Become the hero of Yokohama
Yakuza: Like a Dragon is an action role-playing video game wherein you get to play as an all-new protagonist. Developed and published by Sega, this title is the eighth main release in the popular Yakuza series. Aside from the new main character, there are also new features such as major changes to the combat mechanics and new mini-games to enjoy.
Is Kiryu in Yakuza: Like a Dragon?
Yakuza is an open-world, crime-drama video game franchise created, owned, and published by Sega. Originally released back in 2005, this is a series of action-adventure RPGs that feature the life of the yakuza or Japanese gangsters. The games most frequently feature protagonist Kazuma Kiryu, a famous member of the Tojo Clan, who ended up going to prison to protect his best friend.
However, in Yakuza: Like a Dragon, the story shifts to tell the tale of Ichiban Kasuga, another member of the Tojo Clan. He similarly ended up willingly going to jail to cover up the crime of a fellow clan member—this time at the behest of his gang’s boss. However, instead of gaining honor among the other gangsters 18 years later, when he was released, he was betrayed by his boss and left for dead in another city.
A sillier but interesting take
More than the new protagonists, Like a Dragon also introduces various new features. For one, the previous games employed a real-time beat ’em up combat system. This time, however, you get to play a turn-based RPG with a four-person battle team. Here, you can also use nearby surrounding interactive items in the environment to your advantage—like bicycles to attack nearby enemies. You can also call on party assists to easily defeat your opponents.
With the new combat system comes jobs, the modern equivalent of the classic RPG character class system in this game. You can change any party member’s job to better fit your party’s playstyle. Male characters can access eight job choices, while the females can have four. All these in addition to each character’s special base job. Additionally, there are two extra jobs unlockable via DLC, as well as a New Game+ mode with additional exclusive difficulty settings.
If you’re an old fan of the Yakuza series, though, there’s a lot to get used to with this installment. The new combat system is definitely much slower compared to the previous one, as you have to strategize with a full party of four characters and even customize their classes. The main story feels slow, as well, with its dialogue-heavy scenes and the fact that the new map is much bigger than the previous titles’.
The start of a cool adventure
All in all, Yakuza: Like a Dragon puts a refreshing twist on a beloved franchise and leads it in a new direction while still having the core elements that made Yakuza a popular game series. While it can feel slower than most of its predecessors, it’s still interesting enough for both old and new fans of the franchise. This is a highly-recommended game for players who want JRPGs set in modern times.
