Summary
The game industry has been saturated with high-profile releases in recent months, and the early months of 2024 are already shaping up to carry this momentum forward. January 26 in particular is a date that gamers should pay close attention to, with the upcoming date being the release day for bothLike a Dragon: Infinite WealthandTekken 8.
BothLike a DragonandTekkenhave long and rich histories, but both of the inbound releases for the IP are some of the most anticipated projects that either franchise has ever seen. With both of these titles claiming to bring sweeping changes to their respective IPs while pushing the limits of what fans have previously experienced, it is clear to see why January 26 will be such a momentous day for the gaming industry.
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth and Tekken 8 Will Make January 28 a Day To Remember
The hype surroundingLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealthis a testament to how well Ryu Ga Gotoku implemented suchsweeping core mechanic changes in 2020’sYakuza: Like a Dragon. This prior release introduced a brand-new face of theLike a Dragonfranchise, with Ichiban Kasuga taking the mantle from the iconic Kazuma Kiryu. As well as this,Yakuza: Like a Dragonmoved completely away from the franchise’s past penchant for beat-‘em-up combat, instead employing a turn-based JRPG approach that is set to carry forward intoLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth.
Infinite Wealthis a direct sequel toYakuza: Like a Dragon, once again putting players in the shoes ofIchiban and an expanded party of memorable side characters. Largely taking place in Hawaii as opposed to the usual settings within Tokyo, it is clear thatInfinite Wealthis shaping up to be one of the most expansive releases that the IP has ever seen.
WithInfinite Wealthbeing confirmed to have the largest mapand story length of anyLaDtitle and boasting an even larger range of side content, fans are clearly justified in their high expectations of the release.Infinite Wealthis set to launch only three months after the release ofLike a Dragon: Gaiden, which gave important insight into Kiryu’s story, and the character’s nearly 20-year-long story may finally conclude whenInfinite Wealthreleases on January 26.
Tekken 8 Has Its Own Ambitious Appeal
Bandai Namco is finally adding to the iconic fighting franchiseTekken, withTekken 8also being set to release on January 26. WithTekken 7releasing almost a decade ago, the anticipation surrounding the upcoming project is palpable.
Tekken 8is being billed as a release that will bring the franchise into the new generation, featuring an extensive narrative and 32 redesigned playable fighters. The game will have a key focus on stunning fighting environments and stage destruction, leading to unique and unpredictable engagements.Tekken 8’s core narrative continues from its 2015 predecessor, with Jin Kazama and Kazuya Mishima once again being at the center of a high-stakes battle for the ages.
Tekken 8will also possess a comprehensive online modeand brand-new mechanics like the Heat system, revolutionizing aggressive gameplay and giving each character their own unique in-game twists. WithTekken 8andLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealthboth aiming to bring their respective franchises into new eras and being jam-packed with new gameplay elements and narratives, January 26 is a date that will rock the gaming industry for the better.
Tekken 8
WHERE TO PLAY
Tekken 8 brings the fight to the latest generation of consoles, powered by Unreal Engine 5. Feel the power of every hit in Tekken 8, the latest entry in the legendary fighting game franchise from Bandai Namco. Utilising the power and realism of Unreal Engine 5, Tekken 8 pushes the envelope for fighting games by taking full advantage of the power of the latest generation of consoles. Ground-breaking new features, breathtakingly detailed character models and dramatic environments make this one of the most visually stunning and immersive titles in the genre yet. Tekken 8 picks up after the gruesome battle that ended in Heihachi Mishima’s defeat in Tekken 7, focusing on a new rivalry, pitting father against son as Jin Kazama stands in defiance against Kazuya Mishima in a city-shattering face-to-face showdown.
