction to the series. Alternatively, Yakuza Kiwami, a modern remake of the first Yakuza game, is also a good option.

What is this game rated?

This game is rated "M" for Mature by the ESRB. It includes the content descriptors of: Blood, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, and Use of Alcohol. The game depicts Japanese organized crime and its associated illegal activities. Combat can be brutal, especially the "Heat Actions" (special combat moves), but while blood sprays, it is not overt and there is no gore. Sexual content includes a live chat minigame where models may remove their shirts to reveal bikinis.

Who do you play as in this game?

You play as series protagonist Kazuma Kiryu, and only Kiryu, as this is his final chapter.

What is different about Yakuza 6: The Song of Life compared to previous games?

Key differences include:

• The game is built on the new Dragon Engine, offering upscale graphic fidelity and detail, though some kinks were not fully ironed out.
• Saving is now automatic, with manual saves available from the Settings Menu constantly overwriting the current file.
• There are no transitions between streets and storefronts; you walk directly into buildings.
• Kamurocho has been slightly reduced, with the Champion District and most of Park Boulevard inaccessible.
• A new district, Jingaicho in Onomichi, Hiroshima prefecture, is available to explore.
• The experience system is overhauled, with five types of experience points to accrue and apply to stats.
• A "hunger meter" is introduced; once full, food no longer provides experience benefits.
• Vending machine drinks can provide temporary in-game effects.
• Minigames are overhauled, with some classics removed in favor of new ones.
• There are no keepable weapons; weapons are limited to those pulled off enemies in combat and disappear at the end of battle. Gear can still be equipped.
• Lockers and Locker Keys are replaced with Safes, with fewer of them in the game.

How do I save in this game?

Phone booths are gone. The game autosaves constantly. To create a file you can return to, use the Save function in the Settings menu to create a new file. For example, to save before playing Mahjong, go to the Mahjong parlor, create a new save file, play, and if you lose, quit the game and Continue from that previous file. Creating a new save file essentially assigns it as your autosave.

What is in the demo for this game?

The free "Prologue" demo for Yakuza 6: The Song of Life allows you to see the first hour or so of (cutscenes) and begin Chapter 1. Story progression is blocked when you are told to go to Little Asia. You can explore Kamurocho, start some Substories, eat at restaurants, shop, play minigames like Karaoke, Mahjong, and RIZAP, and fight street thugs. You can spend experience to upgrade base stats but cannot buy skills. Your save file transfers to the full game, and most trophies are applied shortly after starting. The demo is large, over 36 gigabytes.

I found a photograph on the street! What can I do with it?

Check out Spirit Photography.