Aoii
15 reviews liked by Aoii
Greatest game in the fucking series
Like A Dragon's pivot to turn-based RPG fighting finally pays off in the sequel, as the improvements to the combat and job system start to give the battles their own identity. Kiryu's unique job with its fighting styles and beat-em-up finisher is a particular highlight, and I look forward to see if those evolve in future entries. But the strength of the Ichiban games have always been the likeable and well-rounded cast of characters mixed with a compelling crime drama. While the story is ambitious, it can drag at times. Ultimately I don't think it manages to mix these elements or stick the landing as well as LAD7 or 0, though those are extremely high bars that make this criticism a minor one. Either way, the real payoff is in the plentiful character moments for Ichiban and Kiryu, and showing that the true heart of the series is a deep kindness and respect for humanity. It manages to be a great sendoff for Kiryu, truly the best thing that's ever happened to him is being forced to hang out with Ichiban's dumbass friends.
This review contains spoilers
10?
SPOILERS FOR BOTH INFINITE WEALTH AND THE MAN WHO ERASED HIS NAME
Not a replay but it's been about a month since Infinite Wealth came out and it still hasn't left my mind. I've been mulling around about so much of it, what works for me, what doesn't, kinda like how Yakuza 5 was but it manages to be messier somehow??? Elements of the story, of its characters, my view on them change everyday the more I think about them. This game still doesn't feel real.
We'll get the definite negatives out of the way first.
The Daidoji Faction
I have yet to understand the Daidoji Faction, and the combo meal of Gaiden and Infinite Wealth have muddled my thoughts on them more than they've solidified. Why write the Chapter 3 scene in Gaiden with Hanawa if he's so inconsequential to the game that he was a part of initially? What was with the "bond greater than agent and handler" bullshit? There's no thematic element to it and it only serves to keep the plot moving in the weirdest pull at the heartstrings moment this series has pulled by far. I'll save more of the Gaiden thoughts for when I get to them on the replay. But at this point, it feels like RGG sees the Daidoji as more of a plot convenience than an element. Need a plane? Daidoji has one. Kiryu's gonna visit his loved ones, oh wait, the Daidoji are here but they're not until the last life link even though he is, more often than not, recognized? It very well could be set up for Like a Dragon 9 but I really hate thinking about media that way, it devalues what is already on the table in my opinion.
"Side"-Content & Pacing
This problem is really specific to me. My playstyle for most RGG games is to get a great amount of side-content done and then advance the story a few before another huge chunk of side-content hits. RGG is very well known for their side-content, and I'm sure they know it themselves, because for the first 30-40 hours, this game really shoves it down your throat. The content itself is pretty damn good, it ties in well with the story and its themes, but the constant pitstops really irk me. For example, when the party is about to go into District Five to find Chitose, Ichiban just remembers the Sujimon Sensei and the story marker is immediately switched to him. This is not an Infinite Wealth exclusive problem, many RGG games as of late do this too, but my replays of the games before it made me realize it feels worse to me. The main story taking side content breaks (and not the "Hang around town" type ones) removes a bit from the experience for me. It removes that sense of discovery, of stumbling open side-content in the open world. I really hope they stop doing this, but I know they won't.
Hawaii Long Battles
These just suck. They were kinda neat when they first showed up but it happens about three times where you can't fast travel or take alternate routes, just waves and waves of enemies that provide the same experience as random encounters, just made mandatory by the awful pathing of these segments. And why is the excuse "we can't fight more of them, we have to run away" if we just end up going through 30 more fights anyways? If they do decide to bring this back, it would be much better if the paths weren't blocked off at least.
Guardian of Despair
Tinnitus at 1:27. Rest is really good tho.
Now, for the things I'm mixed on/still thinking about.
Loose Plot Threads
A common complaint I see for Infinite Wealth is that it doesn't wrap up the plot threads it spends a lot of time on. I agree, to an extent. Where the yakuza are headed after Ebina is still a mystery, and not a great one to leave the game on. And like I said before, I really don't like thinking about how "maybe they'll address it in the next one." That being said, this doesn't irk me as much as the others. Can't find the words for why, maybe I will on the replay (which will happen in about 6 months).
Wong Tou, Ganzhe Commander
Another complaint I see is that some new characters aren't deep enough (which is stupid, did you really want Dwight to have a tragic backstory? He's like a Tamashiro, or a Saito, that archetype.) One that is definitely lacking though is Wong Tou. They do next to nothing with him after Chapter 6 and then he dies 2 chapters later which begs the question, why not just kill him in Chapter 6? He doesn't really help the characters with anything and he basically becomes an info dumper as soon as he's in the Daidoji safehouse. I admit, I could be misremembering something so if there was a thematic or plot reason I just forgot, please tell me.
