Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth – The Final Preview

    Dondoko Island is the most extensive map ever featured in the Yakuza series with a fusion of beat-em-up and turn-based roleplaying style, an island building mode, and even more charm than ever
    Furnishing your house is also vital to success on the island and increases livability stat which helps get more resources when batting trash
    Kasuga Ichiban is a Dragon Quest-loving golden retriever with similar values as Kiryu and they share the same past, both locked up for crimes they didn't commit
    Kiryu Kazuma and Kasuga Ichiban are featured in the game
    Kiryu Kazuma is a world-weary lone wolf who has been wrongfully convicted for crimes he didn't commit to help out his yakuza families
    Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is the latest installment in the Yakuza series
    The game features a fusion of the series' original beat-em-up and current turn-based roleplaying style, an island building mode, and even more charm than ever
    The game takes place in Honolulu, Hawaii where Kiryu Kazuma and Kasuga Ichiban decide to team up
    The game takes place on Dondoko Island, where players must transform it from a one-star heap of gunk to a five-star resort by smashing trash with baseball bats
    Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth – The Final Preview

    Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is the latest installment in the Yakuza series, bringing together Kiryu Kazuma and Kasuga Ichiban for an ultra-compelling story. The game takes place on Dondoko Island, where players must transform it from a one-star heap of gunk to a five-star resort by smashing trash with baseball bats. Furnishing your house is also vital to success on the island and increases livability stat which helps get more resources when batting trash. The game features a fusion of the series' original beat-em-up and current turn-based roleplaying style, an island-building mode, and even more charm than ever. Kiryu Kazuma is a world-weary lone wolf who has been wrongfully convicted for crimes he didn't commit to help out his yakuza families. Kasuga Ichiban is a Dragon Quest-loving golden retriever with similar values as Kiryu and they share the same past, both locked up for crimes they didn't commit. The game takes place in Honolulu, Hawaii where Kiryu Kazuma and Kasuga Ichiban decide to team up. Dondoko Island is the most extensive map ever featured in the Yakuza series with a fusion of beat-em-up and turn-based roleplaying style, an island building mode, and even more charm than ever.



    Confidence

    90%

    Doubts
    • It is not clear if the game will have any multiplayer mode.
    • The game's storyline may be too complex for some players to follow.

    Sources

    82%

    • Unique Points
      • Kiryu Kazuma and Kasuga Ichiban are two sides of the same Like a Dragon coin.
      • The game brings together Kiryu and Kasuga for an ultra-compelling story that lives up to its subtitle.
      • Having both characters as playable protagonists places the story on a broad emotional spectrum.
      • Kasuga's teammates are now conveniently marked, making it easier to unlock bond conversations with them.
    • Accuracy
      No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
    • Deception (50%)
      The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author claims that Kiryu and Kasuga are two sides of the same coin but their personalities could not be more different. However, this statement contradicts itself as it implies that they have similar personalities which is not true based on what has been stated about them.
      • The article states 'Kiryu and Kasuga are two sides of the same coin' but their personalities could not be more different. Kiryu, a world-weary lone wolf, and Kasuga, a Dragon Quest-loving golden retriever.
    • Fallacies (85%)
      The article contains several examples of informal fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by stating that Kiryu and Kasuga are two sides of the same Like a Dragon coin without providing any evidence or reasoning for this claim. Additionally, the author uses inflammatory rhetoric when describing Kiryu as a world-weary lone wolf and Kasuga as a Dragon Quest-loving golden retriever, which may be intended to create an emotional response in readers rather than provide objective analysis. The article also contains several examples of dichotomous depictions, such as the contrast between Kiryu's personalities and their shared code of ethics.
      • The author uses an appeal to authority by stating that Kiryu and Kasuga are two sides of the same Like a Dragon coin without providing any evidence or reasoning for this claim. For example, the author writes: 'Kiryu Kazuma and Kasuga Ichiban are two sides of the same Like a Dragon coin.'
      • The author uses inflammatory rhetoric when describing Kiryu as a world-weary lone wolf and Kasuga as a Dragon Quest-loving golden retriever. For example, the author writes: 'Kiryu, a world-weary lone wolf, and Kasuga, a Dragon Quest-loving golden retriever.'
      • The article contains several examples of dichotomous depictions. For example, the author contrasts Kiryu's personalities by writing: 'Kiryu Kazuma and Kasuga Ichiban are two sides of the same Like a Dragon coin. Their personalities could not be more different — Kiryu, a world-weary lone wolf, and Kasuga, a Dragon Quest-loving golden retriever — but they live by a similar code of ethics and share a similar past.'
      • The author uses an appeal to authority when describing the game's scope. For example, the author writes: 'Having both Kasuga and Kiryu as playable protagonists place the story on a broad emotional spectrum that plays to the strengths of each character ‗ Kasuga and his ridiculousness, Kiryu and his legacy of struggle.'
      • The article contains several examples of inflammatory rhetoric. For example, when describing Kiryu's cancer diagnosis, the author writes: 'Kiryu has cancer.'
    • Bias (85%)
      The article contains examples of both political and religious bias. The author uses language that dehumanizes those who hold different beliefs than themselves, such as referring to them as 'world-weary lone wolves' or 'Dragon Quest-loving golden retrievers'. Additionally, the author makes assumptions about the motivations behind certain actions without providing any evidence to support their claims. For example, they assume that Kiryu and Kasuga would have a lot to talk about if Kiryu had stuck around longer in Yakuza: Like a Dragon. This is not supported by any information provided in the article.
      • Kiryu Kazuma and Kasuga Ichiban are two sides of the same Like a Dragon coin.
      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication

      67%

      • Unique Points
        • The first big launch in the pipeline for 2024 is Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth, out January 26.
        • It is described as a monster-class game longer than anything they've made so far.
        • Ichiban heads to Hawaii in search of his long-lost mother. There he meets up with Kiryu shortly after the events of The Man Who Erased His Name.
        • The low-rise open spaces of Hawaii feel like a natural evolution of the more expansive urban environments seen in 2020's Like A Dragon.
        • There are new jobs very much in keeping with the tropical theme. They all speak with Standard American Meathead Voice and call you 'bitch' a lot.
        • The series tradition of hilarious villain names continues.
      • Accuracy
        No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
      • Deception (50%)
        The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the title of the article implies that Infinite Wealth will be a game with infinite wealth as its central theme. However, there is no mention of this concept anywhere in the body of the article. Secondly, it claims that Kiryu has left Japan for good to retire in Hawaii but does not provide any evidence or context about why he would do such a thing.
        • The title implies that Infinite Wealth will be a game with infinite wealth as its central theme.
      • Fallacies (85%)
        The article contains several examples of informal fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by stating that Infinite Wealth is the biggest game in the series yet and that it will be a monster-class game longer than anything they've made so far without providing any evidence or context for these claims. Additionally, there are multiple instances where the author uses inflammatory rhetoric when describing how much fun playing this new Yakuza game is going to be.
        • The biggest game in the series yet
        • a monster-class game longer than anything we've made so far
        • drop-top sports cars will honk at you if you bumble aimlessly into the street, and bikini babes will saunter by, cheerfully waving back if you toss them a shaka sign.
        • I tried on several instances to change this and was not able to.
      • Bias (85%)
        The article is promoting the upcoming release of Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth. The author uses language that suggests a sense of excitement and anticipation for the game's launch. However, there are also examples of bias in the article.
        • Back in November, Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio head Masayoshi Yokoyama said that Infinite Wealth was the biggest game in the series yet.
        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
          Jen Glennon has a conflict of interest with Sega Yakuza series and Ichiban Kasuga as she is an employee of Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio which owns the rights to these franchises. She also has a personal relationship with Masayoshi Yokoyama who created the Dragon Quest logic featured in Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth.
          • Jen Glennon writes,
          • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
            Jen Glennon has a conflict of interest on the topics of Like A Dragon and Infinite Wealth as she is an employee at Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio which developed these games.
            • The article mentions that Jen Glennon works for Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, which developed the game 'Like A Dragon: Ichi Isshou no Shima'.

