Just announced at the latest Inside Xbox, the new instalment in the Yakuza saga – Yakuza: Like a Dragon – is coming to Xbox One and Windows 10, and then as a Day One launch title on Xbox Series X.
Having already released Yakuza 0 and Yakuza Kiwami on Xbox Game Pass – with Kiwami 2 on the way shortly – Yakuza: Like a Dragon acts as a reboot to the franchise by focusing on an entirely new protagonist, Ichiban Kasuga. His similarities ring true with original protagonist Kazuma Kiryu as a man who takes the fall for a crime he didn’t commit. His prison sentence at 18 years is certainly longer however. Upon his return, the crime family he was once a part of is almost destroyed, it’s remaining members being hunted down by a man who may or may not be his former patriarch.
Like a Dragon also represents a massive departure for the series: gone is the traditional beat ‘em up combat and it is replaced by a turn-based system. Ichiban – being a massive RPG-fan himself – imagines these battlefields as if he was in his favourite game! For those worried about where this change will take the series, the signature humour, minigames and substories the franchise is famous for are all still very present. Some minigames will be new to the franchise but rest assured, even in this new location in Yokohama, fan favourites like karaoke and SEGA arcades will still be included.
This fantastic news is also accompanied by a brand-new trailer:
Yakuza: Like a Dragon will utilise the Xbox Series X Smart Delivery when the console launches this Holiday season. What that means is that you can play the game on Xbox One and Windows 10 upon release, and upgrade to Xbox Series X when you make the transition to the new generation. And along with cross-save functionality it means your progress can switch between both generations without having to lose any save progress.
There will also be a Day One Physical Edition for Xbox One, details of which will be released at a later date.
With this announcement launching alongside the PlayStation 4 edition, fans will now be eager that the remaining Yakuza 3-6 (and maybe even Judgment) will be arriving on Xbox consoles. Or maybe that is just me? Let us know in the comments section if I’m not alone, but also what else caught your eye during the Inside Xbox show today!