Cancel Culture
The way this game handles cancel culture is the best way middle-aged writers can; kinda badly. Not to their fault, it's not a topic I'd expect them to be well-versed in (They do attempt to salvage it with "(Tatara Hisoka's) previous reports were pretty credible") but, still, I felt it was worth mentioning. I feel like it was a weird plot device to have some of the main conflicts of the story be "because cancel culture" and then the conversation ends there. Especially when the themes of redemption and forgiveness are so fucking good and thought out.
With those out of the way, I can finally sing this game's praises.
Themes
I love me some good themes and this game has them in spades. The way redemption fits both for Ichiban & Kiryu (and the rest of the supporting cast) is so awesome. The theme of wealth is cheesy, and very on-the-nose, but it's earnest as fuck and that's all I really need. Just a lot of good to dive into here that I feel like it warrants its own separate think-piece.
Kazuma Kiryu
Kiryu's arc in this game is such a great way to let the dragon rest. I see many saying him choosing to live out his last days is dumb but I feel they weren't paying attention to literally everything the game was saying prior, very dismissive. The way he interacts with the Yokohama crew is so fucking cute too. This feels like the best possible ending Kiryu could get right now (Please don't bring him back in Like a Dragon 9 (if you do, make him a side-character not playable please RGG don't fuck this up you have it so good right now)).
Yutaka Yamai
Yamai is legitimately the best new character from the post-Ichiban RGG titles. His backstory tying into the themes and giving him a tragic but memorable quirk is so well done and amazing and I love him. Many are clamoring for him to return, but with an ending this good, I wouldn't be too sad if he left. The mark he made is enough for me. (Also Takehito Koyasu is very expensive (They did manage to bring back Nakamura & Okamoto for Joongi Han & Zhao respectively though)).
That's about all I have to say for tonight but this review is definitely not the last. I'm sure I'll have a lot more to say when I do get to replaying the game.
SPOILERS FOR BOTH INFINITE WEALTH AND THE MAN WHO ERASED HIS NAME
Not a replay but it's been about a month since Infinite Wealth came out and it still hasn't left my mind. I've been mulling around about so much of it, what works for me, what doesn't, kinda like how Yakuza 5 was but it manages to be messier somehow??? Elements of the story, of its characters, my view on them change everyday the more I think about them. This game still doesn't feel real.
We'll get the definite negatives out of the way first.
The Daidoji Faction
I have yet to understand the Daidoji Faction, and the combo meal of Gaiden and Infinite Wealth have muddled my thoughts on them more than they've solidified. Why write the Chapter 3 scene in Gaiden with Hanawa if he's so inconsequential to the game that he was a part of initially? What was with the "bond greater than agent and handler" bullshit? There's no thematic element to it and it only serves to keep the plot moving in the weirdest pull at the heartstrings moment this series has pulled by far. I'll save more of the Gaiden thoughts for when I get to them on the replay. But at this point, it feels like RGG sees the Daidoji as more of a plot convenience than an element. Need a plane? Daidoji has one. Kiryu's gonna visit his loved ones, oh wait, the Daidoji are here but they're not until the last life link even though he is, more often than not, recognized? It very well could be set up for Like a Dragon 9 but I really hate thinking about media that way, it devalues what is already on the table in my opinion.
"Side"-Content & Pacing
This problem is really specific to me. My playstyle for most RGG games is to get a great amount of side-content done and then advance the story a few before another huge chunk of side-content hits. RGG is very well known for their side-content, and I'm sure they know it themselves, because for the first 30-40 hours, this game really shoves it down your throat. The content itself is pretty damn good, it ties in well with the story and its themes, but the constant pitstops really irk me. For example, when the party is about to go into District Five to find Chitose, Ichiban just remembers the Sujimon Sensei and the story marker is immediately switched to him. This is not an Infinite Wealth exclusive problem, many RGG games as of late do this too, but my replays of the games before it made me realize it feels worse to me. The main story taking side content breaks (and not the "Hang around town" type ones) removes a bit from the experience for me. It removes that sense of discovery, of stumbling open side-content in the open world. I really hope they stop doing this, but I know they won't.
Hawaii Long Battles
These just suck. They were kinda neat when they first showed up but it happens about three times where you can't fast travel or take alternate routes, just waves and waves of enemies that provide the same experience as random encounters, just made mandatory by the awful pathing of these segments. And why is the excuse "we can't fight more of them, we have to run away" if we just end up going through 30 more fights anyways? If they do decide to bring this back, it would be much better if the paths weren't blocked off at least.
