Reissued on Wednesday, July 27, 2022: Following the announcement of the PlayStation Plus lineup in August, we’re bringing this review back from the archive. The original text is:
Yakuza: Where should I start like a dragon? The Sega series is always eccentric, but this latest release takes things to a whole new level. In a nutshell, it’s nuts â from start to finish. If you haven’t heard of it, Like a Dragon is a complete role-playing game. Statistics, equipment, loot, party members, and, of course, turn-based battles. Yakuza games in the past have been a significant part of RPG systems and mechanics (which can be categorized as action RPGs), but this feels like a dramatic change in both structure and identity. A borderline surreal experience, especially if you’re familiar with franchises, like dragons.
After making it slum tourism with Kazuma Kiryu and the eight mainline game boys, developer Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio clearly thought it was time to rock things. A whole new cast, a new story, a new setting â it’s a new start, but the important thing is that at its core, it still feels like a yakuza title. Great storytelling and characters enhance the experience as usual, and optional activities and ridiculous side quests add to the yakuza’s trademark flavor.
The legacy of the former hero Kazuma Kiryu may be overwhelming. Dojima’s dragon had a three-generation console to establish himself, so replacing him was never easy. However, with the new lead Kasuga Ichiban, RGG Studio hit a home run on the first swing. In many respects, the number one is the opposite of Kiryu â at least in terms of personality. He has a rash, is emotional, and is a little silly. He tends to follow his instincts and pay attention to the wind, but he is loyal and always loyal to himself.
The first is to be a really adorable hero. He is a former yakuza who is always struggling to make something in his life. Then, at the age of 41, following the long prologue of the game, it’s time to follow his childhood dream of becoming a hero first. No, really. Like a dragon, it revolves around the fact that it sees life like an RPG. He hadn’t played anything other than Square Enix’s timeless fantasy RPG series, Dragon Quest, during the formative period. To “level up”, you need to go out into the world … get a job.
Yakuza: Like a dragon, it’s essentially a traditional turn-based Japanese RPG, but it’s set in modern-day Yokohama, a bustling city not far from Tokyo. The rolling countryside and idyllic towns have been replaced by concrete streets and office buildings. The main character, the mythological sword, will be replaced by a limited edition baseball bat. Instead of casting magic, the best homeless friend pulls out a lighter and spits alcohol over an open flame. Again, I think life is an old-fashioned RPG. Every time a battle begins, even the thugs and gangsters who plague heroes transform into red-eye monsters. Playing with a straight face is ridiculous, and it works shockingly.
In his quest for a job, Ichiban and his companions are naturally involved in the events that will shape the future of Yokohama. In true yakuza fashion, we are steadily introduced to Menagerie of Nehru Dewell, but stealing the show is the number one accomplice. Along with our hero, his companions are some of the best characters in the Sega series. Where Kiryu was the almost lonely protagonist, the first was the entire party of people chasing him, who all bounced off each other and had a great effect.
Perhaps the best of the best and his group is that none of them are what you would normally expect from a traditional RPG party. Former homeless nurse Minamiha and Haggard’s former detective Adachi both gray men over the age of 40, where they are cruising with Kasuga while the gang crosses the city. It’s somehow just as weird and mundane â but it’s a fascinating 60-hour adventure.
At its best, Likea Dragon is easy to get hooked on. The story has all the twists and turns you’d expect from a franchise, but it’s a shame that the in-game cutscenes look very jerky. Writing and top-notch characters are good enough to carry the experience, but jumping from a nicely animated and pre-rendered scene to a static in-game model or textbox is still unpleasant. The quality of this hit and miss was part of the yakuza, as far as we can remember, but in “like a dragon”, where there are so many characters to talk to and so many plots to pass through, the dialogue system Is actually that year.
Like a dragon, it takes a long time to get started. Again, nothing new to the yakuza, but without the immediate release of action-based combat (which was always the best way to bookend long cutscenes with past yakuza titles). You can feel like you are watching a movie instead of playing a video game. So a movie with a lot of words.
But don’t think wrong. Mostly like dragon turn-based combat, it’s a lot of fun, but it never offers the exact same thrill. This is especially true during the opening 10 hours or so, when Ichiban and his crew have little ability to call in combat. As with Dragon Quest, combat will only gain momentum later as more party members get together to gain access to all sorts of special moves. Until then, you’re going from battle to battle, choosing the same basic commands over and over again. The initial lack of challenge and tactical thinking can be offensive, especially if the time spent out of combat is spent by long cutscenes.
There are certainly some pace issues here, but if you keep the game long enough, your patience will pay off. As the story progresses, more and more cities are open to you, and the city of Yokohama is full of opportunities. Little by little, you will be able to access the vast web of interconnected systems. All of these will benefit the best and future parties. For example, fighting with friends or buying lunch is the most familiar, and eventually they open the door to him, leading to some of the most inspiring scenes in the game. But beyond the drama, you also get a better fighting synergy. Close friends can gain more experience and have a habit of following up on enemies left vulnerable by previous attacks.
Plus, with a very persona-like twist, there are many personalities, such as intelligence, charisma, and tenderness, as you challenge mini-games and side quests. For example, the more attractive one might be able to talk smoothly on the way to the underground gambling ground, but by fostering the most passion, you’re good at buffing your teammates in combat. Can be. It reaches a point that counts as a bigger, overall goal that everything you do makes your party stronger, and it’s very satisfying to see it all snap into place is.
The same applies to the battle itself. There are some tough battles you’ll find in later chapters of the game, but overcoming enemies with accurate teamwork is all about being a hero. It’s really rewarding to see your party blossom into an elite team of fighters, and the fact that you’re given so much freedom to build your ideal team is satisfying. Just increase. Indeed, there is a detailed job system that allows you to completely change the character’s role. The first of the minute is a rough and ready bare fist fighter. Next, he is a musician, hitting low life on the guitar and playing songs to inspire his companions. There are hours of fun in mixing and matching your team.
Conclusion
It will take some time before it actually works, but when it’s finally ready, it will bloom into one of PS4’s most unique and fascinating RPGs, like the Yakuza: Dragon. Basically, this is the yakuza we know and love, with shocking story beats and great characters, but by adopting the old school RPG structure, we’re taking the series in a whole new direction. You have succeeded in branching. Kasuga Ichiban is a crazy and creative game where the same parts are refreshing, friendly and know how to enjoy, as it proves to be the successor to the one and only uncle Kazu.
