Like a Dragon? Like a Dolphin, more like. The Like a Dragon series has always been known for its utterly chaotic and over-the-top shenanigans, and Infinite Wealth looks like it won’t disappoint. During the Xbox Partner Preview event, developer Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio stole the show with a trailer showcasing the game’s new Dondoko Island feature, which is as quirky as you’d expect.
For starters, players can hop on a dolphin to reach its shores, where they will be able to fish, gather materials, buy and craft furniture, design their dream house, interact with the locals, put up a guitar performance, and more. There are also exotic birds, “strange creatures”, and ram-headed individuals to befriend, keeping in line with the franchise’s nonsensical charm.
Essentially, this build-your-own resort mode is the Animal Crossing crossover that we never knew we needed, unlocked through a side-story available at the start of Chapter 6. A post on Xbox Wire confirmed Dondoko Island’s independence from the main story, so fans will be able to bask in the idyllic fun at their own pace. Apart from mini-games like Crazy Delivery and Sujimon Battle, a dating app allows them to collect enemies and battle them in hopes of finding a match as well. Hilarious.
It’s exactly the kind of zany content that fits perfectly in the world of Yakuza, and should serve as a welcome reprieve from the main campaign. Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth will follow returning protagonist Ichiban Kasuga and his journey to Hawaii, featuring a map three times larger than the Yokohama map in 2021’s Yakuza: Like a Dragon.
The game is releasing 26 January 2024 on all major consoles and PC via Steam, a few months after the launch of Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name. That’s slated for 9 November, and serves as a prequel starring series protagonist Kazuma Kiryu in an “adult playground fantasy”.
Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.
Edwin Teo
Trinity Sun