Guardian of Despair
Tinnitus at 1:27. Rest is really good tho.
Now, for the things I'm mixed on/still thinking about.
Loose Plot Threads
A common complaint I see for Infinite Wealth is that it doesn't wrap up the plot threads it spends a lot of time on. I agree, to an extent. Where the yakuza are headed after Ebina is still a mystery, and not a great one to leave the game on. And like I said before, I really don't like thinking about how "maybe they'll address it in the next one." That being said, this doesn't irk me as much as the others. Can't find the words for why, maybe I will on the replay (which will happen in about 6 months).
Wong Tou, Ganzhe Commander
Another complaint I see is that some new characters aren't deep enough (which is stupid, did you really want Dwight to have a tragic backstory? He's like a Tamashiro, or a Saito, that archetype.) One that is definitely lacking though is Wong Tou. They do next to nothing with him after Chapter 6 and then he dies 2 chapters later which begs the question, why not just kill him in Chapter 6? He doesn't really help the characters with anything and he basically becomes an info dumper as soon as he's in the Daidoji safehouse. I admit, I could be misremembering something so if there was a thematic or plot reason I just forgot, please tell me.
Cancel Culture
The way this game handles cancel culture is the best way middle-aged writers can; kinda badly. Not to their fault, it's not a topic I'd expect them to be well-versed in (They do attempt to salvage it with "(Tatara Hisoka's) previous reports were pretty credible") but, still, I felt it was worth mentioning. I feel like it was a weird plot device to have some of the main conflicts of the story be "because cancel culture" and then the conversation ends there. Especially when the themes of redemption and forgiveness are so fucking good and thought out.
With those out of the way, I can finally sing this game's praises.
Themes
I love me some good themes and this game has them in spades. The way redemption fits both for Ichiban & Kiryu (and the rest of the supporting cast) is so awesome. The theme of wealth is cheesy, and very on-the-nose, but it's earnest as fuck and that's all I really need. Just a lot of good to dive into here that I feel like it warrants its own separate think-piece.
Kazuma Kiryu
Kiryu's arc in this game is such a great way to let the dragon rest. I see many saying him choosing to live out his last days is dumb but I feel they weren't paying attention to literally everything the game was saying prior, very dismissive. The way he interacts with the Yokohama crew is so fucking cute too. This feels like the best possible ending Kiryu could get right now (Please don't bring him back in Like a Dragon 9 (if you do, make him a side-character not playable please RGG don't fuck this up you have it so good right now)).
Yutaka Yamai
Yamai is legitimately the best new character from the post-Ichiban RGG titles. His backstory tying into the themes and giving him a tragic but memorable quirk is so well done and amazing and I love him. Many are clamoring for him to return, but with an ending this good, I wouldn't be too sad if he left. The mark he made is enough for me. (Also Takehito Koyasu is very expensive (They did manage to bring back Nakamura & Okamoto for Joongi Han & Zhao respectively though)).
That's about all I have to say for tonight but this review is definitely not the last. I'm sure I'll have a lot more to say when I do get to replaying the game.
i still don't know why it's called infinite wealth
muito bom tem o ichiban, tem o kiryu, tem o havai, tenho yokohama, tenha kamurocho, tem apostas esportivas, tem tinder, tem pokemon, tem ilha pra administrar, tem classe de surfista, tem classe de samurai, tem classe de red dead redemption, tem homens bebes, tem otaku, tem fotografia de tarado, tem rockeiro, tem velho, tem mulher bonita aaa tem muita coisa muito bom tem muito bom
I've seen many people shit on the story and I'm gonna be honest, sometimes JRPGs can be more than stories, this game is insanely fun, and to me, this is what games are all about.
Yakuza 8 also known as Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth for Weird People, is a wonderful JRPG with really polished and fun gameplay mixed in a new setting the Yakuza franchise never had before. The game focuses on Hawaii rather than the usual Mamurocho BS happening, just like the previous entry it allows us to play as Ichiban Kasuga once again, and let me tell you that he's a lucky fella for getting such a good sequel.
Storywise I thought it was great, it might not be Yakuza 7 great but it's still a lot better than what we've seen before when it was just Kiryu punching dudes and plastic bullets if you know what I'm talking about, I feel like the highs of 7 were so high people all forgot how mid the franchise originally was and now they expect to get Yakuza 7 but again, though unfortunately you can only introduce a new cast of characters once, and 7 also heavily relied on being the new step in the franchise (plus a genuinely good story that didn't even need to be linked to Kiryu's and his pals to be good)
Now for the case of Yakuza 8 I do understand how the pacing can annoy some people, but hell I still had a great time because the game is fun and this is what all turn-based JRPG strives to be and most fail miserably.
