Game Review: "Yakuza: Like a Dragon" – Ichiban Kasuga steps into the Yakuza world and changes everything

 

After six mainline Yakuza games, spinoffs, and the excellent Judgment, Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio decided in 2020 to completely reinvent its universe. Yakuza: Like a Dragon, also known as Yakuza 7, is a bold soft reboot introducing a new protagonist, a new combat system, and a new location, while still retaining the spirit of the series. The end result? Absolutely phenomenal, though not without flaws.

A New Face of the Series – Ichiban Kasuga

For the first time in a mainline Yakuza game, Kazuma Kiryu is not the protagonist. In his place appears Ichiban Kasuga, a former yakuza member who spent 18 years in prison for a crime committed by his godfather. Kasuga is completely different from the stoic Kiryu: cheerful, naively optimistic, and full of heart and charisma. While his carefree nature can be annoying at times, he is extremely relatable and charming.

Ichiban also serves as the perfect reason for the gameplay changes: his lifelong love of classic JRPGs like Dragon Quest means that every street fight is transformed in his imagination into a magical, epic battle. This makes the entirely new turn-based combat feel natural in the Yakuza universe.

Additionally, the party of characters in this game is unique for JRPGs. Each member is an adult, ranging in age from their early thirties to late fifties. They are funny and eccentric but also face serious life problems – homelessness, trauma, or personal struggles. This is a refreshing change from classic JRPGs that tend to focus on high school students and romantic drama.

Story – Classic but Refreshed

Like a Dragon begins in Kamurocho, but most of the game takes place in the new city of Isezaki Ijincho, inspired by Yokohama’s Isezakicho district. Kasuga starts from nothing – no money, no family, and a mysterious counterfeit banknote in his pocket – and gradually climbs the social ladder, uncovering a conspiracy with far-reaching consequences.

The story blends serious moments, dramatic twists, and the absurd humor typical of the series. While some parts may feel exaggerated or overly long, the plot is largely engaging and emotional. Ichiban and his party form a colorful cast of characters whose personal stories are as entertaining as they are heartfelt.

Gameplay – JRPG from the Streets

The most controversial change in Like a Dragon is the shift to turn-based combat. The series was previously a brutal action brawler, and now every fight is processed through Ichiban’s imagination as a classic JRPG battle, where street thugs become monsters and terrorists.

The system, while straightforward – elements, character classes (jobs), AOE attacks, and items – has some flaws:

Characters and enemies move randomly across the battlefield, making strategic planning difficult.

Poor pathfinding causes characters to take strange routes or get stuck on obstacles.

The class system is not very encouraging for experimentation: most characters perform best in their default class, and changing classes requires expensive equipment and grinding.

Late-game difficulty spikes necessitate tedious grinding in a special underground dungeon.

Despite these issues, battles remain satisfying – large area attacks, exploiting elemental weaknesses, and defeating multiple enemies at once keeps combat engaging.

Game World – Lively and Full of Activities

Isezaki Ijincho is massive, much larger than Kamurocho, with diverse architecture, neighborhoods, and citizen life. From dense, impoverished streets to Chinatown to luxury residences – every area has its own character.

The game offers a huge variety of activities:

Classic SEGA mini-games (Virtua Fighter, Outrun, Space Harrier)

Go-kart racing

Competing with homeless characters in scavenger races

Running your own confectionery business

Numerous side quests and street events

Although previous locations in the series are less populated, being able to revisit Kamurocho and other familiar areas is a welcome addition.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

+Fantastic new protagonist Ichiban Kasuga with a unique personality

+Adult and realistic party members

+Huge, vibrant, and diverse city of Isezaki Ijincho

+Tons of mini-games, side quests, and activities

+Humorous and imaginative combat sequences

+Engaging story with serious themes and exciting twists

+Soft reboot makes it easy for new players to jump in

Cons:

-New turn-based combat system has many flaws

-Grinding in the late game is time-consuming and tedious

-Some character classes are almost useless

-Boss difficulty spikes can be frustrating

-Female characters are still underdeveloped

-Long, repetitive sections (e.g., underground dungeon) can become tedious

Final Verdict

Despite its flaws, Yakuza: Like a Dragon is an excellent entry in the series, boldly introducing a fresh combat system, new characters, and a new location while retaining the series’ strengths – humor, drama, city life, and atmosphere. Ichiban Kasuga is one of the best protagonists in Yakuza history, and Isezaki Ijincho offers a huge space for exploration and fun.

Score: 9/10