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GAMING FEATURE

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IT’S TIME TO CLEAN UP!

Happy Resort Dondoko Island sounds like the sort of in-game diversion that many of us will easily get lost in. Sakamoto-san tells us more… “Dondoko Island is a resort builder and simulator with the scale and depth of an independent game. It carries on the tradition of ‘game-within-a-game’ experiences from preceding games. Dondoko Island is a small island off the coast of Honolulu City that has been devastated by illegal garbage dumping and trespassing. The goal is to help its inhabitants clean it up, recycle the waste, and create the resort of your dreams. Through harvesting materials, players will be able to DIY furniture and facilities into a custom resort. As you expand the island’s facilities, paying customers will visit, and you’ll also be able to visit your friends’ islands online asynchronously.”

The latest mainline entry in the captivating ongoing Yakuza/Like a Dragon saga hits this month.We were able to chat with Infinite Wealth ’s chief producer at Ryu Gotoku Studio, Hiroyuki Sakamoto, to find out a little more of what’s in store. Words Amy Flower E ven with it being the ninth main outing in the series, the team behind Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth were brimming leaders, Masataka Ebina and Dwight Méndez, who are portrayed in English by actors Daniel Dae Kim and Danny Trejo, respectively!” MONEY ! SHOW US

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Hawaii as a setting has really opened things up for the series' scale. “By using Hawaii as the setting, we were able to create a map even bigger in scale than the Japan locations and had the opportunity to create an open environment with a resort atmosphere for the first time,” says Sakamoto san. “The story is not only limited to Hawaii, which enabled us to create a way for possibilities in future titles.” The amusements that can be played on the side are always a big draw, and Infinite Wealth is upping the ante again. “In addition to karaoke, restaurants and nightlife, Honolulu City contains a wealth of unique activities,” Sakamoto-san informs us, with glee. “We introduced Crazy Delivery , an ‘extreme food delivery service’, and have also greatly expanded Sujimon since the game’s predecessor. Now, you can capture and train your own Sujimon and battle other Sujimon trainers. The largest of the new side activities is Happy Resort Dondoko Island , a resort builder and simulator with limitless creative potential. There are many more activities to discover, so please explore every corner of Honolulu City to the fullest!” With so much to discover, Sakamoto-san is hoping that players will explore every avenue of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth . “I hope you enjoy the drama and story. It’s a lengthy game, but I’m confident that completing the story will move your heart and inspire you.” dynamic story that spans both Japan and overseas. Such a design paved the

with ideas of how to continue the saga. “As a sequel to Yakuza: Like a Dragon , when we considered the story’s structure, the idea of Kazuma Kiryu and lchiban Kasuga as double protagonists—the old and new faces of the series—was born,” Sakamoto-san tells us. “I thought that the joint struggle between these two forces would make an impactful and unforgettable story.” The series being based in the real world has proven an asset. “One of the reasons we’ve been able to continue the franchise’s momentum is that we always depict realistic, contemporary environments, rather than fantasy or sci-fi designs. We approach this by asking how a ‘unique’ character would think and act in an environment that is influenced by values perceived by the masses and with changes going on in daily life, like an individual person would.” Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth sees Ichiban travel to Hawaii to look for his mother, where he encounters Kiryu, who’s there for personal reasons. They’re set to meet several interesting new people, including two who just may sound familiar, as Sakamoto-san tells us with a smile. “Please keep an eye out for two fierce faction

Being a Like a Dragon game, there’s an expectation that the established brand of humour will return, and

• Lik a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is out on Jan 26

Sakamoto-san promises that Infinite Wealth will not disappoint. “Of course, in addition to our heartwarming drama, we have maintained the humour that the series is known for. For the first time, the story takes place overseas, so you may find that Ichiban Kasuga's struggles in an unfamiliar setting are truly entertaining. I also think that the means of unlocking jobs this time around is particularly amusing. Kasuga and his party can join tours of activities around Honolulu City such as surfing, trolley tours, fire dancing and more, which inspire Kasuga’s wild imagination for new combat roles.”

36 JANUARY 2024

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