Yakuza: Like a Dragon took one of gaming's most beloved action franchises and threw out everything that made it familiar, replacing real-time brawling with turn-based combat. That's a bold bet.

No community votes by criterion are available yet, so there's nothing to break down on that front. What the game itself offers, though, is well-documented. This is the eighth main entry in the Yakuza series, built around a brand-new hero, Ichiban Kasuga, navigating the criminal underworld of a fictional Yokohama. The shift to turn-based combat drew comparisons to Dragon Quest almost immediately, and that's not accidental. The game leans into it with humor and heart.

Compared to what RPG fans typically expect, this one punches above its weight in story and character writing. The combat system is accessible enough for newcomers but deep enough to reward patience. Open-world exploration adds texture without overwhelming.

This is the right game for anyone who enjoys story-driven RPGs and doesn't mind taking their time. If you came purely for the fast-paced action of earlier Yakuza titles, the adjustment may frustrate you early on. Stick with it, and most find it worth the pivot.