As a dedicated fan who’s been following the Yakuza/Like a Dragon franchise for more than a decade, I can’t help but feel a bittersweet nostalgia at the prospect of the Dragon Engine being replaced. The Dragon Engine revolutionized the series, bringing us stunning visuals, seamless exploration, and that unforgettable physics-defying chaos we all love.
Over the past few years, the “Like a Dragon” series has significantly expanded, managing to capture the notice of Western audiences and keeping the interest of long-term fans alike. Although the franchise has undergone significant transformations during the last ten years or so, certain aspects have remained consistent for nearly a decade.
For enthusiasts of the “Like a Dragon” series, they’ve grown intimately accustomed to the IP’s Dragon Engine, first unveiled back in 2016, revolutionizing the appearance and combat style of the series’ characters. Though the Dragon Engine is now synonymous with the modern aesthetic and character of “Like a Dragon,” recent statements from Ryu Ga Gotoku studio executives hint that the era of the Dragon Engine may soon draw to a close.
A Move Away From the Dragon Engine Would Be the End of a Bittersweet Era for Like a Dragon
In contrast to few other franchises like “Like a Dragon,” which boasts both an extensive history and a dedicated fanbase, it has undergone significant transformations that are hard to overlook. Notably, the IP abandoned its long-held association with the “Yakuza” name for something new. This rebranding event coincided with a drastic change in the core gameplay of the series. Remarkably, “Like a Dragon” moved away from its signature beat-em-up combat style and adopted turn-based JRPG gameplay instead. This transition underscores the franchise’s ability to adapt significantly while preserving its fundamental essence.
Previously, a significant change in the Yakuza franchise occurred with the release of Yakuza 6 in 2016. This was the first game in the series to employ and highlight the now famous Dragon Engine, which was specifically designed for games like this. The Dragon Engine revolutionized key elements of the intellectual property (IP), particularly physics, as it introduced ragdoll and environmental destruction physics, marking a significant departure from the games that preceded Yakuza 6. Additionally, the Dragon Engine facilitated smoother exploration between internal and external locations and provided a graphical upgrade that has complemented the story-heavy and cutscene-rich experiences of most Like a Dragon games.
For eight years, The Dragon Engine has taken charge of the “Like a Dragon” intellectual property, being utilized for nearly every franchise release since “Yakuza 6” in 2016. Titles under the “Like a Dragon” umbrella can now be easily recognized as either preceding or succeeding the shift to the Dragon Engine. Recent remarks from Ryu Ga Gotoku seem to hint at a potential new phase for the IP, which may soon dawn.
Like a Dragon’s Ambitions May Have Outgrown the Dragon Engine’s Capabilities
Yutaka Ito, head of Ryu Ga Gotoku’s technical department, expressed his aspiration and drive towards breaking free from the constraints of the Dragon Engine in future installments of the series. He emphasized the potential benefits that a tailor-made new game engine could offer when leveraging contemporary hardware technology. It’s worth noting that the sophisticated goals of the Like a Dragon series are somewhat confined by a 2016 game engine, and the physics glitches often associated with the Dragon Engine serve as another compelling reason for the franchise to consider a fresh beginning.
Additionally, Ito clarified that his remarks don’t necessarily align with Ryu Ga Gotoku’s definitive strategies, but it appears plausible that the innate desire for progress within the LaD series could lead to the adoption of a fresh game engine more swiftly than later on. Pondering about the potential advancements in the Like a Dragon series if this new engine is adopted raises curiosity, but it’s bittersweet to imagine the Dragon Engine being phased out given the iconic games it has supported since its introduction eight years ago.
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2024-11-21 22:56