Yakuza is a longstanding franchise that has always featured Kazuma Kiryu front and center, but Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio decided to take an entirely different approach to the future of the franchise with a new hero. While Yakuza: Like a Dragon absolutely stays true to the heart of the series, balancing heavy themes and hilarious comedic relief, the studio also wasn’t afraid to try out a few new things either.
The new protagonist is Ichiban Kasuga and he’s a man that is so pure in many ways, so sweet that it hurts. With a genuine nature and kindness at his center, Ichiban earned his right to call himself a hero (even if he can’t stop talking about Dragon Quest).
Changing the hero isn’t the only major alteration RGG Studio made with Like a Dragon. It also implemented a new turn-based battle system, but these risks paid off big to create a fun game full of feel-good moments.