Yakuza: Like a Dragon (2020)

Yakuza: Like a Dragon is the eighth main game in action-adventure video games series Yakuza by developers Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio and publishers Sega. For the first time in the franchise, this game focuses on role-playing video game fighting style where you can play five male and two female characters.

The story revolves around brand-new character Kasuga Ichiban, a resilient but naive gangster who has spent eighteen years in prison for a crime he didn't commit. Upon release from prison, he gets mixed up in a complex conspiracy as his family leaves him for dead in a city he has never known. Kasuga Ichiban is trying to put the different pieces of the puzzle together to figure out the things that have happened while he was in prison and to understand his own role, identity and destiny.

This video game convinces for several reasons. First of all, it took me seventy-eight hours to complete this game and there were even some side quests I didn't manage to finish. This means that this video game truly offers value for money like all the other games in this excellent franchise.

Up next, the new role-playing game style is entertaining and fresh. This statement comes from someone who doesn't enjoy traditional games of that genre and thinks that most of these are outdated and overrated. In this particular case however, the fights in the game become much more challenging. The seven different characters also add many different special attacks. The opponents in the game also have numerous different strengths and weaknesses that you need to figure out to beat them.

The characters are equally intriguing. Aside from headstrong protagonist Kasuga Ichiban, we get six party members that will support him as the game progresses. Nanba Yu is a homeless man with a mysterious past. Adachi Koichi is a dishonourably discharged police officer and driving instructor. Mukoda Saeko is the quirky manager of a hostess bar. Han Joon-gi is a criminal of Korean origin. Zhao Tianyou is a gangster of Chinese origin. Kamataki Eri is a shy businesswoman. There are also several intriguing side characters such as crawfish Nancy who can help you poisoning your opponents. The antagonists are also very interesting, especially Aoki Ryo, an influential politician originating from an organized crime family. There are also several characters from previous games who make a return in cameo roles such as former fourth chairman of the Tojo Clan and main protagonist in this video game franchise Kiryu Kazuma. Fans of old date should therefore be as delighted as newcomers.

The game however isn't without its flaws. The numerous fights are at times very repetitive and time-consuming. Some of the opponents are very difficult to beat which might frustrate some players. Especially the duo Majima Goro and Saejima Taiga, former franchise protagonist Kiryu Kazuma and most powerful opponent Tendo Yosuke take quite some time to be beaten and the first two duels are completely unnecessary to the story. Another weakness is that the video game features three different locations instead of properly developing one which takes away from the immersive atmosphere of some of the predecessors. The soundtrack is only of average quality and not as memorable and unique as the soundtracks of several previous instalments.

At the end of the day, Yakuza: Like a Dragon should however please any fan of action-adventure video games and classic role-playing games. Fans of the franchise can't get around this release. Furthermore, the inclusion of a new protagonist offers a fresh breeze to a franchise that was repeating itself a little bit too much in the most recent instalments. Therefore, this particular game would also be a wonderful opportunity for newcomers to explore the franchise and become fans. After having completed the game, I can't wait for the sequel to discover the upcoming adventures of Kasuga Ichiban and his friends and foes.