Although there were a lot of good contenders in our Xbox nominee list, only one could emerge victorious. The winner for Destructoid’s best Xbox game of 2024 goes to Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, a worthy sequel that any Yakuza fan would enjoy.
If there’s one thing I learned as a Like a Dragon/Yakuza fan, it’s that these games are never condensed to a singular genre. Sure, at first glance, you could just write Infinite Wealth off as a classic JRPG, but it’s much more than that. On the one hand, you could see it as a sports game, with its many athletic adventures. On the other hand, it could be used as a dating app simulator, as you chat and meet up with various characters. That’s what I love about Infinite Wealth and the rest of the Like a Dragon series, for that matter. It’s not just one thing; it’s practically everything.
As a sequel, Infinite Wealth took note of the elements that worked in Yakuza: Like a Dragon and improved it in ways to make the experience much more inviting. I’ll admit I was initially hesitant with the whole turned-based combat change from the original, but fortunately, Infinite Wealth brought in some quality-of-life updates, specifically with the option to move the character around on the battlefield. There are also a lot more ways to get around the map, including the two new systems with the Trolley and Street Surfer.
The cast is just as lovable as the first one. Ichiban is still the same whimsical guy, getting into the weirdest situations that always make for incredibly entertaining gameplay. But, of course, we can’t forget about Infinite Wealth’s other major protagonist, aka the Fourth Chairman of the Tojo Clan, aka the Dragon of Dojima. Yes, I’m talking about the man, the myth, the legend, Kazuma Kiryu. Although Yakuza 6 was meant to be his last hoorah, I’m more than happy to see his return to the franchise once more.
To top it off, we’re also getting another comeback with the Mad Dog himself, Goro Majima. Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is already on its way out in early 2025, and I wouldn’t be surprised if this one also made it to our next best-of Xbox game lineup. Nevertheless, there are definitely some heavy hitters for the platform in 2025, including Avowed and Fable. We’re just going to have to see who will take it home next year.
Nominees for Best Xbox Game of 2024
- Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
- Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024
- Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl
- Aaero 2
- Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
- Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II
- Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Published: Dec 19, 2024 11:56 am