Enter the dragon
The Yakuza series remains one of the most interesting in gaming. There have been six numbered entries and a handful of spin-offs over the years, and somehow they didn’t gain mass appeal until a resurgence a few years back on PlayStation 4. With Yakuza: Like a Dragon the series is taking two major steps outside of its wacky comfort zone. For the first time the series is no longer following the story of KazumaKiryu. In addition, the brawler-style game play has been replaced with a traditional turn-based approach. Somehow these drastic changes do not hinder the series at all. Yakuza: Life a Dragon continues its tradition of being one of the most interesting and outlandish games on the market.
The seventh entry in the franchise follows a new protagonist named Ichiban Kasuga. The opening moments give a backstory of his rise into the Arakawa family and eventually heading to prison for nearly two decades. After reemerging into society things have drastically changed, and Ichi is forced to learn some hard truths as he continues his quest. Yakuza has always been known for its story, and Like a Dragon is no exception. There are tons of cut scenes and exposition giving tons of details about the characters and world. The game builds over its lengthy campaign and continues its trend of excellence.
MSRP: $59.99
Platforms: XB1 (reviewed), XSX, PS4, PS5, PC
Price I’d Pay: $59.99
One of the biggest changes from recent entries is that the entire game is dubbed in English. This was clearly the focus, as even the lip synch is matched to that dialogue. The performances are fantastic, and it really helps relate to these characters over time. The thing about Like a Dragon that has been true of all past entries is that these games are a slow burn. If you are not here for the story in Yakuza, then this might not be the game for you.
That said this is a meaty experience. The tutorial lasts several chapters and slowly introduces players to the characters, the world, and mechanics of the game. Even hours after that I was learning new nuances and side mission types. This game is dense, yet none of it ever feels forced or redundant. I loved moving through the game and seeing what it had to offer. Side quests have always been a staple of the series, and in Like a Dragon there are some of the most obscure and ridiculous ones yet. There are management simulations and even go-kart racing. The classic Sega arcade machines return. The world of Yakuza truly feels like a world worth exploring.
The other big change for Like a Dragon is its combat system. In previous games Kiryu handled things with a brawler combat style. Beating people up was extremely satisfying. With this entry the team at Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio has instead opted for a turn-based system. It reminds me of Persona, even down to the button prompts. Each party member has a set of moves and skills that can be earned and used. There are even summon attacks, which in traditional Yakuza fashion are as outlandish as the rest of the game. Players can also time blocks to mitigate damage. It might be turn-based, but it is very involved. I was always managing something during combat.
The level up system contains more items, but feels more simplified. Players can perform actions in the world which level up various styles of combat. Things such as intelligence or charisma might unlock new abilities. There is not a set piece to go through and manage, but there are plenty of ways to boost up characters throughout the game and its actions. Much like anything in Yakuza it is all very dense, and players can opt to let it do its thing, or dig deeper into what they want. One of the things I have always appreciated about the Yakuza series is that it just feels catered to anyone who wants to play it.
The world of Like a Dragon is as impressive as previous games, and even more so. This is a new version of the Dragon Engine, and it runs good on current consoles. I played on Xbox One X and the game has a crisp visual style with very few frame rate issues. I am excited to see this world running on new consoles, but on current ones it still looks great. The new engine allows for sharper details and improved character models. I just really enjoy the look of these games. The voice acting as mentioned is great, and it is awesome seeing the world of Yakuza taking place in modern times.
The Yakuza series continues to grow and expand in the gaming world. I love its quirky humor and deep narratives. This new entry begins a new saga and I cannot wait to see how the story of Ichi evolves over time. If it is even half as good as Kiryu’s the studio will have another series of great games on its hands. Everything about this title feels good and for those worried about having previous knowledge, don’t be concerned. Like a Dragon is a wonderful jumping in point for the series and also one of the best titles in it to date. Don’t sleep on this game, it is worth digging into.
Review copy of game provided by publisher.
