Review | Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth

A dramatic, turn-based review

I've always said that Yakuza games are Japanese dramas with fists. Not much has changed, and the 9th entry in the main series delivers more of the same. After Toshihiro  Nagoshi left the company (the creator of Yakuza series), expectations were high for this and all new titles from SEGA and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio. Thankfully, the series just keeps getting better (if that's even possible after 10+ titles and projects). I can't really define the formula other than 'a turn-based JRPG with great characters, a compelling story, and a bit of grind at the end.' It's the same formula we all love and cherish, once again.

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth was released for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S on January 26, 2024. If you ask me, it runs perfectly on the PS5 Pro, where I played the game—no bugs, no issues, just a flawless experience.

If you loved the last entry, this one is more of the same—only better in most areas, and the same in others.

I don't really have some explanation for the screenshots - just enjoy the newest of-the-charts Japanese humor and so many ridicolous, yet mature situations.

Story and the characters x2

This is a story set after the Great Dissolution of the Yakuza clans, offering a fresh perspective on the world where former yakuza members try to fit in. Will they succeed, or something bad is on the way, that is on you to explore. It blends Japanese over-the-top humor with the 'modern' settings of Hawaii and the Isezaki Ijincho district of Yokohama. Why modern? Well, the story and side content revolve around events happening in the world as we know it, so you'll find plenty of relatable content here. And all of this is wrapped in a wonderful, heartbreaking story full of twists and cool situations. This time around - you will visit all locations that were part of the previous titles - good job on that, the towns are full of details and I don't know when did they've fit all in.

Do you love games where you control two full parties? No? Don’t worry—you’ll love this one for sure. The way they've envisioned Kasuga and Kiryu leading two parties is what kept me glued to my TV the most. I think the story is great overall, especially because it follows well-written characters through a plot that ranges from somewhat mediocre to outstanding. The story isn’t particularly original, nor does it reach the level of Yakuza 0—but thanks to the great personalities of each character, it works almost all the time. Around the middle of the game and towards the end, I felt the main story dragged a bit. When you factor in the length, the sheer amount of side activities, and the whole class system to explore, it’s a lot—really, it’s a lot.

One thing to consider, though—my experience was heavily influenced by all the previous titles, as this one serves as a tribute to them. What does that mean? Well, Kasuga and Kiryu often reflect on past events, and a lot of the story builds upon that. This might be off-putting for new players. Personally, I enjoyed it—it reminded me of all the great moments we've experienced and just how significant Kasuga and Kiryu are. I also really loved the bonding events; they give you a deeper connection with your party.

One moment you are trying to survive the bullets on the street, the next you are talking with grownup babies. There are no words to describe the pacing of absurdity.

Game design, exploration

The game centers around two protagonists—Kasuga and Kiryu. In the early chapters, they stay connected, but later on, they separate, and you control two separate parties, each operating from a different location. I especially enjoyed the Hawaii and Kasuga segments. The rest of the party is filled with familiar faces from the series, and they all kick ass.

I think a fresh, new location is essential for any new entry in a long-running series. I wouldn’t have been happy with Kamurocho, and Isezaki Ijincho, for example, feels a bit underwhelming if you’ve already seen it all. There isn’t much new content in that area.

However, "old" locations don’t take away from the greatness of what you’re experiencing; they simply add or subtract from the overall feeling as you chase your next objective. With all these (including Kamurocho as well), there’s a ton of side content to dive into. Some of it’s great, some rewards you with good equipment, and some unlock new jobs (classes)—so, overall, it’s always worth doing. But these side activities do take time, so it’s a good idea to mix in some main story progression along with side content. That worked well for me, even though I did have pacing issues after spending five hours on side stories.

The linear dungeons are fine, nothing extraordinary, but I love how you always find equipment or something valuable along the way. When you factor in two parties, multiple classes, a bunch of mini-games, and even an extra island mini-game... the list goes on and on. There’s something for everyone here, and that’s always a big plus in large games. Of course, you can focus solely on the story, but later chapters get challenging, so it’s advisable to at least engage with some side content.

