I’m soaking up the sun as I stroll along the beautiful beaches of Hawaii when suddenly a group of suspicious-looking characters take notice. As they approach, threatening me, I’m transported from the reality of Hawaii around me to some kind of alternate dimension where I’m expected to pull off some thrilling heroics. My enemies no longer look like your average tough guys on the street—their eyes glow red, they’re able to spew toxic fumes at me. But their new monstrous appearance is no match for my sweet selection of skills, my trusty baseball bat, and a crew of comrades who are ready to dive in with their own eccentric combat skills. But before they throw down, they’ll have to wait their turn, of course.
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is the latest in the long-running series of games formerly known as Yakuza. Starting in 2005 on the PS2, Yakuza introduced the world to its gripping tale of Japanese gangsters struggling to survive the complex loyalties and alliances of the criminal underworld, often forced to fight in overwhelming situations in order to survive.
Infinite Wealth itself is a direct sequel to 2020’s Yakuza: Like a Dragon, which departed significantly from the standard brawling action that has long been the series’ bread and butter. As in that game, combat here is entirely turn-based, with all of the RPG stats and features you know from games that are usually set in more fantastical realms. Starring one of the most charismatic characters of our time, Ichiban Kasuga, Infinite Wealth tells a satisfying and intriguing tale of mystery and organized crime. And it’s all set in a digestible RPG that rewards the time you put into it without feeling burdensome or unapproachable.
A heroic fantasy unrestrained by the bounds of reality
Though Infinite Wealth is set in the real world and follows the gritty and complicated lives of people stuck in a life of organized crime, the game never feels anything short of epic, especially in combat. Most cutscenes and narrative developments are grounded in reality, but the fighting almost seems to take place in a parallel universe in the mind of protagonist Ichiban Kasuga, who tends to see the world like a fantasy game, with himself the hero of said game.
The game takes on a different personality once the fists and weapons start flying, one that embraces the tried and true staples of turn-based combat in a fantasy RPG. It’s joyous and lively—a breath of fresh air in a genre so often dominated by the same fantasy character archetypes in the same old predictable ways.
Infinite Wealth doesn’t just stick to the usual tank, healer, and damage dealer roles – it adds its unique flair with confidence. When the battle kicks off, foes transform into grotesque versions of themselves, bringing a twisted spin to the fight. The combat animations are explosive, lively, and perfectly match each character’s vibe. The thrill of battle always keeps you on your toes, yet feels comfortably familiar.
This RPG stays true to its roots with characters sporting HP and MP that allow for a wide range of offensive and defensive moves. As you progress, you naturally get stronger, and there are plenty of ways to boost your stats through items and gear upgrades.
If you’re a seasoned fan of turn-based RPGs, you’ll appreciate the classic dance of buffing, debuffing, attacking, and defending shining brightly here. Playing Infinite Wealth reignited my passion for strategic combat, as the game consistently praised my tactical thinking. That rush of joy from executing well-planned moves made grinding through battles an enjoyable challenge. The combat strikes a balance between seriousness and fun, complexity and accessibility. It never felt tedious to navigate through fight after fight, and even defeat didn’t sting too hard – it was all part of the adventure.
Infinite Wealth is more than just a numbers game when it to battles. Sure, if you find yourself in a tough spot because you’re not at right level for a area or boss, things can get tricky. But, honestly, it never felt like the game was being unfair or pushing me to grind for levels constantly. Dealing with enemies that were a bit stronger than me wasn’t a lost cause; it just needed a bit more strategy, like using buffs and debuffs smartly. Yeah, there were a few bosses that wiped the floor with me, making it clear that I needed more levels and gear. But if I stayed sharp, exploited enemy weaknesses, and made every move count, I could turn the tables. And that feeling of losing a few rounds only to bounce back, outsmarting my foes for the win, was always a rush.
While you can swap your characters’ classes, called Jobs in Infinite Wealth, I didn’t really do that much on my first go-around. Each default class has a good set of skills, so it’s easy to figure out who’s best suited for each role pretty quickly.
