Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is a brilliant game all-around that celebrates the franchise’s history while boldly stepping forward. The story is suitably dramatic, the gameplay is improved upon in nearly every way, and the plethora of side activities is as expansive as ever. Infinite Wealth is Yakuza/Like a Dragon at its best and shouldn’t be missed.
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
Developer: Ryu ga Gotoku Studios
Price: $70
Platform: PS4, PS5 (reviewed), Xbox One Xbox Series X/S, and PC
MonsterVine was supplied with a PS5 code for review.
The Like a Dragon series has gone on for so long that when the seventh mainline game was released back in 2020, I was unsure if it could continue as an RPG without Kiryu at the center. That title proved that there was a bright future of RPGs ahead, while Infinite Wealth has both hammered this home and suggested that Kiryu and Kasuga could share the stage in many installments to come.
Infinite Wealth balances Kiryu and Kasuga brilliantly throughout its roughly 40-hour story. There’s plenty of satisfying moments for both characters and their party members as they battle foes and bond across Hawaii and Japan. The new party members are just as memorable and immediately appealing as the returning ones, while Infinite Wealth’s new major antagonists are delightfully smarmy and incredibly punchable.
The story goes between Kiryu and Kasuga’s perspectives with each chapter after the introductory ones, mixing things up in a pleasant way. Kiryu’s story spends time looking back at his journey and all the lives he’s touched, as well as his own personal accomplishments and regrets. On the other hand, Kasuga’s is about living life to the fullest and minimizing regrets while embracing new things. It’s a beautiful contrast that makes each alternating chapter a thrill to return to and rewards longtime fans with winks towards every corner of the franchise – even Dead Souls.
The unique tone of the previous game is back in Infinite Wealth, as the goofy enemies and ridiculous character classes utilize wild designs and puns to great effect. So many moments throughout jump between touching drama and hilarious comedy with ease, as one has come to expect from this series. The discussions between party members while wandering the streets or taking part in bonding cutscenes add another dimension to the crew, punctuated with silly jokes and stories that further cement this cast as some of the best characters in Like a Dragon’s history.
Battles are even smoother than in the previous title, as being able to move your character provides additional depth to combat. Angling to perform back attacks or chain moves makes fights more active and enjoyable while adding further strategy to the mix. The difficulty curve of Infinite Wealth is also more fair overall, with no major spikes and minimal grinding required for the main story. The loop of improving gear is especially satisfying this time around, as money rather fittingly comes quicker in Infinite Wealth than in previous games. As such, you’re constantly making your parties tougher and tougher with more ridiculous weapons and gnarly equipment.
“Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is what all sequels should aspire to be.“
The sole issue I have with the title is simply that it’s Game Over when your party leader runs out of health. This messes with the balance of the game and encourages giving the main character all the best equipment, and with a full party of characters who are all still alive, it makes no sense that the game ends upon Kasuga or Kiryu getting knocked out.
Both of the game’s major settings are gorgeous, though getting a hang of Honolulu takes a bit longer than most Like a Dragon maps due to its immense size. Once you’re accustomed to it, though, the game only becomes more and more exciting. Every street has NPCs to befriend through the game’s faux social media app, which has Kasuga shout “Aloha” and immediately befriend them. This makes his attributes grow, granting a bounty of benefits in battle and outside of it.
On a related note, it feels as though everything you do benefits Kasuga and Kiryu in some way. No side activity is “just for fun,” despite them all being very fun. It always seems as though you’re making your characters stronger and never wasting a moment. From the intricate Sujimon League that mimics Pokémon gameplay to the delightful Dondoko Island mode that implements a shockingly deep Animal Crossng-esque mode into the game, it’s as though there are a dozen smaller yet just as meticulously designed games present in this one large one.
The Final Word
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is what all sequels should aspire to be. The gameplay is improved upon all-around, the story is riveting from start to finish, and the breadth of side content is second-to-none. It may be early, but I feel confident in saying that one of 2024’s game of the year frontrunners has debuted not even a month in.
MonsterVine Rating: 5 out of 5 – Excellent
