Yakuza: Like a Dragon surprised everyone when it was first announced. Not only did it introduce a new lead character in Ichiban Kasuga, but the gameplay would also change from stylish beat-'em-up to irreverent turn-based combat. To many, this was the move needed to keep Yakuza going, as some fans had gotten tired of Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio’s formula for the series.
I’ll admit that the move wasn’t immediately convincing.
While turn-based RPGs have always been my jam, my experience with the Yakuza series has been minimal. I tried Yakuza Zero on the PlayStation 4 and thought it was good, but the game didn’t immediately grab me. Maybe it’s because my beat-'em-up itch hadn’t developed yet, but I didn’t bother finishing the game.
However, the more I saw of Yakuza: Like a Dragon, the more I liked it. The realistic setting and silly turn-based combat gave this RPG some Earthbound vibes. Ichiban also seemed like a likeable enough protagonist, and the fact that it was the start of a new story with little ties to previous games piqued my interest.
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+ 2This might sound sacrilegious to fans of Yakuza, but the fact that it had an English dub also helped. I know there’s a purity in playing the series in Japanese; it’s set in Japan, but as someone who listens to podcasts when playing games, the English dub would help me focus more.
Finally, I saw Yakuza: Like a Dragon on sale for a reasonable price on some third-party game keys site and decided to bite the bullet. Seeing that the game was also Steam Deck Verified sealed the deal, even if that label doesn’t always mean anything.
So, this might shock you, but the critically acclaimed and award-winning Yakuza: Like a Dragon is pretty good.
After a slow start- this is a JRPG, after all. Like a Dragon immediately tugged on my heartstrings. Seeing Ichiban be so loyal to his clan and friends was heartwarming, as was his overall positive outlook on life. Granted, he is a Yakuza who beats up people, but seeing him inspire people who are much more cynical and jaded due to tragedies in their lives was heartwarming.
It’s worth noting that the main party in Yakuza: Like a Dragon is people in their 40s and 60s, something you rarely see in the genre. Usually, it’s gorgeous anime characters entering adulthood who find a reason to fight God. However, in Like a Dragon, you get a disgraced cop, a homeless man, and an exiled Yakuza, to name a few.
The game also has a soft spot for people out of luck in society. There are low-level criminals in gangs, but also sex workers and homeless people. Admittedly, some aspects of these feel idealized to the point that they don’t seem realistic, but that could just be the cynic in me. But that cynicism disappears as I spend more time with Ichiban and friends.
Luckily, Yakuza: Like a Dragon has its fair share of goofy moments and quests. Ichiban grew up playing Dragon Quest, so he sees these grunts “transform” into monsters whenever turn-based combat starts. This is a cute way to explain some ridiculous attacks in this game.
click to enlarge + 2Combat is also excellent. While the game is turn-based, button prompts can increase damage for special attacks, keeping players on their toes. Specific attacks can also hurt multiple enemies simultaneously, which always feels good. My only complaint is that I can’t control when Ichiban and friends use items in the background as enemies, though I’m admittedly not too far in the game yet.
Needless to say, Yakuza: Like a Dragon is incredible, and I’ll try to finish it this year. Who knows? I might also give Yakuza Zero a shot after.