Some characters in the game are clearly better at causing havoc, like longtime series star Kiryu, while others bring a whole different vibe to the table. Kasuga himself packs a punch with his attack skills, but he’s also your go-to for patching up the team and lending support. (I had him basically playing doctor, boosting everyone’s defenses when things got tough.) On the flip, characters like Nanba, a previous nurse, may not hit as hard with direct attacks, but they make up for it by being top-notch healers and wielding some seriously powerful magic. Checking out each character’s skill set, which the game conveniently explains during battle, lets you level up on the fly. The combat in Infinite Wealth is a total rush. During your turn, you get to scoot around in a little circle around your character. Positioning is key, as some attacks send baddies crashing into each other, their surroundings, or even right into a comrade’s weapon who’s more than happy to take an extra swing. As characters roam freely during battle, there’s a thrill in getting the timing just right. Stay sharp, and you can really lay the smackdown on multiple foes in one go.
But hey, fighting isn’t the only game in town in Infinite Wealth. This game is stocked with tons of mini-games and side quests, some of which are a nod to classics like Pokémon and Animal Crossing. Hours and hours of distractions await!
Infinite Wealth is deep, but not overwhelming
Infinite Wealth is like this huge adventure playground. There’s a 40+ hour main story, loads of side stories, mini-games for dating, gig work, farming, and character battling. You can chill with your party members to level up your friendships (which actually helps in battles), and you can venture into randomly generated dungeons to see how tough you really are.
But you know what’s? Unlike other RPGs that feel massive and overwhelming, Infinite Wealth strikes this balance where it’s vast but not confusing. I reckon part of it is because the game has smaller maps compared to other RPGs. Locations like Hawaii and Japan are easy to navigate, and they’re packed with stuff that helps you get better at fighting. Whether it’s unlocking new combo moves by bonding with your crew or discovering new Jobs, gear, and weapons to mix up your combat style.
All these extra activities in Infinite Wealth? They make the game so much richer. Some, like Dondoko Island, are like complete little worlds within the game, like running a fancy resort. They just add layers to the game. More tactics to think about, more fighting moves to learn, and more quality time spent with the awesome characters in the game. To me, these characters were like magnets that made me stick with the main story more than anything else.
Infinite Wealth’s story works for Yakuza veterans and newcomers alike
Infinite Wealth dives into the lives of Ichiban Kasuga and Kazuma Kiryu, two guys stuck in the gritty of organized crime. Kasuga hogs most of the spotlight, with Kiryu making a late-game appearance. The main mission is simple: Kasuga heads to Hawaii in search of a key person. But instead of finding that individual right away, he stumbles upon a tangled of crime groups in Hawaii, all fighting for supremacy.
Before he knows it, Kasuga is knee-deep in Hawaii’s underworld, forging new connections, earning trust, and facing fierce opposition. The game excels in unveiling characters with deep, unexpected storylines. Even if you’re new to the series, you won’t feel completely lost. Sure, there might be a few nods to past events and Yakuza structure that go over your head, but overall, Infinite Wealth delivers a focused, standalone plot full of twists and turns. You’ll grow fond of the heroes and despise the villains so much you’ll itch to take a swing at them with a bat.
Some chapters in the game tend to follow a pattern that gets a bit too predictable. You start with intense action and then boom, another character shows up unexpectedly, or some crazy event takes place out of nowhere. It’s not quite a deus ex machina, but it feels a little too easy and forced.
But you know what? Despite these cliches in the story, the main plot delivers a deep dive into themes like family and trust. The characters have more depth than just being to shoot people (even though there are some pretty graphic scenes here and there). I couldn’t help but wonder where the would take me next; sometimes it was predictable, other times it caught me off guard.
Whether I was picking up on subtle hints or getting blindsided by a plot twist, I was fully immersed in Infinite Wealth’s story—especially the amazing cast of characters, led by the incredible protagonist.
Ichiban Kasuga is an unparalleled hero
So you’ve dabbled in the original Like a Dragon or the hot new title The Man Who Erased His Name, you’ll be familiar with Ichiban stepping into Infinite Wealth. This dude, a former Yakuza member, done time for18 years, only to emerge into the real world in his 40s. And let me tell you, he’s got this youthful vibe going on, maybe even a tad clueless, but it’s kinda endearing, you know? The game kicks off with him grinding away at some boring desk job, seemingly done with his shady past. But just when you he’s done with the life of crime, boom, he’s right back in it.
