The Yakuza RPG is set to launch on January 26, but players looking to embark on a new adventure while retaining their hard-earned skills and gear will need to shell out extra cash. The official website of Infinite Wealth reveals that the New Game Plus feature typically included at no extra cost, is now behind a paywall, accessible only through the pricier Deluxe and Ultimate editions.
The standard edition of Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth, providing access to the base game, is available for purchase at $70/£60 on Steam. However, unlocking the New Game Plus feature requires additional investment, with the Deluxe edition priced at $85/£75 and the Ultimate edition commanding a hefty $110/£95.
These premium editions come with other perks, including a post-game dungeon, bonus music, and additional characters for the game’s unique Animal Crossing and Pokémon-style mini-games.
New Game Plus is a commonly expected feature in games with leveling and loot systems, found in titles ranging from Elden Ring to Alan Wake 2. Some games, like Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, even introduce the feature through free post-launch updates.
The decision to gate a usually complimentary feature has sparked dissatisfaction among the gaming community. Comments on the Yakuza subreddit criticize the move as “greedy” and express disapproval of locking a fundamental feature behind a paywall. Voice actor Yong Yea, who lends his voice to one of the game’s protagonists, Kazuma Kirya, joins the criticism, stating on social media that locking New Game Plus behind a paywall diminishes community goodwill and replayability. He emphasizes that it should be a basic feature or a free update for any game supporting it.
Despite the backlash, developer RGG Studio and publisher Sega have yet to respond to the controversy. The ultimate impact of this strategy remains uncertain, but it will likely persist if it proves lucrative for the companies after the January 26 release.
