Developer Ryu Ga Gotoku's Like a Dragon franchise, formerly known as Yakuza, continues to go from strength to strength. Two more titles are expected for the series by the end of 2024, those being a spin-off titled Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name and the next mainline installment: Like a Dragon 8. Its predecessor, Yakuza: Like a Dragon, was a dramatic departure from the series' usual format, and featured a brand-new protagonist as well as a completely revamped combat system, moving from real-time action to a more traditional turn-based RPG. This was a bold move that delighted fans, but Like a Dragon 8 is highly unlikely to make such broad changes, so it will need to pull out all the stops to make the same sort of impact.
There aren't too many video game franchises that manage to successfully flip the series on its head by changing the characters and the entire genre of the game in one fell swoop, but this is exactly what happened with Yakuza: Like a Dragon. Fan reaction was almost overwhelmingly positive, and both fans and critics alike agreed that Like a Dragon's shift to turn-based combat, alongside a dynamic job system and charming new protagonist, was just the breath of fresh air the series needed.
Like a Dragon 8 No Longer Has the Element of Surprise
The integration of beloved series regulars such as Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima into the story only served to further the game's popularity. In fact, the entire Like a Dragon series' popularity has spiked in recent years, so much so that Yakuza: Ishin!, a 2014 Japan-exclusive title, received a western remake earlier this year. Unlike 7, however, Like a Dragon 8 won't have the element of surprise. Fans will have a far greater understanding of what the game is likely to have in store for them, and as a result of this, expectations will inevitably be higher.
More will be expected from the game's combat, and many will be hoping to see the popular job system in Like a Dragon 8 strengthened too. Mini-games have always been a staple of the Like a Dragon series, and additions like Dragon Kart, a cart racing game, gave Yakuza: Like a Dragon multiple additional hours of content for those seeking to do everything on offer. Like a Dragon 8 will be expected to be packed full of additional content too, with confirmation that it will be the biggest game in the series yet.
The introduction of Ichiban Kasuga as the series' new lead, replacing fan-favorite Kazuma Kiryu who had starred in most of the other installments, was a risky move that could've backfired. However, fans instantly warmed to Ichiban thanks to his likable and endearing personality. A dual protagonist role with Kiryu in Like a Dragon 8 throws Ichiban into a tricky situation, and fans will be hoping he isn't overshadowed by the Dragon of Dojima. Ryu Ga Gotoku must strike the right balance between the two protagonists, allowing both to have equal footing in proceedings.
More details about Like a Dragon 8 are slowly beginning to emerge, like Goro Majima's confirmed inclusion, or the fact that the player will be controlling two separate parties, one with Ichiban and the other with Kiryu. This throws up some intriguing possibilities and is an exciting prospect that fans will be keen to learn more about as time goes on. Despite lacking the element of surprise this time around, the game will still likely have some new tricks up its sleeve, and the stage is set for Like a Dragon 8 to continue building the franchise's fan base moving forward.
Like a Dragon 8 will launch in 2024 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.