Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth takes the yakuza series to new heights and redifines everything the last title introduced into a more well rounded experience. An easy go to joke I always find myself thinking while playing is calling the game, Like a Dragon: Infinite Content because the game is just brimming with so much activity and things to see it's almost daunting. My playthrough ended at the 114 hour mark and that was just completing the campaign, side quests and achievements and not even 100%ing the game or checking every to do box. It was one of the rare times while playing a game that I felt like I was feeling a well crafted 10/10 experience and did not want it to end. Despite having some minor nitpicks when it comes to the story and overall main plot line being a bit on the weaker side, Infinite Wealth has some of the best character moments and scenes of any Yakuza game and truly rewards players that have played all of the titles in the series. It's also not heavy handed or daunting for any new comers of the franchise to play or keep up but your mileage will definitely be hindered if you haven't at least played the previous RPG title Like a Dragon as it is a direct continuation of that games characters and development.
Infinite Wealth is a dual character swapping story with the characters of Ichiban and mainstay protagonist Kiryu. The game is billed as equal part of both characters, although I think the game favors a little bit on Ichiban's side and that's frankly okay. He is the new mainline protagonist. Having said that, despite at the time me thinking Yakuza 6 was a fantastic send off for Kiryu, Infinite Wealth brings to the forefront that this is really the end for Kiryu. The game quickly tells you our hero is at his end, quite literally. How the game treats our hero and is inevitable end greatly reminds me of Solid Snake in Metal Gear Solid 4. "This...this is my final mission" and after playing Infinite Wealth I think they did this game and and it's send off for this character way better than MGS4 did for Snake. Hell, Infinite Wealth's send off for Kiryu is one of the better ones in fiction for a character that has been in a dozen stories and like I said earlier is just so so much more rewarding for players that have been there all the way. Completing tasks and memoires on his literal bucket list before he goes, remembering iconic series events as he walks the streets of the past and give his final thoughts and make his peace felt truly special. Not only that but Infiinite Wealth actually closes plots and character moments from characters introduced all throughout the series that Kiryu has interacted with and makes a fantastic farewell for characters we have not seen in such a long time. Some actual genuine surprises that in hindsight make total sense. It's a testament to RGG studio that can make me feel so emotional to characters that were introduced as minor role in one game and build them up to compelling people that really make you appreciate the craft of the world and the impact that Kiryu has had on it. It's truly marvelous and even if the game got everything else wrong I would say that any long term fan would still be required to play it just for these moments. Thankfully the rest of the quite large package also punches above it's weight.
In regards to Ichiban's side of the game's story being mainly in Hawaii is a really refreshing locale for the series. It's not the first tropical location but taking place in America but still feel very at home with other series locales is a nice touch. The mix of english and japanese voices is a little funny at times but this is one of those things you just have to suspend your disbelief in, realistically no body should know so much japanese but it doesn't work any other way. Infinite Wealth is by far the biggest game yet in the series, Hawaii alone is the single largest map but not only that the game has the full Yokohoma and Kamurocho locales. Truly make the epic feel global. It's got that open world scale but that homey linear lived in feel. The maps are littered with tons of restraunts, famous locales, activities, shops, games and everything and inbetween. One of the series strengths is how accurate to life each locations feel with a lot of the real brands at the real spots and being able to see or even interact with them. I don't know the legalize or how the team do it but it's amazing. Some of the big standout mini games in infinite wealth are Sujimon and Dodonko Island. Sujimon is kinda a spoof on pokemon and it's essentially a funny bestiary and capturing of enemies in the game. You can then battle other NPC's with your captured enemies and do a little elite four spoof story. It's a alright diversion and it doesn't overstay it's welcome. There is enough to sink your teeth into if it's your thing, although I found the actual battles extremely minimalistic and purely just a use a stronger mon. No strategy at all. That's the thing in this franchise, even if you don't like a particular game or side activity none of it is required and as soon as it's introduced you can drop it. Even if it starts to feel like a drag simply move on do something else and then dabble back in it later and repeat. That's the beauty of this games content. There is just enough depth to make it not mindless but any annoyance just move one and come back later and it will feel a bit fresher. The other large and largest mini game in Infinite Wealth is Dodonko Island which is a animal crossing style game. You have an island that you can create and furnish with different amenities and furniture and invite guests to stay at and try to please them and earn money. It's feels like a hotel simulator. You also have your own house to fully decorate as well. There is a lot of assets to this mode and small activities like bug catching, fishing and resource gathering that help you build and gain money to keep things running. I can see how some people can get truly sucked into and put dozens and dozens of hours into. I rather liked it myself but after about 10 hours I feel like I got my worth out of the game and felt like I have seen and done everything which is still a crazy amount of time for a single minigame. Plus it's not a worthless adventure cause you can make and send money into the real game as well so completing does have a good reward and payout. On top of those two big modes there is still countless yakuza staples like baseball, golf, poker, mahjong, karaoki, shogi, and tons more . Don't forget several full fledged arcade games in the arcade that will always give you a, just one more thing to do all with their own in game stats and achievements lists feel.
