REVIEW – In Yakuza: Like a Dragon, SEGA has set the stage for a fitting conclusion to the eight-game story of legendary protagonist Kazuma Kiryu. However, as the new yakuza, Ichiban Kasuga still has much to learn from Kiryu’s legacy. In this new adventure, we witness Kasuga not only taking on the challenge but also completing it flawlessly!

 

 

The developers at RGG Studios have achieved the impressive feat of continuing the legacy of the eight main episodes of the old series while also giving a fresh direction to the unpredictable Ichiban and consolidating the turn-based gameplay. This sounds like a daunting task, but RGG Studios has executed it masterfully, resulting in the best Yakuza game yet.

 

 

Buy one, get two!

 

The pack includes two Like a Dragon games for the price of one.Throughout the epic 60-hour main storyline, Ichiban and Kiryu fight together to find Ichiban’s mother, Akane, who is hiding in Honolulu City, Hawaii. New and old friends assist them on their quest, but Kiryu is also tested by the challenges of real life. The RPG becomes a multi-front battle.

You will be responsible for managing two teams across three major cities: Kamurocho, Ijincho, and Honolulu City. It is important to have a good understanding of the previous parts of the game, especially in the second half. It is important to have a good understanding of the previous parts of the game, especially in the second half. It is important to have a good understanding of the previous parts of the game, especially in the second half. Kiryu reflects on his past while Ichiban focuses on current events. This nostalgic element fits perfectly into the world of Infinite Wealth, making Like Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name just as captivating and engaging. New interactive memories bring the two Japanese maps to life, allowing Kiryu to reminisce about the events of previous games, including Like a Dragon: Ishin! and Yakuza: Dead Souls, and reconnect with old friends. Kiryu recalls everything from funny to dramatic moments in a touching way that will delight old fans with nostalgia.

The genius of the game’s storytelling remains uncompromised. Finding Akane is just the beginning of what Ichiban and Kiryu are doing in Hawaii as they uncover the insidious criminal world behind the holiday resort. The story is engrossing and entertaining, with recurring characters like Nanba and Adachi being joined by new characters, each with their own secrets and stories. The unexpected and often humorous twists and turns that are typical of the Yakuza series add spice to the narrative. The serious tone of the main plot effectively balances the humorous subplots. This is yet another outstanding Yakuza tale, which is much more profound than it initially appears.

 

 

Patience is a virtue for (former) Yakuzas too!

 

Like a Dragon. The game takes a few hours to pick up and lay the groundwork, similar to the beginning of the game. However, all of the story threads introduced eventually come together by the end of the game. It can feel like you’re stalling at the beginning, especially if you’re waiting for the real action to start for fifty hours. However, once you reach the core of the story, you may not desire to play any other game.

The combat system is central to the narrative and character transitions, and in Infinite Wealth, it has been enhanced and expanded from its predecessor’s turn-based foundations. The fundamental mechanic of alternating turns with enemies remains unchanged, but the innovation of allowing each team member to move freely within their turn has completely transformed the gameplay. Players are no longer limited to simple attacks and using abilities; they can now use their position to maximize damage. Shockwaves can be used to push enemies towards other team members, generating combos. Attacks from behind deal extra damage. If you’re standing near objects, such as tables, chairs, and barrels, they can be weaponized. Kiryu regains his famous Heat Moves abilities, and improving your connection with characters unlocks new combo attacks. Launching an attack from one angle can cause one enemy to collide with another, dealing damage to both.

This enhancement increases the strategic depth and complexity of combat, allowing a basic attack to clear an entire HP lane if positioned cleverly. A wide range of abilities expands tactical options. Some abilities deal damage linearly or in a larger circle, allowing damage to multiple enemies if positioned correctly or waiting for them to gather in a group.

 

 

Need to grind? Fortunately, not much except for one chapter!

 

If we view Yakuza: Like a Dragon as the initial step of change – a sort of ‘prototype’ – then Infinite Wealth appears to be the perfected and completed version of RGG Studio. The new job roles, which alter the appearance and movement of party members, create a highly customizable and imaginative combat system that can easily compete with any other modern turn-based title. Given the rarity of such games in modern times, Infinite Wealth is one of the best examples of the genre.

However, traditional round-by-round combat poses a risk of grinding. Those who played through Yakuza: Like a Dragon will remember the infamous grind of Chapter 12. Fortunately, RGG Studio listened to feedback when making the sequel. Throughout the main story, a notification appears several times, indicating the required level and equipment for the upcoming fights. In our experience, we were never more than two levels below the recommended level, so grinding for up to 15 minutes did not disrupt the rhythm. However, this guidance is absent from the final chapter, leaving us struggling. After an hour of grinding, we finally reached the required level. Infinite Wealth manages the difficulty curve more effectively. However, it does not provide advice when needed the most, such as when the game switches from open world to linear stage, which can be frustrating.

Random battles can occur at any time in the game’s three large cities, but the most significant addition is the new location, Honolulu City. Ichiban, Kiryu, and the others take control of Hawaii to find Akane, who was presumed dead. The verdant sandy beaches and palm trees provide a refreshing contrast to the neon concrete jungle of Ijincho and Kamurocho. This location exudes an exotic, tropical, and lively atmosphere that sets it apart from other Yakuza games. Additionally, a new app allows you to connect with locals and send messages from anywhere.

All shops, whether it’s a branded store in the mall or a beachside convenience store, offer local-style gear, weapons, and armor to enhance your outfit. Additionally, secret upgrades can be found in hidden corners of the city. In the largest area of the series so far, you can ride a Segway and swap tuxedos for cool Hawaiian shirts, bringing smiles to both digital companions and players. This all fits perfectly with the theme of the game, and the new location is a joy to explore.

 

 

The amount of extra content is astonishing!

 

The game is not only fascinating with its main story, but also with its many side stories. RGG Studio has always been famous for this, but now they’ve raised the bar even higher. In addition to the 60-hour main story, you get two dungeons full of enemies, a more advanced Sujimon mini-game where you fight captured enemies, and over 50 side stories featuring old acquaintances and new characters. As with the previous games, these stories are short but sweet and full of the typical crazy but adorable situations found in Yakuza/Like a Dragon.

In addition, there are plenty of other fun activities to enjoy, such as a dating simulator, food delivery, photography, classic SEGA games to play in the arcade, karaoke, personality tests, gambling, and darts. There is a significant amount of optional content to explore, which can extend your playtime to over one hundred hours. However, there is also Dondoko Island, a game created by RGG Studio that resembles Animal Crossing.

It has its own story, objectives, and menu system. On this island, Ichiban must convert a garbage-filled area into a beautiful resort by eliminating waste and constructing hotels and attractions to entice tourists. Your objective is to develop a five-star resort that offers all the amenities a vacationer could desire. Featuring a do-it-yourself construction system and fishing mini-games, it is a superb addition to an already bustling game. Dondoko Island is so impressive that it could even be marketed as a standalone game on the PlayStation Store.

Whether you are advancing the main storyline or exploring side quests, Infinite Wealth has everything to make it the most stunning game in the franchise to date. Ichiban, Kiryu, and the rest of the cast appear lifelike on screen.  Honolulu City can be explored both day and night, and its buildings and surroundings offer a spectacle not seen in previous episodes. It is an eye-catcher in the right lighting conditions, especially on a large 4K TV. As expected from RGG Studio, the game runs at a steady 60 frames per second without any hiccups.

The voice acting occasionally detracts from the atmosphere. We played the game in Japanese with English subtitles, but there were instances where the Hawaiian residents spoke to each other in English. It is odd when a character has a completely different voice in English than in Japanese, as it is clear that each language has a different voice actor. For instance, the use of a scary sounding voice by a police officer in Japanese can make him appear more timid and gentle compared to the English speaker. This can be quite unsettling when it occurs in a single scene.

 

 

Be Like a Dragon yourself!

 

Fans of Like a Dragon will not be disappointed with this new Yakuza story. However, they may not have expected a sequel as fantastic as Infinite Wealth. Kazuma Kiryu and Ichiban Kasuga reunite as they traverse three major cities, balancing serious drama with humorous moments. There are more turn-based battles that are exciting and varied in Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, and the game’s graphics are so stunning that you won’t be able to look away from the screen. There are more turn-based battles that are exciting and varied in Like a Dragon: This game is the culmination of the Yakuza series.

-Gergely Herpai (BadSector)-

We got the review code from Indigo Pearl.

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Publisher: Sega

Developer: Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio

Style: RPG adventure

Release: January 26, 2024.