Unleashing Boundless Riches: A Vast Compilation of Content--And Surprisingly Abundant Kiryu Presence
Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth offers an abundance of exhilarating content, surprising fans with an abundance of Kiryu, emotional moments, and an extensive array of activities to engage in
The release of Like a Dragon Infinite Wealth is just around the corner, and we recently had the opportunity to get early hands-on time with various aspects of the game. From a gripping emotional story to an Animal Crossing-inspired life sim mode that is sure to consume countless hours, this game has it all. Not to mention a wild boss battle with a monstrous shark the size of a boat. Infinite Wealth is already my most anticipated game for 2024, so I was thrilled to dive right in.
A small spoiler warning, as there will be some story details mentioned here for the series. Like Gaiden before it, Infinite Wealth is a game that should not be your first in the series as it heavily relies on knowledge of the characters. With that out of the way, let's dive into Ichiban and Kiryu's Hawaiian adventure.
The day started with a meeting to go over all the new features in Like a Dragon Infinite Wealth. Ichiban and his close-knit crew are back, joined by newcomers like taxi driver Eric Tomizawa and mysterious housekeeper Chitose Fujinomiya. Ichiban's journey to Hawaii to find his long-lost mother, Akane, who was previously believed to be dead, sets the stage for an exciting adventure that brings him into contact with the legendary yakuza, Kazuma Kiryu.
Kiryu happens to be on the island at the same time, taking a well-deserved break after the events of Gaiden and making a significant stop at a church. He joins forces with Ichiban's party and becomes a playable character in the game, adding his own unique Kiryu-style mechanics to the mix. His attacks can be customized by switching between three different stances, and he has the ability to briefly shift from turn-based combat to real-time brawler combat, echoing the classic Yakuza games' control of Kiryu. This innovative approach adds depth to the traditional RPG combat, while staying true to Kiryu's character and seamlessly integrating with the existing game systems.
The Dragon of Dojima wouldn't miss the opportunity to hit up the karaoke scene! Our initial exploration of the open world was spent discovering the vastness of the largest map ever seen in a Yakuza game--imagine fitting Kamurocho in here and still having room for another whole map. It's enormous, yet doesn't sacrifice the expected level of detail. RGG Studio went as far as visiting Hawaii to ensure an authentic representation, even collaborating with local stores like 88 Tees and ABC to feature them in the game. This attention to detail adds an extra layer of authenticity and immersion to the game's setting. Despite the significant increase in size, the map still felt densely packed and bustling with activity. Whether it's narrowly dodging cars on segways or exchanging shakas with the locals, the world feels vibrant and alive.
The game is also brimming with activities and signature side quests. From inspiring a Hollywood film director with a passion for practical effects to stumbling upon a scientist working on the perfect, giant AI-driven Roomba, the sub-stories promise to be just as enjoyable and memorable as in the past. These tie in well with the returning bond and drink link systems, allowing players to strengthen friendships with both their party and other characters across the island. Additionally, players will fill out a bingo card to learn more about each lovable character.
Seeing our two main heroes astral project dragons at bad guys together is definitely a sight to behold! During the demo, I had the opportunity to explore the changes to the combat system, which now allows for more mobility within a smaller area. This seemingly small adjustment actually opens up a world of possibilities for dynamic team attacks and strategic positioning in battles. It's a smart evolution for RGG's already-entertaining take on turn-based RPGs.
One of the standout changes is the expanded Sujimon feature. In Yakuza: Like a Dragon, players could catalogue defeated enemies similar to collecting Pokemon. Now, the feature seems to have taken inspiration from Pokemon Go, with Poke Stop-style locations scattered throughout the open world where players can collect items and participate in Sujimon raids. It adds depth to the optional aspect of the game and integrates seamlessly into the overall experience.
I am so impressed with Ichiban's dedication in making that coffee maker! He put so much effort into it and it really shows. I couldn't be prouder of him and I'm sure you would be too!
Moving on, we had the opportunity to experience the new life-simulation mode in Infinite Wealth, which will feel familiar to fans of games like Animal Crossing, Harvest Moon, and even Final Fantasy XIV Online's Island Sanctuaries. Every hardworking hero deserves some rest! Even with just 30 minutes of gameplay on DonDoko Island, I could already sense that I will easily lose countless hours playing it—it almost feels like a standalone game on its own. The island reflects Ichiban and his character development, as the "Rock Bottom Dragon" rises from darkness to something better and greater. Your main objective is to rebuild the island from nothing to a desirable destination. You'll progress from cleaning trash to constructing skyscrapers and golden statues. There's even a storyline to guide you through your island restoration journey. While we only got a glimpse of it, I can tell you that it involves assisting Gachapin and Mukku, two mascots from an old Japanese children's show familiar to Granblue Fantasy fans, as they fend off pirates and reclaim parts of the island while you clean it up.