As for the core gameplay of the RPG itself it is a refined version of the last game. Not too many drastic changes here. More quality of life improvements than anything else. I didn't find anything fundamentally wrong with the last tile so I'm glad not much has changed. I can't tell you how refreshing it is to play a high budget turn based game in 2024. Hell despite it being turn based with all the follow up actions and character bonding attacks the game almost feels like it's all happening in real time when you get into the grove of things. Plus I could not gasp harder the first time I used Kiryu's limit breaker style special and literally broke the rules of the game and turning it into a beat um up for a minute. One of my favorite specials of all time now. Just so awesome. The game runs on a character class system, with characters all having their own unique starting job and as you play you can unlock new jobs that can be shared across the board. I really like the the way the game introduces them from learning them from different experiences the group does in Hawaii. All jobs give the characters a unique look and different color schemes and when you learn new moves in a class you can add a select number of them into your repertoire to use at anytime. This makes all the characters feel truly unique and special and fitting to your playstyle and your preference. I dont the gameplay is really rewarding in the strategy aspect as I feel the game is very focused on levels and enemy balancing. The game is rather easy almost to it's detriment. It doesn't bother much because with how flashy and satisfying it is watching the combat play out. The animations and attacks are really fun and engaging.
Overall the story with Infinite Wealth really feels like it's split in the middle dividing it's time with Ichiban's Hawaii adventure and his involvement with a yakuza cover up and cult ordeal and Kiryu's last hurrah as he tries to overcome his past trauma's and help Ichiban. The grand scale of Ichiban's plot doesn't feel as epic or dramatic as series past's plots but while it takes forever to get going, I thought the simplicity of it and in a fresh locale did feel nice. Just wish I could change some minor story beats to make just a bit more sense but honestly they are minor. I was always impressed to the actors and scenes constantly in this huge game and never felt bored or tired of anything going on and that is rather impressive for such a long game. Like I said at the start the characters, character moments and character progression is at the forefront of what makes Infinite Wealth stand out. On paper the story is as simple as it gets. The game is overly satisfying through and through though. I can easily say after completing it that Infinite Wealth was not only just a super memorable fulfilling experience, it's overall the best game in the Yakuza franchise and something I very much doubt any game will be able to top this year. Infinite Wealth already is one of if not my favorite game this generation and deserves it's 10/10 score. My only wish is to give Kiryu his rest, make Like a Dragon 9 a full Ichiban story and give Kiryu a small non combat role and give him the one last reunion we are so dying to see face to face. Implication is not enough.
Platinum #203
Infinite Wealth is a dual character swapping story with the characters of Ichiban and mainstay protagonist Kiryu. The game is billed as equal part of both characters, although I think the game favors a little bit on Ichiban's side and that's frankly okay. He is the new mainline protagonist. Having said that, despite at the time me thinking Yakuza 6 was a fantastic send off for Kiryu, Infinite Wealth brings to the forefront that this is really the end for Kiryu. The game quickly tells you our hero is at his end, quite literally. How the game treats our hero and is inevitable end greatly reminds me of Solid Snake in Metal Gear Solid 4. "This...this is my final mission" and after playing Infinite Wealth I think they did this game and and it's send off for this character way better than MGS4 did for Snake. Hell, Infinite Wealth's send off for Kiryu is one of the better ones in fiction for a character that has been in a dozen stories and like I said earlier is just so so much more rewarding for players that have been there all the way. Completing tasks and memoires on his literal bucket list before he goes, remembering iconic series events as he walks the streets of the past and give his final thoughts and make his peace felt truly special. Not only that but Infiinite Wealth actually closes plots and character moments from characters introduced all throughout the series that Kiryu has interacted with and makes a fantastic farewell for characters we have not seen in such a long time. Some actual genuine surprises that in hindsight make total sense. It's a testament to RGG studio that can make me feel so emotional to characters that were introduced as minor role in one game and build them up to compelling people that really make you appreciate the craft of the world and the impact that Kiryu has had on it. It's truly marvelous and even if the game got everything else wrong I would say that any long term fan would still be required to play it just for these moments. Thankfully the rest of the quite large package also punches above it's weight.
