Whereas it may not have as a lot to show as the primary recreation within the collection, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth nonetheless has some steep expectations to satisfy.
Boasting main story revelations and the continuation of Kasuga Ichiban’s adventures, the sequel is intent on surpassing the unique in as some ways as potential. That is no small feat, contemplating Yakuza: Like a Dragon managed to usher the collection into a brand new gameplay style because it ever so slowly strikes away from the saga of Kiryu Kazuma.
And but, after spending a while with the demo supplied by Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name, I can solely think about Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth will obtain its purpose; albeit by bringing the Dragon of Dojima again into the combo.
The demo itself is break up up into two elements: one centered primarily on a piece of the story, and one other centered round letting gamers discover the brand new setting of Hawaii. The story phase locations gamers within the function of Kiryu, who has been despatched to discover a particular particular person by the Daidoji. Not lengthy after he arrives although, he hears of a person with a peculiar Dragon Koi again tattoo who managed to flee from the police.
That is none aside from Ichiban, and after monitoring him down, Kiryu learns that they’re looking for a similar individual: Akane, the previous lover of Masumi Arakawa and probably Ichiban’s mom. As they chase after clues tied to her location although, it turns into clear that she could also be tied to some unknown underworld actions; a lot in order that Hawaii’s native crime lord, Yamai, is simply as eager on discovering her.
It’s the standard mystery-laced narrative the Yakuza and Like a Dragon video games are so eager on exploring, and Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth shows developer Ryu Ga Gotoku‘s mastery in weaving these narratives. There are already loads of hooks to attract gamers in with, and the colliding narratives of Ichiban and Kiryu deliver them collectively in a plausible approach.
Not solely that, however the recreation doesn’t lose it’s extra outwardly compassionate narrative components seen within the final recreation. Ichiban recruits a brand new get together member throughout this phase — named Tomizawa — not by a brawl, however by empathizing with him. It’s nonetheless a refreshing change of tempo in comparison with different tales within the collection, and guarantees a extra hopeful story on par with its predecessor.
Or not less than, it does to an extent. There are some lower than reassuring components to the story too, key amongst them being that Kiryu exhibits some clear indicators of weakening and sickness. We received’t get into specifics right here for the sake of readers who haven’t but watched the current Story trailer, nevertheless it’s protected to say the narrative received’t be solely comfortable and cheery.
Shifting onto the second half of the demo, the gameplay of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is about what followers would anticipate. Gamers are capable of discover a bigger metropolis alongside their get together members, participating in battle with road thugs as they see match; or not, if it’s tied to story development or a quest. Stated battles are nonetheless turn-based, and gamers have to take buffs, debuffs, and positioning into consideration to be able to successfully get rid of threats.
Nonetheless, there are some clear indicators of this battle system being refined and improved because the final entry. Key amongst these modifications is the truth that gamers can actively transfer their characters inside a set space to higher line up assaults. Doing so not solely helps to make sure AoE assaults and abilities hit extra enemies, but in addition helps to get get together members nearer collectively for Tag Crew assaults and assists.
There’s additionally a bit extra selection between character talents, primarily due to Kiryu’s inclusion. Whereas deciding on his actions throughout battle, gamers can select between three fight Kinds for him to make use of. These embrace Rush, which hits for much less injury however permits him to behave twice in a single flip; Brawler, which is extra balanced and may incorporate Warmth actions into assaults; and Beast, which is nice for breaking enemies who’re guarding or tough to break through grapples.
This expanded equipment of choices is nice by itself, however the Dragon of Dojima additionally has the particular potential Dragon’s Resurgence. Whereas energetic, it permits him to maneuver round unimpeded by turn-based mechanics and beat the tar out of enemies a la basic Yakuza gameplay.
It’s undeniably a bit damaged, however I can’t fake it wasn’t an important feeling to shatter the bounds of the style for a quick second and return to Kiryu’s traditional preventing type. Plus, this gameplay aspect melds the 2 types of Like a Dragon gameplay collectively fantastically and bridges the hole between the 2 halves of the collection splendidly.
And naturally, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth options some terrifically outlandish Essence assaults for gamers to unleash. Ranging of their results and animations, these assaults see Ichiban and his allies let unfastened their wildest assaults in dramatic style, full with flashy cutscenes whereby the get together annihilates their opponents.
Outdoors of fight, the exploration can be a bit of deeper than within the earlier recreation. When you nonetheless wander across the metropolis and soak up its websites through eating places, minigames, and aspect quests, it feels that little bit extra worthwhile to take action due to the bonding system between Ichiban and his get together members.
Going to particular eating places or areas can set off small dialogue bits with a given get together member, which in flip strengthens their Bond and unlocks new bonuses in battles. That is important for enhancing Tag Crew assaults, and for unlocking buffs that may hold your get together members standing even after struggling extra devastating blows.
Whereas this will sound equivalent to the bond system from Yakuza: Like a Dragon, the mechanic has been streamlined considerably compared. Dialogue bits are simpler to seek out due to indicators on the map, and bonding occasions are tracked through a brand new Bond Bingo Card. Filling out this card can lead to big bonuses to a personality’s bond degree, and makes reaching the utmost Bond degree with a personality far simpler.
For sure, the demo for Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth has left me much more excited for the sport’s full launch. There’s been some clear progress made when it comes to sprucing its mechanics, and the narrative appears primed to depart gamers laughing and crying in equal measure. I’ll be counting down the times till its full launch on Jan. 26, and I extremely suggest followers of RPGs and the Like a Dragon collection alike do the identical.
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