After almost a year of waiting, fans can finally look forward to the release of Yakuza: Like a Dragon's localization next week as the game launches on PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. With the title set to launch on November 10th and pre-loading live on multiple platforms, the embargo has now lifted for reviews of Sega's newest turn-based RPG, indicating to new and returning fans what to expect from Yakuza: Like a Dragon.
This newest entry is acting as a soft reboot for the franchise following the conclusion of Kazuma Kiryu's saga in Yakuza 6: The Song of Life, while also transitioning the series' genre from third-person action brawler to turn-based RPG based on titles such as Dragon Quest. This entry also distances itself from the original entries further by taking the player out of the fictional red light district of Kamurocho and to the dirty streets of Yokohama, as they take the role of new protagonist Ichiban Kasuga.
With these changes in mind, as well as Microsoft positioning the title as a timed next-gen exclusive on Xbox Series X and S, it's understandable that many newcomers may be jumping into the series for the first time. Considering this, reviews of Yakuza: Like a Dragon could be the tipping point for many fans in deciding to pick the game up day 1. Thankfully, reviews are off to a great start, with the title currently sitting at a Metacritic score of 84 and an OpenCritic score of 86. Here's what reviewers are saying;
TheGamer (Bella Blondeau)
Yakuza: Like A Dragon is a high point for the genre - and perhaps the highest point it will reach on the PS4 or Xbox One. If this is where JRPGs are starting, going into the next generation of consoles, there's reason to believe that we're in for a decade of riches.
Score: 5/5
Windows Central (Zackrey Caevas)
Yakuza: Like a Dragon feels like everything I ever wanted in a game. Once the game stomps on the gas, it very rarely slows down. Its unique cast of characters and gameplay had me hooked and wanting more, and it almost feels like it never stops giving. Even after the story ends at the 45+ hour mark, I was ready to fight more, complete more side missions, and squeeze out every drop of gameplay that this game has to offer.
Score: 5/5
Game Informer (Jeff Cork)
Like a Dragon is a departure from the games that came before it, but I found those changes to be revitalizing. As much as I enjoyed the Yakuza formula, it was definitely a formula. Like a Dragon has enough familiar elements to make it feel like, at its heart, it’s a Yakuza game. All the while, I fully appreciated how much of a new identity this entry is establishing. Here’s hoping this is the first step in yet another great journey for the series.
Score 9.25/10
PlayStation Universe (Joey Apsey)
Yakuza: Like A Dragon is an impressive and quality JRPG that successfully acts as a jumping in-point for new fans and also ties itself to the series' past in exciting and engaging ways. The turn-based combat has been infused with some mechanics that help retain the action and over-the-top hilarity the series is known for. Mini-games once again shine and there is a lot packed into Ijincho. Like A Dragon paves the way for a bright future for the franchise.
Score: 8.5/10
IGN (Tristan Ogilvie)
Yakuza: Like a Dragon’s colourful turn-based combat, engaging lead characters, and detail-rich setting make for a refreshingly different and mostly thrilling instalment in the long-running Japanese crime series. However, pathfinding annoyances and a number of escalating difficulty spikes in its closing chapters made completing its story feel like much more of a repetitive slog than any of the previous games. While I applaud the developers for daring to transform its established brawling into more tactically complex team-based battles, the grueling progression system it brings along with it means that Yakuza: Like a Dragon ultimately takes some bold steps in a new direction for the series but neglects to completely maintain its balance.
Score: 7/10
RPG Site (Josh Torres)
There is a decent game lurking beneath Yakuza: Like A Dragon. Its experimental, numerous half-baked ideas in the shift to a turn-based RPG drag it down from being an excellent experience, but the core ideas are solid enough on paper that they could be amazing if given a future chance.
Score: 7/10
Judging from these quotes, it seems like some reviewers are torn over whether Yakuza: Like a Dragon truly is the perfect entry point to the series that Sega has made it out to be, with some reviewers believing the title's implementation of RPG mechanics needs more works, while others feel it is an achievement for the genre. Thankfully fans will not have to wait too long to judge for themselves as Yakuza: Like a Dragon is less than one week away. Fans waiting to purchase the game on PlayStation 5 will unfortunately have to wait until March 2nd 2021 to play the game, however, Sega has confirmed that there will be a free upgrade from the PS4 to PS5 versions, though save files will not transfer over.
As some reviewers have also mentioned, Yakuza: Like a Dragon is also the first title since the original game on the PlayStation 2 to include full English voice acting, featuring actors from the likes of Star Trek, Berserk, and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. This is likely to draw in even more western fans to the franchise, as the title is releasing the same week as major titles such as Assassin's Creed Valhalla, Call of Duty Black Ops: Cold War, Demon's Souls, and Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales.
Yakuza: Like a Dragon will release on November 10th for PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. The PlayStation 5 version will release on March 2nd 2021.