What’s really cool is that Kasuga doesn’t take the typical macho route most male leads do in these stories. You know, the whole anger, fighting, and more anger deal. Yeah, sure, he’s down for a good ol’ scrap with his trusty bat and his crew, but the real kicker is his relentless optimism in the face of trouble. The way he dishes out kindness and forgiveness to those who screwed him over? Now, that’s some next-level emotional smarts that flips the crime drama script. When times got rough, I was hanging on to hear Ichiban dish out some positivity, a chance to conquer the odds.
In the real world, Infinite Wealth hits different because of Kasuga’s relatable attributes. These characters ain’t on some mystical quest to defeat villains in a fantastical realm. Nah, they’re just regular folks with everyday struggles, trying to make things right and help each other out It’s not about away from reality. Even though there’s some shady business going down that most of us ain’t familiar with, the characters’ motivations hit close to home. Without all the flashy fantasy lore weighing you down, Infinite Wealth becomes a story you can really connect with.
Let me tell you, Ichiban had me rolling with laughter and shedding tears throughout Infinite Wealth. He wasn’t just a tough guy taking down the baddies (although he’s pretty good at that too), but he embodied a zest for life that rubbed off on me, both in the game and in real life. There’s this one moment where Kasuga drops some wisdom about embracing your 30s and 40s without feeling bad about not hitting certain milestones, and man, it hit me right in the feels. I ended that gaming sesh feeling hopeful about my own journey. Life lessons from a video game character? Who would’ve thought!
In early 2024, Infinite Wealth hit the gaming scene with a bang bringing along with it the charismatic Kasuga, who adds a rich layer of emotional depth to the game. He’s not your run-of-the-mill revenge seeker, but rather a character you genuinely enjoy embodying. His presence elevates the storytelling and keeps you hooked throughout.
Despite its strong points, there’s no denying that Infinite Wealth has its flaws. The graphical presentation, in particular, falls short of expectations. Cutscenes, shot with a cinematic flair, clash with lackluster textures and stiff character animations. Ichiban stands out as the most visually appealing figure, but even he can’t save the other characters from looking a bit off. The glowing outlines around characters in close-ups and unpolished textures further detract from the overall visual experience. And don’t get me started on the non-playable characters – their facial expressions are straight out of an old-school RPG.
Sure, these issues don’t ruin the game entirely, but they do tug at you during the lengthy campaign. While playing through, one can’t help but wish for a more refined visual presentation. But hey, at least Kasuga keeps things interesting, right?
I gotta say, it’s not that I think better graphics always make a game better. It’s more like, Infinite Wealth’s story and characters deserve a better treatment than what they get in this game.
On the bright side, the music in Infinite Wealth is top-notch, especially during fights. I mean, I found myself taking extra turns just to jam out to the awesome electronica and metal tracks. Talk about ear candy!
Can we talk about how much I adore the combat in Infinite Wealth? I know I’ll be grinding through those dungeons for hours to take on tougher foes. But man, why is it such a hassle to find better weapons and gear? I keep going to weapon shops only to find zilch for my crew. It’s a real pain trekking around just to upgrade.
And why does the game have to be so harsh when the main character kicks the bucket? If Kasuga or Kiryu bites the dust, it’s game over. Feels like too much pressure on that one character, you know? Especially during those boss fights I foolishly dove into underleveled.
Oh, and let’s not even get into the pricing of Infinite Wealth. Base game at $70, but then there are $85 and $110 versions. You need the $85 one for New Game+. Like, seriously? This game is packed with stuff; you’ll need more than one playthrough. And now Sega wants to charge extra just for that. Not cool.
Despite the wonky pricing, Infinite Wealth is a gem of a game in 2024. The characters are fantastic, the combat is a blast, and the side quests are actually fun. The story hits deep, touching on family, hope, and human connection. Plus, the combat system is just pure adrenaline.