You have the opportunity to design your own home and a significant portion of the island itself. As you clear out each section, you have the freedom to place any furniture you've crafted or purchased from the island's store. Discover new crafting recipes and use the materials you gather to build various items as you continue to develop the island. This system operates smoothly and functions just as you would expect if you've played similar games. I thoroughly enjoyed using the music player feature to listen to "Friday Night" while chopping trees, smashing rocks, and fishing all day. It seems to be a fantastic mode, and I'm eagerly looking forward to uncovering more of what it has to offer.
When they mentioned that I would be playing a section where Kiryu creates a bucket list, I was completely prepared to shed tears in front of everyone at the event. They really got me with that one. We also had the opportunity to dive into a preselected section of the story later in the game that focused on Kiryu. He's back in Yokohama with Nanba, Saeko, and the beloved Seonhee (who is finally a playable character now), doing his best to navigate his thoughts and feelings after receiving a cancer diagnosis. In an effort to help Kiryu come to terms with his diagnosis, the team suggests that he create a bucket list, and they set off to try and accomplish as many items as they can. The list includes everything from being able to enjoy some tamago without looking over his shoulder to singing his heart out at karaoke or even trying sweets for the first time. Kiryu has had a difficult life, and some of the items on his list really drive that point home.
Once he creates this bucket list, a new menu option becomes available to track all of Kiryu's unfinished tasks. Completing items on this list helps him to unlock his abilities and become stronger. The interaction points added to the map as part of the bucket list are my favorite, as they provide flashbacks to important events in Kiryu's life. I really appreciate this reflection, especially with a character as well-developed as Kiryu, whom many fans have spent almost two decades with. This is what made me think that, even though this is a shared adventure with two protagonists, Kiryu's side may be the main focus (not unlike Yakuza 0 being more Majima's game). This is also why it seems like Infinite Wealth could be difficult to recommend as a starting point for those who want to get into the series. There is a lot that relies on prior knowledge and will make the experience much more impactful, especially on Kiryu's side.
LOOK AT THE SIZE OF THIS GUY! WHY ARE WE OUT HERE ON THIS BOAT PUNCHING BOAT SIZED SHARKS? I LOVE THESE GAMES SO MUCH! After the story segment, we engaged in a boss fight with no context for what was happening: an encounter on the back of a small ship facing down a giant shark--as big as the boat we were on. It's a wild spectacle and I couldn't help but wonder the whole time I was fighting it, how did Ichiban and everyone get out there? What had brought them out here to this spot to get in a wild fist fight with a mega shark? The fight itself was not too difficult for us; we were a bit overleveled and had plenty of items if we needed them, but even so, I could still see the benefits of playing smart, applying buffs and debuffs, and using the right elemental attacks to hit its weak points. It felt amazing to chain stuns and see the high damage numbers pop up. It makes me excited to see what sort of wild fights we may encounter and to see just how well mastery of the combat system will really pay off. I have no idea how they'll manage topping a giant shark, but I bet they will somehow--they always do.
Having experienced Infinite Wealth, it's impossible not to ponder the journey this series has undertaken, the diverse settings it has explored, and the many trials its characters have faced. It feels like something truly extraordinary, and I am eagerly anticipating seeing it unfold.
The wait to reunite with Ichiban, Kiryu, and our other underworld comrades won't be too long, as Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is set to release on January 26, 2024.
Editor's P/S
As a passionate fan of the Yakuza series, I am incredibly excited about the upcoming release of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth. The game promises to deliver an abundance of exhilarating content, including an abundance of Kiryu, emotional moments, and an extensive array of activities to engage in. The fact that Kiryu is a playable character in the game is a dream come true for fans like me, and I can't wait to experience his unique combat mechanics and see how he interacts with Ichiban and the rest of the crew.
The game's setting in Hawaii also adds a fresh and exciting element to the series. The attention to detail in recreating the authentic atmosphere of Hawaii is truly impressive, and I can't wait to explore the vast map and discover all the hidden secrets and activities it has to offer. The return of signature side quests and the introduction of new systems like the bingo card add even more depth and replay value to the game. Overall, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is shaping up to be an exceptional entry in the Yakuza series, and I can't wait to get my hands on it when it releases in 2024.
