Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth Review – A Sun-Soaked Celebration of Party RPG Excellence
The Like a Dragon series has always been synonymous with unforgettable characters, engaging narratives, and a unique blend of dramatic storytelling with utterly bizarre and hilarious side activities. With Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio has not only delivered another exceptional entry but has also taken the beloved Yakuza formula to an entirely new level, expanding its scope, deepening its emotional resonance, and doubling down on the outlandish charm that makes it so special. From the sun-drenched shores of Hawaii to the gritty underbelly of Kamurocho, Infinite Wealth offers an expansive, emotionally charged, and ridiculously fun experience that sets a new benchmark for the party-based RPG genre.
We at Gaming News have embarked on this incredible journey, immersing ourselves in every aspect of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, and we can confidently state that this is an adventure you simply cannot afford to miss. It’s a game that understands its roots while fearlessly pushing forward, delivering a narrative that is both profoundly human and wonderfully absurd.
The Grand Return of Ichiban Kasuga: A New Beginning in Paradise
Ichiban Kasuga’s story takes a dramatic turn as he finds himself unexpectedly thrust into a new global adventure. After his heroic actions in Yakuza: Like a Dragon resulted in him becoming a pariah in Japan, Ichiban is living a quiet, humble life, trying to make amends for past mistakes. However, a cryptic message from a figure from his past, revealing the truth about his mother’s fate and the whereabouts of his lost family, compels him to embark on a quest for answers. This quest leads him to the vibrant and exotic shores of Hawaii, a setting that feels both a stark contrast and a surprisingly fitting stage for the Like a Dragon saga.
The initial premise of Infinite Wealth is gripping: Ichiban, along with his loyal, if somewhat eccentric, companions Koichi Adachi, Masumi Arakawa, and the formidable Saeko Mukoda, are drawn into a complex web of intrigue involving a powerful corporate entity and a legendary treasure. The narrative expertly balances the deeply personal stakes for Ichiban – his search for his mother and his place in the world – with a larger, overarching conspiracy that threatens to destabilize the entire region.
“Yeah, but imagine what it says about your crab status,” declares Ichiban Kasuga as he strides along the sand of Aloha Beach under the Hawaiian sun, with his three mates in tow. This quote perfectly encapsulates the spirit of Infinite Wealth. Even amidst dire circumstances, Ichiban retains his optimistic, albeit often naive, outlook, finding joy and humor in the most unexpected places. His unwavering belief in the power of friendship and his inherent kindness are the anchors that ground the sometimes-overwhelming chaos that surrounds him.
Hawaii as a Setting: More Than Just a Tropical Backdrop
The decision to set a significant portion of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth in Hawaii is a masterstroke. The developers have painstakingly recreated the iconic Hawaiian islands, from the bustling streets of Honolulu to the serene beaches and lush jungles. This new environment offers a breath of fresh air, literally and figuratively, for the series. The vibrant colors, the laid-back atmosphere, and the distinct cultural nuances of Hawaii are beautifully integrated into the gameplay and narrative.
Exploring Honolulu feels like stepping into a living, breathing postcard. The sheer density of activities, shops, and side quests available is staggering. Aloha Beach becomes a central hub for early-game exploration, offering a unique blend of relaxation and peril. The contrast between the idyllic scenery and the dark, criminal underbelly that the Like a Dragon series is known for is stark and effective, creating a fascinating dynamic that keeps players constantly engaged.
The Hawaiian setting also introduces a wealth of new mini-games and activities that are both fun and thematic. From dondoko island management to karaoke sessions that now feature English lyrics, the game ensures that the signature Like a Dragon quirkiness is present in abundance, even in this new locale. The sheer variety of things to do ensures that players can easily spend dozens of hours simply exploring the world and engaging with its many eccentricities.
Kiryu Kazuma’s Swan Song: A Parallel Narrative of Redemption
One of the most significant aspects of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is the simultaneous narrative focusing on the legendary Kiryu Kazuma. After faking his own death at the end of Yakuza 6, Kiryu has been living a covert life, working for the enigmatic Daidoji faction. His story in Infinite Wealth is a deeply personal and emotional one, serving as a poignant farewell to one of gaming’s most beloved characters.
Kiryu is sent to Hawaii on a mission to locate and protect Haruka Sawamura’s son, Haruto Sawamura, who has been caught up in dangerous circumstances. This mission inadvertently brings him into contact with Ichiban Kasuga, setting in motion a chain of events that will intertwine their destinies. Kiryu’s journey is one of introspection, regret, and ultimately, acceptance. We witness him confronting his past mistakes, grappling with his mortality, and finding a renewed sense of purpose in protecting the next generation.
The juxtaposition of Kiryu’s quiet, more somber journey with Ichiban’s bombastic adventure creates a compelling dual narrative. Kiryu’s segments are often more grounded and emotionally raw, exploring themes of legacy, sacrifice, and the enduring impact of one’s choices. His interactions with Haruto are particularly touching, showcasing a softer, more paternal side to the man often seen as an unbreakable force.
