Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth

It's a good game, with nice combat mechanics and side activities. If you loved the first game, Yakuza: Like a Dragon, you cannot miss this one. But unfortunately it does not shine or has the same impact, due several design decisions that affected negatively the experience: The combat is better, but the game overall is a bit TOO easy. There is almost no challenge in the fights, unfortunately, which is discouraging to experiment with different jobs and skills combination grinding. Seriously, by 1/3 of the game you can easily one or two-shot every enemy you encounter. The story is not engaging, it revolves around a wild goose chase after Ichiban's mother. There are several pacing issues in the main story development, dragging to a point where you can even forget what was happening and not knowing what would be doing next in the plot. The substories are in its majority completely forgettable, with no emotional impact. Most of them insists on themselves using a sad song that feels out of place because it plays in supposedly funny moments. It is just weird. A big chunk of the famous Poundmates helpers (the Final Fantasy summon-like combat elements in this game) are unlocked only by the very end of the main story, which seems a very weird design choice. Last but not least, hiding content behind paid DLCs (like new game+, difficult settings, etc) that should be already in the game is at minimum, greedy and scummy attitude from SEGA. I do hope in the next games they do better.

The gameplay is a huge improvement and the new map brings a breath of fresh air into the franchise.That's pretty much it. The story is mid,many new jobs are kinda bad,the side content constantly interrupts the first half of the game,Kiryu's memoirs are painfully shallow,some story bits really test the player's IQ,side stories follow the same formula,bad DLC practices and so much more. Why the f*ck is Ichiban forced to play Epstein's Island minigame for 30 minutes in the main story? This is probably RGG's last decent game before their downfall.Stranger Than Heaven better not miss. 6.5/10