Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth stands as a bold milestone for Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, uniting two protagonists—Ichiban Kasuga and Kazuma Kiryu—in a sprawling RPG that shifts from deep emotional narrative to gleefully absurd hijinks.
Story & Character Dynamics
The narrative unfolds across iconic Japanese locales and the franchise’s first-ever international setting—Honolulu, Hawaii—as Ichiban searches for his long-lost mother, and Kiryu, facing terminal illness, seeks redemption and legacy. The emotional weight of Kiryu’s arc—grappling with illness, loss, and reflection—is handled with maturity and honesty, earning high praise for its storytelling depth. Meanwhile, Ichiban’s warm-hearted optimism balances the tone, offering dramatic uplift amid shadows.
Some critics point out that the story’s size can work against it, with pacing becoming diffuse as major moments are spaced far apart—especially impactful in a 100-hour-plus game.
Gameplay & Combat Evolution
The turn-based “Live Command RPG” system is a leap forward from previous entries, rewarding dynamic character positioning, free movement in combat, and environmental interaction—for instance, knocking enemies into walls or weaving joint attacks with allies. Kiryu’s “Dragon of Dojima” class brings back the series’ classic brawler energy with a real-time twist powered by his Hype Meter.
Playful Minigames & Side Pursuits
Infinite Wealth brims with inventive distractions:
- Dondoko Island, a charming life-sim akin to Animal Crossing, where you rebuild an island retreat.
- Sujimon Battle, a hilarious Pokémon-like collecting system.
- Crazy Delivery, Miss Match (a dating app parody), and other zany activities like photo-snapping challenges, segway rides, and even a Trolley version of Pokémon Snap.
These offerings are widely regarded as some of the series’ most imaginative and compelling side content.
Visual Presentation & Setting Variety
Visually, the PS5 version stands as the most polished entry yet—vibrant Hawaii scenes, dense cities, and fluid animation showcase the console’s power and the studio’s craftsmanship.
Criticisms & Caveats
- Narrative pacing: The sprawling nature of the story can dampen momentum, making some plot beats feel diluted.
- New Game+ limitations: Locked behind DLC, an issue felt particularly unfair, as it keeps players from revisiting content—and some trophies—without additional purchase.
- Accessibility & job system timing: Some reviewers cite limited options for accessibility and that the job/class system appears late, hampering early engagement.
Reception & Legacy
On Metacritic, the PS5 version holds a strong 89 Metascore and an 8.5 user rating with 85% positive reviews . Players praise it as “stuffed to the gills with content,” “heartfelt,” and “incredibly fun”.
TechRadar named it one of the best single-player games of 2025, underscoring its emotional breadth, humor, and transformational gameplay . Wired called it an “impressive achievement in storytelling,” especially noting Kiryu’s emotional arc . Polygon’s recent roundup of top PS5 games still lauds Infinite Wealth for its ambitious scale, genre-blending charm, and inventive side diversions,
Final Verdict
Strengths
- Deep, emotional dual-protagonist storytelling.
- Smart, evolved turn-based combat with environmental tactics.
- Rich, creative side activities offering fun breaks from the main arc.
- Strong visuals and world variety across Japan and Hawaii.
Weaknesses
- Enormous runtime may dilute narrative focus.
- Important features like New Game+ locked behind paywalls.
- Some pacing and accessibility could be better balanced, especially early on.
Bottom Line: Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is a nearly unmatched fusion of heart, absurdity, and RPG excellence—a standout on PS5 and a high watermark for the franchise. While not perfect, it’s an unforgettable journey that rewards both new players and longtime fans.
Score Snapshot
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Story & Characters | 9 / 10 |
| Combat & Gameplay | 9.5 / 10 |
| Side Content | 10 / 10 |
| Visuals & Presentation | 9 / 10 |
| Value & Accessibility | 8 / 10 |
| Final Score | 9/10 |
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