Praise the Kiryu: Steam’s Latest Client Beta Update Finally Lets You Sort Like A Dragon and Yakuza into the Right Order

Steam libraries, vast digital landscapes teeming with purchased and wishlisted titles, can quickly devolve into organizational nightmares. For fans of the Yakuza and Like A Dragon series, this has been a particularly frustrating issue. The saga of Kazuma Kiryu and Ichiban Kasuga spans multiple games, each building upon the rich lore and interconnected storylines of its predecessors. Maintaining a chronologically accurate arrangement in your Steam library has been, until now, a painstaking manual process. Thankfully, the latest Steam Client Beta update offers a solution that promises to bring order to the digital dojo.

The Yakuza and Like A Dragon Conundrum: A Chronological Catastrophe

The Yakuza franchise, now largely rebranded as Like A Dragon in the West, presents a unique challenge for organizational purists. The series boasts a complex chronology, featuring prequels, remakes, and sequels that don’t always adhere to a straightforward numerical order. This is further complicated by the title variations (“Yakuza” vs. “Like A Dragon”) which can confuse alphabetical sorting.

Right, so. It’s supposed to go as follows: Yakuza 0, Yakuza Kiwami, Yakuza Kiwami 2, Yakuza 3 Remastered, Yakuza 4 Remastered, Yakuza 5 Remastered, Yakuza 6: The Song Of Life, Yakuza: Like A Dragon, then off into full-blown Like A Dragon land, and on to Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth. But in Steam library, it’s not. The Kiwamis are cheekily lurking behind Yakuza 6, and the LADs are before all of their more Japanese gangsterly-named siblings.

Before this update, achieving the correct order required tedious manual renaming or the creation of custom categories – workarounds that were far from ideal. This was especially true for players new to the series, who might inadvertently start with a later installment, potentially spoiling major plot points or missing crucial character development.

Steam Client Beta: A Beacon of Hope for Organized Gamers

The Steam Client Beta update introduces a refined system for managing your game library, focusing on improved sorting and filtering options. While the patch notes may not explicitly mention Yakuza by name, the changes implemented directly address the issues plaguing fans of the franchise. The key improvements include:

• Dynamic Collections: Steam now allows for the creation of dynamic collections based on various criteria, including tags, developers, publishers, and custom metadata.
• Enhanced Sorting Options: The update adds new sorting options, such as release date, user review score, and playtime, providing more granular control over the arrangement of your games.
• Customizable Shelves: Players can now create customized shelves within their library, allowing for greater visual organization and personalized categorization.
• Improved Search Functionality: A revamped search function makes it easier to locate specific games or filter results based on predefined criteria.

Leveraging Dynamic Collections for Yakuza and Like A Dragon

The Dynamic Collections feature is the most significant addition for Yakuza and Like A Dragon enthusiasts. By utilizing tags and custom metadata, you can create a dynamic collection that automatically sorts the games in chronological order.

Here’s how to set it up:

1. Opt-in to the Steam Client Beta: Navigate to Steam Settings > Account > Beta Participation and select “Steam Beta Update.” Restart Steam to apply the changes.

2. Create a New Dynamic Collection: In your Steam library, click the “+” icon to create a new collection. Choose “Dynamic Collection” as the type.

3. Define the Rules: This is where the magic happens. Use the following rules to create a chronologically accurate Yakuza/Like A Dragon collection:

   • Rule 1: Tag - “Yakuza” OR “Like A Dragon”: This ensures that all relevant games are included in the collection.
   • Rule 2: Tag - “Yakuza 0”: This will prioritize Yakuza 0 as the first game in the collection.
   • Rule 3: Tag - “Yakuza Kiwami”: This will place Yakuza Kiwami after Yakuza 0.
   • Rule 4: Tag - “Yakuza Kiwami 2”: This will place Yakuza Kiwami 2 after Yakuza Kiwami.
   • Rule 5: Tag - “Yakuza 3 Remastered”:This will place Yakuza 3 Remastered after Yakuza Kiwami 2.
   • Rule 6: Tag - “Yakuza 4 Remastered”: This will place Yakuza 4 Remastered after Yakuza 3 Remastered.
   • Rule 7: Tag - “Yakuza 5 Remastered”: This will place Yakuza 5 Remastered after Yakuza 4 Remastered.
   • Rule 8: Tag - “Yakuza 6: The Song of Life”: This will place Yakuza 6: The Song of Life after Yakuza 5 Remastered.
   • Rule 9: Tag - “Yakuza: Like a Dragon”: This places Yakuza: Like a Dragon next in order.
   • Rule 10: Tag - “Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth”: This will place Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth at the end of main saga.

4. Fine-tune the Order: Steam’s dynamic collections sometimes require manual adjustments. If necessary, you can drag and drop games within the collection to ensure the correct order. This is especially useful for spin-offs or titles with ambiguous placements in the timeline.

