In theory Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth has everything one could ask from the developers of Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio. Ichiban Kasuga from Like a Dragon series and veteran Kazuma Kiryu is back. These two characters fight alongside some of the best-supporting cast in recent years. It is the best answer for a story of life, legacies, and the realities of the brutal world. It also has a much better RPG system that perfectly implements the tactical turned-based combat. At the same time, it retains the comedic nature of the Yakuza series.
The game splits its time between Hawaii and Yokohama. Players get two new locations that can be seen through both new and old lenses. Alongside locations, comes a large number of side ideas that can be the largest the series has ever seen. It feels bad that the main story loses interest along the way as the game progresses. It starts to put too much effort into its less interesting ideas. The game starts to zigzag at much of storytime. The amazing narrative that it sets up is mostly left incomplete.
It is a game about individual moments. Moments of reflection and hype that it creates take the amazing characters to new heights. These moments remind players that the Yakuza series is not just about a single game. Even when its plot lines do not live up to mark in some ways, the moment-to-moment gameplay shines brighter. All of it makes you wonder, Is Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth worth it? Let’s find out.
Premise and Setting (Spoiler Free)
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth opens with a reality of the society. It discusses the theme of reentering society after a life of crime. This theme holds a great meaning and one can see it throughout the game. Ichiban is a naïve person who is good at fighting but has a good heart. His driving force is the ideas established in the previous game. The theme of getting viral on the internet and public opinion shows how the game handles modern themes. The search for the family takes Ichiban to Hawaii. It is not only a new getaway but a new place where he gets caught up with powerful criminals in a struggle.
Honolulu is created with the same amount of details from previous games in the series. There are sharp details to everything and some of the places feel like real-life incarnations. It’s not all just fun and games as there lies the story of the dark underworld. That is as bad as anything players have seen in Kamurochō. All of it comes with a strong topic of how the US treats Hawaii, and criminality in law enforcement agencies. The importance of local charity is also shown.
There is a strong foundation laid for these opening chapters however as you spend more time, more groundwork is laid. The thing is that this groundwork doesn’t lead to something thing amazing. At a certain point, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth becomes more focused on generic bad guys and factions just to give players something to chase after. Giving time to subplots that don’t really end in something interesting or are not that compelling. It is a major downside.
Characters
Yakuza games have always been great at giving you a reason to fight. Even knowing full well that the plot point is going to turn around the game, you can still feel assured that something bigger is going to happen. You can feel like some of the subplots are going to give you excellent results but this can sometimes lead to disappointment. There are not just lows but a lot of highs as well.
Kiryu has a powerful level of realization and is coming to terms with everything that he has struggled with. Every time he gets close to one aspect of life, players will feel gratitude toward him. The main story is mostly focused on the factional aspect of the story. Some of the Kiryu’s best sequences are assigned to side stories. That can be a shame depending on how attached you are to his character. In the end, he does get to be the central character in some sequences and some of these sequences are really good.
Ichiban gets the moments where he shows immovable faith in the people around him. However, he is not taken seriously as he is usually used for comedic sequences and has trouble opening up to characters. The opening chapter reinforces the qualities that made Ichiban such a good character. Later on in the story we don’t see that idea being taken seriously in Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth.
It is a series whose main strength is character development and it is shown through side characters as well. All the characters from Yakuza: Like a Dragon return in some way. Though they are often on the sidelines in the story, the times that these characters are together are some of the best moments.
Combat
The personality of characters also impacts their default job and move set. Whether you are fighting a shark or a big enemy the turn base combat put a spot on each one of the characters. Some of the attacks can be pretty funny, like scrubbing enemies in a bubble bath or popping a bottle of champagne to do water-based damage. It is a homage to series comedic nature and high-stakes battles.
The Job system lets players give different roles to characters. Some of the attacks and spells are finicky. It adds depth that expands using the base of the previous game. Smaller changes here and there lead to massive improvements in combat in Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth. In combat, players can move around a small space near enemies in each turn. It helps you do back attacks, area-of-effect attacks, and knock spells. All of it adds a new layer to a well-established system.
Bond Levels and Drink Links are also part of the progression. It opens up perks such as combo attacks and you can then hit them with follow-up attacks, or Tag Team attacks. The system can have problems. Positioning can be messy and some of the actions can obstruct the attack that you intended to use. All of it can be neglected because you are in more control of the party and the tactical advantages that come with it make up for a unique flow of combat.
Kiryu
This time Kiryu is an RPG character, his well-known stances make his normal attack flexible. His Essence spells, on the other hand, are reminiscent of all the experience he has gained through years of fighting. Dragon Resonance limit break is one of the coolest moves in Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth. Even though fights are turn-based, it gives you control of Kiryu in the old brawler-style combat. The developers have successfully found an RPG system that is unique to them.
Side Activities
We can’t forget about side activities since it is a Yakuza and Like a Dragon game. One of the new ones is Tinder which is as strange as it is believable. Like traditional Yakuza style, side stories are everywhere. Just like previous games in their series, these side stories include some of the wildest encounters. Some of these missions will stay with you due to their memorable nature while some can be totally opposite. Some of these bad side stories can feel more like a distraction than meaningful encounters.
Memoirs of Dragon are a bucket list for Kiryu side activities. It lets him enjoy his life or reflect on his life choices. There are various forms of it. It can either be something that triggers his memory of an event from a previous game or it can be complete side stories. These side stories can reopen plot lines from the past games in Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth. In traditional Yakuza style, these stories can either be funny or sad. Compared to Ichiban, Kiryu is more complex than people believe and these side stories bring up that side of him.
Dondoko is the new and major addition to the gameplay. It is an Animal Crossing style activity that relies on crafting and managing. It can be considered outside the realm of side activity because its mechanics go beyond a side quest. Players need to clear the zone for expansion and find material on the island for crafting. It requires some effort to build out your resort. Side stories are also attached to the resort which can increase your rank on the Island. It needs some time and patience to engage with this type of system.
Verdict (Is Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth Worth It?)
The first like a dragon has the message of showing humanity and respect to the underprivileged. That message continues with Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth but drops it most of the time. It is more focused on following mysteries and plot points which lacks the powerful feeling that pulls the players to it. The language barrier of its major themes that the game drops as soon as it introduces it. It seems like Infinite Wealth is considering multiple themes with no ability to properly execute them all. In the end, the developers had to go with what was available.
Even though Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is not as consistent, it delivers loose but amazing moments for the players who have been with the series and know what to expect. The developers are able to prove it’s self as good RPG makers through amazing and improved combat. The way it represents combat shows the identity of the series that we have come to love. It is the type of game that you will remember not for its combat and gameplay but for its messaging and Yakuza-style experience.
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