The Yakuza series has always encapsulated the more bombastic and fantastical things a game can be. Filled with as much off-the wall fun as it is drama and heart. With such a unique experience, we'd defy anyone to play one of the iconic series instalments and not instantly end up grinning from ear to ear or falling in love with the cast of larger-than-life characters.
It's the characters who make each sequel hard to resist, so it's sad in some ways then for Yakuza: Like A Dragon, the seventh entry in the series, to swap Kiryu Kazuma – the series' long-standing protagonist – for a fresh face.
But Ichiban is a suitable new face, who, as you'd expect, is hard not to fall in love with: a man obsessed with becoming a hero in the real world and doing what's right at every turn, he's an eternal optimist and complete goofball.
In other words, the perfect person to usher in a new direction for the series, away from stern and stoic protagonists of before.
Opening not with Ichiban but the patriarch of his family, things unfold almost how you'd expect until Ichiban is forced to take the rap for someone else and serve 18 years in prison.
Upon his release and seeming abandonment of his family, Ichiban is shot and left for dead in Yokohama. This is where the meat of Like A Dragon's story comes in. Rising from homelessness, Ichiban must work his way through jobs on a quest to understand his betrayal.
With the character change and brand-new story to tell, there's also a big switch-up in game mechanics. Where as previous instalments saw you brawling arcade-style with anyone who got in your way, Like A Dragon has opted for a turn-based battle system.
We were intrigued as to how this would blend into the Yakuza world but after spending a lot of time with Ichiban and his party, it's safe to say that this new addition isn't just fresh, it clicked for us in a way the original combat system didn't.
Don't get us wrong, we enjoyed brawling and swinging bicycles at street thugs with the best of them, but the new turn-based system allows for a breathing space that keeps the fights tense but adds a layer of strategy that really lifts the whole experience.
Sure, you could attack the goon in front of you, but will one of his teammates block you? Should you cure your bleeding instead or heal a party member? Every decision is important.
Both you and your party members have a standard attack along with the option to use items during your move, but each also has their own unique set of power moves that deal more damage while complimenting their character and current job.
From Nanba summoning pigeons to peck his foes or Adachi frying up an omelette before flambéing a goon's head to Ichiban taking big, show stopping swings with his barb-wired baseball bat. (Did we tell you he drew it from the ground like Excalibur?) These are big show stopping cinematics that are a joy to watch.
This new system maintains the series' devastating ferocity, with characters using traffic cones, bicycles and anything nearby as weapons automatically. You'll also need to keep an eye on the general movement and flow, as everyone moves around the battlefield. You can't control this movement yourself so waiting for optimal moments to attack are key to dealing group damage or simply not being blocked from hurting the goon you're aiming for.
This extra RPG flavour isn't just reflected in the game play: the story and its characters seem fully aware of the new changes, often making quips and comments on how "Life really is an RPG" and they're ready to "level up in life". Not quite a fourth-wall break but definitely a tap on the door.
Ichiban's obsession with becoming a hero stemmed from Dragon Quest after all, something he'll tell you often, so it makes sense that shortly after drawing Excalibur/the baseball bat from the ground, enemies would start to transform during battle before his very eyes. No-one else can see this of course, but his party plays along.
As mentioned before, jobs play a big role in Like A Dragon, essentially acting as your class system in game. As new ones unlock, each refreshes your character stats and offers completely new attacks – this isn't done on the fly, though, instead you need to pop over to "Hello Work", a job centre of sorts that looks a lot quieter and cheerier than any we've seen.
How you react to situations or deal with side quests also impacts how your character levels up, offering points for things like Passion, Charm, Kindness and Intellect. These mould what jobs you'll be able to switch to, so you'll need to keep working on Ichiban if you've a certain job in mind.
Yakuza is a series that has always revelled in passion, whether it's answering a phone, blasting out some karaoke at the local bar or popping to the gym, these jobs and mini games are executed with as much detail and bombast as the main game itself.
Like A Dragon is no different, with all the same and more thanks to the addition of some new classics. From a robust go karting game to helping Ichiban stay awake during a movie, it's all completely over the top and an absolute blast.
Yakuza: Like A Dragon was poised to be the biggest of the series yet and it's clear that Ryu Ga Gotoku have delivered. Pushing the cult series into brave new places, it's a rich experience that'll leave you wanting to explore every inch of Yokohama, and with a cast of characters you're bound to fall in love with, it's bombastic and fun with a capital F. An essential for fans of the series and even newcomers.
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