The highly-anticipated Yakuza RPG, "Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth," is set to hit screens on January 26. However, excitement has been tempered for some fans as the New Game Plus mode, a typically complimentary feature, is now hidden behind the pricier Deluxe and Ultimate editions, according to details on Infinite Wealth's official website.
For those opting for the standard edition at $70/£60 on Steam, they'll gain access to the base game. But, if you fancy diving into New Game Plus with all your hard-earned skills and gear, be prepared to shell out $85/£75 for the Deluxe edition or a hefty $110/£95 for the Ultimate edition.
The Deluxe and Ultimate editions not only unlock New Game Plus but also come with additional perks, including a post-game dungeon, bonus music, and extra characters for the game's quirky Animal Crossing and Pokémon-inspired mini-games.
New Game Plus is a familiar feature in games with leveling and loot mechanics, like Elden Ring and Alan Wake 2. Some titles, like Marvel's Spider-Man 2, even introduce it through free post-launch updates.
The news of a once-free feature being paywalled has sparked discontent among the gaming community. One Reddit user expressed frustration, stating, "It’s not 'bizarre,' it’s just greedy." Another criticized the move, saying, "I strongly dislike the cut-throat approach to DLC and locking a basic feature behind a paywall."
Yong Yea, the voice actor for one of the game’s protagonists, Kazuma Kirya, joined the chorus of disapproval. In a social media post, he argued, "No game should lock New Game Plus behind a paywall." Yea believes such practices harm community goodwill and the replayability of the game, emphasizing that it should be a standard feature or a free update for any supporting game.
Despite the criticism, there has been no response from developer RGG Studio or publisher Sega. Whether this pricing strategy will change remains uncertain, and it all hinges on whether it proves lucrative for the companies when the game releases on January 26.