An in-depth overview of the game's "Live Command RPG" battles.
Sega has shared new information and screenshots of Yakuza: Like a Dragon detailing the game’s battle system.
Get the details below.
■ Ichiban Kasuga in Battle
Born in the soapland Shangri-La in Kamurocho, Ichiban Kasuga lived an isolated childhood, never knowing his parents. For Kasuga growing up, his only pleasure in life was playing Dragon Quest, which someone had brought to the office several years earlier.
Captivated by the Dragon Quest that kept him company and gave him his first taste of adventure, it became Kasuga’s dream to one day become a hero who fights alongside his friends for justice.
Ever since, Kasuga remembers Dragon Quest whenever he does anything. That habit remains in tact even now—in battles where his life is on the line, he still likens his opponent to a monster.
In Yakuza: Like a Dragon, Kasuga’s perspective is represented in unique ways such as the enemy’s appearance changing during battle, similar to a monster. In this way, you can battle against a variety of unique enemies within the series’ existing real world setting.
“Live Command RPG Battle” is a new battle system that combines the series’ signature action with an RPG battle system that all players can enjoy. While it is an RPG battle system, time does not come to a halt for the city that is always in motion, and battles unfold dynamically and in real-time. At the same time, the situation in the city and the enemy’s positioning has a major effect on battle, meaning strategy has also significantly improved.
Master Commands in Which Various Action Unfolds
In addition to basic actions such as “Attack,” “Defend,” and “Run Away,” original elements such as “Kiwami Skills” and “Delivery Help” can also be selected during battle. The Kiwami Skills command allows players to execute special moves, including powerful techniques similar to the series’ longstanding “Heat Actions,” and can also activate techniques with various effects including “Attack,” “Recovery,” and “Support.” Many Kiwami Skills require button mashing or button inputs, so you can enjoy the feeling of playing an action game even though it is an RPG.
Attack Any Enemy, But with Potential Hindrances
When attacking distant enemies, the enemy in front of you may block your attack. Or in a situation where an ally is nearby, they may unleash a followup attack on the enemy you attack. The positional relationship between enemies and allies, which change in real-time, will significantly affect your strategy in battle.
From ranged attacks to cooperative attacks and more, a large number of attacks will be available, and depending on your position against the enemy and the layout of the battle stage, your level of effectiveness will constantly change. Yakuza: Like a Dragon is a game with a deep layer of strategy that does not end at simply “choosing a skill.”
Use Objects in the City as Weapons
As you might expect from a game in the Yakuza series, you will still be able to pick up and use objects in the city as weapons. If an item such as a sign or bicycle happens to appear within range, the action of picking it up to wield it, or kicking it at the enemy to attack them is automatically activated. Since the power of those attacks are massive, how you use the items you come across will influence how battles play out.
■ An Overview of Each Character’s Battle Style
In Yakuza: Like a Dragon, characters have jobs, and by changing jobs you can change their battle style. Here we will introduce the battle styles of the protagonist Kasuga, as well as his allies Adachi, Namba, and Saeko.
Kasuga: “Hero” – An All-Rounder Who Defeats Enemies with Swords (Bats, etc.) and Also Has Support Skills
Kasuga wields a bat in battle. From his standard “Bunt Attack” to his wide-range “Mega Swing,” he can learn a variety of flexible Kiwami Skills to use accordingly in battle. He has Kiwami Skills to give orders to other party members, which increases their attack power or heals them, making his battle style one suited to the name “Hero.”
Adachi: “Detective” – A Strong “Warrior” with a Battle Style that Combines a Baton and Apprehension Techniques, and Has Skills Only a Veteran Detective Would Have
Adachi fights with a powerful battle style, where he wields a baton in his left hand to beat down enemies, while using his right hand to grab-hook enemies. As a former detective, he makes use of various apprehension techniques. Striking a powerful blow from his baton, he can also withstand multiple enemy attacks or immobilize the enemy.
Namba: “Homeless” – A Natural “Mage” With Skills Acquired by Survival, Who Attacks Enemies by Manipulating Pigeons, Blowing a Scorching Mist, and Even Stinky Breath
Namba wields weapons like umbrellas and canes in battle. While his normal attacks are not strong at all, he can overwhelm enemies by commanding pigeons to attack them, and use alcohol and a lighter to spray a scorching mist, somewhat like magic. He also has various skills seeming of a homeless person, such as “Begging” to persuade enemies to give him items.
Saeko: “Junior Mama” – A Tricky “Magic Warrior” Who Mows Down Enemies with her Handbag, and Utilizes Techniques that Lower Enemy Ability and Inflict Status Ailments
Saeko fights wielding a handbag and props only a cabaret club junior mama would have. She has a variety of Kiwami Skills, including swinging her handbag like a hammer, blinding the enemy with makeup powder, and self-strengthening through yoga.
■ Delivery Help
One of the key features of battles in Yakuza: Like a Dragon is “Delivery Help,” which is a “summoning service” that dispatches a character to help you fight, accessed by paying a fee via your smartphone during battle. The content of the summoning service differs depending on the character, ranging from “all range attacks with added effects” to “HP recovery” and so on.
Since it costs a lot more to summon characters that offer stronger services, it is important to save up your money. You will be able to summon more and more characters as you clear the sub-stories that occur in the city and as you progress through the main story.
Yakuza: Like a Dragon is due out for PlayStation 4 on January 16, 2020 in Japan, and in 2020 in the Americas and Europe. Read more about the game here and here.
