Highlights

  • Kiryu's role in Yakuza: Like a Dragon is extremely important and his transition into the new gameplay style is a success.
  • Kiryu's strength and reputation as a fearsome fighter carries over into Like a Dragon, even as a member of Ichiban's party.
  • Dragon of Dojima is Kiryu's strongest class in Infinite Wealth and showcases his versatility and power as a fighter.

Kazuma Kiryu had a legendary reputation going into Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, and the game makes him feel as strong as he should be. While he may not be the de facto lead of the game, his role is still extremely important. One of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth's most important jobs was managing Kiryu's transfer into the Like a Dragon series' new gameplay style. In that sense, the developers' efforts were a rousing success.

Until Ichiban's debut in Yakuza: Like a Dragon, Kiryu was the franchise's main protagonist, taking the lead in the first seven games. When one compares Like a Dragon's Kiryu and Ichiban, there are several notable differences. Kiryu typically fights solo and usually keeps a stoic demeanor unless someone he cares about is hurt. Ichiban, on the other hand, works best in a team and wears his emotions on his sleeve at all times. However, they both have the good heart required of a protagonist.

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Kiryu Doesn't Need a Weapon to Hit Hard in Infinite Wealth

Kiryu punching an enemy in Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth

While Kiryu has had several allies in the past, he has historically faced down his foes alone, even taking on entire groups single-handedly. This is a major reason for the Dragon of Dojima's fearsome reputation, and it carried over into his boss fight in that game. Kiryu's return in Yakuza: Like a Dragon then saw him take on Ichiban's entire party at once. As a party member, he would need to convey a similar level of power.

Despite largely being a solo fighter, Kiryu has shared the spotlight before, being co-protagonist with characters like Shun Akiyama, Taiga Saejima, and fan favorite Goro Majima.

Infinite Wealth Shows That Age Hasn't Dulled Kiryu's Fists

Kiryu's unique class, Dragon of Dojima, has him fighting barehanded, so he gets no stat boosts from weapons. However, his strength is so high in that class that he can outperform his armed allies in terms of damage output. While Kiryu can be switched into other classes, he's best kept as Dragon of Dojima because it's not only strong, but it just feels right for Kiryu. There's little wonder why Dragon of Dojima is Kiryu's best job in Infinite Wealth.

Kiryu punching as hard as someone else could swing a wrench or shoot a gun, if not harder, sounds ridiculous on the surface. However, seeing how Kiryu has spent the entire franchise fighting against seemingly impossible scenarios, it doesn't feel out of place. He became feared throughout Japan's underworld because he could bring down entire organizations with his bare hands. While Kiryu's gotten old in Infinite Wealth, he still has that scary strength.

Kiryu's Dragon of Dojima Class is Among Infinite Wealth's Strongest

Kiryu using Essence of Remembrance in Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth

Dragon of Dojima isn't an excellent class solely due to sheer numbers. It also arguably makes Kiryu the most versatile fighter in the game, to the point that it could be considered a mistake for Infinite Wealth players to ignore it. Dragon of Dojima works unlike any other class in the game, and it revolves around three different fighting styles that Kiryu used in Yakuza 0: Rush, Beast, and Brawler.

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Dragon of Dojima Three Stances Make Kiryu a Major Threat

The Rush style uses a series of quick attacks as its basic attack, and using it lets Kiryu move twice in a row, letting him either attack twice, or follow up with an item or ability. Beast replaces its basic attack with a grappling move, meaning that Kiryu can always break an enemy's guard without using any MP. Yakuza style will, in certain circumstances, let players use the Heat Actions that Kiryu uses throughout the Yakuza series, dealing major damage instead of his usual attack.

The skills for Dragon of Dojima are worth noting as well, mirroring the weapon skills and other fighting talents that Kiryu has picked up over the course of his adventures. The job is as perfectly suited to Kiryu as possible, doing an excellent job of translating his street fighting skills into a turn-based RPG. While it's fun and whimsical to see Kiryu in other jobs, Dragon of Dojima is unquestionably his prime form.

Dragon's Resurgence Lets Kiryu Temporarily Break the Game's Rules

Kiryu kicking an enemy in like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth

As awesome of a job as Dragon of Dojima is, Kiryu has one unique feature that he can use no matter what job he's in. After all, while fighting Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth's bosses is exciting, some players might wonder how Kiryu would have handled things if he was in his prime. Thankfully, Infinite Wealth gives players a glimpse at Kiryu's classic brawling thanks to one of his unique abilities, Dragon's Resurgence.

Dragon's Resurgence is One of Infinite Wealth's Most Exciting Abilities

Unlocked once the story reaches a certain point, Dragon's Resurgence lets Kiryu temporarily shift the game back to its beat-'em-up roots. Upon activating Dragon's Resurgence, the player gains the ability to control Kiryu and attack opponents freely for a short time. While it won't last long, it's a satisfying way for players to attack their enemies while it lasts. Dragon's Resurgence might as well be Kiryu's answer to Infinite Wealth's upgraded weapons thanks to the use he can get out of it.

Dragon's Resurgence is a gift for longtime fans of the franchise, marrying the styles of both eras. While it's not always available, requiring a full hype meter to employ, it's an excellent tool for both practicality and entertainment. While Kiryu can't spend the whole game fighting like he did in the old days, it's still a delight to see when it happens. Both as a mechanic and a call-back, Dragon's Resurgence was one of the best additions to Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth's combat.

While Ichiban is the star of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth's story at the end of the day, the game is also a fond final showing for Kiryu. The series' iconic protagonist was able to not only transition to the new era's RPG format but managed to look remarkably powerful while doing so. Kiryu may have passed the torch to Ichiban, but Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth showed that the legend of the Dragon of Dojima will never die.