Highlights

  • Like a Dragon Infinite Wealth is set to be the biggest installment in the franchise, with an expansive life-sim side activity and a Hawaii setting providing a welcome change of scenery.
  • The game will be the longest in the series, with a narrative that weaves together the stories of Kiryu and Ichiban, and a deeper combat system than its predecessor.
  • Fans can look forward to a substantial increase in scope and content, making Like a Dragon Infinite Wealth one of the most highly anticipated games of January 2024.

Action RPG series Like a Dragon's Developer Ryu Ga Gotoku is in the middle of an extremely busy period right now. This was kicked off with the recent launch of Like a Dragon Gaiden, a spin-off title that intricately weaves together the narratives of Yakuza 6, Yakuza: Like a Dragon, and the upcoming Like a Dragon Infinite Wealth. This next title in the saga releases on January 26 2024, and by all accounts is set to be the biggest installment in the franchise to date. That contrasts pretty heavily with Like a Dragon Gaiden, which was at one point considered to be little more than DLC. Despite Gaiden's story leading directly into the overarching narrative which is set to continue in Like a Dragon Infinite Wealth, the games are heavily contrasting.

Like a Dragon Gaiden has been well received, despite its modest length. The game is jam-packed with other activities and a plethora of side quests that almost feel like the greatest hits of some of the series' best mini-games. Fan favorite Kazuma Kiryu returns as the protagonist, and a real-time combat system that hearkens back to the series' earlier days serves as a welcome hit of nostalgia. Development for the game was incredibly short, at just six months, but the polished final product is a testament to Ryu Ga Gotoku and its commitment to this vast franchise. Its next project, Like a Dragon Infinite Wealth, arrives imminently, and in many ways is shaping up to be a very different game altogether.

RELATED: What Like a Dragon 8 Can Learn From Yakuza Zero's Use of Dual Protagonists

Like a Dragon Gaiden and Infinite Wealth Will Be Very Different, Despite Their Similarities

Ichiban Kasuga in the teaser for Like a Dragon 8: Infinite Wealth

From the initial announcement that Like a Dragon Infinite Wealth would feature both Ichiban Kasuga and Kazuma Kiryu as protagonists, it was clear that the next mainline installment in the series would be an ambitious one. As more details about the project have gradually been revealed, including a playable demo bundled with Like a Dragon Gaiden, the hype for the game has dramatically risen, resulting in it being shortlisted for the most anticipated game at the upcoming Game Awards. It finds itself in esteemed company, shoulder to shoulder with some of 2024's potentially biggest hitters.

Shortlist for The Game Awards' Most Anticipated Game:

  • Like a Dragon Infinite Wealth
  • Hades II
  • Tekken 8
  • Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
  • Star Wars Outlaws

Such is the potentially huge scope of Infinite Wealth that one of its many side activities is an expansive life-sim akin to Animal Crossing, which, if the recent trailer is anything to go by, could've been its own game. The game's Hawaii setting will also be a welcome change of scenery for a series that has primarily taken place in a handful of key locations. The blue skies, beaches, and palm trees are a direct contrast to the neon lights of Japan's busy cities, and this change should be felt in everything from the game's side content to the enemy variety.

Like a Dragon Infinite Wealth Could Take the Series to New Heights

Ryu Ga Gotoku has revealed in interviews that Infinite Wealth will undoubtedly be the longest game in the series so far. As a result of this, the narrative that looks to weave together the stories of Kiryu and Ichiban, the combat system (which is already looking deeper than its predecessor), and the plethora of side content available for fans to indulge in should all feel substantially larger in scope. It's an exciting prospect, especially considering that, aside from Like a Dragon Gaiden, the series is already known for providing lengthy games, jam-packed with content. January 2024 is stacked with big releases, and Like a Dragon Infinite Wealth is undoubtedly among the biggest. Fans will be pleased they don't have much longer to wait before the exact scale of the game becomes apparent.