Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth Wouldn't be Made Without Success of Yakuza 7; New Gameplay

The upcoming launch of "Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth" in early 2024 is poised to make waves in the gaming community, a development owed mainly to the triumph of its forerunner, "Yakuza: Like a Dragon." The franchise took a bold step away from tradition when it shifted the spotlight to a new protagonist, replacing Kazuma Kiryu, and overhauled its familiar real-time combat in favor of a strategic turn-based system. These changes sparked concerns amongst the devout fanbase.

Witnessing the gamble taken with these significant changes, series creator Toshiro Nagoshi had previously indicated readiness for a course correction if the newly adopted turn-based combat was met with disapproval. The plan was simple: if the fresh direction failed to resonate with players, the series would return to its action-oriented roots.

Reaffirming this stance, Hiroyuki Sakamoto, the lead designer of the latest installment, spoke to TheGamer, emphasizing that the radical shift in gameplay and introduction of new characters hinged entirely on the previous game's success. Had "Yakuza: Like a Dragon" not captivated the audience, the series would likely have quickly retreated to its former style. However, thanks to the game's reception, the designers have doubled down on the turn-based combat and carried it forward in the sequel.

For those eagerly anticipating a glimpse of "Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth," gameplay footage is prolific, with channels like IGN, 4Gamer, and PlayStation Access offering a preview, albeit with potential game spoilers.

Meanwhile, Xbox Series X/S users can already pre-load the game, which demands 59.20 GB of space, a prelude to its imminent release, while PC players should reserve 82 GB as Steam recommends. The game will hit the shelves, catering to multiple platforms, including PC, PS4, Xbox One, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.

This instance demonstrates how game developers can listen to their audience, adapt to feedback, and stay true to their vision, keeping franchises like "Like a Dragon" dynamic and thriving in a competitive market.