I've also seen people compare Yakuza 8 to Metal Gear Solid 4 and I feel like that's a little reductive, it's all because the other side of the game focuses on Kiryu and his past adventures, similar to 4 reminiscing what previously happened, I don't mind this comparison because they both did that great but people use it as a way to attack the game and I feel like it's very reductive for both MGS4 and Yakuza 8.
The gameplay is the best and most important part of the game, it's pretty much 7's but all of the issues you had with it are fixed like I'm serious it's such a good upgrade I have no idea if I'll be able to enjoy Yakuza 7 again... I'm waiting for a Kiwami version...
I guess my main grip with the new gameplay is how healing works, they added this "zone" type of attack where you try to put all characters together within the healing zone but the issue is that you can't control your teammates, they are all fucking dumb and wonder at the other side of the battle so good luck for healing you'll never be able to heal all 4 at once if you fight in a large area, it's the only thing I miss from 7.
Though most people hate this game for its messy story but it's not the actual bad part of the game, if anyone tried to 100% they'll know how awful it is to grind because getting to level 70 without paying DLC requires INSANE grind, I personally skipped the 100% because I'm really disappointed in RGG, I did a chunk of it but I'll never get platinum since I don't want to pay 20$ for a dogshit extra dungeon with easy XP gains, this is genuinely sad to block dogshit but required content behind a massive paywall, 7 had none of that and it had a wonderful post-game, RGG you might be the new JRPG king but the infinite wealth you seek will soon bite you back at some point.
Yakuza 8 also known as Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth for Weird People, is a wonderful JRPG with really polished and fun gameplay mixed in a new setting the Yakuza franchise never had before. The game focuses on Hawaii rather than the usual Mamurocho BS happening, just like the previous entry it allows us to play as Ichiban Kasuga once again, and let me tell you that he's a lucky fella for getting such a good sequel.
Storywise I thought it was great, it might not be Yakuza 7 great but it's still a lot better than what we've seen before when it was just Kiryu punching dudes and plastic bullets if you know what I'm talking about, I feel like the highs of 7 were so high people all forgot how mid the franchise originally was and now they expect to get Yakuza 7 but again, though unfortunately you can only introduce a new cast of characters once, and 7 also heavily relied on being the new step in the franchise (plus a genuinely good story that didn't even need to be linked to Kiryu's and his pals to be good)
Now for the case of Yakuza 8 I do understand how the pacing can annoy some people, but hell I still had a great time because the game is fun and this is what all turn-based JRPG strives to be and most fail miserably.
I've also seen people compare Yakuza 8 to Metal Gear Solid 4 and I feel like that's a little reductive, it's all because the other side of the game focuses on Kiryu and his past adventures, similar to 4 reminiscing what previously happened, I don't mind this comparison because they both did that great but people use it as a way to attack the game and I feel like it's very reductive for both MGS4 and Yakuza 8.
The gameplay is the best and most important part of the game, it's pretty much 7's but all of the issues you had with it are fixed like I'm serious it's such a good upgrade I have no idea if I'll be able to enjoy Yakuza 7 again... I'm waiting for a Kiwami version...
I guess my main grip with the new gameplay is how healing works, they added this "zone" type of attack where you try to put all characters together within the healing zone but the issue is that you can't control your teammates, they are all fucking dumb and wonder at the other side of the battle so good luck for healing you'll never be able to heal all 4 at once if you fight in a large area, it's the only thing I miss from 7.
Though most people hate this game for its messy story but it's not the actual bad part of the game, if anyone tried to 100% they'll know how awful it is to grind because getting to level 70 without paying DLC requires INSANE grind, I personally skipped the 100% because I'm really disappointed in RGG, I did a chunk of it but I'll never get platinum since I don't want to pay 20$ for a dogshit extra dungeon with easy XP gains, this is genuinely sad to block dogshit but required content behind a massive paywall, 7 had none of that and it had a wonderful post-game, RGG you might be the new JRPG king but the infinite wealth you seek will soon bite you back at some point.
Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth has been a game I’ve been excited about ever since it was announced in June of last year. The Yakuza franchise is one of my absolute favourites in all of gaming which I first started my journey with back in 2020 with Yakuza Kiwami that I originally had free for a year with my PS Plus subscription. And ever since then I’ve been closely following this series & have played all the games on modern platforms up to this point. It’s a series that has a special place in my heart more than other game franchise going today & without it I don’t think I would have rediscovered my passion & love for gaming as an art form.
The previous mainline game Yakuza: Like A Dragon, I played around three years ago. For those unaware of the development of this game, it was originally meant to be an April Fools joke from Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, where they showcased a turn based Yakuza combat system which was so well received they actually decided to implement it into their next entry. The new protagonist Ichiban also being into RPGs such as Dragon Quest really worked with the new shift in combat as going from a brawler to a turn based RPG would seem like a huge leap in most cases & would cause a lot of confusion. But in the context of Ichiban’s character & his personality it really works & for a first attempt, I thought LAD was a pretty good if not flawed turn based RPG with a loveable cast of characters & a very emotionally gripping & compelling narrative that still felt as if it kept that same vibe from the Yakuza series no matter how many people whined & complained about the new combat (you’re all cowards by the way lmaooooo). Though I will admit the actual mechanics of this game could be majorly improved in the sequel.
I realise I’ve taken a good chunk of this review so far first talking about my history with this franchise but it really just puts into context how much Yakuza/Like A Dragon means to me. Whenever there’s a new game from RGG Studio I am always there day one whether it’s a mainline entry or a spin-off like the Judgment games. And maybe that makes me a shill for this series & I’ll definitely admit that but I don’t think there’s any other modern game franchise that makes me feel the way this one does. It’s given me some of the most incredible experiences in all of gaming & I’m forever thankful for that.
Alright enough rambling, trust me I could go on all day about this but let’s get to why you’re all probably here. Did Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth live up to all the hype? Did it manage to give me that same feeling of magic I’ve gotten from some of the best games in the series? Fuck. Yes. This is not only now my favourite entry in the franchise surpassing Yakuza 0 but it might be possibly my favourite game of all time now. It was absolutely everything I could’ve hoped for & more. I’m honestly at a loss for words with the raw emotions that this game gave me. The amount of times I laughed & cried really can’t be described & the journey that has led up to this made it all the more worthwhile.
As was stated before the combat in this game is a major improvement over LAD in pretty much every aspect. The addition of manual positioning being able to move your party members around the field allows you to better strategise & plan your tactics for how you want to take on your enemies. You can also perform combo attacks with your allies depending on the bonds that you share. The new selection of jobs this time around are also a lot of fun & really fit the tropical vibe Infinite Wealth is going for, some of my favourites being samurai, desperado, kunoichi & housekeeper.
Now let’s talk about Hawaii itself which is honestly now my favourite location in the entire franchise. We have spent so much time in Japan at this point, that the setting of Honolulu is a more than welcome breath of fresh air & spending time walking the streets & taking in the incredible atmosphere was a surreal experience. Getting to greet the locals & becoming friends with them gave the world so much more life compared to other entires in the series. And they weren’t kidding about it being 3x the size of Yokohama, this place is MASSIVE. Honestly going forward I want to see more RGG games venture out of Japan because it really sounds so cool to visit different locations in this series.
The story this time was just fantastic. Arguably the best alongside 0 for me though maybe that will change in the future. I will admit there are some parts of it which were messy & nonsensical but that’s just Yakuza plots in general. And honestly the highs of this game are so great I can ignore all of that. The narrative as a whole was really solid & emotionally gripping & I found myself really hooked with what was happening. The new characters in this game are frankly brilliant but I have to give a special mention to Yamai who despite the frankly questionable & unrealistic statement of him “being just as popular as Majima” is a fantastic character in his own right & is now among the top tier antagonists in the series. He was handled tremendously in my opinion. I also really liked Tomizawa & Chitose & found them to be welcome additions to the party.
But of course the main stars of the show are Ichiban & Kiryu & I’d argue that this might be the best showing from either of them. If anyone had any doubts about Ichi being the main protagonist going forward in LAD then I think Infinite Wealth is going to change their minds on that immediately. He truly is more than worthy of carrying this franchise forward from here on out. However while I loved Ichiban’s section of the narrative, Kiryu’s just hit so much more different considering we’ve been following him since the very beginning & have seen basically his entire life right before our eyes. And without saying too much, they handled his entire arc in this game tremendously. Him realising that he doesn’t need to shoulder everything on his own anymore & that he can depend on his newfound friends in Ichiban’s crew is such a huge turning point for him. And while I can certainly see opinions being divided on that aspect, I respect RGG Studio going the route that they took with him. A wonderful love letter to one of my favourite protagonists in all of gaming.
