Being another entry in the Yakuza series, Yakuza: Like a Dragon allows people to play as Ichiban Kasuga as they try to figure out why they were wrongfully imprisoned and take their life back. The game stands out from its predecessors by focusing on turn-based combat and its emphasis on teamwork.
But as with several games, players are mostly concerned with the main storyline. Assuming the layer focuses on nothing else, the main story should take around 30-35 hours to get through. But the game has so much more to offer—and that is without considering its New Game + mode.
Raise Companion Bond Levels in Yakuza: Like a Dragon
For players interested in the friends they made along the way, raising bond levels is one way to spend some time. Bond levels are essentially a measurement of how much a respective character considers Ichiban a friend. This level is determined by the companion’s experience gain, and thus can be raised when the player has them engage in battle. But it is also possible to gain bond levels for most companions by participating in a cabaret and spending lots of money.
The main roadblock is when the player sees a lock icon by the character’s bond level. This means the companion has a reached a level cap of sorts and will be unable to gain any more points toward bond progression until the player speaks with them at the Survive Bar. The main benefit of raising bond, aside from being a good friend and experiencing side content, is that players unlock a special duo move with that party member when their bond level is high enough. The duo moves deal a massive amount of damage, and this makes them useful for almost any combat situation.
Complete Substories in Yakuza: Like a Dragon
While the main questline is all well and good when it comes to story content, the city itself still holds a lot more content for the player. All they must do is find it. Scattered throughout the map are over 50 substories, all of which can function as side quests for the player.
These substories are varied and can range from helping a homeless man build a bookshelf to helping a man calm down his fussy baby. These substories will have the player fighting various enemies, completing minigames, unlocking stores, and collecting items. A medley of content for anyone wanting to spend some more time in the city.
Build Up the Company in Yakuza: Like a Dragon
Yakuza: Like a Dragon has a ton of minigames. But one stands out: the Business Management minigame. Allowing Ichiban Kasuga to grow and nurture his own company, this game feature is perhaps best known for giving the player extra spending money and unlocking a special party member.
But for the sake of earning achievements and gaining even more money, players are recommended to invest some time in making Ichiban Confections the best company it can possibly be. The player will need to manage employees, evaluate properties, engage in shareholder meetings, and a few other things. It can all be a bit complicated, but it is well worth the time.
In addition, elevating the company will also allow the player to unlock Eri as a part of the player’s fighting team. Eri is unique in that her bond level cannot be raised using conventional methods like combat or eating at restaurants. Instead, her bond level is determined by the Business Management minigame. This means that when the player invests time in developing the company, they are also dedicating time to developing their friendship with Eri.
Play Minigames in Yakuza: Like a Dragon
As the player has probably already noticed, the game has a ton of minigames: Dragon Kart, Property Management, Cabaret Club, Space Harrier, Mahjong, Golf, Movie Theater, etc. The player has probably played several as they went through substories. But it really can’t be emphasized enough just how many minigames there are.
Want to play darts? Head over to Darts Bar Bee. What about karaoke? Players can do that while at the Survive Bar. There is even an entire arcade where players can play Sega classics like Virtua Fighter and Space Harrier. The minigames available in the game are numerous and varied, and there are quite a few achievements associated with them. One example includes the achievement “Sleep Sheep Slapper”, which players can unlock after watching all movies without falling asleep. Another example includes “Certified Genius”, which is unlocked when the player earns 10 certificates from the vocational school minigame.
Playing them as they are is entertaining in and of themselves, but some of these minigames can actually raise the player’s stats. This makes minigames ideal for players who want a break from the game’s typical emphasis on combat.
Collect Sujimon Info in Yakuza: Like a Dragon
Yet another aspect in Yakuza: Like a Dragon is its “Sujimon” system. Being a blatant reference to Pokemon, Sujimon is the game’s way of allowing the player to gain information on their enemies while also motivating them to fight as many enemy types as possible.
When a player defeats an enemy, information about them will make its way into the player’s sujidex. This entry will reveal the enemy’s notable weaknesses, loot drops, and where to find them. This makes the entries particularly useful for any players who want to farm certain materials.
But the top accomplishment with the sujimon system is completing the sujidex. Or in other words: fighting and defeating every enemy type in the game. In addition to giving the player a rare achievement, there is just something satisfying about completing a collection.
Yakuza: Like a Dragon is available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PC, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S