Summary
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealthadds to its predecessor in many ways, including its continued iteration on the party system. Bringing back the majority of its cast fromLAD 7allowsInfinite Wealthto be both nostalgic and innovative in the handling of its characters, while adding a few fresh faces to create new dynamics within the team. Withparty members like Tomizawa and Chitosejoining the fray, the opportunity to delve into new backstories and motivations is great, and the newest title in theLike a Dragonseries takes advantage of this through expanding on one key feature: Party Chats.
Most would agree that the crux of party-based RPGs lies in the success of its characters. BothLAD 7andLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealthsucceed heavily in this aspect, as one of the tenets of Ichiban as a protagonist is in the friendships he forms with those around him. AsInfinite Wealthincludes eight supporting roles alongside dual protagonists Ichiban and Kiryu, there are more characters than ever taking precedence in the series' plot. Because it would be difficult to detail the less important characteristics of these allies within the story beats of the game,Infinite Wealthinstead utilizes its environmental design to make this information known.
How Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth’s Character Party Chats Deliver Backstory Without Forced Exposition
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth Makes the Most Out of its Environmental Design
TheLike a Dragonseries has always excelled in its environmental design, andInfinite Wealth’s depiction of Hawaiiis no exception. Between the rich amount of substories and minigames to complete, simply wandering around the streets will afford the player new discoveries. Party Chats return inInfinite Wealthto help give context to both its environment and characters, as Ichi and the team strike up conversations while exploring. The dialogue prompts work to add humorous banter while making the title’s characters feel reactive toward their setting; a local like Tomizawa can help clue Ichiban into island life, for example, while giving a better sense of his personality.
Taking thisLAD 7feature a step forward,Infinite Wealthincorporates its use of Bond Bingo to hone in on character profiles, expanding on backstories in a way that doesn’t feel like forced exposition. Smaller details that are inconsequential to the plot can still add much to a game, especially one so focused on its characters, andInfinite Wealthtakes this into consideration. Making use of such a highly detailed setting allows the title to consider not just how the player might perceive the location, but the cast as well; having moments of downtime where allies are afforded the opportunity to talk about themselves in the context of their surroundings helps from both an environmental and character design standpoint.
Ally Backstories Are Treated With Care in Infinite Wealth
This even extends into the use of minigames, many of which can be played alongside other party members. Hearing aboutTomizawa’s precious dart collectionand his interest in the game, for example, helps to make his competitive nature when facing off against him feel all the more tangible. Small details like his use of rental darts to keep his other set from getting damaged add to the sense that he’s a living, breathing character, whose motivations and interests extend beyond the seriousness of the main plot. The same can be said for characters like Zhao, who show softer sides of their personalities through avenues like cooking, demonstrating that they are more than just their abilities in combat.
Other RPGs, like theTalesseries, have benefited from their use of “skits” to deliver similar effects, and with how successfulLAD 7andInfinite Wealthhave been in their own implementations, more titles in the future should follow suit. WithInfinite Wealth’s Party Chats, the strengths of its characters are given the chance to shine, working alongside the title’s robust turn-based combat to make for a compelling gameplay experience. Further endearingIchiban as a protagonist who achieves victory through the help of his allies, the effortsInfinite Wealthmakes to showcase deserve praise.
Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth
WHERE TO PLAY
EPIC EMOTIONAL DRAMATwo larger-than-life heroes brought together by the hand of fate, or perhaps something more sinister…Ichiban Kasuga, an unstoppable underdog who’s no stranger to crawling up from rock bottom, and Kazuma Kiryu, a broken man facing down his last days.BEST-IN-CLASS RPG ACTIONExperience one-of-a-kind combat with dynamic, fast-paced RPG battles where the battlefield becomes your weapon, and anything goes. Adapt your party’s skills to the situation with outlandish jobs and customizations to strategically subdue enemies with over-the-top moves.INFINITE ADVENTURELive it up in Japan and explore all that Hawaii has to offer in an adventure so big it spans the Pacific. Unforgettable moments await at every step of the journey with a unique mix of quests and activities to enjoy at your leisure.