The Combat System: Evolving the Party RPG Formula
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth retains the turn-based combat system introduced in Yakuza: Like a Dragon, but it has been significantly refined and expanded. The core mechanics remain familiar: players command a party of four characters, each with their own unique skills and abilities, engaging in strategic turn-based battles. However, the movement system has been overhauled, allowing characters to reposition themselves on the battlefield to exploit enemy weaknesses, avoid attacks, and unleash devastating combos.
The bond system plays a crucial role in combat, with characters’ relationships influencing their effectiveness in battle. As characters build stronger bonds through shared experiences and dialogue, they unlock new Assaults, powerful team-up attacks that can turn the tide of battle. This adds a layer of strategic depth, encouraging players to foster strong relationships between their party members.
New combat roles, or jobs, have been introduced, allowing characters to specialize in different combat styles. From Hero and Tank to Chef and Idol, the variety of available jobs offers immense customization options. Each job comes with its own unique set of skills, passive abilities, and even distinct animations, making each battle feel fresh and engaging. Experimenting with different job combinations and character builds is a rewarding aspect of the gameplay, allowing for highly personalized combat strategies.
New Combat Mechanics: Revolutionizing Turn-Based Battles
The introduction of Poundmates is another welcome addition to the combat system. These are powerful allies that can be summoned to provide assistance in battle, ranging from direct damage to status-altering effects. The roster of available Poundmates is extensive and often hilariously absurd, featuring everything from iconic Like a Dragon characters to entirely new, quirky additions.
The Essence of Combat system adds another layer of strategic depth. By collecting and upgrading Essences, players can customize their characters’ skills and abilities, allowing for further specialization and personalization. This system rewards exploration and diligent engagement with the game’s many side activities, as Essences are often found in hidden locations or obtained through various challenges.
The sheer scale of the combat encounters is also impressive. Boss battles are epic, multi-phased affairs that require careful planning and execution. Even regular encounters can be surprisingly challenging, forcing players to think strategically about their party composition, skill usage, and positioning. The visual flair and impactful animations during combat sequences are a testament to the developers’ attention to detail.
Dondoko Island: Your Personal Paradise Management Sim
Dondoko Island is a standout feature in Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, offering a substantial and engaging diversion from the main narrative. Players are tasked with revitalizing a dilapidated island, transforming it into a thriving resort. This involves gathering resources, constructing buildings, recruiting new residents, and fending off periodic attacks from rival islanders.
The gameplay loop of Dondoko Island is incredibly addictive. It combines elements of simulation, resource management, and even a touch of arcade-style combat. As players improve their island, they attract more visitors, earn more money, and unlock new opportunities for expansion and customization. The island itself becomes a reflection of the player’s dedication and strategic planning.
The visual design of Dondoko Island is charming, and the sense of progression is deeply satisfying. Watching a barren patch of land slowly transform into a bustling paradise is a rewarding experience, and the sheer amount of customization available ensures that no two islands will be alike. The various buildings, decorations, and facilities that can be placed offer a wide array of aesthetic and functional choices.
Beyond the Main Story: A Universe of Side Content
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is absolutely brimming with side content, ensuring that there is always something new and exciting to discover. The series’ hallmark substories are back in full force, offering a vast collection of self-contained narratives that range from heartwarming and poignant to utterly bizarre and hilarious. These substories are often a highlight of the Like a Dragon experience, providing deeper insights into the characters and the world.
From helping a struggling street performer to investigating supernatural occurrences, the substories offer a diverse range of challenges and rewards. Many of them are incredibly well-written and acted, showcasing the developers’ commitment to creating a rich and believable world, even in its most absurd moments. The sheer volume of these side stories means that players can easily spend hundreds of hours just exploring the game’s side activities.
Mini-games are also a significant part of the experience. Karaoke returns with new songs and improved mechanics, allowing players to belt out tunes with their party members. Arcade games offer classic SEGA experiences, while new additions like Crazy Delivery and Bullet Billiards provide fresh and engaging challenges. The Hawaiian setting also lends itself to new activities, such as surf challenges and beach volleyball.
Mastering New Skills and Jobs: A Deep Customization System
The job system in Infinite Wealth is incredibly deep and offers a staggering amount of customization. Each character can learn and master multiple jobs, and switching between them allows players to adapt their party to any combat situation. The acquisition of new skills and abilities through job progression encourages players to experiment with different builds and strategies.
Unlocking the full potential of each job requires diligent effort, including completing specific challenges and quests. The Job Ranks system provides a clear progression path, with higher ranks unlocking more powerful skills and passive abilities. This ensures that there is always a sense of growth and improvement, even for characters who have been with the player for a long time.
The grappling hook mechanic, introduced as part of Kiryu’s skillset, adds a new dimension to exploration and combat. It allows for vertical traversal and can be used to initiate surprise attacks or reach otherwise inaccessible areas. This, combined with the expanded movement options in combat, makes traversing the environments feel more dynamic and engaging than ever before.
Emotional Depth and Character Development: The Heart of Infinite Wealth
While Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is undeniably packed with humor and over-the-top action, its true strength lies in its profound emotional depth and character development. The narrative masterfully explores themes of family, loss, redemption, and the enduring power of human connection.