In regards to Ichiban's side of the game's story being mainly in Hawaii is a really refreshing locale for the series. It's not the first tropical location but taking place in America but still feel very at home with other series locales is a nice touch. The mix of english and japanese voices is a little funny at times but this is one of those things you just have to suspend your disbelief in, realistically no body should know so much japanese but it doesn't work any other way. Infinite Wealth is by far the biggest game yet in the series, Hawaii alone is the single largest map but not only that the game has the full Yokohoma and Kamurocho locales. Truly make the epic feel global. It's got that open world scale but that homey linear lived in feel. The maps are littered with tons of restraunts, famous locales, activities, shops, games and everything and inbetween. One of the series strengths is how accurate to life each locations feel with a lot of the real brands at the real spots and being able to see or even interact with them. I don't know the legalize or how the team do it but it's amazing. Some of the big standout mini games in infinite wealth are Sujimon and Dodonko Island. Sujimon is kinda a spoof on pokemon and it's essentially a funny bestiary and capturing of enemies in the game. You can then battle other NPC's with your captured enemies and do a little elite four spoof story. It's a alright diversion and it doesn't overstay it's welcome. There is enough to sink your teeth into if it's your thing, although I found the actual battles extremely minimalistic and purely just a use a stronger mon. No strategy at all. That's the thing in this franchise, even if you don't like a particular game or side activity none of it is required and as soon as it's introduced you can drop it. Even if it starts to feel like a drag simply move on do something else and then dabble back in it later and repeat. That's the beauty of this games content. There is just enough depth to make it not mindless but any annoyance just move one and come back later and it will feel a bit fresher. The other large and largest mini game in Infinite Wealth is Dodonko Island which is a animal crossing style game. You have an island that you can create and furnish with different amenities and furniture and invite guests to stay at and try to please them and earn money. It's feels like a hotel simulator. You also have your own house to fully decorate as well. There is a lot of assets to this mode and small activities like bug catching, fishing and resource gathering that help you build and gain money to keep things running. I can see how some people can get truly sucked into and put dozens and dozens of hours into. I rather liked it myself but after about 10 hours I feel like I got my worth out of the game and felt like I have seen and done everything which is still a crazy amount of time for a single minigame. Plus it's not a worthless adventure cause you can make and send money into the real game as well so completing does have a good reward and payout. On top of those two big modes there is still countless yakuza staples like baseball, golf, poker, mahjong, karaoki, shogi, and tons more . Don't forget several full fledged arcade games in the arcade that will always give you a, just one more thing to do all with their own in game stats and achievements lists feel.
As for the core gameplay of the RPG itself it is a refined version of the last game. Not too many drastic changes here. More quality of life improvements than anything else. I didn't find anything fundamentally wrong with the last tile so I'm glad not much has changed. I can't tell you how refreshing it is to play a high budget turn based game in 2024. Hell despite it being turn based with all the follow up actions and character bonding attacks the game almost feels like it's all happening in real time when you get into the grove of things. Plus I could not gasp harder the first time I used Kiryu's limit breaker style special and literally broke the rules of the game and turning it into a beat um up for a minute. One of my favorite specials of all time now. Just so awesome. The game runs on a character class system, with characters all having their own unique starting job and as you play you can unlock new jobs that can be shared across the board. I really like the the way the game introduces them from learning them from different experiences the group does in Hawaii. All jobs give the characters a unique look and different color schemes and when you learn new moves in a class you can add a select number of them into your repertoire to use at anytime. This makes all the characters feel truly unique and special and fitting to your playstyle and your preference. I dont the gameplay is really rewarding in the strategy aspect as I feel the game is very focused on levels and enemy balancing. The game is rather easy almost to it's detriment. It doesn't bother much because with how flashy and satisfying it is watching the combat play out. The animations and attacks are really fun and engaging.
Overall the story with Infinite Wealth really feels like it's split in the middle dividing it's time with Ichiban's Hawaii adventure and his involvement with a yakuza cover up and cult ordeal and Kiryu's last hurrah as he tries to overcome his past trauma's and help Ichiban. The grand scale of Ichiban's plot doesn't feel as epic or dramatic as series past's plots but while it takes forever to get going, I thought the simplicity of it and in a fresh locale did feel nice. Just wish I could change some minor story beats to make just a bit more sense but honestly they are minor. I was always impressed to the actors and scenes constantly in this huge game and never felt bored or tired of anything going on and that is rather impressive for such a long game. Like I said at the start the characters, character moments and character progression is at the forefront of what makes Infinite Wealth stand out. On paper the story is as simple as it gets. The game is overly satisfying through and through though. I can easily say after completing it that Infinite Wealth was not only just a super memorable fulfilling experience, it's overall the best game in the Yakuza franchise and something I very much doubt any game will be able to top this year. Infinite Wealth already is one of if not my favorite game this generation and deserves it's 10/10 score. My only wish is to give Kiryu his rest, make Like a Dragon 9 a full Ichiban story and give Kiryu a small non combat role and give him the one last reunion we are so dying to see face to face. Implication is not enough.
Platinum #203