Calling all Yakuza fans and curious RPG enthusiasts! Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, also known as Yakuza 8, is here to deliver a stunning evolution of the Like a Dragon series. This comprehensive review dives deep into the game’s unique turn-based combat, engaging story with hilarious twists, and a vibrant new setting. Whether you’re a seasoned Yakuza player or a newcomer to the franchise, get ready to explore a world of thrilling battles, memorable characters, and unexpected delights in this critically acclaimed title.
Gameplay
The gameplay is turn-based RPG combat, an evolution from the previous game. There are improvements like being able to move around and attack from different directions. Combat starts simple but gets more challenging and strategic. There are lots of fun side activities and mini-games, like a Pokemon parody and an Animal Crossing style resort builder. It has a slow opening but gets better after the intro.
Story and Characters
The story follows Ichiban Kasuga and his criminal friends, an enjoyable change from typical youthful RPG heroes. The writing and characters are a highlight. There are dramatic story moments but also lots of humor. The returning character Kazuma Kiryu gets a satisfying emotional finale. The English voice acting is surprisingly good.
Graphics
This is the best-looking Yakuza game yet, especially noticeable in cutscenes. The new Hawaii setting looks amazing and detailed. On PC it runs very well. The graphics aren’t as impressive during gameplay but are still good for the series. Some conversations still use basic text boxes.
This is one of the biggest and best games in the Like a Dragon series. The combat, side content, story, characters, and graphics are all excellent. The game has emotional callbacks to past titles for long-time fans. Locking New Game Plus behind a special edition is the only negative. But overall this is a fantastic entry in the series and highly recommended.
