Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is the latest title of the Yakuza series now operating under the umbrella of its Japanese name, Like a Dragon. The latest work of Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, which was developed and released in January 2024, tells the next chapter of charismatic underdog protagonist Ichiban Kasuga, who charmed gamers for the very first time back in 2020 with Like a Dragon. It is a story that will take place both in Japan and in riotous, reimagined Hawaii as this entry attempts to push the envelope without abandoning its core identity. Let’s get into what makes Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth great-and where it stumbles.
The Good: Strengths That Shine
1. A Riveting Storyline
Like any other Like a Dragon game, the core lies in its narrative, and Infinite Wealth does little to break that trend. Guided by Ichiban in his search for meaning, redemption, and connection, it takes players on an emotional ride filled with humor, heartbreak, and intrigue. The story perfectly juggles personal stakes with larger-than-life drama, including gang conflicts, corporate conspiracies, and that touch of absurdity for which the series is known. Critics and players alike have praised the balance of comedy and deep meaningful storytelling in the game.
2. A New Setting: Hawaii
Setting the game partially in Hawaii was a bold, refreshing departure for the series. Honolulu looks amazing from its sandy beaches to bustling city streets, with a little bit of local flavor and gives players an exciting new playground. This tropical locality forms a nice respite from urban grit, which visually makes Kamurocho very different. The Hawaiian setting introduces new cultural elements, as well as characters adding to the richness of the story.
3. Refined Turn-Based Combat
Infinite Wealth refines the formula built upon in Like a Dragon, released in 2020, to introduce more dynamic and flexible turn-based combat. Battles are smoother and grant strategic options that encourage experimentation. Summons, skills, and party dynamics are over-the-top, making every battle entertaining. New combat features, such as team-based combo attacks, will keep fights fresh and engaging.
4. A Wealth of Side Activities
Its signature side activities are back in full force, serving up hundreds of hours of kooky and light-hearted diversions. Be it business management or even just hilarious mini-games, such as “Crazy Delivery,” a Crazy Taxi homage, there’s always something going on. The Sujimon mechanic, a parody of Pokémon, is still a joy because of its ridiculousness, and karaoke returns to keep those who love a rhythm-based challenge. love.
5. Character-Driven Moments
Ichiban remains a very good protagonist, and his dynamic with returning characters, such as Nanba and Adachi, is very profound. New faces, including the local Hawaiian allies, mix things up in the party. The game truly excels in how it crafts scenes that make players actually care about the characters and what they are going through, thus being invested in the story.
The Bad: Areas That Fall Short
1. Pacing Issues
One of the major low points in the game has to do with its inconsistent pacing. Although interesting, the main storyline of the game sometimes becomes aimless and is dragged on by long dialogues or unimportant missions. Certain parts feel stretched out, which may break the flow of the story and annoy players who want to advance in it.
2. Overwhelming Content
While this myriad of side activities is a strength in terms of variety, sometimes that same feeling can be overwhelming. New or casual players will quickly be burdened by deciding how much to invest into various activities and which to decline. The great expanse threatens, while impressive, to alienate those who prefer a streamlined experience.
3. Newcomer Friendliness
While Infinite Wealth tries to be welcoming to new players, deep lore and interlocking stories make the series daunting. Some story beats rely on prior knowledge from the games; perhaps a new player will feel lost or disconnected. The game has recaps, but they might not bridge the gap for those not familiar with the franchise.
4. Technical Glitches
At the same time, Infinite Wealth does have some technical issues: minor bugs like glitches in animation and sometimes low frames per second are things that players may notice, especially when many players are within one zone. Not game-breaking, but these are some distracting things within an otherwise immersive game.
5. Predictable Gameplay Loops
A few of the gameplay mechanics and quest structures may feel a little too familiar to veteran players even after all these years. More rounded real combat and side activities this time around cannot change the overall structure of the game: explore, fight, complete quests, a bit too predictable for some, which could actually be off-putting to veterans looking for more.
Conclusion:
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is but the epitome of the best in this franchise for its heartfelt storytelling, further powdered by vibrant settings and gameplay. It is game enough to dare into new frontiers, in story and geography, that this installment within the series is not only fresh but innovative to boot. There’s surely much to love here for fans of Ichiban Kasuga as one joins him on this new chapter of his journey.
There are flaws-found in pacing issues, a bit too much content overwhelming the game, and some accessibility challenges that make this game a hard sell for new players. Even with such drawbacks, Infinite Wealth delivers a rich and rewarding experience true to the series’ DNA but also fresh with enough innovation.
For everyone-be they a series veteran or new to the series due to the recent Like a Dragon curiosity-this game holds a little something. For anyone that can look beyond sometimes-quirky missteps, Infinite Wealth promises a wild ride.
Final Score : 8.9/10
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