Summary
- Fans can expect a surprising new game from Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio at the Tokyo Game Show 2024.
- Speculation on potential new games includes a Judgment 3, Yakuza Kiwami 3 remake, or a different spin-off.
- The future of the Like A Dragon franchise remains uncertain as fans eagerly await new game announcements.
With Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth behind it, the franchise known as Like A Dragon, Yakuza, and Ryu ga Gotoku in different corners of the world has entered a brief lull. It's not a series known for resting on its laurels, and hints of the next game have already begun appearing, but the future hasn't been nailed down yet. What fans know for sure is that Like A Dragon developer Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio intends for its next title to be “surprising,” and will reveal it at the Tokyo Game Show 2024.
Running from September 26 to September 29, TGS 2024 isn't far away, but that only means fans won't need to sit in the dark for too much longer. As one of the most prominent development teams at Sega right now, RGG Studio is already juggling a lot of plates, up to and including Virtua Fighter and Super Monkey Ball. Hearing that it has an unexpected project could mean almost anything, especially after it made a Fist of the North Star licensed game just a few years ago. The only thing the descriptor rules out is a straightforward Like A Dragon 9. Fortunately, attentive fans already have several solid leads on what the next RGG title could be.
Why Judgment 3 Could be Ryu Ga Gotoku's Next Game
Hot off the heels of its sibling series, the third Judgment, or Judge Eyes, entry may not be far away. Just going by release dates, the first Judgment was released in Japan in December 2018, and worldwide in June 2019, while Lost Judgment was released everywhere on September 24, 2021. Lost Judgment’s story expansion DLC, The Kaito Files, was then released on March 28, 2022, which could be considered the game’s “final” release date due to said DLC’s development only starting once the main game was finished. With RGG Studio’s next game presumably launching in 2025, a new Judgment game featuring Infinite Wealth’s Hawaii assets could be very close.
Why Yakuza Kiwami 3 Could be Ryu Ga Gotoku's Next Game
The biggest issue with the next Judgment continuing its three-year rotation is that it wouldn't be very “surprising.” A remake of Yakuza 3 using Infinite Wealth's assets, as well as several touched-up story and gameplay aspects, would fit that description better, although this idea has some pros and cons. Fans expect this move from RGG Studio already, especially since the only entry left that really needs the Yakuza Kiwami treatment is 3. With that said, developer statements have implied that “available” Yakuza games won't need to be remade, presumably in reference to the Yakuza Remastered Collection that Yakuza 3 is part of. Only time will tell if Yakuza Kiwami 3 becomes a reality.
Another Yakuza Spin-Off or Remake May be Ryu Ga Gotoku's Surprising Game
By this point, the Yakuza franchise has branched out in enough directions to build up a long list of exciting potential spin-offs or remakes. Just covering potential remakes, Like A Dragon: Ishin’s predecessor Ryu ga Gotoku Kenzan could get the Kiwami treatment, and the PSP Kurohyo: Ryu ga Gotoku games could be remade as a unified release. Like A Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name opened the door to an entire line of spin-off Gaiden games, and Infinite Wealth players suspect either Shun Akiyama or Yutaka Yamai to star in the next one. Like A Dragon is spoiled for choice regarding where it wants to go next.
Why Virtua Fighter 6, Or A Different Project Could Surprise Ryu Ga Gotoku Fans
Of course, Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio doesn't need to keep pumping out Yakuza games if it doesn't want to. Rumors of a Virtua Fighter 6 using the developer’s Dragon Engine just like Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown haven't been repeatedly uttered by trusted leakers, and if that isn't surprising enough, then another licensed game in the vein of Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise certainly would be. Whether or not it keeps up Like A Dragon’s relentless output in 2025, Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio undoubtedly has something big in store for this coming September.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 90 /100 Critics Rec: 97%
- Released
- January 26, 2024
- 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
- Engine
- Dragon Engine
- Franchise
- Yakuza
WHERE TO PLAY
EPIC EMOTIONAL DRAMA
Two larger-than-life heroes brought together by the hand of fate, or perhaps something more sinister…
Ichiban Kasuga, an unstoppable underdog who’s no stranger to crawling up from rock bottom, and Kazuma Kiryu, a broken man facing down his last days.
BEST-IN-CLASS RPG ACTION
Experience one-of-a-kind combat with dynamic, fast-paced RPG battles where the battlefield becomes your weapon, and anything goes. Adapt your party’s skills to the situation with outlandish jobs and customizations to strategically subdue enemies with over-the-top moves.
INFINITE ADVENTURE
Live it up in Japan and explore all that Hawaii has to offer in an adventure so big it spans the Pacific. Unforgettable moments await at every step of the journey with a unique mix of quests and activities to enjoy at your leisure.
