Though the Yakuza series has always featured a unique blend of bizarre and cinematic storytelling, the latest main entry Yakuza: Like A Dragon has positioned itself as a new beginning for the long-running crime saga. Changing up the Japan-set series’ signature beat-em-up gameplay as well as protagonist Kazuma Kiryu, Like A Dragon has aimed to establish the heroic journey of character Ichiban Kasugam and feature a new RPG-style turn-based battle system, while also delivering the familiar minigame-filled Yakuza experience that fans expect.

The release of Yakuza: Like A Dragon holds significance for its shake-up to the series’ formula as well as its presence as an Xbox Series X launch title, so expectations are predictably high for the debuting eighth entry. According to emerging reviews, Yakuza: Like A Dragon may very well live up to the hype, with critics largely appreciating new protagonist Ichiban as well as the role-playing approach to the world of Yakuza. That being said, some have also expressed uneven appeal in the game’s new turn-based direction.

Eurogamer – “Sometimes It’s Great”

“Yakuza: like A Dragon is a good game – sometimes it’s okay, sometimes it’s great, sometimes it made me groan. It runs the full gamut of emotions, from boredom to disbelief. The will to reinvent itself is there, and that means not everything works – whether you’ll enjoy it or not depends on what aspects you care about the most.”

Game Informer – 93/100

“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.”

PC Gamer – 72/100

“A fun, charming, and occasionally brilliant Yakuza game, let down by an overabundance of repetitive turn-based battles.”

Polygon – “Worthy Successor”

“What Ryu ga Gotoku Studio has created is an ambitious new entry in a franchise that has managed to endure for over 15 years. Series veterans might be turned off by this new direction, but it manages to retain the same essence as its predecessors. And by the end, Ichiban Kasuga and Yakuza: Like a Dragon both prove to be a worthy successor to the franchise.”

Siliconera – 90/100

“Much like Kasuga’s dragonfish tattoo feels like a quirky but faithful successor to Kiryu’s dragon, Yakuza: Like a Dragon rebuilds the franchise by leaving a lot of it in place. The new protagonist doesn’t feel like he has seven games of story in him, but his eagerness to join the fray could carry the next few entries. And hey, if you want another game with the classic combat style, there’s always a chance of a Judgment sequel.”

Yakuza: Like A Dragon releases for PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S on November 10th, with a PlayStation 5 version set to arrive March 2nd, 2021. What do you think? Are you interested in checking out this unique spin on the Yakuza series, or will you be waiting for a more traditional follow-up sometime down the line? Let us know in the comments below and be sure to follow Don’t Feed the Gamers on Twitter and Facebook to be informed of the latest gaming and entertainment news 24 hours a day!

If you enjoy this writer’s work, please consider supporting them by tossing a Ko-fi their way! Every little bit helps and aims to keep DFTG independent and free of bias. Thank you so much for your support! Eric Hall @ Ko-fi