From Jet Set Radio to Yakuza.
Unless you’re deeply involved in the Japanese gaming industry, the name Masayoshi Yokoyama might
not ring a bell. While he may not be as widely recognized as Shigeru Miyamoto or Tetsuya Nomura (at
least to me), he is undoubtedly one of the most respected figures in the gaming industry.
Yokoyama is responsible for classics such as Jet Set Radio and, of course, Yakuza. It’s in the Yakuza series
that Mr. Yokoyama truly shines. Like a Dragon is a Yakuza spin-off series that debuted on the Sony PS3
and PS4 platforms in Japan in 2014 to very positve reviews from Japanese critcs.
In general, Yakuza is an acclaimed series with fans all over the world. While I’ve never explored the series
as thoroughly as it deserves, Infinite Wealth is without a doubt one of the best RPGs I’ve played in recent
years.
Ninjas in Hawaii.
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is a turn-based RPG with action elements developed by SEGA. It is
available on PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox Series X and S, Xbox One, and PC (Steam) so that no one misses
out on this experience, unless you only have a Switch. It was Like a Dragon that introduced the turnbased combat system to the Yakuza series.
The story follows Ichiban Kasuga, hailed as the “Hero of Yokohama” after the events of the 2020 game,
which marked his debut in the series. However, this time, he must face new threats in a place far from
Japan: Hawaii. Our goal is to find “our” biological mother.
The game’s story features several memorable and nostalgic characters from the series, with a highlight
on Kazuma Kyriu, the original protagonist of the franchise, who takes on a secondary role in this game.
Despite the interesting narrative and quite fun gameplay, the slow and excessively long start may tire
some players, which was not a problem for me as I enjoy this type of narrative.
Like a Dragon retains the series’ signature style of humor and drama, with hilarious and emotional
moments, striking a balance between the dark and the comedic. This continues to be one of its
strengths. The Kasuga and Kiryu duo is fantastic, showcasing perfect chemistry between the two and
serving as a great homage to fans of the series.
Turn-Based Brawls in Paradise.
Infinite Wealth introduces a new level of freedom to the series’ combat. Players can now move freely
around the combat zone, using proximity and the environment to their advantage when atacking.
Despite being a turn-based game, standing still is a bad idea. The system reaches its peak in the series.
With a vast job system, players have more options than ever to customize their combat style. Enemies
are also more intelligent and will not be caught off guard easily, requiring the use of more elaborate
tactics and items.
Gameplay is the highlight of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, cementing it as one of the most entertaining
turn-based RPGs in recent memory. Its frantic pace and fast-paced battles encourage players to fight
repeatedly, preventing missions from becoming repetitive. The variety of enemies and creative bosses
contribute to this exciting experience. The game demonstrates that this genre, often associated with
complex strategies, can also be accessible to more casual players.
“Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is a digital amusement park.”
One of the things that gives Infinite Wealth its charm is its wide variety of mini-games. These include
delivering food within a time limit Crazy Taxi-style, collecting cans to recycle, playing casino games like
Blackjack and regular Poker, enjoying a good game of darts, fishing, singing karaoke, and much more. The
sheer number of activities available means that even if you get tired of the main story, you don’t have to
switch to another game to take a break. Like a Dragon is truly a digital amusement park.
But our friends at Sega have left one more surprise for everyone’s delight: ARCADES! Within the game,
you can play classic titles like Virtua Fighter 3tb, SEGA Bass Fishing, and SpikeOut. The latter never left
Japanese arcades, so this marks its debut for Western audiences.
A Genre-Bending Adventure Beyond the Brawls
In conclusion, Like a Dragon is much more than just an RPG. It is a story with themes that go far beyond
fighting, with memorable characters and epic scenes for all fans of the franchise. The turn-based
gameplay is practically flawless, as it manages to bring elements of strategy and positioning without
making the experience to demanding. Yes, the beginning can be slow, but what is “on the other side of
the curtain” is an experience that deserves everyone’s attention, from casual gamers to the most
demanding. t’s still early in the year, but Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is undoubtedly one of the best
games of 2024 so far.
