Yakuza: Like a Dragon

The main pros of the game

• Engaging Story: The narrative is often described as heartwarming, emotional, and well-crafted, with many players expressing that it kept them invested throughout the game.
• Strong Character Development: Ichiban Kasuga and the supporting cast are well-written and relatable, with players appreciating their depth and chemistry.
• Humor and Tone: The game successfully blends serious themes with humor, providing a unique tonal experience that resonates with players.
• Side Content: The variety of side quests and mini-games are praised for their creativity and charm, adding to the overall enjoyment of the game.
• Visuals and Voice Acting: Many reviews highlight the quality of the graphics and voice acting, particularly in the Japanese version.
• Unique Combat System: While opinions on the combat vary, many players find the turn-based system refreshing and enjoyable, particularly the job system that adds an element of fun.

The main cons of the game

• Combat Mechanics: A significant number of players expressed dissatisfaction with the RPG mechanics, describing the combat as grindy and lacking depth. Some noted that boss fights felt more like endurance tests rather than skill-based challenges.
• Difficulty Spikes: Several reviews mentioned frustrating difficulty spikes that required excessive grinding, which detracted from the pacing of the game.
• Transition from Previous Titles: Long-time fans of the series who preferred the action-based combat expressed disappointment with the shift to turn-based gameplay.
• Long Cutscenes: Some players felt that the lengthy cutscenes interrupted gameplay flow, making the game feel more like a visual novel at times.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

• Options for Combat Styles: Some players wished for a toggle to switch between turn-based and action combat styles, as they felt the traditional beat 'em up mechanics of previous Yakuza games were superior.
• Better Balance in Combat: A call for improved balance in the RPG mechanics was noted, specifically regarding the difficulty and the need for grinding.
• More Interactive Elements: A few reviews indicated a desire for more interactive features, such as the ability to pet cats or engage in more dynamic gameplay elements.
• Quality of Life Improvements: Players expressed a wish for better performance optimization, especially on certain platforms, and enhancements to the user interface for a smoother experience.

Summary

• Overall, Yakuza: Like a Dragon has been received positively for its storytelling and character development, though the transition to turn-based combat has been met with mixed reactions, particularly from long-time fans of the series.

Summary generated on: October 8, 2025