Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth sets a high bar with its expansive world, numerous side quests, and a rich ensemble of playable characters. While this success bodes well for the franchise, the next main installment, Like a Dragon 9, faces a daunting task in surpassing the scale of its predecessor, especially concerning the increasing party size.
With the triumph of Infinite Wealth, Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio hints at a promising future for the Like a Dragon series. While the nature of their next project remains undisclosed, be it a remake, a new Judgment installment, or another spin-off, the inevitability of Like a Dragon 9 looms. As Kasuga prepares for his next journey, critical decisions lie ahead regarding managing the burgeoning party roster.
The Challenge of Managing Like a Dragon’s Expansive Party
The game features 10 playable characters split into two parties under Kiryu and Kasuga. Infinite Wealth introduces three new members - Tomizawa, Chitose, and Seonhee, marking Kiryu's return to playable status. However, the removal of Eri hints at potential cuts in Like a Dragon 9 to streamline the party roster.
Unlike its predecessor, Like a Dragon 9 may not adopt a dual-party system. This change necessitates evaluating the roster meticulously to ensure a balanced and engaging gameplay experience for Kasuga's party.
Strategies for Managing Like a Dragon 9’s Party Size
As the playable character count grows, Like a Dragon 9 faces the challenge of maintaining character depth. New additions will likely join the roster, akin to Tomizawa and Chitose, alongside established characters making their playable debut, such as Seonhee. However, an excessively large cast risks diluting character development.
To address this issue, Like a Dragon 9 must consider trimming the party roster, a move that may disappoint fans of certain characters. While tough decisions lie ahead, characters like Tomizawa and Chitose seem more susceptible to cuts than well-established figures like Adachi, Nanba, and Saeko. Characters like Zhao and Joongi Han, with limited involvement in Kasuga's narrative, may also face the chopping block to streamline the gameplay experience.