I'm not a Yakuza expert or whatever, but I feel this game did an amazing job transforming the series' usual formula and vibe into an even crazier, and slightly more lighthearted RPG adventure. I'd wish for it to be more whacky, honestly, because at times LaD feels way too much like Yakuza and not enough like whacky urban Dragon Quest, and the story ultimately doesn't quite manage to bring these two influences together. The ending was especially rough for it, with two consecutive boss-fights that were pretty boring both narratively and gameplay-wise, in large part because the Fantasy Adventure-stuff was weighed down by the Crime and Conspiracy stuff, which wasn't that cohesive or well-developed.

In terms of gameplay this was a blast. Perhaps a bit more complexity and strategy could've been injected, but stuff like your entire supporting cast technically traveling with you, thus allowing you to shuffle your party on the fly, was a nice touch that also fixed the ever-present issue with optional party members in JRPGs, where some of your characters would sit in the hub, not participating in the story. And overall, the bombastic presentation of Yakuza combat was pushed to the limit here, and I can't wait to see what crazy shit they're going to do with Joryu in the sequel.

P.S.
I honestly don't like the fact that Kiryu is returning in the sequel, it felt like we're turning a new leaf here, with this ever-growing cast of supporting characters and an idealistic shonen protag to bond with them. But now we're just back to Kiryu? And any party member after Nanba wouldn't be returning? Kinda sucks man.