Ichiban Kasuga’s journey is one of self-discovery and perseverance. He grapples with his past, his present circumstances, and his hopes for the future. His unwavering optimism and his ability to see the good in people, even in the face of overwhelming adversity, are truly inspiring. His relationships with his friends are the cornerstone of his character, and the game excels at showcasing the bonds of loyalty and camaraderie that tie them together.
Kiryu Kazuma’s story is a poignant farewell to a character who has meant so much to so many players over the years. His journey in Infinite Wealth is a testament to his enduring spirit and his commitment to doing what is right, even when it comes at a great personal cost. The game provides a fitting and emotional conclusion to his legendary saga, offering a sense of closure that fans have long awaited.
The supporting cast is equally well-developed, with each character bringing their own unique personality, motivations, and backstories to the table. From the hardened detective Adachi to the pragmatic Saeko, each member of Ichiban’s party feels fully realized and contributes significantly to the narrative’s emotional weight. The introduction of new party members, such as the charismatic Tomizawa and the formidable Chao, further enriches the ensemble cast.
The Antagonists: A Worthy Foes in a Grand Scheme
The antagonists in Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth are not merely obstacles to overcome; they are complex individuals with their own motivations and agendas. The narrative skillfully crafts a compelling conflict, presenting formidable adversaries who challenge Ichiban and his allies on multiple fronts. The Big Bad of the story is a shadowy figure pulling the strings from behind the scenes, orchestrating a grand scheme with devastating consequences.
The game explores the corruption that festers within powerful organizations, highlighting how greed and ambition can lead to the exploitation and suffering of innocent people. The confrontation with these antagonists is not just about physical combat; it’s also a clash of ideologies and a struggle for justice. The narrative ensures that the stakes feel incredibly high, with the fate of many characters and the stability of the region hanging in the balance.
The nuanced portrayal of the villains adds a layer of sophistication to the overall narrative, preventing the story from becoming a simple good versus evil tale. Understanding their motivations, even if we don’t agree with them, makes the conflicts more impactful and the eventual resolutions more satisfying.
Visuals and Presentation: A Feast for the Eyes and Ears
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is a visually stunning game. The Dragon Engine has been pushed to its limits, delivering incredibly detailed character models, lush environments, and impressive visual effects. The Hawaiian setting is brought to life with vibrant colors, realistic lighting, and a palpable sense of atmosphere. Whether you’re exploring the bustling streets of Honolulu or gazing at the sunset over Aloha Beach, the game is a constant visual delight.
The animation work is also top-notch, with fluid character movements and expressive facial animations that convey a wide range of emotions. The cutscenes are cinematic and engaging, drawing players deeper into the narrative and making them care about the characters’ fates. The game’s presentation is polished and professional, a testament to the studio’s dedication to delivering a high-quality experience.
The soundtrack is another highlight, featuring a diverse range of musical styles that perfectly complement the on-screen action. From upbeat, energetic tracks for combat sequences to more melancholic melodies for emotional moments, the score enhances the overall immersion. The returning voice cast delivers stellar performances, bringing the beloved characters to life with incredible passion and nuance. The option for Japanese and English voiceovers allows players to experience the game in their preferred language.
Performance and Polish: A Smooth and Enjoyable Experience
Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio has a reputation for delivering polished and well-optimized games, and Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is no exception. The game runs smoothly across a variety of platforms, with impressive frame rates and minimal loading times. The attention to detail in the game’s technical aspects ensures that the player experience is as seamless and enjoyable as possible.
The user interface is intuitive and easy to navigate, making it simple to manage inventory, equip gear, and access the game’s many features. The in-game menus are well-organized, allowing players to quickly find the information they need without getting lost in complex systems. This level of polish contributes significantly to the overall enjoyment of the game, allowing players to focus on the narrative and gameplay without being bogged down by technical frustrations.
Final Verdict: A Must-Play Masterpiece
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is more than just a game; it’s an experience. It’s a journey filled with laughter, tears, and unforgettable moments. The developers have managed to craft a narrative that is both epic in scope and deeply personal, resonating with players on an emotional level. The expansion into Hawaii, the refined combat system, the wealth of side content, and the masterful character development all combine to create a truly exceptional title.
For fans of the series, Infinite Wealth is a triumphant continuation of the Like a Dragon legacy. For newcomers, it serves as a perfect entry point, showcasing the series’ unique blend of dramatic storytelling, quirky humor, and engaging gameplay. The emotional weight of Kiryu’s story, coupled with the sheer infectious optimism of Ichiban, creates a narrative tapestry that is both moving and immensely entertaining.
We at Gaming News wholeheartedly recommend Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth. It’s a game that will stay with you long after the credits roll, a testament to the power of storytelling and the enduring appeal of its unforgettable characters. It’s a celebration of everything that makes the Like a Dragon series so special, and it’s an adventure that truly lives up to its name, offering an infinite wealth of enjoyment. This is a game that not only meets expectations but shatters them, setting a new standard for what party RPGs can achieve.