Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth Confirms One Important Feature is Paywalled

Sega confirmed that the upcoming Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth‘s New Game Plus feature is only available through a DLC paywall, upsetting fans. There is a lot of anticipation behind the upcoming eighth mainline Like a Dragon game, as it features both Ichiban Kasuga and Kazuma Kiryu sharing the spotlight. It’s also teasing how it will be the final chapter of Kiryu’s story, such as with older characters and story threads from Kiryu’s past being brought to the forefront. Despite the excitement behind this Hawaii-trotting adventure, one thing that had garnered controversy before Infinite Wealth‘s launch is its New Game Plus feature.

Last year, Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio announced that Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth‘s New Game Plus mode would only be available as DLC in some regions. This wasn’t the first time that the developer did this, as the seventh game in the series, Yakuza: Like a Dragon, had locked its New Game Plus mode behind paid DLC in Japan. When Yakuza: Like a Dragon was released in the West, this feature was included in the base game from the start. While some fans hoped that Sega would repeat what it did for Yakuza: Like a Dragon, it’s confirmed that this once-important free feature in past entries will be locked behind DLC in all regions.

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This was spotted on Sega’s official website for Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, found under the pre-order section that compared the three editions. The Deluxe and Ultimate editions of Infinite Wealth have a DLC pack known as the “Master Vacation Bundle,” which includes a bonus dungeon, special Sujimon, resort guests for Infinite Wealth‘s Animal Crossing-esque island mode, additional DLC outfits, New Game Plus, and more. Based on this, players looking to do a second playthrough of the game with this important feature will, at minimum, need to pay an additional $15 for the Deluxe edition upgrade.

This can also be confusing for those looking to play Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth on Steam, as the Standard Edition only lists the “base game” and doesn’t go into detail about the Master Vacation Bundle’s content. This might mislead some players into believing that the base game will come with the New Game Plus feature. In a Reddit post from last December, a user reached out to Sega, who also confirmed that New Game Plus is only available in the DLC.

What’s included in each version of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth?

Standard Edition – $69.99

Deluxe Edition – $84.99

• Base Game
• Master Vacation Bundle (Bonus dungeon, special Sujimon, resort guests, outfits, New Game Plus & more)

Ultimate Edition – $109.99

• Base Game
• Master Vacation Bundle (Bonus dungeon, special Sujimon, resort guests, outfits, New Game Plus & more)
• Assorted Outfit Bundle (Extra outfits and swimwear for party)
• Sujimon & Resort Bundle (Legendary Sujimon, resort guests, special booster items)
• Yakuza CD Collection (Additional in-game playlist songs based on classic karaoke tracks)

Infinite Wealth‘s controversial DLC practice has put a damper on what is supposed to be a highly anticipated title in the series. While the DLC won’t be exclusive to pre-orders, fans are understandably upset at Sega for keeping what is a standard feature in most RPGs (and was featured in past Yakuza games) locked behind an expensive paywall.

Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth

Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio’s Like a Dragon 8 is a turn-based RPG set after the events of Yakuza 7: Like a Dragon. Like its predecessor, the game’s main character will once again be Ichiban Kasuga, although Kazuma Kiryu will also return as a protagonist.

Released

January 26, 2024