EmanuelPerez
Log Status
Completed
Playing
Backlog
Wishlist
Rating
Time Played
223h 0m
Days in Journal
70 days
Last played
June 3, 2024
First played
March 3, 2024
Platforms Played
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is a unique game in that it's able to successfully pull off being not just a sequel to Yakuza: Like a Dragon, but also to the entire 20 year old Yakuza series. I won't discuss spoilers or narrative details. I'll just say the plot melds the stories of Ichiban Kasuga (the protagonist of 2020's turned-based rpg Yakuza: Like a Dragon) and Kazma Kiryu (the original protagonist of the Yakuza series of 3D beat 'em up rpgs) beautifully. The stakes are extremely high for both characters and the story does not disappoint. I haven't played all of the many Yakuza games, but I was still very impressed at how this game paid tribute to its shared universe's history without alienating casual fans like me. Also returning are the series' classic staple the "Side Stories", side quests that range from maudlin to manic in tone. They are as fun as ever, with several returning past NPCs making cameos.
This installment is turn based, similar in style to the Dragon Quest or early Final Fantasy games. As you progress on your adventure you meet new party members, level up, all the standard stuff you'd find in this kind of game. However, the battle system has been tweaked slightly since the original Like a Dragon in a way that isn't very noticeable at first. But as you gain new moves and attacks, you'll find that your placement relative to your allies and foes matters a LOT more than it did before. Infinite Wealth rewards strategy and technique, making the gameplay a lot more richer than its predecessor. I liked the change very much, although I admit I started to abuse certain chained attacks in a way that almost certainly wasn't intended.
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth was a wonderful experience that I would recommend to all, but of course no game is without its downsides. If you intend to follow up on every side mission like I did, be prepared to spend 200+ hours playing. I love the cutscenes, but they are long and not everyone has time for that. But the biggest issue by far is that for the first time in Yakuza and Like a Dragon history, New Game+ is paywalled. Admittedly I'm not the kind of person who replays a long rpg like this unless a great deal of time has passed and I'm feeling nostalgic, so this didn't effect my personal gaming experience. However, I don't love the idea of having to pay for something that for years has been a free feature. It'd be like if my local park started charging for the water fountains; I bring my own water from home so it wouldn't cause me any problems but I'd still be upset on behalf of others! I want to give Infinite Wealth 5 stars, but this kind of behavior can't be tolerated. Hopefully Sega course corrects in future installments. I'd still really recommend Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth but please don't pay for more than the base game. DLC is fine when it is developed post release, but to have it at launch is like asking me to pay for napkins at a restaurant. It's an ink stain on a masterpiece.
This installment is turn based, similar in style to the Dragon Quest or early Final Fantasy games. As you progress on your adventure you meet new party members, level up, all the standard stuff you'd find in this kind of game. However, the battle system has been tweaked slightly since the original Like a Dragon in a way that isn't very noticeable at first. But as you gain new moves and attacks, you'll find that your placement relative to your allies and foes matters a LOT more than it did before. Infinite Wealth rewards strategy and technique, making the gameplay a lot more richer than its predecessor. I liked the change very much, although I admit I started to abuse certain chained attacks in a way that almost certainly wasn't intended.
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth was a wonderful experience that I would recommend to all, but of course no game is without its downsides. If you intend to follow up on every side mission like I did, be prepared to spend 200+ hours playing. I love the cutscenes, but they are long and not everyone has time for that. But the biggest issue by far is that for the first time in Yakuza and Like a Dragon history, New Game+ is paywalled. Admittedly I'm not the kind of person who replays a long rpg like this unless a great deal of time has passed and I'm feeling nostalgic, so this didn't effect my personal gaming experience. However, I don't love the idea of having to pay for something that for years has been a free feature. It'd be like if my local park started charging for the water fountains; I bring my own water from home so it wouldn't cause me any problems but I'd still be upset on behalf of others! I want to give Infinite Wealth 5 stars, but this kind of behavior can't be tolerated. Hopefully Sega course corrects in future installments. I'd still really recommend Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth but please don't pay for more than the base game. DLC is fine when it is developed post release, but to have it at launch is like asking me to pay for napkins at a restaurant. It's an ink stain on a masterpiece.