Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth Review (PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, & PC)

The Yakuza series has been to die for, albeit not so much in the U.S., owing to a slow integration into the West. Still, it's nearly two decades old, with developer Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio finessing the art of switching things up and renovating an old formula. Just recently, in the Yakuza: Like a Dragon spin-off, Ryu Ga Gotoku switched to a turn-based RPG, which didn’t admittedly appeal to everyone in the same way. To a large extent, it put unnecessary breaks on a high-momentum, highly tense combat system we’d been used to. It was also born off of an April Fool joke that saw the developing team switch from traditional Yakuza combat to an active turn-based RPG battle system mid-development, which might have likely caused the mixed reception. 

Anyway, now that Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio has kicked off Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth development with a turn-based RPG from scratch, perhaps we’ll be penning down a different story by the end of our review, even more so due to transitioning into a completely new setting, Hawaii. With returning Like a Dragon’s fan favorite Ichiban Kasuga and Yakuza’s Kazuma Kiryu in tow, you can’t help but already feel like you’re in for a wild ride. Shall we see where the ocean tides take us? Cue in our deep-dive Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth review.

Aloha from the West

Nothing beats the sunrise in Hawaii, or so Ichiban says as he slowly descends the deep blue skies onto foreign land. He’s just been on one hell of a ride, trekking a journey of self-discovery as an ex-con with a big heart and surviving the criminal underworld of the Yakuza by the whiskers. He’s called off early retirement to embark on a new mission across the great seas. But this time around, it carries more weight. It feels personal and close to home—a journey to Hawaii to reunite with your estranged mother. 

In typical Yakuza fashion, a mission that kicks off ever so straightforwardly quickly sprouts hairs on its back that intertwine and tangle together to form deep stories you’ll spend days unraveling. You’ll step onto the landscapes and waters of Hawaii, big and beautiful, on perhaps the most vast scale the series has seen. But not just in the ground to cover but also in detail and the sheer wealth of things to do. You can also explore the Isezaki Ijincho district of Yokohama, alongside Honolulu City in Hawaii. Dare we say, prepare to spend hours walking into all kinds of stores, running from the law, and hopping onto your new Street Surfer slick ride. But we’re getting ahead of ourselves here.

Meet Ichiban. Again.

Ichiban, the main protagonist, is the most deserving person to pick up the slack from Kiryu. Oddly enough, he’s spent 18 years in prison and leaves the gates of imprisonment a little too awkward and ignorant for his good. We love him for it, though, often having a good time in the best ways possible, reminding us that life is for living. With the build-up from the prequel, Ichiban’s character holds up impeccably in Infinite Wealth, displaying the immense growth and passion cultivated from years of grief, experience, and earnest conviction. 

Seriously. Ichiban is so well-written, among all others, both in Japanese and English voice acting. He’s so easy to love and care for and he feels like the perfect character to carry forward, Like a Dragon’s legacy. Before long, though, you start to run into your band of misfits, soon-to-be party members and close allies for life. Each is unique from the other to add a spice of variety and fun to the story. Unlike the prequel, though, Infinite Wealth takes precious time to cultivate each party member’s unique backstories and personalities in ways that deeply integrate them into the game. Even in side quests, which party members were lacking in the prequel, they seem to have now put effort into streamlining their diverse roles. 

Take a Breather

Speaking of side quests, boy, does Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth do it the only way the series does best? Side missions are even more sculpted to compel emotion and drive, if you can believe it. They range from your silly everyday dose to easing the burden of violence and heavy tales. But you’re also cultivating a bond with Hawaiian people and culture by helping them reconnect with their loved ones and appreciating the hard work they do.

You cannot run out of things to do, even if you try, because, believe it or not, Infinite Wealth has a full-blown simulation game within itself.

Game Within a Game?

Dig deeper into the lore, and you’ll soon come to a tucked-away island needing your tourism expertise. It’s packed with trash and lifeless, but you quickly get to work redeeming the island to glory status in your Animal Crossing prowess. You’ll craft and build buildings, interiors included, to your taste, and share your hard work with friends to gush over. But also, you’ll go fishing and pick up trash—good ol’ manual labor that never grows on you—thanks, in part, to constant humor and ridiculous run-ins with the island's red and green mascots. Some folks will derail your progress, but you’ll beat them to a pulp. Meanwhile, make good enough progress; tourists will come streaming in and opening their wallets to you.

Remember the Pokemon parody in the prequel? It’s back, bigger and better. You’ll pit baddies (actual bad people, not animals) against one another in Sujimon battles, Pokemon Go-style. Of course, the battles are much simpler. So, it’s not too tasking. After all, you’re only taking a hiatus for a while before getting back into the meat of the game. But how the minigame has been fleshed out can be so consuming and entertaining. You’ll constantly want to return to train and see your minions shine through each round.

Passing the Torch

A significant chunk of the game that the team poured heart and soul into is finally giving Kiryu the send-off he deserves. It isn’t rushed, either, with constant flashbacks to his gleeful and not-so-proud moments from past games. Clearly, he hasn’t been perfect, but he’s set a high benchmark for protagonists after him to aim for. Both personally and Uhm professionally, Kiryu battles with inner demons and relatable moments that make his story powerful and believable. Despite all the good Kiryu has accomplished, he’s done a lot of bad, too. Infinite Wealth perfectly unravels this, portraying empathy, understanding, and humanizing these people in ways best experienced for oneself.

Sucker Punch Out

Of course, we have to touch on combat. You run into many crooks and criminal bystanders as part of your cruises. They also wear the craziest outfits and constantly shift in character from random hooligans and surfer bros to perverts. You even fight a giant shark perched on the side of a boat. For the most part, the combat system is hella fun and chaotic, with your party members also switching between the craziest jobs with unique abilities. Buckets of soapy water and a brush transcend mere cleaning tools to powerful weapons. Beat ‘Em Up to Turn-Based RPG finally pays off, with controls feeling smoother and packing more punch. 

You can move around a bit for the first time, adding to tactical play. From sucker-punching enemies through a wall and closing in for close attacks to taking out two lined-up criminals in one go, combat feels flexible in the best ways possible. Add Kiryu’s beat ‘em up touch-up, seamlessly integrated into turn-based. Essentially, he can break out of turn-based and switch to his classic Yakuza moves, encompassing the best part of Infinite Wealth in one swoop. Not to mention, doing simple things like buying your party members gifts, sharing a drink with them, and bonding builds a tighter tag team bond that shakes things up in battle. So much to unravel, yet so little space left…

Verdict

Across the sunny beaches of Hawaii, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth proves yet again why it’s one of the best RPGs in the game. It gradually unravels its hidden secrets and activities, careful not to overwhelm you, before sinking its teeth into your nervous system's deepest parts and never letting go. No, really. Infinite Wealth feels addictive in ways you can proudly boast about to your friends. It infuses a heartening tale that’s chock full of lighthearted moments and cathartic ones all the same. 

Its side quests are beyond entertaining, with constant adrenaline-fueled errands to run and relaxing ones to enjoy all Honolulu offers. Meanwhile, combat feels refreshing, with new abilities constantly unlocking as you progress and rewarding sequences of teamwork between party members. So many words, yet still so much left to uncover and dive into. It’ll take around 60 hours to beat. However, that can easily slip into 100 hours if you go down the completionist rabbit hole. Oh, and make no mistake, every second will count.