When I started playing Like a Dragon, it was difficult. I missed the old combat system, and I missed playing as Kiryu. It made the game a bit of a slog for the first half, and in my defense, the first half is a slow burner.

However, come the second half I came to terms with the fact that this was the new normal for Yakuza, that Ichiban and his crew were here to stay, along with the turn-based mechanics. Once I overcame that hurdle I was able to truly enjoy the game and it's unique combat system. And even though it starts slow at first, Ichiban's story is one of Yakuza's best. Kiryu was always stern and straight-faced, but Ichiban is incredibly emotional and that paves the way for some truly touching scenes that will stick with me for a long time.

There's a lot here I don't like still, some of the bosses suffer from the age old JRPG issue of requiring lengthy grinds to progress, and with these bosses once you find one effective move you loop it over and over until they die, it's something I hope they improve on with the inevitable sequel.

But there's so much to do here, so much to enjoy, and such an incredibly colourful roster of characters that I can't help but be completely enamoured by Like A Dragon, as much as I prefer the old combat system.