Summary
- Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth incorporates the classic Pokemon rumor of button-mashing during capture as a core mechanic for capturing Sujimon.
- The Sujimon mini-game in Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth shares similarities with Pokemon, including using gifts to recruit new team members and timing button presses for higher chances of success.
- Adding a button-mashing prompt to increase the chance of capturing a Pokemon could be a valuable addition to the Pokemon series, as demonstrated by Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth's Sujimon mini-game.
It's clear that Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth's parody of Pokemon, Sujimon, goes a long way to incorporate references from Game Freak's iconic franchise into this side mode. Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth players will be able to dig into this fairly substantial side mode, which features elements like trainer battles, raids, and even Sujimon evolution, demonstrating developer Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio's commitment to delivering a full-fledged monster collecting game within a game. However, there is one feature of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth's Sujimon that turns an old-school Pokemon rumor into a reality.
Longtime Pokemon fans might recall the early days of the series when rumors about what was possible in the games were abundant. A popular rumor in the original Pokemon Red and Blue games was that players could find a Mew if they interacted with a truck in Vermillion City, but other myths were also shared between Pokemon fans in the days before information about the games was widely available on the internet. One rumor that many players still hope is true today is the idea that mashing the A or B button when catching a critter will increase the chances of a successful capture, but Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth makes this mechanic a core part of Sujimon capturing.
Pokemon’s Classic Button-Mashing Myth Makes its Way into Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
Although many Pokemon players still swear by it today, mashing a button during the catching animation does not affect the chances of catching a critter in the Pokemon games. Despite the falsity of this rumor, its mythology has become somewhat infamous within the community, to the point where some players still button-mash during a capture out of superstition. It seems that the infamy of this rumor has now transcended the Pokemon community as Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth turns button-mashing into a necessary part of Sujimon capturing.
While the mechanics involved in the Sujimon mini-game aren't as complex as those of the Pokemon series, they do share a handful of similarities that create a surprisingly robust experience. As players explore Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth's map in search of new Sujimon to collect, there are a variety of methods they can employ to increase their chance of successfully recruiting a new team member. Since Sujimon are just other humans in the world of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, they can't be captured in a ball like Pokemon can, but there is still a similar method of recruitment players can employ.
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth’s Sujimon Legitimizes Pokemon Fan Theories
In order to capture a Sujimon and add them to Kasuga's team, players will need to utilize Sujimon Gifts, offering their target a bribe in exchange for joining the team. Like Poke Balls, these gifts come in different varieties that increase the chance of a successful recruitment based on their quality. When players are prompted to offer a gift after defeating a Sujimon Raid or overworld battle, they will need to time their button press so that the sincerity meter is as high as possible, and then button mash while the Sujimon considers the offering for the best chance at success.
This button-mashing mechanic is a clear allusion to the classic Pokemon rumor, only Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth incorporates it as a fundamental part of capturing Sujimon. Players who successfully button-mash as hard as they can still aren't guaranteed to catch the Sujimon, so there is still a degree of randomness to this mechanic. Despite being a parody of the series, there are several things Pokemon could learn from Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth's Sujimon mini-game, and adding a button-mashing prompt to increase the chance of a successful capture would vindicate fans who have long believed this classic myth.
Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth
- Released
- January 26, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Simulated Gambling, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio
- Publisher(s)
- Sega
- Franchise
- Yakuza
- Platform(s)
- PS5, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PC
- Genre(s)
- RPG
- How Long To Beat
- 60 Hours
