I never thought I would be obsessed with a Yakuza game. Mainly because I didn’t know what this franchise was all about. Additionally, Like a Dragon showcases a new vision of the titles.
Yakuza: Like a Dragon is an Action RPG game with a lot of action and a lot of humour. I had no idea what to expect but I was positively mind-blown.
You start as the character, Ichiban Kasuga, a Yakuza member (and I won’t say more) which to be honest, at first I wanted to punch him in the face and just tell him to stop being such an idiot. I suppose this is part of the game, so the title does a great job to make you feel like this.
Naturally, as the game progressed, I kind of started to like the guy.
Now I love him, like a brother (his hairstyle doesn’t allow me to see him any more than that) and I’m so attached to the rest of the characters that I can’t let this game go. I have to finish it and see where the story takes them. They are my friends and I want them to be happy.
Honestly, what I wasn’t prepared for was the mini-games. Yes, this game includes many mini-games, which are so weird, funny and chaotic that made me love this game even more.
Gameplay of Yakuza: Like a Dragon
You see everything from a third-person perspective and as you progress you acquire skills points which help your character increase their level. Pretty straightforward.
The fights, contrary to the previous titles of this franchise, have the style of your typical JRPG turned-based kind of fighting style. When combat begins, you get to select what skill you want to use to hit your opponent. And as it is turned-based, your opponent gets to attack you once you are done.
The game is doing a great job with the tutorial and it’s fairly easy to get started.
Initially, you start alone, but later on in the game, you get team members. I will not reveal their skills, but be ready to be entertained to the maximum.
As you acquire team members you get to level them up and you can buy them gear to improve their stats.
You have a main story quest which will take you around the map, and as you walk around you will meet characters that can give you side quests. That’s how you get introduced to the various mini-games as well.
As you unlock more map areas, you get an option of fast travel, by taking a taxi. This is very convenient but it’s not free.
This is not a typical review of the game. I only want to share my experience so far, and how I’m completely obsessed with this game.
Since I have a day job, a kid and family obligations and all that stuff, I usually find some hours at the weekends to enjoy this game.
Why I even got interested in this game to begin with?
I recently watched a review about one of the DLCs of this title and it got me intrigued. I decided to give the main title a shot. Short story: I got it for the PS5 and instantly fell in love with it!
Honestly, I thought it would be a serious game, with a heavy plot (well it does have that) with a lot of fighting, which has that as well.
But I was not prepared for all the cringe and the funny moments, which make this game EVEN more enjoyable, fun, at times wholesome and, in general, awesome.
Without spoiling the story to myself, I have understood that the plot gets better and better, and there are some interesting DLCs which I may purchase.
Until then, if you want to purchase the title, at the time of writing this article, it was 59,99€ but I was lucky to spot it at a discounted price of approximatelly 15€.
If you have been wondering about purchasing it or not, my recommendation is that if you are looking for a fun, enjoyable and highly entertaining game, then this is for you.
Image by: https://www.eurogamer.net/yakuza-like-a-dragon-review-yakuza-goes-jrpg-for-better-and-for-worse