Summary
One ofLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth’s selling points in pre-release marketing was the massive size of its Hawaii map, with developer Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio touting it as the largest map in the series to date. With a map nearly three times the size ofYakuza: Like a Dragon’s Ijincho,Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealthoffers players several options for traversing it, depending on their preferred play style. While each option is great in its own way, players will need to carefully consider how they make their way around the map, as each traversal method has pros and cons.
There are four primary ways players can get aroundLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth’s map: standard walking, fast travel via a taxi, plus the new additions of the Street Surfer and trolley. Depending on how players decide to explore, they may have to make some trade-offs when selecting their preferred method of transportation. With how muchcontent is packed intoLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, opting to explore Hawaii using one method of transportation could result in players missing out on certain pieces of content.
The Pros and Cons of Each of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth’s Traversal Methods
Walking in Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
The most basic form of transportation inLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealthis walking, but it can also be the slowest. Even while running, players won’t be moving as fast as other transportation options, and they will have to deal with the enemies they’ll encounter on the streets. However, battling these enemies is necessary for leveling up the party, and walking to reach an objective might yield additional secrets like Kamulop’s fortunes littered around the map, or even unique conversations that can trigger betweenLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth’s party members which raise their bond with Kasuga.
Taking a Taxi in Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth’s form of fast travel has been a staple of the series since theoriginalYakuzatitle, with players being able to take a taxi to instantly travel to specific points around the map that unlock after visiting them for the first time. While this method of transportation costs money, it’s usually not very expensive and allows players to immediately reach their destination. However, traveling by taxi means players will be missing out on all of the content they could discover by exploring the city using a slower, less direct method, making travel by taxing the best option for returning to an area they’ve already thoroughly explored.
Using Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth’s Street Surfer
New toLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealthis the Street Surfer, a two-wheeled electric scooter-like device that allows players to travel to their destination more quickly than walking, but not as fast as taking a taxi. Once players unlock the Street Surfer by completing the Surfin the Streets substory, they can instantly take out this vehicle and ride around Hawaii almost whenever they like. Unfortunately, players will have to manage the power of the Street Surfer, which can be recharged at stations around the map for a fee, and encounters with enemies can still be triggered while riding the Street Surfer.
Riding the Trolley in Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
In addition to the Street Surfer,Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealthplayers can also see the sights of Hawaii by riding the trolley that travels around the game’s map. While not quite as fast as the instantaneous travel of a taxi, the trolley is still faster than walking and doesn’t have the restrictions of the Street Surfer. The trolley also allows the player to access unique content like theSicko Snap mini-game, as well as bonus conversations with their party members, but limits access to other content like combat and the free-form exploration that walking allows.
