Game Review: Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth – A fantastic RPG lacking in accessibility
Fun in the Sun
Hello, dear readers! My name is Victor, and I am a totally blind gaming, technology, and entertainment journalist. I am also an ambassador for universal design, an accessibility consultant, advocate, and tester.
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is the latest game in the Yakuza series, developed by Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio and published by Sega. It is a spin-off of the main Yakuza series, now completely renamed as Like a Dragon, featuring new characters, setting, and combat system. We received a download code for it last Friday, exactly when the game was released for public consumption, and during the weekend, I played parts of it alongside Alina using the Second Controller for Assistance function on PlayStation 5. This is a feature that allows another player, such as a friend, partner, or family member, to join the game and assist in all aspects of the experience.
The narrative of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth begins in modern-day Japan before unfolding in the picturesque landscapes of Hawaii. The storyline revolves around two compelling protagonists, Ichiban Kasuga, an indomitable underdog, and Kazuma Kiryu, a broken man facing the challenges of a terminal illness. Their fates intertwine in a dramatic tale of loyalty, betrayal, and redemption.
Aside from the two main protagonists, the game features a rich cast of relatable characters, each with their own backstory, personality, and motivations. The game also offers an insane number of activities to enjoy at our leisure, such as darts, card games, karaoke, fishing, golf, and more. We are invited to explore all that Hawaii has to offer in an adventure so big it spans the Pacific and it will probably take completionists over 100 hours to complete.
The gameplay successfully combines action, RPG, and adventure elements to deliver a most unique and fun turn-based RPG combat system.
The battlefield itself becomes a weapon against our enemies where anything goes. We can use objects, elements from the environment and even vehicles against them, and as such achieve over-the-top results. We can also call up quirky characters with powerful attacks and healing skills to help us gain the upper hand in battle. We really enjoyed this dynamic, fast-paced, and hilarious combat, but even better is the fact that it never gets boring or repetitive. If you decide to pick up the game, I recommend that you use materials to craft and upgrade your weapons, which will be stronger and have better stats than the ones you can find at shops.
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth looks great, plays fluidly, sounds excellent, and has a nostalgic-sounding soundtrack with tracks reminiscent of the late ’80s. The graphics are detailed, the animations are smooth, and at times realistic. The sound design is immersive, atmospheric, and the voice acting is superb. I was extremely happy to be able to take advantage of the English audio track, but rest assured, those of you who prefer these games in Japanese, that one is also there. The game has a lot of humor and charm, and it does not take itself too seriously, but it also has moments of drama and intensity that will keep you hooked.
However, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is not at all accessible for blind players, as it lacks accessibility features such as menu narration, navigation assist, or specific sound cues. The game relies heavily on visual cues and text prompts.
Luckily, it is not only bad news across the board; Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth does make a minimal effort of introducing larger fonts, color filters, and some captioning, players with reduced mobility or cognitive impairments can take advantage of an option to slow down the action in intense scenes, but not near enough as to cater to the complete range of disabilities. This is a major disappointment, as the game could have been more inclusive and enjoyable for a wider audience.
Overall, if we don’t take into consideration the lackluster accessibility suite, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is an unmissable experience and one of the best action RPGs out there. The captivating story, addictive gameplay, and the immersive atmosphere make it a game that will make you laugh, cry, and cheer. Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth is available now on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows and Steam. If you are a fan of the Yakuza series, or if you are looking for a fresh and fun RPG experience, you should definitely give this game a try. You will not regret it.
Review copy provided by Sega.
Victor Dima
