Yakuza: Like A Dragon Review

or almost twenty years, the Yakuza series has been all about hard-hitting action, gritty crime stories, and of course, the legendary Kazuma Kiryu. But Yakuza: Like A Dragon throws all of that out the window and hands the spotlight to a brand new hero, Ichiban Kasuga, while swapping out the classic brawling for a full-on turn-based RPG. It’s a huge risk, and honestly, I was skeptical at first. But Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio didn’t just make it work—they delivered one of the most heartfelt, hilarious, and memorable games I’ve played in a long time. Like A Dragon doesn’t just shake up the formula; it proves that Ichiban is more than up to the task, and the series is better for it.

Meet Ichiban Kasuga

The biggest shake-up in Like A Dragon is the combat. Gone is the classic real-time brawling—now you’re fighting in turn-based battles. I’ll admit, it caught me off guard at first, but it actually works really well and adds a whole new layer of strategy. You’re still smashing enemies with bikes and street signs, but now you’re picking your moves from a menu. The job system is a real highlight, letting you turn your crew into breakdancers, chefs, or even pop idols, each with their own wild abilities and weapons. It’s like the game took a page from classic JRPGs and ran with it.

But it’s not just about fighting. Like A Dragon is packed with mini-games, and they’re some of the best I’ve seen in any game. There’s a business management sim that’s way more addictive than it has any right to be, Dragon Kart racing that’s pure fun, and, of course, karaoke and arcade classics that are always a blast. These side activities aren’t just distractions—they tie into side quests and help flesh out your party. The bond system is another great touch, letting you build real relationships with your crew and unlocking new team attacks and some genuinely touching moments. Sure, the early combat can get a bit repetitive, and you might have to grind later on, but overall the game keeps things fresh and rewarding.

Yakuza: Like A Dragon's narrative is a triumph, blending serious themes with a unique brand of humor and featuring some of the most endearing characters in gaming. The plot follows Ichiban Kasuga, a low-ranking yakuza, who takes the fall for a crime he didn't commit. After 18 years in prison, he's betrayed and left for dead, leading him to build a new life in Yokohama with a group of misfits: Nanba, a homeless former nurse; Adachi, a disgraced detective; and Saeko, a no-nonsense bar hostess. Together, they uncover a massive conspiracy involving the yakuza, politicians, and the city's most vulnerable.

The real magic of Like A Dragon is in its characters. Ichiban is one of the most optimistic and lovable protagonists I’ve come across—he honestly believes he’s the hero in his own Dragon Quest-style RPG, and that gives the whole game a fun, self-aware vibe. His party is just as memorable, each with their own backstory and reasons for joining up. They feel like a real found family, and it’s impossible not to root for them. The game does a fantastic job balancing heavy drama with laugh-out-loud moments, and the emotional highs hit hard. It tackles big themes like loyalty, betrayal, poverty, and redemption, and somehow manages to do it all with real heart.

Visually, Like A Dragon keeps that signature Yakuza look—gritty, realistic city streets mixed with some truly over-the-top character designs and animations. The character models look great, and Ijincho, the main district in Yokohama, is packed with detail and feels alive. Sometimes you can spot a blurry texture here or there, a reminder that this is a cross-gen game, but the art direction and lighting more than make up for it.

The sound design and music are top-notch. Every punch and kick lands with a satisfying thud, and the city sounds alive around you. The voice acting is great in both Japanese and English, which is a nice surprise, and really brings the characters to life. The soundtrack is packed with energetic battle themes, emotional moments, and some mini-game tunes that will get stuck in your head for days.

Yakuza: Like A Dragon is a bold reinvention of a series I already loved. It might not break new ground for RPGs as a whole, but for Yakuza it’s a total game-changer. The new turn-based combat breathes fresh life into the series and adds a layer of strategy that wasn’t there before. And with so much side content packed in you could easily lose yourself in this game for hundreds of hours.

There are a few rough edges. Some late-game difficulty spikes might annoy players who aren’t used to RPGs, and a couple of story moments feel a bit too convenient. On PlayStation 5 the game runs smoothly most of the time, with only the occasional frame rate dip or object popping in when things get really busy. What really sets Like A Dragon apart, though, is how it juggles serious themes and off-the-wall humor. It stands out even among heavyweights like Dragon Quest, Persona, and Grand Theft Auto.

Yakuza: Like A Dragon works because it nails the story, the characters, and the emotional journey. It’s got heart, it’s got laughs, and it’s a must-play for anyone who loves JRPGs, great characters, or just wants to see what happens when a series dares to try something new.

If you’re not a fan of turn-based combat or you want your crime stories played completely straight, this might not be your thing. But for everyone else, Like A Dragon is packed with value and delivers a genuinely heartfelt experience. Ichiban Kasuga has more than earned his place as a true hero, and this game proves that even after all these years the Yakuza series can still surprise you.