Feb 15 (News On Japan) - Formerly known as Yakuza outside of Japan, the Like a Dragon series is on a roll.
Two spin-offs launched last year, including a Meiji-era samurai tale and a smaller-scaled entry focusing on series’ iconic antihero Kazuma Kiryu. Both titles paved the way for one of the most awaited games in 2024. And Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth has lived up to that hype, breaking records left and right since its global release on January 25. With one million copies sold within its first week alone, this dual adventure between ex-gangsters Kazuma Kiryu and Kasuga Ichiban is the fastest-selling title in the franchise history.
Ryû ga Gotoku Studio, the developers behind Sega’s flagship series, celebrated this milestone by showering players with free downloadable content. An in-game celebratory t-shirt set is also meant to drop later, as advertised by the studio on its social media channels. The exact content of this exclusive pack is yet to be revealed. Even so, fans can expect new outfits to dress up Ichiban, Kiryu, and their team as they roam the streets of Honolulu and Yokohama.
This brand-new chapter is the first venture of the series outside of its usual Japanese frontiers. Developers have been thinking big this time around, rolling out an open-world Hawaiian map three times the size of Isezaki Ijinchō, the primary explorable city in Yakuza: Like a Dragon, designed to mirror Yokohama’s real-life district of Isezakichō. The sprawling Honolulu City is nine times bigger than the most featured city in the series, the entertainment hub of Kamurochō – a nod to Tokyo’s red-light district of Kabukichō.
Bolder and bigger than ever, Infinite Wealth is a heartfelt, character-driven passing of the torch story. Taking time to develop its characters' inner turmoil and struggles, the game strays from its classic crime melodrama to explore the post-yakuza lives of its protagonists with maturity and sensibility. While Kiryu plays center stage in this Hawaiian episode, the reappearance of the legendary Dragon of Dojima feels like a final chapter to his story more than a safe, risk-avert return to the series’ roots. It is now Ichiban’s time to shine as a new generation of protagonists is handed the reins of the franchise.
The game does not relinquish the over-the-top nature its series is known and loved for, however. In keeping with its predecessors, Infinite Wealth features tons of wacky minigames. Some have been revamped, such as a former Sujimon collection-based game turning into a full-fledged Pokémon-like card battler. New additions are also bringing their share of innovation, including an in-game dating app allowing players to flirt with girls based on real-life personalities. Less controversial, perhaps, a new Crazy Delivery minigame evokes the vibes of retro Dreamcast titles like Crazy Taxi. Collecting meals and delivering them all over Honolulu might unlock Dondoko recipes players can craft up on Dondoko Island, a full-on island management simulator that feels like an Animal Crossing parody.
From darts to batting cages and can quests, many fan favorites have not gone away. Casino parlors can also be found in Yokohama and Honolulu, although the brand-new m HOLD’EM minigame only unlocks in later stages. Traditional card-based gambling games, such as koi-koi and oicho-kabu, are thrilling means of filling Ichiban’s pockets with yen. Meanwhile, striking it lucky at casino classics like blackjack and poker might give gamers a taste for the real deal.
If so, countless virtual casinos offer hundreds of options for seasoned gamblers and newcomers alike. Before making their pick, first-time users can visit specialized websites to find the best bonuses around. Most platforms offer no deposit bonus to new players unwilling to put money on the line. These offers can range from free spins to small bundles of bonus funds with no wagering requirements attached. Experts have combed the internet for the best no deposit bonuses, listing hundreds of ongoing promotions for players to browse. Comparison tools and advanced filters also make it quick and easy to select offers by bonus types.
When he’s not hitting the poker table, Ichiban Kasuga may indulge in vintage arcade games, go fishing, or switch jobs to become a surfer summoning marine creatures to defeat enemies – megalodon-sized shark notwithstanding. Overall, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is so packed with content that it warrants well over a hundred hours of playtime. With sales going through the roof and critics lauding its creativity, this one-of-a-kind JRPG might just have set a new gold standard for the genre.
