The Endless Fortune: Exploring the Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth Demo

Upon completing Like A Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name—a brawler that continues Kazuma Kiryu's story after Yakuza 6—you'll gain access to a two-part demo for Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth, the upcoming RPG sequel to 2020's Yakuza: Like A Dragon. While this may be overwhelming for those unfamiliar with the Yakuzaverse, Infinite Wealth marks the convergence of these two branches within the series. In my review of Gaiden, I can now discuss the free-roaming demo for Infinite Wealth that is included. Despite being a small taste of what this next Yakuza RPG entails, I couldn't help but experience sheer delight as my beloved characters united in the most amusing and impressive ways possible.

The demo effectively showcases the new setting of Hawaii, the friendships formed along the journey, the absurd side quests to embark on, and the clever interpretations of RPG conventions. It encompasses a fragment of the area encompassing Waikiki Beach, three substories, a selection of minigames and party conversations, various restaurants and shops, and a brief boss battle centered around the narrative. With a full party comprising Ichiban, Kiryu, and newcomers Tomizawa and Chitose, I gained a solid understanding of how the turn-based RPG combat has evolved and how each character's personality is reflected in their abilities.

Kiryu and Friends in RPG Form

Ichiban's primary job remains as Hero, wielding an electric-powered bat, and his initial moveset is similar to that of the previous game. However, the most significant question that has been answered is how Kiryu's brawler-focused fighting styles would be adapted into RPG form, and RGG Studio has executed it brilliantly. Under his base job, Dragon of Dojima, players can switch between three different stances: Beast, Brawler, and Rush, all of which are references to the styles he utilized in Yakuza 0. These stances alter his base attack, such as Beast style featuring guard-breaking grapples, Rush allowing an extra basic attack per turn, and Brawler incorporating Heat actions.

The true delight with Kiryu, though, comes when he enters a limit break-like state known as Dragon's Resurgence. Once his special meter is filled, players can hold the right trigger to activate this ability, and for a brief period, the game shifts back to real-time combat, where Kiryu controls just like he did in the previous games, dishing out immense damage. The way this mechanic pays tribute to the Yakuza games of the past while capturing the essence of Kiryu's fighting spirit, blending it all within the new RPG framework...man, the way I cheered in excitement, with a little tear in my eye.

Witness the epic battle of my treasured companions, Ichiban and Kiryu, as they join forces in a display of unparalleled strength. While Kiryu may steal the spotlight once again, let us not overlook Chitose, the heiress whose aptitude for dance is captured in her base job. Agile and equipped with special grapple attacks, she possesses the remarkable ability to heal and bolster the party. Tomizawa, on the other hand, may lack the sheer power or finesse of his comrades, but his mastery of elemental attacks gives him a mage-like essence. And in a true testament to Yakuza's unique charm, his water-based spell involves cheekily splashing water on foes, reminiscent of giving them a bath, which can be followed by an electric attack for increased damage, akin to a projectile spell cast using a car battery.

Revel in the return of the ultimate-esque "Essence Of" skills that deliver awe-inspiring cutscenes within battles, ultimately decimating your adversaries. Chitose's "Essence of Ballroom Blitz" showcases her graceful tango with one enemy, simultaneously thrashing others before gracefully executing a powerful roundhouse kick to her dance partner. It serves as an area-of-effect attack, showcasing the unparalleled creativity that only Yakuza can muster. Additionally, each combination of party members boasts unique Tag Team attacks, where pairs synergize to unleash devastating damage. These charming maneuvers not only demonstrate the unity among party members, but none are more captivating than the Tag Team featuring Kiryu and Ichiban. With their backs pressed together, these formidable partners deliver an extraordinary synchronized punch, embodying the essence of a truly badass duo.

Chitose will engage in a graceful dance before unleashing a swift roundhouse kick to the face.

Vacationing in Hawaii and Doing It Right

While both Kiryu and Ichiban have their own reasons for finding themselves in Hawaii, they and their gang always make time for rest and relaxation. The Infinite Wealth demo offers a tantalizing glimpse of the exciting experiences that lie ahead.

In typical substory fashion, Ichiban inadvertently becomes entangled in other people's affairs, unable to resist giving them his utmost effort. In one substory, a restaurant owner mistakes Ichiban for a new employee, prompting him to take on the role of a waiter for a day. The challenge lies in memorizing customer orders and familiarizing himself with the various traditional Hawaiian dishes. Another substory involves helping a high school student express her love for a classmate by delivering a heartfelt letter. However, there's a peculiar twist – all the boys in her class are mysteriously buried from the neck down on the beach. Solving this riddle entails identifying the right boy based on a description, and if successfully accomplished, a satisfying resolution awaits.

The Sicko Snap substory and minigame takes the crown for ridiculousness. It's a playful parody of the on-rails photography gameplay seen in Pokemon Snap. Ichiban stumbles upon a man with an expensive camera while riding a trolley, and they strike up a conversation. As it turns out, this man is capturing photos of "sickos" around town. These sickos, to everyone's surprise, are buff, flamboyant bald men in swimsuits who love to dance in the most unexpected places. It's undeniably wacky, but it raises the question of whether RGG might have missed the mark this time. Unless there's a multi-part questline that provides some meaningful message, this mini-game could easily be dismissed as a crude joke, especially considering the initial premise of selling these photos to the police for money.

