Yakuza: Like a Dragon

Presentation

Yakuza: Like a Dragon is an action, adventure and role-playing game developed by Ryû ga Gotoku Studio. It marks a major change for the series by placing Ichiban Kasuga at the center of the story and adopting a turn-based RPG combat system.

After spending eighteen years in prison for a crime he did not commit, Ichiban discovers that the world he remained loyal to has disappeared. His journey takes him to Yokohama, where he gradually forms a party including Adachi, Nanba and Saeko.

Combat moves away from the traditional action-based fighting of previous entries in favor of a turn-based system. Characters use their skills, weapons and surroundings to battle the various enemies encountered in the streets.

Positioning still plays a role: fighters move around the battlefield and certain attacks can make use of nearby objects such as bicycles, signs and other pieces of the urban environment.

Progression is built largely around a job system. The game features 19 different professions, ranging from relatively traditional roles to more unusual specialties such as Musician, changing the characters' skills and functions within the party.

Ichiban and his companions improve their stats, learn new techniques and can adapt their roles to create different party compositions.

Exploration retains the series' identity with a dense urban environment filled with shops, encounters and side activities. Substories introduce numerous smaller narratives alongside the main plot.

The game also features a variety of activities, including arcades with SEGA games, karaoke and Dragon Kart races through the streets of Yokohama.

This shift toward RPG mechanics therefore preserves the series' characteristic mix of crime drama, humor, urban exploration and abundant side content.

Key points

• Ichiban Kasuga becomes the central character.
• A story focused on his release from prison and search for the truth.
• Adachi, Nanba and Saeko join his journey.
• Yokohama serves as a major setting for the adventure.
• A turn-based RPG combat system.
• Battles built around a party of complementary characters.
• The environment can directly contribute to attacks.
• A system featuring 19 different jobs.
• Jobs change combat skills and roles.
• Progression based on character stats and abilities.
• An urban world open to exploration.
• 50 substories throughout the adventure.
• Arcades featuring several SEGA games.
• Activities such as karaoke and Dragon Kart.
• A fully single-player experience.

Conclusion

Yakuza: Like a Dragon significantly renews the series formula by replacing its traditional action combat with a full turn-based RPG system.

Jobs, skills and party composition become central to progression, while the use of environmental objects preserves a physical and often unpredictable quality in combat.

Around this new structure, the game retains the series' major foundations: a character-driven crime story, exploration of a dense urban setting and numerous side activities that extend life in Yokohama beyond the main narrative.

Good to know

Yakuza: Like a Dragon is developed by Ryû ga Gotoku Studio and published by Sega and Sega Games.

The game was released on January 16, 2020.

It is available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series and PC.

It uses the Dragon Engine.

The game is designed as a single-player experience.

Its combat system is based on dynamic turn-based RPG battles in which characters can make use of various objects found in the environment.

The progression system includes 19 jobs, each providing its own skills and development options.

Side activities include SEGA arcade games, Dragon Kart races and numerous optional stories.

The game includes 50 substories, developing situations and characters outside the main storyline.

This entry focuses on Ichiban Kasuga, his party, Yokohama, the shift to turn-based combat, jobs, progression and the main side activities, without detailing every character, profession or substory.