RADical Yakuza Tale Targets Aging Gamers

The Yakuza/Like a Dragon series, while expanding its appeal to younger and female players, remains committed to its core identity: middle-aged men experiencing life's ups and downs.

Like a Dragon Studio Prioritizes its Core Audience: Middle-Aged Men

Staying True to the "Middle-Aged Guy" Experience

The enduring popularity of the Yakuza (now Like a Dragon) series, spearheaded by the charming Ichiban Kasuga, has attracted a diverse fanbase. However, the developers have reaffirmed their dedication to the series' foundational elements.

Director Ryosuke Horii, in an interview with AUTOMATON, acknowledged the influx of new, female fans, expressing gratitude for their support. He clarified, however, that the series won't fundamentally alter its narrative to cater to this broadened audience. The focus will remain on the relatable experiences of middle-aged men, even including topics like uric acid levels.

Horii and lead planner Hirotaka Chiba believe the series' unique appeal stems from its honest portrayal of "middle-aged guy things," reflecting their own experiences. From Ichiban's Dragon Quest obsession to his complaints about back pain, they see this relatable "humanity" as a source of the game's originality. The characters' struggles resonate with players because they feel authentically human.

Series creator Toshihiro Nagoshi, in a 2016 Famitsu interview (reported by Siliconera), expressed surprise at the increase in female players (approximately 20% at the time). While acknowledging this positive trend, he emphasized that the core Yakuza experience was designed for a male audience and would remain true to that vision.

Scrutiny of Female Character Representation

Despite the series' primarily male-focused marketing, concerns have been raised regarding the portrayal of female characters. Critics argue that the series sometimes relies on sexist tropes, confining female characters to supporting roles or presenting them in a sexualized manner.

Online discussions, such as those on ResetEra, highlight this criticism. The limited number of significant female characters and the frequent use of suggestive comments by male characters towards them are recurring points of contention. The prevalence of the "damsel in distress" trope for female characters, seen in various games of the series, further fuels these concerns. This issue, according to Chiba (in a lighthearted comment), might continue to surface in future installments.

While the series demonstrates progress in embracing more inclusive themes, occasional lapses into outdated sexist tropes remain. Despite these shortcomings, newer entries show significant improvement. Game8's 92/100 review of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth praises the game as a successful blend of fan service and forward-looking design. For a detailed analysis, refer to our review.