Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is a role-playing video game created by Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio and released by Sega.
It represents the ninth primary entry in the Like a Dragon franchise, serving as a direct follow-up to both Yakuza: Like a Dragon and the spin-off Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name.
The game continues the enthralling saga of Ichiban Kasuga, blending action, drama, and emotional depth in a narrative that intertwines the lives of its characters in a complex web of relationships, conflicts, and personal struggles.
Plot summary
The game is set three years after the dissolution of the Tojo Clan and Omi Alliance.
Now an employee at Hello Work, Ichiban dedicates his life to aiding ex-yakuza members in their transition to legitimate work.
The story begins with a seemingly normal life for Ichiban and his friends – Yu Nanba, Koichi Adachi, and Saeko Mukoda.
However, their world turns upside down when VTuber Hisoka Tatara spreads false rumors about Ichiban forming a new crime ring.
This defamation leads to Ichiban and Nanba losing their jobs, and Adachi facing financial troubles.
A twist in the tale emerges when the Seiryu Clan begins recruiting ex-yakuza members, sparking intrigue among Ichiban’s group.
Their investigation reveals the Clan’s involvement in a legitimate waste management business and a plan for a “Second Great Dissolution” to disband the remaining yakuza clans.
The story thickens as Ichiban travels to Hawaii, hoping to reunite with his biological mother, Akane Kishida.
This journey introduces new characters like Eiji Mitamura, a wheelchair-bound engineer, and Eric Tomizawa, a taxi driver embroiled in the local gang dynamics.
Amidst chaos, including an attempted robbery and subsequent challenges, Ichiban meets Kazuma Kiryu.
Together, they delve into a network of gangs and criminals searching for Akane, leading to a confrontation with the Yamai Syndicate and the Barracudas.
The party’s infiltration into District Five, a multifaceted underground community, uncovers startling revelations.
They learn about Chitose Fujinomiya, Akane’s maid, who stole Ichiban’s passport as a desperate attempt to escape her controlling family.
The group also discovers Akane’s connection to the Palekana, a religious charity group with dubious intentions, and the involvement of Hawaii’s most formidable gangs in a race to locate Akane.
Ichiban’s group faces Wong Tou of the Ganzhe Mafia in a quest for the truth.
After a fierce battle, Wong reveals the existence of the Overseer, the enigmatic ruler of Hawaii’s underworld.
This leads to a dramatic confrontation with Bryce Fairchild, the Sage of Palekana, who has been using Nele Island as a dumping ground for the world’s darkest secrets.
The group’s discovery of Bryce’s illicit activities sets the stage for a showdown that exposes the dangerous intersection of power, corruption, and secrecy.
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Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth ending explained in detail:
Ebina’s vengeance
Back in Japan, the narrative shifts to Kiryu’s struggle with cancer and his interactions with leaders of the Geomijul and Yokohama Liumang.
The Seiryu Clan’s plans to expand their waste management operations to Hawaii bring a new dimension to the story.
Kiryu’s confrontation with Ebina at the Tojo Clan Headquarters reveals the latter’s complex motivations stemming from his lineage and the betrayal he experienced.
Kasuga vs. Ebina
As the narrative converges, Kiryu confronts Ebina, unearthing his deep-seated vendetta against the yakuza and his ultimate plan to torture them with nuclear waste exposure.
Meanwhile, Ichiban’s team faces Bryce in Hawaii, unraveling his plans for Nele Island and the worldwide implications of his actions.
This penultimate clash showcases the themes of revenge, redemption, and the human capacity for both cruelty and empathy.
The path to atonement
In a poignant turn of events, Ichiban’s empathy and dedication to friendship shine through as he convinces Eiji to face his crimes and seek redemption.
This moment of compassion starkly contrasts with the public’s hostility, highlighting the game’s exploration of the complexities of human nature.
Concurrently, Kiryu’s unwavering determination to stop Ebina, despite acknowledging the yakuza’s past misdeeds, epitomizes his character’s depth and the enduring legacy of the series.
The aftermath
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth concludes with several open-ended scenarios.
Ichiban’s failed yet endearing attempt to confess his love to Saeko, Kiryu’s adoption of his true identity while seeking cancer treatment, and the potential for future stories involving characters like Eiji and Akane leave players contemplating the future of this rich narrative universe.
It weaves a complex tapestry of character arcs, moral dilemmas, and intricate plot lines.
The game’s blend of action, emotional storytelling, and a deep exploration of themes like redemption, loyalty, and the consequences of past actions offer a profound gaming experience.