Yakuza: Like a Dragon – Release date, gameplay, story and everything else we know so far

The Yakuza series has become Sega’s most well-known franchises in recent times. The franchise began its journey with the 2006 PS2 game of the same name. From then on, Yakuza has not only survived but became even more popular with time. The eighth main iteration of the series is about to release for both current-gen and next-gen platforms. Titled Yakuza: Like a Dragon, the upcoming video game brings new changes to the more than a decade old franchise.

Yakuza: Like a Dragon – Release date & availability

The latest entry to the Yakuza series has already been released in Japan for the PS4. For the rest of the world, the game will be out on 10 November 2020. However, unlike Japan, Yakuza: Like a Dragon will be available on PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, and PS5. Plus, all the versions except the PS5 will release on the date mentioned earlier. Playstation 5 users will have to wait until 2 March 2021 to play the game.

Yakuza: Like a Dragon – gameplay

Gameplay-wise, the latest installment to Yakuza takes a massive departure from its previously set patterns. Unlike its predecessors, Yakuza: Like a Dragon is not a beat ’em up brawler video game. Instead, it features an RPG like turn-based gameplay. The third-person action game also introduces a new job system that allows the protagonist to change outfits and combat styles. Apart from these, however, Yakuza: Like a Dragon retains most other gameplay mechanics. Like the previous iterations, players can still use objects in combat. Plus, the weapons from earlier games also remain in it. As for missions, Yakuza: Like a Dragon has both main story missions and numerous other sub-quests. Also, the game rewards players upon the successful completion of a sub-quest.

Yakuza: Like a Dragon – Story

Fans of the franchise may be aware that the series’ long time protagonist, Kazuma Kiryu’s, story ended in Yakuza 6. So, in the upcoming game, a new character called Ichiban Kasuga will take up the mantle of the primary character.

The story revolves around Kasuga, a junior member of Tojo’s Arakawa family. When the family’s patriarch asks Kasuga to take the fall for a murder he didn’t commit, Kasuga agrees and is subsequently sent to prison. After serving his sentence, however, Kasuga confronts the patriarch and is betrayed by him. Thus, the protagonist sets out on a journey to understand the truth behind the betrayal.

Yakuza: Like a Dragon – Trailer

Check out the trailer of the upcoming game here.