Spoiler Warning: The following article includes minor spoilers for side content in Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth.
Publisher Sega gives itself a cheeky pat on the back in Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth as the game’s protagonist praises the amazing games its produced over the years.
The Yakuza/Like a Dragon series is largely set in Japan and aims to replicate real world locations, and one way it does so is by including genuine Sega arcades where players can essentially emulate other games.
These typically match the era they released in. Yakuza 0 takes place in 1988, for example, so includes Space Harrier, Fantasy Zone, Out Run, and more. Upon entering a retro arcade in Infinite Wealth, longtime protagonist Kiryu Kazuma (who’s one of the two main playable characters in this latest entry), reminisces over his time spent in these arcades, praising Sega as he goes.
“Looks like an old-fashioned arcade. Guess it’s what the kids would call ‘retro’,” Kiryu says. “I used to frequent arcades like this back in the day. Had lots of fun playing games there.
“The folks behind all these games must be incredibly creative and unique. Come to think of it, most of what I played were from a company called Sega. They always seemed to innovate with every new game they put out. And with a lineup like theirs, I’m sure they’ll be around for years to come.”
The publisher and developer Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio weren’t afraid to poke fun at themselves too though. In another string of side content players will meet Robo Michio, a robotic version of a Hiroshima mascot introduced in Yakuza 6, who pokes fun at the Sega Game Gear.
The 1991 portable was infamous for having low battery life, and Robo Michio compares it to himself as he explains his lack of power. “Are you familiar with the Game Gear?” he asks. “Many have deemed its battery life and my own abominably similar.”
— the mat who jonesed the world (@pillowfort) February 2, 2024
Sega found both critical and commercial success with Infinite Wealth, which is the series’ fastest-selling game to date and has surpassed one million copies sold in its first week.
It features the Yakuza series’ biggest map to date, lets players become a samurai, surfer, and housekeeper, includes the series’ most infamous character, and has an entire Pokémon game inside it.
Sega has caused some frustration, however, as Infinite Wealth’s New Game Plus mode is exclusive to the Deluxe and Ultimate versions of the game, which come in at $15 and $40 more expensive respectfully.
In our 9/10 review, IGN said: “Sprawling, enthralling, and packed with dynamic brawling, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth isn’t just the best turn-based Like a Dragon game, it’s one of the greatest games in the entire series.”
Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelance reporter. He’ll talk about The Witcher all day.
