Video Gamer is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Prices subject to change. Learn more
Yakuza: Like a Dragon (also known as Yakuza 7) will lean into its RPG elements and introduce strange classes that riff off the classic mage, warrior, and bard archetypes (via Siliconera).
The new game will bring a new protagonist, new setting, and new gameplay features, but what’s got fans in a spin is the turn-based combat mechanic. Its ‘live command RPG battle’ style is a first for the series, and Ryu Ga Gotoku explained what this meant in an interview last month. Like the city of Yokohama, the fight is perpetually in motion and begins immediately where the hero is standing. His party will turn toward the enemies and advance, but they’ll trip over street signs and bump into pedestrians strolling past.
‘Unlike Kazuma Kiryu, Ichiban Kasuga is not a man of immense strength who can march into enemy territory by himself,’ the developer stated. ‘He fights alongside his friends, and the game system that best expresses this fact is an RPG.’ These characters possess different abilities and stats, and will be given jobs that suit them dependent on their traits. Three of these jobs have been revealed in this week’s issue of Famitsu, and they seem like Yakuza’s answer to classic RPG classes. So, they’re a little bit strange.
These three are the Fortuneteller, Riot Police, and Idol. Specialising in elemental attacks, the Fortuneteller wields their crystal ball as the conduit for their abilities, but they have a weak defense. Contrastingly, the Riot Police officer are hunky protectors that act as the bastion of the party with a towering riot shield. Only ladies can be Idols (am I right?) and they are like bards, because they buff the team’s attack with healing songs and charming enemies. They’re no damsel in distress, though, as they will fight back with their microphone.
As aforementioned, these characters have different stats which are together termed their ‘Human Power’. This sounds like Muse’s latest single, but the Human Power of companions is divided into six traits: passion, mentality, kindness, cheerfulness, intelligence, and fashion. With a suit of that hue, I presume Kasuga boasts the highest fashion stat.
Yakuza: Like A Dragon will be out for PlayStation 4 in Japan on January 16, 2020. Then, the game will be released some time in 2020 for North America and Europe.