Besides the main story there’s a lot & I mean a LOT to do in this game. Like holy shit this is easily the most packed game in terms of content since Yakuza 5. There’s many substories, several fun mini games to play, there’s even the Sujimon League which has its own set of substories & is very clearly inspired by Pokémon. And then theres Dondoko Island which you’ve probably heard people say could be its own game. Building your own resort was incredibly addictive & it’s very much something I found myself really invested in for multiple hours even if I never finished up with it. And would you believe me if I said all that is only ONE half of the content??
So in this game, Kiryu has cancer. And it is…a very horrible thing to see this man we have spent numerous games with on his last legs in life. As such the main side content for Kiryu is his memoirs of the dragon. These give insight into his past & allow him to reminisce about the many years he’s spent. And while I will admit that these are quite lazily done as in you go to a place, press a button, read some text & move onto the next one, I’d argue the writing more than makes up for it & seeing images from the earlier games made me feel really nostalgic. There are also life links where Kiryu gets to meet someone from his past & I found that these were easily the best part of his story for me. Getting to see all these familiar faces that we spent time with over the series made me feel so glad that I spent so much time with this franchise.
Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth is easily one of the best RPGs of the modern age & is definitely an early contender for GOTY for me. This truly is up there with my favourite games of all time now. An absolute must buy & I can’t wait to see where RGG Studio takes this franchise next.
Final score: 10/10
The previous mainline game Yakuza: Like A Dragon, I played around three years ago. For those unaware of the development of this game, it was originally meant to be an April Fools joke from Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, where they showcased a turn based Yakuza combat system which was so well received they actually decided to implement it into their next entry. The new protagonist Ichiban also being into RPGs such as Dragon Quest really worked with the new shift in combat as going from a brawler to a turn based RPG would seem like a huge leap in most cases & would cause a lot of confusion. But in the context of Ichiban’s character & his personality it really works & for a first attempt, I thought LAD was a pretty good if not flawed turn based RPG with a loveable cast of characters & a very emotionally gripping & compelling narrative that still felt as if it kept that same vibe from the Yakuza series no matter how many people whined & complained about the new combat (you’re all cowards by the way lmaooooo). Though I will admit the actual mechanics of this game could be majorly improved in the sequel.
I realise I’ve taken a good chunk of this review so far first talking about my history with this franchise but it really just puts into context how much Yakuza/Like A Dragon means to me. Whenever there’s a new game from RGG Studio I am always there day one whether it’s a mainline entry or a spin-off like the Judgment games. And maybe that makes me a shill for this series & I’ll definitely admit that but I don’t think there’s any other modern game franchise that makes me feel the way this one does. It’s given me some of the most incredible experiences in all of gaming & I’m forever thankful for that.
Alright enough rambling, trust me I could go on all day about this but let’s get to why you’re all probably here. Did Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth live up to all the hype? Did it manage to give me that same feeling of magic I’ve gotten from some of the best games in the series? Fuck. Yes. This is not only now my favourite entry in the franchise surpassing Yakuza 0 but it might be possibly my favourite game of all time now. It was absolutely everything I could’ve hoped for & more. I’m honestly at a loss for words with the raw emotions that this game gave me. The amount of times I laughed & cried really can’t be described & the journey that has led up to this made it all the more worthwhile.
As was stated before the combat in this game is a major improvement over LAD in pretty much every aspect. The addition of manual positioning being able to move your party members around the field allows you to better strategise & plan your tactics for how you want to take on your enemies. You can also perform combo attacks with your allies depending on the bonds that you share. The new selection of jobs this time around are also a lot of fun & really fit the tropical vibe Infinite Wealth is going for, some of my favourites being samurai, desperado, kunoichi & housekeeper.
Now let’s talk about Hawaii itself which is honestly now my favourite location in the entire franchise. We have spent so much time in Japan at this point, that the setting of Honolulu is a more than welcome breath of fresh air & spending time walking the streets & taking in the incredible atmosphere was a surreal experience. Getting to greet the locals & becoming friends with them gave the world so much more life compared to other entires in the series. And they weren’t kidding about it being 3x the size of Yokohama, this place is MASSIVE. Honestly going forward I want to see more RGG games venture out of Japan because it really sounds so cool to visit different locations in this series.
The story this time was just fantastic. Arguably the best alongside 0 for me though maybe that will change in the future. I will admit there are some parts of it which were messy & nonsensical but that’s just Yakuza plots in general. And honestly the highs of this game are so great I can ignore all of that. The narrative as a whole was really solid & emotionally gripping & I found myself really hooked with what was happening. The new characters in this game are frankly brilliant but I have to give a special mention to Yamai who despite the frankly questionable & unrealistic statement of him “being just as popular as Majima” is a fantastic character in his own right & is now among the top tier antagonists in the series. He was handled tremendously in my opinion. I also really liked Tomizawa & Chitose & found them to be welcome additions to the party.
