The Yakuza series finds international success with Like a Dragon
The Yakuza series has been a staple in Japan for almost two decades, but its popularity outside of the country has been hit or miss. However, that all changed with the release of Yakuza: Like a Dragon, a turn-based JRPG that drew inspiration from beloved games like Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest.
Yakuza: Like a Dragon was such a massive hit that the publisher, Sega, decided to change the name of the entire series to Like a Dragon. This move was done to align with the game's original Japanese name and to capitalize on the newfound success.
Introducing Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
The latest addition to the series, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, is set to release on PS4, PS5, Xbox, and PC via Steam later this week. We've had the opportunity to play it for a few weeks now, and it's safe to say that Infinite Wealth has taken the series to new heights.
Unlike its predecessors, Infinite Wealth is a turn-based RPG that tells the story of two former yakuza members who have dedicated their lives to making the world a better place.
A deep and touching story
Infinite Wealth follows the journey of Ichiban Kasuga, the protagonist of Yakuza: Like a Dragon, who spent two decades in prison to protect his yakuza family. Upon his release, he discovers that the yakuza is in decline, and after being betrayed by his own family, he sets out on a quest to restore his honor and become Yokohama's hero.
Another key character in the game is Kazuma Kiryu, the protagonist of the first six Yakuza games. In Infinite Wealth, Kiryu is facing his own challenges, having been diagnosed with a terminal illness and given only months to live.
The story of Infinite Wealth delves into the intricacies of life, death, and family, offering a deep and emotional experience. The game excels in portraying its villains, exploring the reasons behind their actions and how their life experiences shaped them.
But it's not all serious and somber. Infinite Wealth strikes a balance by incorporating moments of levity and humor, even amidst the darkest moments of the story.
A refined and coherent gameplay experience
From a gameplay perspective, Infinite Wealth has greatly improved upon its predecessor. The addition of positioning in battles adds a strategic layer to combat and introduces new options for dynamic and interesting encounters.
The game also features a plethora of side quests and mini-games, including a full-length Pokémon-like game and an Animal Crossing-like life sim. This variety allows players to tailor their experience, with completionists able to spend up to 100 hours exploring everything the game has to offer.
Top-notch presentation
In terms of presentation, Infinite Wealth delivers with stunning visuals, captivating animations, and exceptional voice acting and music. The game truly leaves no room for complaint and can be considered as close to perfection as a Yakuza game can get.
Whether you're a long-time fan of the series or new to the Yakuza world, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is a must-play. Its engaging story, refined gameplay, and top-notch presentation make it an unforgettable gaming experience.
Score: 5/5
Did you miss our previous article...
https://trendinginthenews.com/gaming/gamers-outraged-as-highly-rated-game-launches-without-key-feature
