Yakuza: Like a Dragon is the ninth game in the long-running franchise and for PlayStation Plus subscribers it is one of the monthly games for August 2022. Like a Dragon follows (mainly) the adventures of Ichiban Kasuga, the first main character in the series to not be Kazuma Kiryu. The game also takes a marked departure in an important aspect of the gameplay from its eight predecessors.
Below are the full controls for Yakuza: Like a Dragon on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. The controls are followed by gameplay tips for beginners and experts in the early hours and chapters of the game.
Yakuza Like a Dragon Controls for PS4 & PS5
- Movement: l
- Move camera: R
- First person view: L3
- Action and confirm: X
- Task Action: Square
- Cancel and return: Circle
- Party Chat: Triangle (if available)
- Sprint: R2 or X (swap)
- Reset camera: L2
- Show and hide party status: L1
- Take out camera: D-Pad Up (if available)
- Open Inbox: D-pad left (if available)
- Card: touch pad
- Pause menu: Options
- QTE: X, Circle, Square, Triangle, L
Note that the left and right sticks are labeled L and R respectively. Pressing either one will mark it as L3 and R3. During Quick Time Events (QTE), the left stick may need to be pressed in any direction.
Yakuza Like a Dragon Gameplay Tips
Below are tips for playing as Kasuga in Yakuza: Like a Dragon. Keep in mind that the tips below are for beginners to the game and the first few chapters of the game.
1. Save often in Yakuza Like a Dragon
The main difference between Like a Dragon and the other Yakuza games is that: it’s a traditional JRPG instead of an action brawler. This means you will have turn based battles and of course, as usual with JRPGs, a lot of scenes and dialogue, especially early. Although there is an autosave function, you can save anytime from the pause menu.
Once you encounter more formidable enemies, it may be a wise idea to save for each battle in case something happens. Saving before hitting each goal can ensure you can play it again if you make a decision you’ll regret. Since you can do it, why not spam the opportunity?
2. Explore the areas you are in
As with most RPGs, explore whatever areas you encounter. You’ll find eateries, theaters and even arcades with classic SEGA games (the company behind the Yakuza series). Each eatery has different offerings that you can purchase, so shop around to find the place(s) with your desired recovery items. Vending machines will be available in Chapter 2.
In addition to exploring the different offerings, it’s always good to familiarize yourself with the areas for more seamless navigation. Furthermore, as will be discussed more later, you may encounter random encounters such as traditional RPGs; only look for people with red marks over their heads.
3. The fast events are particularly fast
Quick Time Events (QTEs) are so called because they force you to enter a command or sequence of commands within a short period of time. However, most QTEs in games are not as fast as their name suggests. A game like The Quarry gave you enough seconds to enter the command, enough time if it’s just one entry. The Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm series gave you plenty of time to enter a series of about four commands.
With Like a Dragon, do not expect the same amount of time. You may only have a second to enter a command. You’ll be practicing in your very first scene with Kasuga, looking for a target for defrauding some high school students. Be prepared with quick reflexes or you will eventually fail the QTE, but in the case of a chase it will be necessary to fail multiple QTEs to be unsuccessful.
4. Master Perfect Guard to Minimize Damage
One skill you learn early is: Perfect guard. Unfortunately, Perfect Guard will not nullify damage. However, it will reduce damage received. Even better, a Perfect Guard will do that too prevent you from bleeding and numb effectsso it’s imperative to master the Perfect Guard as you progress against stronger opponents with more abilities to apply status effects.
Speaking of skills, Kasuga (and ultimately his party) can also learn skills. You learn early one that every early opponent you face should KO with one punch. There are two different types of skill entry: button mashing and button timing. For mashing skills, a button will appear and you just need to press it repeatedly until the attack takes place. For timing, you should wait for the circle to touch the inner circle for maximum effect. Using Skills Mental points, represented by the greenish bar below the red health bar.
There are also skills related to jobs, but jobs become more important after the first two chapters or so. What is important to note about jobs and skills is that when you view your skills from the pause menu, those with a green light are task specific. This means that they are only available if the character is that task. However, those with a red light are character specific. This means that they remain available regardless of the character’s job.
5. Grind a little early in the game, not for experience, but for money
In chapter 1 you can find enemies to fight against who have red icons over their heads. you see them on you map as red triangles. They will be quite weak, levels one and two, and can be defeated (for the most part) with one regular attack. The problem is that at that point in the game, each enemy will only reward you with three experience and work experience points, a meager sum. That’s not the point of this early grinding, though.
Run around for a few minutes and defeat every enemy you see to build up some cash. Interestingly, even with the story’s nearly 20-year gap with Kasuga’s incarceration, you keep your money, items and levels when you are released. Try to have built up a few thousand before moving on. Don’t worry, the enemies that drop a lot more money will appear later in the game.
While grinding you will level up at least one, if not several times. Your main level will also rise much faster than your job level. To make battles go faster (if needed), go ahead Opportune Strikes on Downed Opponents. Some of your attacks can cause enemies to fall to the ground. If you can make a regular attack on them before they level up, you’ll land an Opportune Strike, which will deal a lot more damage to your opponent than a normal attack and even some low-level skills.
6. Make decisions to grow Kasuga’s personality
It was revealed early on that Kasuga actually learned about life through the Dragon Quest games (hence the game title) and as such has a view of himself and the world based on the game’s roles and archetypes. He wants to be a hero, but is yakuza dichotomous. He is extremely loyal to boss Arakawa, another trait in almost every RPG. The biggest in-game effect is that those archetypal traits become the foundation for Kasuga’s personality.
Like a Dragon plays very much like a game considered by many to be one of the best games ever, let alone the best RPG ever, in Persona 5. Like Persona 5, actions you take and certain consumables will elevate your personality . Personality isn’t just some random in-game mechanic. It is rather required to unlock certain sub-stories and relationship opportunities with party members, among other things.
The personality traits for Kasuga are: Passion, confidence, charisma, kindness, intellect and style. Each personality trait has an associated blessing in battle, a defense against a certain status effect:
- Passion: Silence
- To trust: sleep
- charisma: Fear
- Friendliness: Fury
- Intellect: brainwashing
- Style: charm
The maximum level for each is level ten. Of course, maximizing the personality traits as quickly as possible will lead to the greatest effects, both in and out of battle.
As Ichiban Kasuga you can make your own way in the Yakuza (game) world. Remember to take your time, save often, and master Perfect Guard!
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