But of course the main stars of the show are Ichiban & Kiryu & I’d argue that this might be the best showing from either of them. If anyone had any doubts about Ichi being the main protagonist going forward in LAD then I think Infinite Wealth is going to change their minds on that immediately. He truly is more than worthy of carrying this franchise forward from here on out. However while I loved Ichiban’s section of the narrative, Kiryu’s just hit so much more different considering we’ve been following him since the very beginning & have seen basically his entire life right before our eyes. And without saying too much, they handled his entire arc in this game tremendously. Him realising that he doesn’t need to shoulder everything on his own anymore & that he can depend on his newfound friends in Ichiban’s crew is such a huge turning point for him. And while I can certainly see opinions being divided on that aspect, I respect RGG Studio going the route that they took with him. A wonderful love letter to one of my favourite protagonists in all of gaming.
Besides the main story there’s a lot & I mean a LOT to do in this game. Like holy shit this is easily the most packed game in terms of content since Yakuza 5. There’s many substories, several fun mini games to play, there’s even the Sujimon League which has its own set of substories & is very clearly inspired by Pokémon. And then theres Dondoko Island which you’ve probably heard people say could be its own game. Building your own resort was incredibly addictive & it’s very much something I found myself really invested in for multiple hours even if I never finished up with it. And would you believe me if I said all that is only ONE half of the content??
So in this game, Kiryu has cancer. And it is…a very horrible thing to see this man we have spent numerous games with on his last legs in life. As such the main side content for Kiryu is his memoirs of the dragon. These give insight into his past & allow him to reminisce about the many years he’s spent. And while I will admit that these are quite lazily done as in you go to a place, press a button, read some text & move onto the next one, I’d argue the writing more than makes up for it & seeing images from the earlier games made me feel really nostalgic. There are also life links where Kiryu gets to meet someone from his past & I found that these were easily the best part of his story for me. Getting to see all these familiar faces that we spent time with over the series made me feel so glad that I spent so much time with this franchise.
Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth is easily one of the best RPGs of the modern age & is definitely an early contender for GOTY for me. This truly is up there with my favourite games of all time now. An absolute must buy & I can’t wait to see where RGG Studio takes this franchise next.
Final score: 10/10
This review contains spoilers
I'm blown away by this game and how much it pays forward the legacy of the series in terms of themes and ideas while finally moving it on to the next stage, especially after the shadow of Kiryu loomed large over the series to the point where we really thought there was no way we'd have a game without him in the series, and here we are, Kiryu might show up in future games but never to the same capacity but this is the final ending we finally deserved, not the terrible way he ended off in 6 which was completely antithetical to the themes of the game it came from, while also bringing together parts of how he grew as a person ever since 1, or 0 if we want to be chronological.
Gameplay stuff out of the way first, its 7 but better in every way, Honolulu is an excellent location, and while the gameplay systems aren't perfect, at the state they're in now it's basically better than most modern/new turn based JRPG systems except Shin Megami Tensei V.
The story on this game does what 5 does in that it focuses entirely on themes and characters, the plot being rather secondary, and while I think that'll lead to this game not being super popular in the eyes of it's fanbase, for me this is exactly what I wanted out of the game. It's writing oozes with earnestness and discussions about character and themes that permeate the entire series while interrogating them in new modern contexts and fresh perspectives and ideas to illuminate the outdatedness a lot of the previous game's conclusions became as the world kept moving forward. The villain for this game probably isn't going to go down as one of the all time greats, but what a perfect foil for Kiryu, whose decision making has only led to further and further conflicts within the world of the yakuza, and meaningfully addresses how Kiryu was what wrought those conflicts and also giving him a moment of vulnerability to finally understand how his series wide search of a meaningful death has only come to hurt those around him, even if it's a fake death.
Also, this game finally fixes the flow on effects from one of the worst writing decisions in 6 and for that alone I have nothing but love and respect for this game.
Gameplay stuff out of the way first, its 7 but better in every way, Honolulu is an excellent location, and while the gameplay systems aren't perfect, at the state they're in now it's basically better than most modern/new turn based JRPG systems except Shin Megami Tensei V.
