Like a Dragon Infinite Wealth Review: Worth It in 2025

Few game series have pulled off a tonal pivot as confidently as the Yakuza franchise did when it turned into a turn-based RPG. Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth doesn’t just carry that torch—it sets it ablaze, earning a Metacritic score of 89/100 (Metacritic critic aggregation) and proving that both newcomers and long-time fans have reason to pack their bags for Hawaii.

Metacritic Score: 89/100 (PS5) ·
Main Story Length: ~50 hours ·
Completionist Length: ~100 hours ·
Release Date: January 26, 2024 ·
Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC

Five key facts in one table: the essentials at a glance.

Is Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth a Good Game?

Critical reception and Metacritic score

The critical consensus is clear. Metacritic lists a “Generally Favorable” consensus from 96 critic reviews and a 99% positive user score. GamesRadar reported that the game had a 90 average at launch, making it the best-reviewed Yakuza title to date. RPG Site called it “a spectacular experience” and “a masterpiece” with myriad combat improvements.

Player impressions from Steam and Reddit

Steam user reviews are “Very Positive” with over 90% positive ratings (Steam store page). Players on Reddit consistently highlight the side content and combat as standout features, though some criticise the story’s pacing in the final chapters.

What makes Infinite Wealth stand out from previous Yakuza games

The dual-protagonist structure—switching between Ichiban Kasuga and Kazuma Kiryu—creates a narrative depth the series hasn’t attempted before. Combined with the new Hawaii setting and a revamped turn-based system, Metacritic’s franchise ranking calls it a game that doubles down on what was beloved about the previous entry.

The pattern: the game’s biggest strength—its sheer volume of content—is also its biggest weakness. You get nearly 100 hours of gameplay, but some critics (Games of Trobo) argue the story is overstuffed. The trade-off: if you want a tight narrative, this isn’t it. If you want a sprawling adventure that respects your time with satisfying gameplay, you’ve found it.

Is Infinite Wealth Turn-Based or Open World?

Turn-based combat system detailed

Yes, Infinite Wealth is fully turn-based. It builds on the system introduced in Yakuza: Like a Dragon with new mechanics like positioning, back attacks, and environmental combos. Game Informer described the combat updates as “surprisingly deep and engaging.”

Open-world structure: Hawaii and Yokohama

The game offers two large open areas: Honolulu, Hawaii and Yokohama, Japan. The Hawaii setting is a first for the series and Analog Stick Gaming praised it for bringing “strong performances” and a fresh atmosphere. The world is packed with activities: Sujimon battles, Dondoko Island management, karaoke, golf, and more.

How the game balances exploration and combat

Exploration is seamless; random encounters don’t exist—enemies appear on the map and you choose to engage or avoid. This gives players control over pacing. The open world rewards curiosity with mini-games, side quests, and collectibles that feed back into character progression.

The implication: Infinite Wealth offers the best of both worlds—tactical combat for strategy fans and a rich open world for explorers—without forcing either to compromise the other.

Is Infinite Wealth a Direct Sequel to Yakuza: Like a Dragon?

Story continuity with Yakuza: Like a Dragon

Yes, it’s a direct sequel. Ichiban Kasuga returns from the 2020 game, and the story picks up after the events of that title. GameGrin notes that Ichiban heads to Hawaii to reunite with his estranged birth mother.

Role of Kazuma Kiryu as dual protagonist

Kiryu serves as a second lead, bridging the older Yakuza saga with the new. This dual-protagonist setup allows players to see the world through both a veteran and a newcomer lens.

Should you play previous titles first?

While the game includes an onboarding summary for Ichiban’s past (GameGrin mentions this useful approach), playing Yakuza: Like a Dragon first is strongly recommended to understand character relationships and emotional stakes. The Kiryu storyline rewards knowledge of the entire series, but newcomers can still follow the main plot.

Why this matters: skipping the prequel means you lose the context of Ichiban’s rags-to-riches arc and the weight of his reunion with his mother. For players short on time, the game’s built-in recap is decent—but not a substitute.

How Long Does It Take to Complete Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth?

Main story length vs completionist playthrough

According to HowLongToBeat, the main story averages around 50 hours. Main + extras pushes to 80 hours, and completionist runs exceed 100 hours.

