▶ TL;DREmployed 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 with his back tattoo exposed in a dojo, men squared up around him
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.

A completion bar at 100% above a row of character portraits
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.

A turn-based fight in a back alley, the Attack menu open and party health shown
familiar turned based RBG menus

+ PROS

  • 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

− CONS

  • 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

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.

Ichiban and his party facing the camera in a shopping arcade
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.

Two minigames side by side: a balance meter and a go-kart race
various activities you can do.
Ichiban wheeling a shopping trolley piled with recycled cans down a street
this was a challenging mini game

My all time favorite was definitely the Ounabara Vocation School.

A written exam minigame with a multiple-choice history question on screen
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.

Ichiban in his red suit facing down two men in a confrontation
Ichiban in a brightly painted nursery beside grown men in nappies
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.