Hannan Mundia 
The release date of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is approaching and fans of the Yakuza series should make sure they’ve got the right platform to play it and a proper idea of what gameplay it will have.
After multiple spin-off games and side stories that see the series’ characters turn into samurais or survive a zombie apocalypse or erase their name, Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio is set to release a new mainline installment in the series and a proper sequel to 2020’s wildly successful Yakuza: Like a Dragon. In addition to seeing several characters from previous entries in the Like a Dragon series return, the game features both of the series’ protagonists working together towards their individual goals.
With information on the game trickling in as its release date inches closer, it seems both old and new fans of the series looking forward to the game that promises to wrap up the original protagonist’s story.
What is Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth?
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is the upcoming ninth installment in the Like a Dragon series. It is a sequel to Yakuza: Like a Dragon, and follows the story of Ichiban Kasuga. Known in Japan as Ryu Ga Gotoku 8, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is the ninth mainline entry following the seven numbered Yakuza games and Yakuza: Like a Dragon.
The Yakuza series has gone through several changes since the eighth mainline entry Yakuza: Like a Dragon was released. Along with changing the name of the series from Yakuza to Like a Dragon, Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio is cementing the new combat system and new protagonist as the norm for the series going forward.
The upcoming Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth mixes elements from previous games. Featuring both Ichiban Kasuga and Kazuma Kiryu, the new and original protagonists of the series, the game explores the Isezaki Ijincho district of Yokohama, as well as Honolulu in Hawaii.
As Ichiban sets out on his journey to find and reunite with his biological mother in Hawaii, Kiryu faces a more serious dilemma; a cancer diagnosis. With an undetermined amount of time left in Kiryu’s life, Infinite Wealth is likely to be a nostalgic experience for fans as several characters from previous games in the series return in what seems to be a celebration of the almost two-decade-old series.
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth release date and platforms confirmed
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is set to release on January 26 for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. The game is currently available to preorder both physically and digitally.
With more developers moving away from releasing their games on previous generation consoles, the announcement that Infinite Wealth would be coming to the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One came as a surprise to many fans.
While Infinite Wealth was first announced in September 2022 during Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio’s Summit livestream, the official name was revealed at Xbox Games Showcase 2023. Though Xbox and Sega’s relationship is growing, it’s unknown whether Yakuza: Infinite Wealth will be on Xbox Game Pass, or when this might happen.
Is Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth turn-based?
The turn-based battle system of Yakuza: Like a Dragon returns in Infinite Wealth, but beat ’em up elements from previous Yakuza games returning.
Yakuza: Like a Dragon introduced jobs, which act as a class system that gives characters a uniform set of perks and skills based on their class. Kiryu will have a unique job called “Dragon of Dojima” which allows him to temporarily perform real-time combat, implementing the brawler gameplay from previous Like a Dragon games.
The game will also have several minigames, including some returning from previous Like a Dragon games. The most notable minigame is Crazy Delivery, a food delivery game inspired by Sega’s Crazy Taxi franchise, which is set to make a return alongside Sega’s Jet Set Radio franchise.
