At the Tokyo Game Show 2023, we explored the SEGA booth and had the chance to experience several new game titles, including the upcoming Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth (Yakuza 8), which was recently announced for release on January 26, 2024!

In this upcoming installment, the main character, Ichiban Kasuga, along with Kazuma Kiryu and other beloved characters from previous games, embarks on a journey to Hawaii as the story unfolds. This represents the series' first venture beyond the borders of Japan. Moreover, if you've seen the trailer, you may already be aware that Kiryu is dealing with cancer in this game, sparking our anticipation to uncover the story's further developments

In the demo, we take on the role of the protagonist Ichiban Kasuga and dive into a sequence of battles set in Hawaii. We get to enjoy a variety of entertaining activities, such as handling food deliveries, hitting the karaoke scene, and snapping photos of suspicious characters in mini-games. These mini-games are a quintessential aspect of the Yakuza series and, even in the Hawaiian backdrop, offer numerous engaging activities for players to partake in.

In terms of combat, the game inherits the turn-based gameplay introduced in Yakuza: Like a Dragon, but with certain improvements and enhancements that make it more strategic. For instance, we need to consider the environment and the positioning of our characters in order to gain tactical advantage. Each character also still possesses a variety of quirky and entertaining skills that add on the fun of the game's combat.

On the other hand, during combat, Kiryu can transition into Action Mode, which enables you to utilize a real-time combat style reminiscent of the traditional action-oriented fighting found in previous games. As a result, activating this action mode can lead to a substantial shift in the battle dynamics, particularly when confronted by numerous enemies, allowing you to single-handedly defeat multiple foes.

Unfortunately, the demo provided was only enough for us to grasp the game's fundamentals and some of the mini-games. It's still too early to make a definitive judgment about its enjoyability, especially given its emphasis on storytelling. However, if you've played Yakuza: Like a Dragon before, it likely will meet your expectations, and the familiarity of the combat system from the previous installment makes it more accessible. Lastly, if feasible, the producer suggests starting with the upcoming Like a Dragon 7 Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name as it will greatly enrich your overall experience with Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth.