From Yakuza to Dragon Quest: How Ichiban Kasuga Stole My Heart (And 100+ Hours)
Yakuza: Like a Dragon
TL;DR
Employed man spends 100+ hours playing unemployed man simulator. Cried twice, laughed constantly, now convinced all problems can be solved with the power of friendship and baseball bats. 10/10 would destroy my sleep schedule again.
Ichiban loves showing off his back tattoo !
As someone relatively new to the Yakuza franchise, Like a Dragon wasn't just an introduction, it was a full-blown obsession that led me down the path to 100% completion on Steam. This game does something remarkable: it completely reinvents a beloved series while maintaining everything that made it special in the first place.
definitely grind this out !
A Bold New Combat System
The shift from real-time brawling to turn-based RPG combat was controversial, but it works brilliantly. The combat system feels fresh and strategic, with job classes ranging from traditional RPG fare to absolutely bonkers choices like "Foreman" and "Chef." Watching Ichiban imagine his enemies as fantasy creatures while wielding a baseball bat never gets old.
familiar turned based RBG menus
Meet Ichiban Kasuga: The Heart of the Game
But the real star here is Ichiban Kasuga himself. Unlike the stoic Kiryu, Ichiban is an earnest, optimistic goofball who believes in loyalty, Dragon Quest, and the power of friendship with an intensity that's both endearing and infectious. His journey from loyal yakuza grunt to homeless ex-con trying to rebuild his life is genuinely moving, and the supporting cast of misfits he assembles is equally compelling.
the whole gang is here.
Side Content That Steals Your Soul (In a Good Way)
The side content is where Like a Dragon truly shines. Yokohama is packed with distractions: managing a business empire, racing go-karts, playing retro SEGA games, and completing bizarre substories that range from heartwarming to absolutely deranged. I lost entire evenings to the can collection minigame and Dragon Kart, and I regret nothing.
various activities you can do.
this was a challenging mini game
My all time favorite was definitely the Ounabara Vocation School.
I wish I was this good at tests during my high school era!!
Serious Themes Meet Absurd Humor
The story tackles serious themes, homelessness, societal prejudice, corruption - while never losing sight of its heart. It balances melodrama with genuine emotion, absurdist humor with social commentary. One moment you're crying over a character's backstory, the next you're fighting thugs in diapers.
real gang member !
The Grind Was Worth It
The pacing can drag in places, especially in the middle chapters, and some grinding is necessary for the harder fights. The job system, while fun, could use more balance. But these are minor quibbles in an otherwise exceptional experience that had me hooked for over 100 hours.
- • Ichiban is an instantly lovable protagonist who breathes new life into the series
- • Turn-based combat is surprisingly deep and strategic with creative job classes
- • Incredible cast of characters with well-developed personal stories
- • Perfect blend of serious storytelling and absurd humor
- • Some grinding required for tougher boss fights
- • Job system balance could be better (some jobs clearly outclass others)
- • Dungeon design is repetitive and lacks variety
- • Combat animations can become repetitive over 50+ hours