The title was tested by Playstation Plus. Playstation 5 version (well, not that it matters)

Hours of gameplay: Approximately 115 hours with the Platinum Trophy in hand

I finished the main story in 55-60 hours (NOTE: I didn't focus solely on the main story)

My first encounter with the Yakuza series! This particular title, being the seventh chapter, happened to change the main protagonist, so I missed out on some of the previous storylines. Like a Dragon aims to build the character(s) from scratch so that you can bond with them, and I must admit it does it very well. It takes its time, gradually unraveling the personalities and pasts of the characters. I felt like the title was "Yakuza 1" rather than "Yakuza 7".

The story is quite enjoyable, mainly focusing (as I mentioned) on a new beginning for the series, featuring Ichiban Kazuya. It has intensity, love, twists, humor, joy, anger, surprises, contemplation, tears, and betrayal. It does all of these things PERFECTLY. It's incredible how a game combines all of these elements together. It knows what it wants, it WANTS TO BE ALL OF THESE THINGS. It starts off dynamically, then slows down significantly (here, I consider it to have a slight lull), and then picks up again. It requires significant dedication from the reader because it contains a lot of information. When I say information, I mean you'll see cutscenes with long dialogues (ranging from 5 minutes to half an hour). This makes it quite boring because it has a lot of BLAH-BLAH, but it covers you in many aspects. For those who don't want to read a whole novel, it's better to avoid this title.

Now let's talk about the gameplay. I learned that Yakuza games used to be more action-oriented. Now (without knowing it), they have changed to turn-based combat. I must admit that I haven't played many turn-based games, only one (FFVII) with cheats. To tell you the truth, I was amazed at how enjoyable the game was despite the gameplay being quite "old-fashioned" by today's standards. It's fast, magical, and quirky (in a good way). You'll see some really weird things, like certain "Summons" or abilities that consume MP to use. In some instances, I was like "what am I seeing????" and laughing to myself. The characters move within the space (so it feels more alive than just sitting like soldiers), and they can react differently if there's a bicycle or a chair nearby.

Additionally, you can customize the characters however you want, with a playstyle that suits you, known as "jobs". For example, if you want to create a character focused on magic, support, or damage. There's a HUGE VARIETY with many hours of gameplay. Each enemy you encounter becomes increasingly strange.

The bosses, although some of them are a bit repetitive (I fought one boss 3-4 times), are very interesting and have many surprises that will please the old fans of Yakuza.

One major flaw that this title has is the unacceptable grind. Meaning:

You're at a specific point in the main story, you're around level 40, and then you encounter a boss at level 45-50 and get beaten up. You're forced to complete all the substories, go to a specific dungeon to repeatedly farm the same mob until you reach the desired level. I had to do this 3-4 times for the main story. Not to mention the hardest dungeon in the game that took me about 5-6 hours of grinding to reach level 99 for both my characters and their jobs. However, it was worth the effort because the time I dedicated paid off. When dealing with a JRPG - turn-based game, you understand from the beginning that at some point you will have to do a little grind.

The game's substories are THE BEST. Companies should follow Rya Ga GotoKu's example. You want to do them ALL because each one has something different to offer. You can do something very simple (like helping a child) or something silly. Pay attention to them, they are worth it. They will not only make you laugh but also make you think.

Also, the mini-games are amazing! Do yourself a favor and dedicate some time to them while playing the main story. It has everything, from karaoke to arcades. I won't say more so you can discover them on your own.

The game's sound is fantastic and the soundtrack is very good. It has fantastic songs, melodies that touch you at certain points, and exceptional battle OSTs.

The graphics, although not jaw-dropping, are beautiful for the game's style. The cities look quite lively and rich in content.

In conclusion, those looking for a turn-based JRPG should buy it with their eyes closed. Those who want to start with Yakuza should play either "Yakuza Like a Dragon" or "Yakuza 0". The game is ENJOYABLE and FUN.

P.S.: ANYONE WHO PLAYS THE GAME IN ENGLISH WILL MAKE A BIG MISTAKE. THEY WILL MISS OUT ON FANTASTIC PERFORMANCES BY THE JAPANESE ACTORS. Yakuza without Japanese is like saying croissant without meringue.

Advice: Japanese voice overs and English subtitles. The game was made to be played in Japanese.

P.S.2: DAME DA NEEE DAME YO DAME NA NO YOOOO