I can't really fit all pictures in a single review - if I was to present most of the side stuff, I would need 5 reviews for that.

Combat

It’s mostly the same as in Like a Dragon 7 (the previous main title)—a turn-based RPG system that works well, in short. You can, of course, switch to new jobs (classes) and train them, or you can stick with each character’s unique class. Leveling everything up helps overall. Plus, you can carry certain skills over to the new class, so it’s a good idea to transfer healing abilities and some strong skills.

I especially loved the equipment system, particularly the weapons. I adore the design of each class and the corresponding weapons. For example, buying the Night Queen whip at the sex shop is beyond words. There's also a maid class, which has a skill where you mop the floor with enemies. It’s so funny and original. It’s a turn-based system fully integrated with everything you remember from the Yakuza games, just like in the previous title.

I love how you can use area and line attacks, even kick enemies into other enemies to damage multiple targets. Leveling up your bonds also contributes to the experience, as follow-up attacks often break the monotony of just pressing the same button to win the fight. Overall, I think the combat is great—the best in the series (in terms of turn-based combat)—but I do dislike when enemies have a lot of HP and attack multiple times. Towards the end of the game, that becomes a big problem, and some fights can last up to 10 minutes, especially the final boss battles. Usually, boss fights are fun, but the last few just aren’t—this was the same issue I had with the previous title. I also would have loved more unique classes instead of the shared ones. I got a bit bored of constantly switching, so I ended up sticking with the main classes. Once the skills stop unlocking, it becomes a bit less fun. My advice: change jobs often for the best experience.

Lastly, the enemy variety is over the top, and the number of skill moves is also beyond the usual standards. I’ll praise that every time in games like this.

The moment when Kasuga and Kiryu shake is probably the highest point of the game and my personaly favorite. Roasting enemies is not something I need to explain, right?

Side Content

Where to start? I don’t want to just list everything. Instead, let me begin with this: 'Holy smoke, how much content is in this game?!' I don’t think even the developers know—multiple towns, tons of mini-games, a separate island, dungeons, an equipment system, crafting... I can’t even remember it all!

That said, the side content is great. The side stories are over-the-top (and definitely the best part for me), but the dungeons (the ones with floors) can get a bit boring. Still, you can always turn boring into fun—you’re constantly unlocking new skills, earning more money, and collecting everything. So even trudging through 30 floors of a dull castle remains enjoyable because you’re rewarded with new items, skills, and more along the way.

I think the Sujimon battles/questline is good, but it’s a bit too long. The same goes for Dondoko Island, where you spend days removing garbage, collecting resources, and building furniture for the island and tourists. It’s fun for a few hours, but after that, it starts to lose its charm. That’s pretty normal though; for example, I personally found the Cabaret Club to be the worst side activity, and it’s even longer than all of this.

If you really want to dive deep, buy the DLC and play NG+. For me, though, the story and a lot of the side content were enough. It took me over 60 hours. You can double that if you go for the 100%.

UFO cows, the subscriber problems, the fight with sharks... You know, in real life, when you go agains the shark boss, it's advisable to stay clear of the edges.

Conclusion

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth delivers a fantastic experience with a fresh (yet known) take on the latest Yakuza formula, blending humor, deep character development, and a compelling turn-based combat system. The game offers a ton of content, from side stories to unique jobs and mini-games, keeping you engaged for hours. While some sections may feel repetitive or drag on a bit, the overall experience remains incredibly rewarding, especially for long-time fans of the series. With its mix of humor, heart, and endless activities, it’s a must-play for any Yakuza or JRPG enthusiast.

I don't get how this game didn't end up in any GOTY category - it certanly deserves some, especially in music department. And everything else, for that matter. See you in the next spinoff with Majima!