WHAT’S NEW PLUS-SY CAT?

Digging into the random acts of gaming a lengthy PS Plus subscription offers

Last month offered bangers to all PS Plus subscribers. Leading the charge on PS5 and PS4 was JRPG Yakuza: Like A Dragon. Wheeling in behind it on both platforms was the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 remaster, before spooky puzzler Little Nightmares crept in only on PS4.

As fantastic as all of these are, we’ve got our eyes on only one prize fighter – Yakuza: Like A Dragon.

This entry isn’t just remembered for swapping everyone’s favourite gangster uncle for new protagonist Ichiban Kasuga, but also for shaking up the long-running series’ mechanical core.

Listen, leading manwith-the-blown-outpunch-perm Ichiban loves Dragon Quest, so much so that it shapes his entire worldview. What initially began as a well-received April Fool’s joke in 2019 became a full-blown turn-based battle system, replacing the beat-’em-up action that’s a mainstay of the Yakuza games.

It’s far from the most sophisticated turn-based system, and late-game encounters suffer from a sizable difficulty spike. However, it makes the most of the modern setting, suffusing every aspect with the series’ trademark wit. Take the decidedly literal job system: Ichiban can become a typical nightclub Host, dousing enemies in icy waves of champagne while pilfering their pockets. Or he can take the lead as a Foreman, wielding a ruddy great big hammer to dish out hi-vis vengeance to his enemies.

However, a number of jobs are gender-locked. Only your female party members can heal fellow fighters’ with uplifting melodies and manufactured charm as the Idol. The lads’ Musician job is similar in concept but draws from a different entertainment industry well. We know it’s a bit of a young man’s game but Ichiban could have no doubt won hearts as a male Idol too.