The first batch of reviews are in for Yakuza: Like a Dragon, a fresh new chapter in Sega’s long-running RPG series. Diehard fans were already expecting great things after seeing the game’s reception in Japan in January, and the critical scores that came today didn’t disappoint. After bringing the story of former series protagonist Kazuma Kiryu to a close in Yakuza 6, Yakuza: Like a Dragon introduces Ichiban Kasuga, a man freshly released from prison looking to become a hero like the characters in his favorite video games. Much like those games, the series’ traditional brawler combat has shifted to turn-based action that parodies JRPG tropes, but it’s still as over-the-top as ever.
The Northa American release of Yakuza: Like a Dragon is closely tied to the launch of the Xbox Series X/S, with the game serving as one of the best bets to pick up on launch day. It’s not an exclusive, but the PlayStation 5 version won’t hit shelves until March 2, 2021, meaning Sony fans will have to pick up the PlayStation 4 version this holiday if they want to play it on day one. The game is also coming to PC and Xbox One, with the latter version supporting Smart Delivery for those planning to upgrade at a later date.
The latest Yakuza was an instant bestseller in Japan, and the game looks to have similar success stateside if reviews are any indication. Critics love how well the new protagonist picks up where Kiryu left off, providing a familiar Yakuza experience while changing some things up to keep things interesting. Some critics cited repetitive turn-based battles as an issue, especially in the final hours of the experience. Others thought that the boss fights felt less like challenges of skill and more like tests of how much damage Kasuga can deal in a short period of time. Here’s a round-up of just a few of the reviews to look into for players still decided whether they want to add Yakuza to a loaded November play schedule.
Hayes Madsen – 4.5/5 – Screen Rant
“Like a Dragon is compelling because of how it plays double-duty as both a love letter and parody of the JRPG genre. Its story and combat system take some time to really come together, but once they do, it’s a wild fever dream that’s not easily forgotten.”
Tristan Ogilvie – 7/10 – IGN
“While I applaud the developers for daring to transform its established brawling into more tactically complex team-based battles, the grueling progression system it brings along with it means that Yakuza: Like a Dragon ultimately takes some bold steps in a new direction for the series but neglects to completely maintain its balance.”
Michael Higham – 9/10 – GameSpot
“For RGG Studio’s first crack at an RPG, it’s a damn fine result. It delivers what I love most about Yakuza and introduces new ideas that largely pay off. Yakuza: Like a Dragon is a passing of the torch, and a fantastic entry in a beloved franchise that proves that it’s in good hands with Kasuga Ichiban.”
Bella Blondeau – 5/5 – TheGamer
“I would make the case for Yakuza: Like A Dragon being a high point for this genre – and perhaps the highest point it will reach on the PS4 or Xbox One. And if this is where JRPGs are starting, going into the next generation of consoles, there’s reason to believe that we’re in for a decade of riches.”
Hirun Cryer – 4.5/5 – GamesRadar
“Yakuza: Like a Dragon is a confident step in a different direction for Ryu Ga Gotoku’s series. An impactful combat system filled with whacky abilities stands tall against the action-based formula RGG perfected over nearly two decades, and newcomer Ichiban Kasuga and his friends come together as an excellent cast to leave a lasting impression.”
Ian Boudreau – 9/10 – PCGamesN
“Yakuza: Like a Dragon is one of this year’s must-play games. It can in turns be corny, weird, and melodramatic, sure. But its messiness is the recognisable, genre-defying messiness of human life, in which the funniest things will often happen to us when we’re angry or sad. It’s a life-affirming, heartwarming experience that I’ll be thinking back on with fondness for a very long time.”
Kazuma Hashimoto – Unscored – Polygon
“What Ryu ga Gotoku Studio has created is an ambitious new entry in a franchise that has managed to endure for over 15 years. Series veterans might be turned off by this new direction, but it manages to retain the same essence as its predecessors. And by the end, Ichiban Kasuga and Yakuza: Like a Dragon both prove to be a worthy successor to the franchise.”
With 94% of critics recommending the game on OpenCritic, fans will likely overlook a few flaws to visit the mean streets of Japan for the seventh time. That contingent has been growing throughout this entire generation, with Sega’s constant desire to see the series succeed in America finally paying off. Considering that this is a new start for the series, it will be the perfect jumping-on point for those who were intimidated by having to take in tens of hours of story in order to understand what’s going on.
The wild success of the Yakuza series, including Yakuza: Like a Dragon, should be a shining example of how studios and publishers producing games at the AAA level can keep a series feeling fresh and new. Despite each game’s vast open world and an array of gameplay mechanics, a new Yakuza game has hit in Japan most years since the franchise’s 2005 debut. Part of that is due to aiming for below the cutting edge when it comes to technology, sacrificing graphical shine for charming story moments and reliable gameplay. When compared to how some American franchises can wait half a decade and debut an entirely new graphics engine between each new entry, it seems like Sega has a better idea.
Yakuza: Like a Dragon will be available for Xbox Series X, Xbox One, PS4, and PC on November 10, 2020, and it will launch on PS5 on March 2, 2021.