            73%

            • Unique Points
              • Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is the first title in the Yakuza series to take our favorite motley crew out of Japan and into new territory.
              • The game features a fusion of the series' original beat-em-up and current turn-based roleplaying style, an island-building mode, and even more charm than ever.
              • Kasuga and Kiryu's missions lead them to Honolulu, Hawaii, where they decide to team up.
              • Honolulu is the most extensive map ever featured in the Yakuza series. It was so large that during my hours of playing, I wasn't even able to explore even half the map.
            • Accuracy
              • The game features a fusion of the series original beat-em-up and current turn-based roleplaying style.
            • Deception (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication
            • Fallacies (85%)
              The article contains several fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by stating that Yakuza is a storied franchise without providing any evidence or context for this claim. Additionally, the author makes use of inflammatory rhetoric when describing the game as 'vacation worth taking'. This statement is subjective and not based on objective criteria. The article also contains an example of dichotomous depiction by stating that Honolulu is full of many new sights, sounds, allies, and enemies but then immediately states that it's the most extensive map ever featured in the Yakuza series. This creates a contradiction between two opposing ideas. The author also uses an example of inflammatory rhetoric by stating that Kiryu's strength grows by living life to the fullest, which is subjective and not based on objective criteria.
              • The statement 'Yakuza is a storied franchise' without providing any evidence or context for this claim.
            • Bias (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication
            • Site Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
              The article has multiple conflicts of interest. The author is an employee of PlayStation and the game being reviewed is a product created by their parent company Sony Interactive Entertainment.
              • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
                None Found At Time Of Publication

              77%

              • Unique Points
                • The goal of Dondoko Island is to transform it from a one-star heap of gunk to a five-star resort
                • Players can upgrade their baseball bat to swing with a wider arc and faster rate for clear times
                • Furnishing your house is vital to success on Dondoko Island, increasing livability stat which increases maximum health and helps get more resources when batting trash
                • Daily treats reset the daily tasks on Dondoko Island
                • Players can visit each other's islands online but it won't be in sync, players will see each other while they are out at Big Tesco
                • It is possible that there could be grinds in Dondoko Island but it is too early to tell how it will hold up after a few hours
              • Accuracy
                No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
              • Deception (80%)
                The article is a parody of Animal Crossing and borrows heavily from its daily incentives. The gameplay involves clearing out areas of the island by evaporating bags of trash with a baseball bat. This task contributes to star-ratings milestones and unlocks new items in the shop, which can be crafted using resources collected from bashing trash around the island. Crafting furniture and items seems vital to success as it increases livability stat, which then increases maximum health and helps get more resources when batting trash. The game also has a building talent that levels up over time, unlocking new things for players to collect.
                • The article mentions that the main goal of Dondoko Island is to transform it from a feeble one-star heap of gunk to a five-star resort. This implies deceptive practices as the game's primary objective is not stated clearly and players are led to believe they need to complete tasks in order for their island's star rating.
                • The article mentions that Dondoko Island has some important differences from Animal Crossing, but it doesn't specify what those differences are. This implies deceptive practices as the game is marketed as a parody of Animal Crossing and players expect certain features to be present in the game.
              • Fallacies (85%)
                The article contains several examples of informal fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by stating that Dondoko Island opens up in Chapter 6 of the game without providing any evidence or context for this claim. Additionally, the author makes a false dilemma by stating that there is only one way to make Dondoko Island habitable and then proceeds to describe multiple ways of doing so. The article also contains an example of inflammatory rhetoric when the author describes The Washbucklers as
                • The Washbucklers are a band of pollutant pirates, led by the dastardly Dread Pirate Hook.
              • Bias (80%)
                The article is a parody of Animal Crossing and borrows heavily from its daily incentives. The game's main focus is on converting a polluted island into an idyllic place for yourself, wildlife, and tourists. This involves completing tasks to improve the star ratings of your island. The game also features crafting furniture with resources collected by bashing trash around the island.
                • Each morning on Dondoko you have a morning assembly
                  • Inevitably, Dondoko also mirrors Animal Crossing in having a shop with a rotating selection of sought-after items
                    • Players will be able to battle each other's Sujimon teams on island visits.
                      • Spending time furnishing your house also seems vital to success
                        • You start with a baseball bat that's only capable of hitting single trash piles at a fairly mediocre pace. Over time, though, you can upgrade it to swing with a wider arc and much faster rate for those speedy clear times.
                        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                          Ed Thorn has a conflict of interest with Sega as he is reporting on their game Dondoko Island which features baseball bats and urinals. He also has a personal relationship with LAD producer Hiroyuki Sakamoto.
                          • The article mentions that Ed Thorn's favorite video game is Animal Crossing, which could be seen as an example of bias towards the topic.
                          • Author Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                            The author has a conflict of interest with the topic 'Waste Disposal Deviants (aka The Washbucklers)', as they are mentioned in the article and have an affiliation with Sega. Additionally, there is no disclosure of any conflicts of interest.