Yakuza: Like a Dragon Releases Hilarious Cooking Video

While most major Yakuza fans have likely already played Yakuza: Like a Dragon at this point, the PS5 release only launched on March 2. In order to promote the worldwide release of the PS5 version of the game, PlayStation Japan has shared a unique cooking video featuring the series' latest protagonist, Ichiban Kasuga.

The Yakuza: Like a Dragon video is part of an ongoing series where PlayStation-based video game characters 'teach' viewers how to cook specific recipes. In this particular instance, the cooking video demonstrates how to make a basic omelette.

The video carefully pieces together gameplay from Yakuza: Like a Dragon with actual footage of cooking an omelette. Courtesy of Yakuza: Like a Dragon's new job system, the two blend seamlessly together as Ichiban 'cooks' while using the Chef job. As the recipe slices and dices ingredients, he hacks away at an enemy with cleavers. When it flips the omelette, he uses a Chef Essence skill doing the same thing, before shoving an enemy's face into the pan.

While it remains to be seen if anyone is actually taking notes on the real recipes shared in these videos, they're certainly an amusing way of promoting a game series that's known for its zany sense of humor. Unfortunately, the recipe video may leave a sour taste for some viewers, as the PS5 upgrade of Yakuza: Like a Dragon from the PS4 release is currently experiencing difficulties. While the developers are already on the case, some players may not be able to experience the graphical overhaul and improved loading times right away.

The Yakuza franchise has always been a big hit in Japan but it has taken the series longer to find its feet and its fandom in the west. The games follow the main protagonist Kiryu Kazuma, an on/off Yakuza (depending on the title), as he faces various personal and professional dilemmas in regards to both those he cares for and his ties to the Tojo Clan. The games have plenty of drama, with compelling storylines and deep plots, as well as a great deal of quirkiness that makes these games stand out from the crowd.

Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio recently took a risk in switching up the genre of its Yakuza games and opted to introduce a new RPG title to the series. When looking at the main numbered titles of the franchise, it's interesting to see how they all compare in terms of Metacritic scores.

Yakuza first kicked its way onto the PlayStation 2 in 2006, having released in Japan the year prior to this. The game was critically acclaimed in Japan, and while it received favorable reviews in the west, it didn't quite hit the same highs over here, with some critics claiming the gameplay to be "tedious".

The game offered up an open-world area to explore, with arcade-style combat that everyone fell in love with. The combat featured ragdoll physics and you could use items from the environment to beat the hell out of your opponents. Fans also loved the insight into the yakuza lifestyle of Japan, as well as the heavy dose of Japanese quirkiness.