Whereas it won’t have as a lot to show as the primary recreation within the collection, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth nonetheless has some steep expectations to satisfy.
Boasting main story revelations and the continuation of Kasuga Ichiban’s adventures, the sequel is intent on surpassing the unique in as some ways as attainable. That is no small feat, contemplating Yakuza: Like a Dragon managed to usher the collection into a brand new gameplay style because it ever so slowly strikes away from the saga of Kiryu Kazuma.
And but, after spending a while with the demo offered via Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Title, I can solely think about Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth will obtain its aim; albeit by bringing the Dragon of Dojima again into the combination.
![Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth Hands-on Preview – Bountiful Progress](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Like-a-Dragon-Infinite-Wealth-Kiryu-Delivering-a-One-Liner-After-Battle.jpg?resize=640%2C360)
The demo itself is break up up into two elements: one centered primarily on a piece of the story, and one other centered round letting gamers discover the brand new setting of Hawaii. The story phase locations gamers within the function of Kiryu, who has been despatched to discover a particular particular person by the Daidoji. Not lengthy after he arrives although, he hears of a person with a peculiar Dragon Koi again tattoo who managed to flee from the police.
That is none apart from Ichiban, and after monitoring him down, Kiryu learns that they’re looking for a similar particular person: Akane, the previous lover of Masumi Arakawa and presumably Ichiban’s mom. As they chase after clues tied to her location although, it turns into clear that she could also be tied to some unknown underworld actions; a lot in order that Hawaii’s native crime lord, Yamai, is simply as eager on discovering her.
It’s the same old mystery-laced narrative the Yakuza and Like a Dragon video games are so eager on exploring, and Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth shows developer Ryu Ga Gotoku‘s mastery in weaving these narratives. There are already loads of hooks to attract gamers in with, and the colliding narratives of Ichiban and Kiryu carry them collectively in a plausible method.
Not solely that, however the recreation doesn’t lose it’s extra outwardly compassionate narrative components seen within the final recreation. Ichiban recruits a brand new occasion member throughout this phase — named Tomizawa — not via a brawl, however by empathizing with him. It’s nonetheless a refreshing change of tempo in comparison with different tales within the collection, and guarantees a extra hopeful story on par with its predecessor.
Or no less than, it does to an extent. There are some lower than reassuring components to the story too, key amongst them being that Kiryu exhibits some clear indicators of weakening and sickness. We received’t get into specifics right here for the sake of readers who haven’t but watched the current Story trailer, but it surely’s protected to say the narrative received’t be completely comfortable and cheery.
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Transferring onto the second half of the demo, the gameplay of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is about what followers would count on. Gamers are in a position to discover a bigger metropolis alongside their occasion members, participating in battle with road thugs as they see match; or not, if it’s tied to story development or a quest. Mentioned battles are nonetheless turn-based, and gamers have to take buffs, debuffs, and positioning into consideration in an effort to successfully get rid of threats.
Nevertheless, there are some clear indicators of this battle system being refined and improved because the final entry. Key amongst these modifications is the truth that gamers can actively transfer their characters inside a hard and fast space to higher line up assaults. Doing so not solely helps to make sure AoE assaults and abilities hit extra enemies, but in addition helps to get occasion members nearer collectively for Tag Group assaults and assists.
There’s additionally a bit extra selection between character talents, primarily due to Kiryu’s inclusion. Whereas deciding on his actions throughout battle, gamers can select between three fight Kinds for him to make use of. These embrace Rush, which hits for much less harm however permits him to behave twice in a single flip; Brawler, which is extra balanced and may incorporate Warmth actions into assaults; and Beast, which is nice for breaking enemies who’re guarding or troublesome to wreck by way of grapples.
This expanded package of choices is nice by itself, however the Dragon of Dojima additionally has the particular skill Dragon’s Resurgence. Whereas energetic, it permits him to maneuver round unimpeded by turn-based mechanics and beat the tar out of enemies a la traditional Yakuza gameplay.
It’s undeniably a bit damaged, however I can’t faux it wasn’t a terrific feeling to shatter the bounds of the style for a short second and return to Kiryu’s normal combating fashion. Plus, this gameplay component melds the 2 types of Like a Dragon gameplay collectively fantastically and bridges the hole between the 2 halves of the collection splendidly.
And naturally, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth options some terrifically outlandish Essence assaults for gamers to unleash. Ranging of their results and animations, these assaults see Ichiban and his allies let free their wildest assaults in dramatic vogue, full with flashy cutscenes whereby the occasion annihilates their opponents.
![Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth Hands-on Preview – Bountiful Progress](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Like-a-Dragon-Infinite-Wealth-Tomizawa-Bond-Bingo-Card.jpg?resize=640%2C360)
Outdoors of fight, the exploration can be slightly deeper than within the earlier recreation. When you nonetheless wander across the metropolis and soak up its websites by way of eating places, minigames, and aspect quests, it feels that little bit extra worthwhile to take action due to the bonding system between Ichiban and his occasion members.
Going to particular eating places or areas can set off small dialogue bits with a given occasion member, which in flip strengthens their Bond and unlocks new bonuses in battles. That is important for enhancing Tag Group assaults, and for unlocking buffs that may maintain your occasion members standing even after struggling extra devastating blows.
Whereas this will likely sound equivalent to the bond system from Yakuza: Like a Dragon, the mechanic has been streamlined considerably compared. Dialogue bits are simpler to search out due to indicators on the map, and bonding occasions are tracked by way of a brand new Bond Bingo Card. Filling out this card can lead to enormous bonuses to a personality’s bond stage, and makes reaching the utmost Bond stage with a personality far simpler.
For sure, the demo for Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth has left me much more excited for the sport’s full launch. There’s been some clear progress made by way of sprucing its mechanics, and the narrative appears primed to go away gamers laughing and crying in equal measure. I’ll be counting down the times till its full launch on Jan. 26, and I extremely advocate followers of RPGs and the Like a Dragon collection alike do the identical.