The story on this game does what 5 does in that it focuses entirely on themes and characters, the plot being rather secondary, and while I think that'll lead to this game not being super popular in the eyes of it's fanbase, for me this is exactly what I wanted out of the game. It's writing oozes with earnestness and discussions about character and themes that permeate the entire series while interrogating them in new modern contexts and fresh perspectives and ideas to illuminate the outdatedness a lot of the previous game's conclusions became as the world kept moving forward. The villain for this game probably isn't going to go down as one of the all time greats, but what a perfect foil for Kiryu, whose decision making has only led to further and further conflicts within the world of the yakuza, and meaningfully addresses how Kiryu was what wrought those conflicts and also giving him a moment of vulnerability to finally understand how his series wide search of a meaningful death has only come to hurt those around him, even if it's a fake death.
Also, this game finally fixes the flow on effects from one of the worst writing decisions in 6 and for that alone I have nothing but love and respect for this game.
Legit cried when Itchyballs said "We are Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth"
Rating: 10/10
Gollum, the latest venture from Daedalic Entertainment, takes players on a unique and psychological journey into the tortured mind of one of Middle-earth's most iconic characters. While not without its flaws, Gollum manages to deliver a distinctive gaming experience that is both captivating and thought-provoking.
The game's greatest strength lies in its narrative and character exploration. Gollum's internal struggle between his Smeagol and Gollum personas is portrayed with nuance and depth. The storyline offers insights into the character's past and motivations, shedding light on the complex nature of Gollum's obsession with the One Ring. The voice acting and motion capture work for Gollum are outstanding, capturing the essence of the character made famous by J.R.R. Tolkien's writings and Peter Jackson's films.
Gollum's stealth-based gameplay is a departure from traditional action-oriented Middle-earth games. The emphasis on sneaking and climbing adds a layer of tension and strategy to the experience. The mechanics align well with the character's nature, as players navigate the shadows and utilize Gollum's agility to outwit enemies. The level design, while not groundbreaking, successfully captures the eerie and treacherous atmosphere of Mordor.
However, Gollum falls short in certain technical aspects. The graphics and animations, while serviceable, lack the polish seen in some other contemporary titles. The controls can be finicky at times, leading to frustration during critical moments. Additionally, the pacing of the gameplay may not suit everyone, as the slower, methodical approach may not be appealing to those accustomed to more action-packed experiences.
Despite its flaws, Gollum is an undeniably fascinating journey for fans of the Lord of the Rings universe. The game's commitment to storytelling and character development sets it apart, offering a fresh perspective on a beloved figure. While it may not achieve perfection, Gollum is certainly worth playing for those who appreciate a narrative-driven experience and are willing to overlook some technical shortcomings. With a rating of 10/10, Gollum stands as a commendable addition to the Middle-earth gaming catalog, providing a unique lens through which to view the world of Tolkien.
Gollum, the latest venture from Daedalic Entertainment, takes players on a unique and psychological journey into the tortured mind of one of Middle-earth's most iconic characters. While not without its flaws, Gollum manages to deliver a distinctive gaming experience that is both captivating and thought-provoking.
The game's greatest strength lies in its narrative and character exploration. Gollum's internal struggle between his Smeagol and Gollum personas is portrayed with nuance and depth. The storyline offers insights into the character's past and motivations, shedding light on the complex nature of Gollum's obsession with the One Ring. The voice acting and motion capture work for Gollum are outstanding, capturing the essence of the character made famous by J.R.R. Tolkien's writings and Peter Jackson's films.
Gollum's stealth-based gameplay is a departure from traditional action-oriented Middle-earth games. The emphasis on sneaking and climbing adds a layer of tension and strategy to the experience. The mechanics align well with the character's nature, as players navigate the shadows and utilize Gollum's agility to outwit enemies. The level design, while not groundbreaking, successfully captures the eerie and treacherous atmosphere of Mordor.
However, Gollum falls short in certain technical aspects. The graphics and animations, while serviceable, lack the polish seen in some other contemporary titles. The controls can be finicky at times, leading to frustration during critical moments. Additionally, the pacing of the gameplay may not suit everyone, as the slower, methodical approach may not be appealing to those accustomed to more action-packed experiences.
Despite its flaws, Gollum is an undeniably fascinating journey for fans of the Lord of the Rings universe. The game's commitment to storytelling and character development sets it apart, offering a fresh perspective on a beloved figure. While it may not achieve perfection, Gollum is certainly worth playing for those who appreciate a narrative-driven experience and are willing to overlook some technical shortcomings. With a rating of 10/10, Gollum stands as a commendable addition to the Middle-earth gaming catalog, providing a unique lens through which to view the world of Tolkien.