We finally got a release date for the latest Yakuza game, Yakuza: Like A Dragon. This is the seventh mainline entry of the series, but the first to shift its protagonist to newcomer Ichiban Kasuga, and also pivoting from an action game into a turn-based JRPG.
The new launch trailer is all about honing that point, you’re playing as Ichiban and his party members, with a job system that changes their moveset.
Ichiban can be a chef that hits enemies with a hot wok, and then pour some freshly ground pepper while they are down. Adachi can be a musician, strumming the guitar inspiring others to attack enemies.
Nanba can ditch the hobo look and become a host that shouts “happy birthday” before smothering someone with a cake on the face. Saeko can be the idol that shoots water guns or a dealer that has enemies gamble on roulette, a normal roulette and a Russian roulette, at the same time.
Yakuza: Like A Dragon, unlike past games, wear its goofiness on its sleeves, and it looks ridiculous considering how the game is has a realistic artstyle.
Also note that Yakuza: Like A Dragon, like the previous localised Ryu Ga Gotoku game Judgment, will include an English dub for the English release. Though you can also play in Japanese audio with English subtitles like previous games too.
Yakuza: Like A Dragon will launch on November 13 for the PS4, PC (Steam, Windows 10) and Xbox One. It will also be releasing on day-one of the Xbox Series X launch (which is now locked to November 2020), and will be available on PS5 later.
Curiously, Yakuza: Like A Dragon’s Steam page is still not available in regions like Malaysia. This may not bode well for some folks in affected regions, but like previous entries, you just never know whether it will be released early or late for Asian regions outside Japan until it’s the release date.