Kasuga Ichiban is simply an honest, hard-working man. When it comes to side activities in the game, karaoke is always my top choice. Without fail, I make a beeline for the bar to test my rhythmic skills and aim for perfect combos in the karaoke minigame. Each karaoke song is accompanied by imaginative music videos featuring the characters in the background. And this time, we're treated to familiar faces singing some beloved classics. The intense metal track "Hell Stew" makes a comeback, while the nostalgic Yakuza 0 song "Judgement" brings Kiryu back as a flamboyant glam-rock frontman after all these years.

Other activities showcased in the demo include gambling, arcades, and a social sim-style progression called Aloha Links, which strengthens bonds with party members. The inclusion of shops and restaurants adds to the immersive open-world experience of Hawaii, with the change in cuisine, English NPC dialogue, and use of US currency enhancing the authenticity. After numerous adventures in Kamurocho, Sotenbori, and Yokohama, the shift in scenery is exhilarating, offering new avenues for the series.

However, RGG's track record outside of its comfort zone in cultural portrayal has been inconsistent. Ishin took an unexpected turn with a sudden and nationalistic twist, while the inclusion of Korean characters disguised as Japanese or Chinese villains felt like clichéd storytelling devices throughout the series. Lost Judgment, despite tackling thought-provoking subjects rarely explored in games, stumbled in certain aspects. It is the distinct and humanizing depiction of Korean and Chinese immigrants, sex workers, and the impoverished, who reside on the fringes of Japanese society, that sets Yakuza: Like A Dragon apart. Venturing into Hawaii presents exciting opportunities, but it also introduces cultural phenomena that RGG must authentically integrate into its storytelling and worldbuilding. I believe the team is capable of achieving this, and I am hopeful that Infinite Wealth will demonstrate growth from previous entries.

Karaoke will always remain the ultimate Yakuza minigame.

The Power of Friendship Always Prevails

Though Infinite Wealth's demo may impose certain limitations, it still offers a wealth of insight. The combat system, substories, and various side activities exhibit great potential, but ultimately, it is the captivating story and dynamic characters that set the Yakuza series apart from its peers. The demo's opening cutscene hints at Ichiban's entanglement with the police, possibly due to his peculiar arrival, exposed in the game's trailers. However, it becomes apparent that the legal predicaments run deeper.

Following the quest marker in the demo leads to a confrontation with Roman, a Honolulu PD officer, in a bar. Roman suggests that Ichiban will be imprisoned if he refuses to depart from Hawaii. Chaos ensues as a massive boss battle ensues between Ichiban and his goons. The bar is left utterly demolished after the intense combat, but as the dust settles, the concluding cutscene showcases Ichiban's selflessness as he shields Tomizawa, allowing Kiryu to deliver the final blow, incapacitating the police officer.

Note: The placeholder text "

The Power of Friendship Always Prevails

" have been kept intact within the rewritten content.

Tomizawa is taken aback by Ichiban's innocence, as he prioritizes his hairstyle over his own safety. Tomizawa declares that he and Ichiban aren't true friends and shouldn't risk their lives for each other, but Ichiban disagrees, saying, "I thought we would at least be buddies by now." It's somewhat disheartening to see that Ichiban genuinely cares for the people around him, even if his feelings aren't reciprocated. However, he doesn't let it bring him down. He goes to Kiryu to check on his hair, and they have a cute interaction where Kiryu teases Ichiban about his burnt and split ends.

How can you not be buddies with someone like Ichiban? :(The amalgamation of these diverse personalities and social dynamics is what excites me the most about Infinite Wealth, because it's the essence that makes these stories continue to shine even after more than 10 entries in the franchise. The blend of genuine lightheartedness and heartfelt drama remains unaffected, and I gathered as much from this small demo. RGG is bringing together all the elements it has developed since Yakuza's inception to create a game that has the potential to be even more delightful and captivating than anything that came before it.

My dear boys, Ichiban and Kiryu, stand united as they face new challenges, form connections, and confront the painful realities of their lives with courage and determination. The Infinite Wealth trailers offer a glimpse into the intense and emotionally charged journey that awaits, juxtaposed with the surreal setting of a Hawaiian getaway. However, it is best to delve deeper into this topic once the full game releases on January 26, 2024.

Editor's P/S

The Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth demo is a thrilling and nostalgic experience that brings together the best of the Yakuza series. The new setting of Hawaii is a refreshing change of pace, and the characters are all memorable and well-developed. The combat system is a lot of fun, and it's great to see Kiryu and Ichiban fighting side by side. The demo is a great way to get a taste of what's to come in the full game, and I can't wait to see what else RGG Studio has in store for us.

The demo does a great job of showcasing the new features in Infinite Wealth, such as the new setting, the new characters, and the new combat system. The setting of Hawaii is a lot more vibrant and colorful than the previous Yakuza games, and it's a great place to explore. The new characters are all interesting and likable, and they add a lot to the story. The new combat system is a lot of fun, and it's great to see how the different characters' abilities work together. Overall, the demo is a great way to get a taste of what's to come in Infinite Wealth, and I can't wait to see what else RGG Studio has in store for us.