Yakuza is a franchise with so much history, with so many numbered games and spin-offs, that the biggest questions for avid fans and newcomers alike are always the same: Do I need to play other Yakuza games to enjoy Yakuza: Infinite Fortune?
While it’s not exactly the same soft reset story as the first Yakuza: Like a Dragon, Infinite Fortune looks to be one of the most accessible and engaging entries in the series’ epic history.
First, the title change for Yakuza: Infinite Fortune has part of the story leaving Japan for the Sunshine Coast of Hawaii. This is the first time the series has ventured out of Japan, and the city of Honolulu is the largest filming location RGG Studio has built for a Yakuza or Yakuza game to date.
But while the Pacific island nation has a large Japanese diaspora, it naturally lends itself to an exotic locale, and it still makes sense for Yakuza’s out-of-water protagonist to visit (Kasuga thinks he’s really good, but laughably The fact that he doesn’t speak English (one of the most interesting side quests in the original Yakuza) is an interesting trade-off.
One of the biggest draws of the Yakuza series (especially in the West I think) has always been digital travel; allowing players to experience not just the real world of Tokyo’s red light district, Kabukicho, Osaka’s iconic Dotonbori district, and downtown Yokohama Reproduce, they can also experience ordinary life that makes them feel the unique Japanese style.
From visiting a cigarette shop for a smoke and some information, to train station lockers, games of Crooked Paw and Don Quixote snacks, Yakuza reinforces familiar cultural touchstones like karaoke and hospitality clubs while also defying stereotypes , presenting a more pragmatic culture. -A globe view of urban life and its melodrama.
The first Yakuza felt like it also showcased more marginalized members of Japanese society and was a great game. Whether Infinite Fortune can maintain the same appeal for its social commentary and authenticity in a world outside of Japan will be one of the most important aspects of the game, but what I’ve seen of Hawaii so far is pretty interesting.
Riding a Segway around wider streets, completing side missions along the beach, and swimming in the ocean all provide a fresh perspective on the dense, story-driven formula that runs throughout Yakuza.
Plus, most of what I played was silly stuff: side stories outside of the main quest and learning different jobs (like Dragons in the turn-based combat system). In one mission, I handed out bottled water to beachgoers and learned how to be a Baywatch-esque lifeguard; in another, I played like a pirate parrot with the pet lobster on Haruhi’s shoulder; And the job center helped me become a water gun. -Cowboys carrying outlaws, fire dancers wielding flames and dedicated warriors.
The voice acting scenes and scenes are hilarious, and even if the scenes aren’t too funny, they hopefully give you enough motivation to explore.
Not all of “Infinite Riches” takes place in Hawaii, though. In addition to Haruhi’s story, you can also revisit Yakuza’s original protagonist, Kiryu, as he continues to live his life in the aftermath of the recent spin-off, He Who Erased.
I played the part of Kiryu’s story in Yokohama, and while it seemed like the kind of maze of story threads that made the series seem incomprehensible, it was actually a really good mix of fan service for veterans, A history lesson for newbies.
For reasons I won’t spoil, Kiryu feels nostalgic. As such, one of his main collections scattered around the city are memories of previous Yakuza games. They’re all very well presented and, like I said, either provide some much-needed context or provide a much-desired reminder depending on your familiarity with the events.
Delving into these two storylines on different continents gave me a sense of how full of well-crafted quests and stories Infinite Fortune is – just like every other Yakuza game in the main series. But happily, Infinite Fortune continues Yakuza’s emphasis on “quality of life” improvements and eliminates the clutter that’s often present in these sprawling RPGs.
When weak mobs catch you, you can skip combat with them by initiating a “strike”, find collectibles and quests more easily on the map, fast travel and glide around the world faster, and do so at virtually any time Unlock new categories. It reminds me of the jump from Persona 4 to Persona 5 – which Infinite Fortune and Yakuza obviously took a lot of inspiration from – but further, I’m a fan of it Loyal fans.
All of this means that gameplay in Infinite Fortune feels smooth. I hate it when games (especially turn-based ones) get bogged down in a slow-paced system and require a lot of random combat and silent text dialogue to mix things up. Like the dragon, unlimited wealth is at great risk if one is not constantly mindful of speed.
On top of that, there’s a ton of extra little systems that I didn’t get a chance to fully explore, including an incredibly in-depth parody of Pokemon combat and an Animal Crossing-style island simulation. But in reality, while the early signs are promising, everything will hinge on the power of the central story, which we won’t feel until we’re fully unleashed as Ichiban and Kiryu.
Yakuza: Infinite Fortune will be released on January 26, 2024 for Xbox One and Series S/X, PC, PS4 and PS5.
For more fun and frolics, check out our video on 5 silly (and awesome) things to look forward to in Yakuza: Infinite Riches!