At the end of January 2024, Sega and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studios dropped their ambitious JRPG, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth. Set on a vivid Hawaiian island and following Kiryu Kazuma’s gripping battle with cancer, the game promised a mix of deep narrative and expansive exploration. Such high stakes meant that getting any element wrong could undermine the whole experience.
Gameplay – 10/10
Infinite Wealth perfects the turn-based JRPG formula introduced in Yakuza: Like a Dragon. The previous entry showed promise but faltered in merging the series’ signature large-scale combat with traditional RPG mechanics.
This sequel blends those elements seamlessly, avoiding awkward transitions and delivering more polished, strategic battles that maintain the essence of Like a Dragon combat.
The refined system where positioning matters, area-of-effect attacks hit just right, and combo chains feel impactful makes every fight intensely satisfying and engaging throughout the roughly 80-hour journey.
The new job classes add refreshing variety. Desperado, with its high damage and risky debuffs like being ‘drunk’, and the stealthy Kunoichi are particularly standout choices that inject personality into combat tactics.
Exploring the Hawaiian island is equally impressive. The map is thoughtfully crafted for fast travel and brimming with activities, making the world feel alive yet perfectly paced to keep you from wandering into areas too tough for your level.
The way the game gates progression ensures you only face challenges appropriate to your stage in the story, which keeps exploration rewarding and frustration-free compared to the sprawling chaos of Yokohama in previous titles.
This combination of a vibrant world and strategic combat results in an addictive gameplay experience that holds up across its whole extensive runtime.
Minigames – 10/10
The Like a Dragon series is famed for its side content, and Infinite Wealth doesn’t disappoint with what feels like one of the biggest collections ever in a JRPG.
Most minigames are fully fleshed out, some sprawling over multiple stages or rich enough to stand alone, easily adding dozens of hours beyond the main story.
One standout is the “Crazy Delivery” minigame where you race through town on a bike, dashing to deliver hundreds of pizzas within a tight two-minute window — it’s wildly fun and perfectly chaotic.
There’s also “Sujimon,” a clever Pokémon parody with its own elite four and turn-based battles. Although it’s not for everyone, fans of creature-collecting games will find it enjoyable.
If traditional battling isn’t your thing, try the on-rails “Pokemon Snap” style minigame, where you snap photos of shady characters in their nefarious acts — a unique twist that brightens the roster.
Perhaps the crown jewel is “Dondoko Island,” a comprehensive Animal Crossing clone packed with series-themed villagers, hundreds of items, and full island customization that can even be shared with others online.
While less complex than current Animal Crossing titles, the social aspect keeps it compelling enough to lose yourself for days decorating and visiting friends.
Put simply, Infinite Wealth raises the bar for side content in JRPGs, delivering diverse activities that rarely feel like filler.
Graphics – 10/10
This title nails a rare balance of realistic detail and vibrant visual style. Unlike many games that sacrifice color for realism, Infinite Wealth’s world bursts with lively hues and sunshine across every corner of the Hawaiian island.
Dynamic weather effects such as sudden rain showers make characters and environments shimmer beautifully, a first for the Like a Dragon franchise since the PS3 era, adding to the immersion.
The ocean scenes stun — water is notoriously tough to render believably, but the developers managed to create shimmering, convincing waves that feel alive and fit perfectly with the setting.
Character models are equally impressive, capturing subtle details like Kiryu’s aging with a sensitive touch. Celebrity cameos featuring meticulously recreated faces, including Danny Trejo, add a layer of polish and fun.
All told, this is the best-looking entry in the series by far, likely setting a visual benchmark that won’t be topped anytime soon.
Overall, this is the most beautiful a Like a Dragon game has ever looked and I cannot imagine graphics ever improving beyond this point.
Performance – 9/10
Infinite Wealth fixes many lingering flaws from earlier Dragon Engine games like Yakuza: Like a Dragon. Battles load instantly once you’re in range, eliminating those awkward pauses players often experienced before the fight kicked in.
Fast travel and even switching between city areas happen swiftly and seamlessly, providing a smooth overall experience on next-gen consoles.
Frame rate remains solid at a consistent 60 FPS during normal gameplay. However, after about ten hours of play, some players reported occasional lag and frame drops, likely tied to memory issues during extended sessions.
These hiccups seem rare for anyone playing in shorter bursts, so they shouldn’t affect most players’ enjoyment.
Overall, expect fluid performance and stunning visuals that support the gameplay without distraction on modern hardware.
Overall, expect a smooth and beautiful experience with Infinite Wealth if you’re playing the game on next generation consoles!
Story – 8/10
The narrative takes center stage with Kiryu’s cancer diagnosis, a heavy and personal theme that hangs over the whole adventure. Fans approached Infinite Wealth with a pressing question about Kiryu’s fate.
Story pacing is notably slower than previous series entries. For much of the campaign, it feels more like a rich, immersive vacation through Hawaii with familiar characters than a bombastic crime drama.
This deliberate tempo gives off a soap opera vibe, focusing on smaller, more intimate conflicts rather than grand-scale threats the series is known for.
Absorbing content like Kiryu’s bucket list and life links deepens the emotional resonance, often cutting close to the bone for players who’ve grown attached to his character.