Yesterday afternoon, Xbox showed off Like a Dragon, the new Yakuza game from Sega and RGG Studio that will land on PS5, PS4, PC, Xbox Series X/S, and Xbox One this January. This time around, the protagonist is Ichiban Kasuga, a former member of the Arakawa Family who left the world of the yakuza to lead a normal life.
Welcome to Dondoko Island
The Like a Dragon series (formerly known as Yakuza) is a critically acclaimed video game franchise that seamlessly blends action-adventure, beat th them up, and role-playing genres. The games feature immersive narratives about crime, power dynamics, and honour, as well as a treasure trove of mini-games and activities that keep players immersed in the world for countless hours.
The latest entry in the saga, Like a Dragon Infinite Wealth, takes the franchise to Hawaii, where protagonist Ichiban Kasuga finds himself penniless and at rock bottom after the events of the previous game. He will join forces with former Yakuza hero Kazuma Kiryu for an even wilder ride.
A new trailer for the game showcases some of what to expect, including a brand-new Pokemon-like mode called Dondoko Island. The new area will be accessible via a side story that will unlock at the start of Chapter 6. This is an entirely separate world, filled with a ton of minigames and jobs.
New Pokemon-like Mode
During yesterday’s Xbox Showcase, Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio showed off an in-game island escape mode called Welcome to Dondoko Island. This new mode is not too dissimilar to the management mini-games in the Animal Crossing series.
You’ll be able to build relationships with locals by performing various tasks. From riding (off-brand) Segways to a famous sushi restaurant to even battling a giant squid, there’s plenty to keep you busy.
The game will also feature an all-new Sujimon mode, which resembles Pokémon. You’ll be able to collect, train and battle these creatures in turn-based raids. You can even compete with friends in these 3v3 battles.
For those unfamiliar with the Yakuza franchise, the games follow Kazuma Kiryu, a reformed yakuza who wants to break free from the crime family and start anew. The latest Like a Dragon takes the series to Hawaii, but former Yakuza hero Ichiban Kasuga is still a player character. He’ll be helped by actor Danny Trejo, who plays a counterfeiter and the boss of a local gang.
New Characters
Unlike Yakuza: Like a Dragon, which was primarily a 3D beat-’em-up, this new game in the series will utilize a turn-based combat system. Players can assemble teams of up to four Jobs and fight against various enemies.
Several key players from the original Like a Dragon will return for this sequel, including Kazuma Kiryu and Ichiban Kasuga. The studio initially kept Kiryu’s role a secret, but exec producer Masayoshi Yokoyama has since confirmed his presence.
Other returning characters include Goro Majima and Taiga Saejima, while Yokoyama has teased that Daniel Dae Kim’s Masataka Ebina will also return as a Poundmate in this instalment.
Despite the fact that the Dean & Deluca chain of upscale grocery stores closed down in the real world Like a Dragon will feature two locations in Honolulu where players can purchase posh food. Additionally, the game will have several themed tours where players can explore parts of the city while gaining inspiration for unlocked Jobs.
New Location
The first Like a Dragon game introduced a new protagonist to the franchise alongside Kazuma Kiryu, and Infinite Wealth will see that dual protagonist concept return. Sega wants to add more complexity to the game by introducing multiple playable characters and is also testing the waters with a different setting, like Hawaii.
RGG Studio has confirmed that the upcoming Like a Dragon Infinite Wealth will have the biggest map of any Yakuza game in the series’ history, with Honolulu City being more than three times larger than the port district Isezaki Ijincho in Like a Dragon and Lost Judgment. The open world will also encompass other locations from the series, including the red-light district Kamurocho and a fictionalized version of Tokyo’s Chinatown.
As a bonus, the studio has announced that MMA fighter Mikuru Asakura will be reprising his role as Kasuga Ichiban in this new game. The two new trailers show off a lot of the game’s key features, including a release date of January 26, 2024.
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