Ryu Ga Gotoku's Western Title was met with fans' disapproval. Learn more about the reason for the distinction between Japanese and Western titles and what the fans' reaction to it were.
Ryu Ga Gotoku 8's Western Title Will Be Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth
Infinity As the Main Theme of the Game
Masayoshi Yokoyama, Director of Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, made an unexpected statement on Twitter about the title of Ryu Ga Gotoku 8, previously known as Like a Dragon, for its Western release. The game will be rebranded as Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth in the West while keeping its original name in Japan. The fans' reactions to this choice have been divided, with some expressing confusion and others disapproving of the Western title.
Yokoyama noted that the title change was motivated by the possibility of variances in how fans in Japan, Asia, and the West perceive the game's ideas and themes. Yakuza: Like a Dragon, which told Kasuga Ichiban's tale, was the franchise's entry point for most Western audiences. To correspond with this beginning point, the subtitle Infinite Wealth
was chosen to reflect the concept of infinity, which plays a big part in the current edition. The decision was prompted by the infinity sign that enveloped Kasuga Ichiban and Kazuma Kiryu in the teaser video from the previous year.
As the eighth mainline game in the series, the game title in Japan is simply Ryu Ga Gotoku 8. Yokoyama clarified that the complex and intertwined plot of Ryu Ga Gotoku cannot be adequately summarized by a single subtitle. Instead, gamers may choose their own subtitles depending on the games they have previously played or the characters and points of view they relate to most. This complexity gives the narrative experience more depth and variation for Japanese players.
Yakuza Fans Disappointed At Western Title
Fans are perplexed and dissatisfied after the news of the Western game, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth broke. Many believe the title may mislead potential new fans into thinking it is a spin-off rather than the main game. There have been comparisons drawn to spin-off games with distinct plots, including Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name. Just as Ryu Ga Gotoku 8 is an explicit identifier in Japan, fans contend that a more specific indicator, such as Like a Dragon 8: Infinite Wealth, would better convey the game's relationship to the Like a Dragon series.
The yearning for an authentic Japanese experience is a common emotion among enthusiasts. They worried that a curated Westernized game version might weaken or change its core. Since these names more closely reflect the game's status as a mainstream installment, some fans recommended that the Western edition be named Yakuza 8 or Like a Dragon 8.
Nevertheless, despite the ambiguity and dissatisfaction surrounding the Western title, fans are still enthusiastically waiting for Ryu Ga Gotoku 8's debut. Lovers of the series are looking forward to delving into the immersive universe that awaits them and the chance to see the comeback of several beloved characters, like Kasuga Ichiban and Kazuma Kiryu.
