Yakuza: Like a Dragon featured turn-based combat instead of opting for the traditional beat em’ up style like the previous titles. The combat was heavily inspired by the likes of Dragon Quest, which is referred to frequently in Like a Dragon. Yakuza creator Toshihiro Nagoshi has confirmed that the series will transition to turn-based combat for the foreseeable future and that the Yakuza spinoff series, Judgement will carry the torch and emphasize the action with real-time combat.
“Over the years, Ryu ga Gotoku Studio has accumulated resources and know-how of making flashy and exhilarating action games that are effortless to enjoy. We decided that we should let our signature action gameplay live on through Lost Judgment.” he said in an interview with IGN.
Like a Dragon did not start off as a turn-based RPG initially, rather this was changed after an April fools’ joke that had gone viral which led to Ryu ga Gotoku Studio reworking the entire combat which was well received by both newcomers and veterans alike. “Nobody said that it was too late to shift to an RPG, that it was impossible or that it wouldn’t please the players.”
Lost Judgement, the sequel to 2019’s Yakuza spin-off Judgement that features Takayuki Yagami, a detective who is investigating a serial killer. Lost Judgement will have a greater focus on action and real-time combat with three fighting styles this time, instead of two. “It’s my hope that our customers feel the same way we do. That’s why we chose ‘action’ as an important keyword for the Judgment series.” said Nagoshi in a Q&A session.
Lost Judgement releases on September 24 2021 for Xbox One & Series X|S, PS4 and PS5.
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