"RGG Studio's 'Yakuza: Like a Dragon' Unveils Gameplay Focused on Mature Characters"

The Yakuza/Like a Dragon series, while expanding its appeal to younger and female players, remains committed to its core identity: middle-aged men experiencing middle-aged life.

Like a Dragon Studio Prioritizes its Established Audience: A Focus on "Middle-Aged Dudes"

This beloved franchise, starring the charmingly goofy ex-yakuza Ichiban Kasuga, has garnered a diverse fanbase. However, as director Ryosuke Horii explained in an interview with AUTOMATON, the series won't drastically alter its themes to cater to this broader audience. The focus will remain on relatable "middle-aged guy things," reflecting the developers' own experiences. Horii and lead planner Hirotaka Chiba believe this authenticity, from Ichiban's Dragon Quest obsession to his complaints about back pain, is key to the series' unique charm. This "humanity" stemming from the characters' age contributes to the game's originality and relatability.

The series' creator, Toshihiro Nagoshi, previously expressed surprise at the growing number of female players (around 20% according to a 2016 Famitsu interview via Siliconera), emphasizing that while this was welcome, the series' core design remains geared toward a male audience. He stressed the intention to avoid altering the game's essence to overly accommodate female players.

Concerns Regarding Female Representation

Despite this stated focus, criticism persists regarding the portrayal of female characters. Some fans argue the series relies on sexist tropes, often relegating women to supporting roles or objectifying them. The limited number of female party members and the frequent suggestive comments from male characters towards female characters have drawn considerable attention. The "damsel in distress" trope, frequently used for female characters, further fuels this criticism. Chiba's lighthearted comment about a scene in Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth where female characters' conversation is interrupted by male characters, highlights this ongoing concern.

While the series has shown some progress towards more inclusive representation, lapses into outdated tropes continue. Nevertheless, newer entries demonstrate a positive evolution. Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, receiving a 92 from Game8, is praised as a successful blend of fan service and a vision for the future of the series.