Yakuza: Like a Dragon

This game came out in a time when I was at my lowest. Ichiban's adventures helped me turn my life around. If you are a person who feels directionless and hopeless in life, play this!

As a bold reinvention of the Yakuza series, Yakuza: Like a Dragon abandons the franchise’s traditional real-time brawler combat in favor of a turn-based RPG system. This major shift brings a fresh experience for longtime fans while also making the game more approachable for newcomers. The story follows Ichiban Kasuga, a charismatic and optimistic protagonist whose passionate, down-to-earth personality contrasts sharply with the stoic Kazuma Kiryu. His perspective gives the narrative a more human and relatable tone. Staying true to the series’ identity, the game weaves together the struggles of ordinary people, the honor-bound world of the yakuza, and realistic portrayals of Japanese society. The result is a dramatic yet heartfelt story that explores themes of friendship, loyalty, and perseverance. On the gameplay side, the turn-based combat system is complemented by a creative job system that offers considerable flexibility in character development. A wealth of side activities—including street encounters, part-time jobs, and business management—helps bring the city of Yokohama to life and adds depth to the experience. However, the combat can occasionally feel slow-paced, and some side content becomes repetitive over time.

Excellent price for what you get. A JRPG with lots of fun side content to tackle, a whacky sense of humor, and an excellent story led by an excellent protagonist help make the game shine. I do kind of wish the turn based gameplay was more engaging, but I still enjoyed my playthrough overall.