The Explosive Boss Battle: Shark vs. Fistfighter
One of the standout moments in my hands-on preview of Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth was a thrilling boss battle with a shark. This series has always been known for its over-the-top confrontations, pitting the protagonist against tigers, bears, and even an excavator. With Infinite Wealth, developer RGG does not hold back on the bombastic nature of these encounters. The shark boss battle was just the tip of the iceberg, promising even more epic showdowns in the game.
Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth – Bigger, Bolder, and Bombastic
If there’s one thing that Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth aims to do, it’s to be bigger, bolder, and even more bombastic. This game is diligently following the path set by its predecessor, Like A Dragon, which introduced significant changes to the Yakuza series. Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth continues the trend of being a party-based, turn-based RPG with a healthy mix of melodrama and silly sidequests. But it doesn’t stop there—it offers more of everything. More party members, a larger map, high-stakes plots, and an abundance of minigames.
A Stacked Cast and a Massive Map in Honolulu City
One of the highlights of Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth is its stacked cast of characters. The game brings together familiar faces from Like A Dragon, such as Saeko, Nanba, and Seong-Hui, who join Kiryu in Yokohama. Meanwhile, new protagonist Ichiban makes new acquaintances in Honolulu City. With so many playable characters, the possibilities for character interactions and party compositions are endless. Honolulu City itself is the biggest map ever created for the Yakuza series. Exploring this sprawling city is an adventure in itself, with diverse locations and hidden secrets waiting to be discovered.
Diving into Dondoko Island: Crafting and Mini Games Galore
Infinite Wealth introduces a new gameplay element in the form of Dondoko Island. Instead of the traditional business management activities seen in previous Yakuza games, Ichiban finds himself tasked with rehabilitating an uninhabited island into a thriving resort. This involves clearing out rubbish, collecting scraps for crafting furniture and decor items, and participating in activities such as spear fishing and bug catching. The island also offers its own set of daily collection quests. While it may be different from the hostess club management feature in previous games, Dondoko Island promises to be an engaging and addictive aspect of Infinite Wealth.
Familiar Yet Fresh: Honolulu City and the Melodramatic Yakuza Experience
Despite being the first Yakuza game set outside Japan, Honolulu City feels instantly familiar. The developers at RGG have worked diligently to create an authentic new city, but it still retains the essence of the Yakuza series. From the presence of familiar store chains like ABC stores and Hilo Hattie to the quirky characters and the street corner bar, every aspect of Honolulu City feels like it belongs in the Yakuza universe. The story, filled with melodrama and unexpected twists, maintains the signature Yakuza style that fans have come to love. There’s no shortage of eccentric characters, hidden secrets, and dramatic plotlines in store for players in Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth.
Analyst comment
Positive news: “Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth” promises to be bigger, bolder, and more bombastic than its predecessor. It offers epic boss battles, a stacked cast of characters, a massive map, and an abundance of mini-games. The game introduces new gameplay elements, such as rehabilitating an uninhabited island, while still retaining the essence of the Yakuza series. Market outlook: The positive reception and expanded features of “Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth” are likely to attract a larger audience and result in increased sales and market success.
