Yakuza: Like a Dragon

It seemed like an impossible task to ever create another protagonist as great as Kazuma Kiryu but they really surprised me with Ichiban, a genuine lovable loser. The move to a turn based battle system to accommodate the friends he makes along the way worked out pretty nicely, adding a whole range or crazy jobs, outfits and special moves. Despite adding a lot more craziness to the franchise the main story still manages to be vert down to earth and heartfelt.

Like a Dragon is my second-favourite Yakuza. It is narrowly beaten by 0 for having a protagonist that is too much of a goody-goody. I love both Kiryu and Ichiban, but Yakuza 0 at least had the guts to show Kiryu from his younger, more violent and ruthless side. Regardless, the story here is very good, the JRPG system surprisingly well implemented, and the party system is the best innovation in the game since.. ever, because it allows for constant interaction with a band of amazing characters.