Before I acquired into the Like a Dragon sequence (or Yakuza, because it was nonetheless recognized on the time), I watched from the sidelines with bewildered curiosity. I assumed it was a easy crime recreation, however each as soon as and some time, I’d catch a wild clip of a goofy cabaret minigame or impassioned karaoke efficiency and notice I knew completely nothing concerning the sequence. I lastly discovered about its eccentric, cleaning soap opera glory with 2020’s Yakuza: Like a Dragon, however I can’t think about how these nonetheless wanting in from the skin will react to every thing I’m about to jot down about Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth.
A number of months again, I used to be invited to a marathon hands-on session that had me taking part in a number of hours of the upcoming RPG. It appeared like overkill on paper, however after 90 minutes, it turned clear why Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio had insisted on exhibiting off such a large chunk of hands-on gameplay. In a sequence recognized for its flurry of artistic gameplay swings, Infinite Wealth is already, by far, essentially the most unpredictable installment but.
From preventing an infinite shark to developing my very own island, Animal Crossing-style, each minute of my hands-on preview took me on a whirlwind journey via the sequel’s a number of settings. It’s melodramatic, it’s fully absurd, and it’d make you cry. That’s the Like a Dragon manner.
A sunny refresh
My demo was break up up into 4 distinct components, every of which was totally totally different from the opposite. The largest chunk would throw me in Honolulu City, Infinite Wealth’s new setting, the place I used to be free to discover with the happy-go-lucky Ichiban Kasuga and his crew. Off the bat, the Hawaiian setting makes the sequel really feel like a wholly new beast. Honolulu City is larger than the sequence’ typical Japanese cities and naturally brings a sunny, trip vibe. Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio even labored with native Hawaiian companies to carry some authenticity to its digital metropolis. It calls again to Ryukyu in Yakuza 3, although it’s a extra totally realized area, with lengthy, sandy seashores to run down.
If Yakuza: Like a Dragon was a tribute to Dragon Quest, Infinite Wealth is an ode to Baywatch. During my first 90 minutes, I’d beat down rowdy beachgoers, clear up native disputes, and transfer round on a completely customizable electrical scooter (which must be recharged periodically). I’d even tackle an enormous shark in an absurd late recreation battle that may take a look at my abilities. It’s a breezy affair that makes nice use of the standard Yakuza open-world format.
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Sidequests particularly proceed to be a comedic delight within the new setting. A private favourite has me saving a neighborhood barista from bullies, solely to find he’s a down on his luck comic who was as soon as well-known for his coffee-themed stand-up routine. Elsewhere, a well-known Roomba makes its grand return, as Professor Okita wants cash to equip it with a flamethrower to assist it higher get rid of trash … and prepare dinner pancakes.
Yep, it’s a Like a Dragon recreation alright.
Even after 90 minutes, it felt like I’d barely seen something. I acquired to tackle some robust enemies in new timed raid battles that pop up round city. A brand new Sujimon minigame had me assembling a crew of NPCs, which I may accumulate from gachapon machines, then controlling them in three-on-three battles. I’d even get a hysterical hit of social satire once I went to a tourism company and met Alo-Happy, an overworked and underpaid employee perpetually dressed as a palm tree. I might even discover a new courting app minigame, which feels prefer it’ll be the minigame that followers obsess over at launch.
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I’d additionally get a variety of time with Infinite Wealth’s job and fight system, which aren’t too totally different right here save for some refreshed UI. By happening vacationer journeys, Kasuga and firm can study a number of latest lessons. Familiar ones return, however some tropical-themed ones crop up too, like Fire Dancer or a surfboard-toting Aquanaut. All these little modifications go a good distance towards freshening up acquainted gameplay, making Infinite Wealth really feel like a real sequel with its personal particular vibe.
Welcome to Dandoko Island
None of what I’ve talked about thus far is sort of as wild as Infinite Wealth’s most shocking new characteristic: Dandoko Island. The left-field aspect mode has Kasuga delivery off to a dilapidated island and reconstructing it right into a trip paradise. I’d name it a minigame, however that may be underselling it. This is an entire recreation inside a recreation.
The 30-minute slice I performed would solely go over the fundamentals, introducing me to its nearly satirical riff on Animal Crossing: New Horizons (a really clear affect, which traces up contemplating the crew was engaged on the sport through the begin of the COVID-19 pandemic). At first, Kasuga begins with nothing as he arrives at a trash-filled island. He makes use of his baseball bat to knock down bushes and bash rocks to assemble supplies. From there, he can craft furnishings that may be freely positioned on cleaned-up heaps with a fast grid-placement interface.
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Lots of Animal Crossing staples seem in some kind right here. I can catch bugs with a internet, discover crafting recipes in bottles on the seaside, and even go fishing — albeit with a harpoon as an alternative of a rod. Kasuga has his personal home, which he can beautify how he sees match, and there’s a Nook-like store the place I should buy discounted furnishings. While it’s a small island and each system is stripped again in comparison with a full-on sim, it’s a surprisingly sturdy expertise that I may see myself dropping hours in simply.
According to Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, I barely even began scratching the mode’s floor. While I solely had time to filter out some heaps and perform a little adorning, the late recreation has guests coming to the island with requests that have to be fulfilled. Eventually, Kasuga can flip the quaint island right into a full metropolis, even constructing skyscrapers. Considering how small the mode begins, I can’t even start to think about the way it escalates to these heights, however I’m excited to search out out.
Getting critical
Though I’ve spent a variety of time right here highlighting Infinite Wealth’s lightness and comedy, it’s not all sunshine and roses. In truth, it’s shaping as much as be one of many extra emotionally devastating entries within the sequence. In one other demo snippet exhibiting off the dual-protagonist nature of the sequel, I’d take management of Kazuma Kiryu (after the occasions of Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name). As trailers have beforehand revealed, the longtime sequence hero has most cancers within the newest installment. While he travels with Kasuga to Hawaii, the chapter I performed sees him returning to Yokohama to take care of his progressing sickness.
A sobering plot setup follows: Nanba and Seonhee encourage him to create a bucket listing of issues he needs to do earlier than he dies. It’s a intelligent narrative trick, giving gamers a traditional guidelines of in-game accomplishments to examine off. It’s additionally a devastating, grounded second that has gamers going through mortality in a manner that long-running recreation sequence with marquee mascots hardly ever do. My time in Yokohama would nearly act as a goodbye to Kiryu, with him accumulating reminiscences round city that unlock screenshots of previous video games. If this entry does find yourself being the character’s sendoff, it’s shaping as much as be a worthy, bittersweet goodbye.
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Kasuga’s story has its personal emotional coronary heart, as he’s in Hawaii searching for his long-lost mom who’s hiding out from the Yakuza. Those two intertwining tales look to construct a wealthy story about two males dealing with main life modifications in several methods. Kasuga is the unyielding optimist who will get by with the assist of his buddies, so it is sensible that his Hawaiian escapades would really feel shiny and sunny. Meanwhile, Kiryu’s chapter is extra morose, emphasizing his loaner angle as he refuses therapy. Can Kiryu study a factor or two from Kasuga as he fights the toughest battle of his life? That’s the story I’m desirous to see play out within the full RPG.
If it’s not clear from all of this, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is already feeling just like the sequence’ final climax — at the very least till its subsequent entry. Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio is poised to prime every thing that made the breakout Yakuza: Like a Dragon such an on the spot basic, bringing even wilder extras and extra emotionally resonant storytelling. While 2024 could solely be days outdated, we’ve already acquired our first can’t-miss recreation on the horizon.
Like a Dragon Infinite Wealth launches on January 26 for PlayStation 4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
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