Three years after its bold turn to turn-based combat, the Yakuza franchise returns with Infinite Wealth. I tackled it on PC (RTX 3070, 1440p, Xbox controller) before sampling PS5. Curious if it still has bite in 2024? Here’s my take.
I fell into Yakuza during the PS2 era, expecting Shenmue but finding karaoke frenzies and clown-suit brawls instead. Fast-forward: I’m that oddball who loves when a series goes off-script. So when Like A Dragon switched to turn-based, I bristled—and secretly hoped. Infinite Wealth on PC mostly, then a PS5 demo, delivered exactly what I wanted and what I feared.
Booting up felt surreal: swap neon-soaked alleys of Kamurocho for palm trees and sandy beaches. Hawaii as a hub clicks right away—the writing balances genuine warmth and absurd slapstick. Within minutes I was grinning at a goofy intro, then two hours later grinning at a grinding boss. Visually, cutscenes still shine with expressive faces, but roaming the streets exposes flat textures and stiff NPCs. It’s Sega’s legacy engine flexing its strengths and its wrinkles.
Infinite Wealth stakes its claim on emotional heft. Ichiban plays the earnest underdog, running headlong into trouble while chasing family mysteries. A blown-up Vtuber scandal kicks things off with comic flair, then Kiryu’s unexpected health crisis turns the mood gravely real. Moments where vintage Yakuza memories unlock in-game flashbacks are downright moving. The pacing can wobble—this feels more like appetizers than a steak—but the cast’s chemistry pulls you through.
I hated Yakuza 7’s clunky menus, but here the turn-based fights snap to life. You reposition characters on a grid, slam foes into parked cars, and time button prompts for extra damage or blocks. It scratches a fighting-game itch by rewarding precision: flank an enemy for a backstab, chain special moves, regenerate MP faster if you nail that combo. The job system’s variety keeps unlocks exciting, though the camera occasionally trips you up in tight encounters. Still, combat finally feels like a clever puzzle and a street brawl rolled into one.
Hawaii teems with mini-missions and diversions that feel more organic than list-driven. Early trash-collection gigs boost social stats, then Sujimon battles channel Yakuza’s trademark weirdness into Pokémon-style fights. Dondoko Island, however, is the real vortex: build a beach resort, fend off polluting pirates, and customize huts until sunrise. It’s a self-aware riff on life sims—so silly you’ll lose track of story objectives. If you prefer a straight path, you can skip most extras; but the game knows how to tempt you back.
The Dragon Engine still delivers jaw-dropping facial detail in cutscenes, but open-world areas remind you it’s not next-gen from every angle. On PC and PS5 I hit stable 60fps, with quick load times and smarter fast travel. Yet NPC animations stutter, shadows flatten, and some textures scream last-gen. A few glitches popped up—a T-pose through a car, a frozen mini-game—none fatal. It works, but for Yakuza 9, we need a fresh coat of polish.
Infinite Wealth rewards long-time fans with callbacks and emotional payoffs, but newcomers might miss the backstory weight. If you adore heartfelt RPGs with absurd humor, you’ll laugh, cry, and strategize your way through dozens of hours. Beat-’em-up purists might pine for real-time brawls, while completionists should brace for massive side content. Main-story only players will find enough, but a slow build in the mid-game may test patience.
After nearly 60 hours, I’m still invested in these characters. Infinite Wealth’s main plot stumbles, and its tech shows fatigue, but the writing, voice work, and that signature mix of melancholy and madness carry you. Combat now clicks, Hawaii entices, and Ichiban and Kiryu feel alive in ways few series achieve. It’s a beautifully flawed ride—a virtual getaway you won’t want to end. Now, Sega, let’s see that engine glisten in the next chapter.
Yakuza: Like A Dragon Infinite Wealth is a heartfelt RPG brawler packed with charming absurdity. Its story drifts, the engine creaks, but character drama and tactical combat make it a vacation you’ll miss. Score: 8.5/10
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