Excitement is growing among gamers as the ninth mainline installment in Sega’s flagship mobster series prepares to hit the shelves on January 26. A strong nominee for the most anticipated game of 2024, despite losing to Final Fantasy VII Rebirth at the latest Game Awards, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth may be one of the biggest releases of the coming weeks. And the final preview teases at an even more massive game than players might have imagined in the first place.

Diehard fans of the series have been aware for a long time that this brand-new chapter would mark the return of the world’s favorite reformed mobster. They glimpsed into his past in a spin-off title released last November, which explained away Kazuma Kiryu’s whereabouts in brilliant fashion. This time around, the Dragon of Dojima is sharing the spotlight with Ichiban Kasuga, who played center stage in Yakuza: Like a Dragon, a game that arguably breathed new fire into the franchise.

Already quite promising on paper, this duo’s dynamic appears to take the story to new emotional heights. The differences couldn’t be starker between Ichiban’s over-the-top style and Kiryu’s jaded lone wolf persona. Switching between both playable protagonists allows players to experience their respective fighting styles, as Kiryu’s special attacks lean toward full-on beat-‘em-up while controlling Ichiban requires adapting to the enemy’s strengths and weaknesses. But this joint-protagonist mechanic also makes up the meat of the story, striking a compelling balance between the entire series’ past and future, as a cancer-stricken Kiryu is most likely picking up his last fight.

A pivotal moment for the franchise, this new chapter is also breaking new ground visually. In terms of sheer design and immersion, Infinite Wealth delivers masterfully. Walking through the streets of Honolulu is a delightful change of pace for a series that had never left Japan before. Covering an area significantly bigger than any previous map, this detailed rendition of a string of Hawaiian districts full of hidden treasures is a thing to behold. This open world is so vast that new modes of transportation have been introduced to travel swiftly from one location to another, including a Segway that players may acquire after completing one of the ridiculous substories the franchise is known and beloved for.

Any Like a Dragon entry worth its salt also features tons of minigames. On that front, Infinite Wealth goes even bolder and goofier than its predecessors. Fighting a Megalodon-sized shark is one option, but there is more to the experience than pure brawling. Sujimon is one such intriguing minigame, transforming the series’ usual collectathon into a full-blown Pokémon parody involving everything from building a Suji-squad to taking down fellow trainers roaming around Hawaii. More unexpected, perhaps, an Animal Crossing-like management sim has made its way into the game. Taking Ichiban Kasuga to the sun-soaked Dondoko Island, which he is free to decorate and rid of pirates to turn into a bona fide tropical resort, this cozy gem acts as its own standalone game.

Besides these new additions, fan-favorite minigames like darts, batting cages, and retro arcade machines are returning. From blackjack to poker, casino games remain as playable as they always have been. Gambling has been revamped, however, with the introduction of the exclusive HOLD ‘EM minigame down in Yokohama. While nothing beats a game of poker, seasoned players might soon get weary of the game’s limited options, though. If so, plenty of online platforms await to scratch their gambling itch for real. Many casino bonuses are even up for grabs on top-tier websites. The best casino offers often include mobile-exclusive rewards, no-deposit bonuses, and cashback deals. Additionally, welcome packages usually grant free spins to users with a thing for machine slots. Incidentally, Yakuza-themed pokies are a click away for fans of the Like a Dragon series willing to take a break from the shenanigans of Ichiban and his team.

True to the essence of the series, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth appears to venture into new territories, nonetheless. While it is unclear how much of an impact this new title will have on the gaming community, the few critics that have tried it first-hand have praised the game’s inventiveness and dramatic weight. Could Infinite Wealth be one of the success stories of 2024? All planets seem to have aligned, but fans will need to wait an extra couple of weeks to know for sure.