Factors affecting playtime

The biggest time sinks are the side activities: Sujimon (a Pokémon-like collecting side quest), Dondoko Island (a management sim), and the extensive substories. The open world invites exploration, and each area has its own questline.

Estimated hours based on HowLongToBeat data

HowLongToBeat data breaks down the time commitment by playstyle.

The catch: completionists should be ready for a serious time investment, but the variety of activities keeps the playthrough from feeling like a grind.

Which Yakuza Game Is the Best?

Infinite Wealth vs. Yakuza 0 vs. Yakuza: Like a Dragon

Metacritic’s franchise ranking places Infinite Wealth at #1 by critic score (90 at launch). However, longtime fans often cite Yakuza 0 as the best due to its gripping story and period setting. Yakuza: Like a Dragon is beloved for its bold RPG shift.

Criteria: story, gameplay, side content, innovation

Infinite Wealth excels in gameplay and side content innovation. Yakuza 0 wins on story tightness and emotional impact. GamesRadar noted that Infinite Wealth’s narrative is drip-fed and nostalgia-heavy, which some find less compelling than Yakuza 0’s focused drama.

Community consensus on rankings

Reddit and forums generally agree: Yakuza 0 is the fan-favorite, Infinite Wealth is the best entry point for newcomers, and Yakuza: Like a Dragon is the most innovative. The least liked game is often Yakuza 3 or Yakuza 4 due to slower pacing and dated mechanics.

The ranking below shows how the top Yakuza games compare across key metrics.

The pattern: no single game dominates every category. Infinite Wealth scores highest critically, but Yakuza 0 retains the strongest emotional loyalty. The implication for buyers: choose based on your priority—story depth (Yakuza 0) or gameplay breadth (Infinite Wealth).

What this means: franchise veterans get a deeply rewarding sendoff for Kiryu, while newcomers get the most polished gameplay loop the series has ever produced—just with less emotional context.

Is Infinite Wealth Worth Playing in 2025?

Value proposition a year after release

Infinite Wealth launched at full price in January 2024. Deal trackers show regular discounts up to 75% on Steam. At a sale price of $20–30, the 100+ hours of content deliver excellent value.

Price discounts and DLC availability

The base game has no major story DLC beyond launch editions. The “Deluxe Edition” includes extra costumes and items, but nothing essential. This means the base game is a complete package.

Long-term replayability and future updates

PC mods add longevity—new costumes, difficulty tweaks, and interface improvements. The community remains active on Reddit (Yakuza community) with regular discussions and fan creations. As of June 2025, Wikipedia lists total sales at 1.66 million units, indicating a healthy install base.

The implication: if you waited a year, you’re rewarded with a lower price and no missing content. The game hasn’t aged—it remains the definitive turn-based Yakuza experience.

The verdict: Infinite Wealth earns its place as the highest-rated Yakuza game by doubling down on what works—combat, side content, and emotional weight—even if its narrative sprawl won’t suit every player.

What the Critics Say

“A spectacular experience from start to finish with myriad improvements to combat.”

RPG Site (specialist RPG outlet)

“Incredible. Greatly improved combat and amazing side content.”

Steam user (community review aggregation)

“A sublime RPG with a fantastic combat system and absorbing stories, but the drip-fed narrative structure and heavy nostalgic leanings hold it back.”

GamesRadar (editorial review outlet)

“The story is overstuffed and ultimately inconsequential, but the exploration, side quests, and combat are major strengths.”

Games of Trobo (independent review)

For the dedicated gamer who wants a sprawling, content-rich RPG, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is an easy buy. For the time-constrained player seeking a tight narrative, the risk is real: you may burn out before the credits roll. The choice is clear: invest 50–100 hours and get one of the deepest Yakuza experiences ever made, or skip it and save time for a more focused game. Either way, Infinite Wealth has already cemented its place as the series’ highest-rated entry—and for good reason.

Related reading: Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth review comparison pros cons · Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth review comparison pros cons

För den som vill ha ett bredare perspektiv på titeln finns en utförlig tysk genomgång av Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth hos Blickkern.

Frequently asked questions