Embracing Customizable Shelves for a Visually Appealing Library

The Customizable Shelves feature offers an additional layer of organization, allowing you to create visually distinct sections within your Steam library. You can use this to create a dedicated Yakuza/Like A Dragon shelf, complete with custom artwork and a descriptive title.

To create a custom shelf:

1. Right-click in your Steam library and select “Add Shelf.”
2. Name the shelf (e.g., “The Kiryu Saga,” “The Dragon of Dojima’s Journey”).
3. Add games to the shelf by dragging and dropping them from your library or by using the “+” icon to search for them.
4. Customize the shelf’s appearance by right-clicking on it and selecting “Customize Shelf.” You can change the background color, add a custom banner image, and adjust the text alignment.

Leveraging Tags for Precise Organization

Steam’s tagging system, though often overlooked, is a powerful tool for organizing your game library. The recent update enhances the functionality of tags, making it easier to filter and sort games based on specific criteria.

Applying Custom Tags

To apply custom tags to your Yakuza and Like A Dragon games:

1. Right-click on a game in your Steam library and select “Manage” > “Add Tags.”
2. Enter your desired tags, separating them with commas (e.g., “Yakuza Chronological,” “Kiryu Saga,” “Turn-Based Combat”).
3. Press Enter to save the tags.

Once you’ve tagged your games, you can use the “Filter by Tags” option in your Steam library to quickly narrow down your selection. This is particularly useful for finding specific installments in the Yakuza/Like A Dragon series or for grouping games based on shared themes or gameplay mechanics.

Understanding the Yakuza/Like A Dragon Timeline

To effectively organize your games, it’s essential to have a clear understanding of the Yakuza/Like A Dragon timeline. Here’s a chronological overview of the main installments:

1. Yakuza 0: A prequel that explores the origins of Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima in 1980s Japan.
2. Yakuza Kiwami: A remake of the original Yakuza, retelling Kiryu’s story after his release from prison.
3. Yakuza Kiwami 2: A remake of Yakuza 2, featuring a new engine and expanded content.
4. Yakuza 3 Remastered: A remastered version of Yakuza 3, improving the visuals and performance.
5. Yakuza 4 Remastered: A remastered version of Yakuza 4, introducing multiple playable characters.
6. Yakuza 5 Remastered: A remastered version of Yakuza 5, featuring a sprawling narrative and five playable characters.
7. Yakuza 6: The Song of Life: The final chapter in Kazuma Kiryu’s saga, concluding his story arc.
8. Yakuza: Like a Dragon: A soft reboot of the series, introducing a new protagonist, Ichiban Kasuga, and turn-based combat.
9. Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth: Ichiban’s story is far from over as he embarks on a journey of a lifetime across the Pacific.

Spin-offs and Side Stories:

In addition to the main installments, the Yakuza/Like A Dragon series includes several spin-offs and side stories that offer unique gameplay experiences and expand upon the world’s lore. These titles can be incorporated into your Steam library organization, but their placement in the timeline may be more subjective.

• Judgment and Lost Judgment: set in the Yakuza/Like A Dragon universe, following the story of Takayuki Yagami, a private detective investigating a series of crimes in Kamurocho.
• Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name: tells the story of Kiryu after the events of Yakuza 6, filling the gap up to Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth.
• Ryu Ga Gotoku Ishin!: A samurai-themed spin-off set in the Bakumatsu era.

Beyond Sorting: Maximizing Your Yakuza/Like A Dragon Experience on Steam

Organizing your Steam library is just one step towards maximizing your Yakuza/Like A Dragon experience. Here are some additional tips:

• Utilize Steam Reviews: Read user reviews to gain insights into each game’s quality and content.
• Explore the Steam Community: Join the Yakuza/Like A Dragon Steam community to connect with other fans, share tips and tricks, and participate in discussions.
• Take Advantage of Steam Sales: Keep an eye out for discounts on Yakuza/Like A Dragon games during Steam sales.
• Consider the Deluxe Editions: The deluxe editions of some Yakuza/Like A Dragon games include bonus content, such as costumes, items, and soundtracks.
• Install Mods: Explore the Steam Workshop for mods that enhance the gameplay experience, such as graphical improvements, gameplay tweaks, and custom content.

Conclusion: A Harmonious Yakuza/Like A Dragon Library Awaits

The latest Steam Client Beta update represents a significant step forward in library organization, offering Yakuza and Like A Dragon fans the tools they need to bring order to their digital collections. By leveraging dynamic collections, customizable shelves, and Steam’s tagging system, you can create a visually appealing and chronologically accurate Yakuza/Like A Dragon library that enhances your overall gaming experience. Embrace the new features, delve into the rich world of Kazuma Kiryu and Ichiban Kasuga, and prepare to lose yourself in the captivating stories of the Yakuza/Like A Dragon saga.