The classes inYakuza: Like a Dragonare more whimsical than in most RPGs, which makes it unfortunate that one of the funniest classes is almost completely useless. In a game that offers players a lot of options for building their characters, it’s unsurprising that some of the available paths would be better than others. Even with that in mind, a combination of factors leave one class seemingly destined to be nothing more than a novelty despite its apparent potential. Even worse, it’s one that players will be required to use at least once duringYakuza: Like a Dragon’s story.
The distinctiveJob system inYakuza: Like a Dragonis the game’s take on character classes. In addition to each character’s unique starting job, there is a collection of other jobs they can swap to at Hello Work, the career counseling center. Each job comes with its own weapon class and list of abilities that the character will learn as they level up. Each job even has a couple of skills that stay with the character after they switch to another once unlocked, as well as permanent stat bonuses. With this setup, players are encourages to train characters in multiple jobs for their benefits.
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All of Saeko’s Jobs In Yakuza: Like A Dragon Are Better Than Barmaid
Saeko Mukoda starts with the Barmaid job, unintentionally showing one area whereLike a Dragon’s sequel needs to improve. The Barmaid class' abilities involve pulling various items out of her handbag to use as weapons, or simply smacking enemies with the handbag itself. These improvised attacks include hitting enemies in the face with a powderpuff to disorient them and lower their accuracy, or using a facial massager to make their faces sparkle before sending them to the ground. Although many of the Barmaid job’s moves are amusing, particularly those unlocked at later levels, most will go unseen by players due to the job’s weaknesses.
The biggest flaw of the barmaid job is the fact that its user is the most likely character to useYakuza: Like a Dragon’s job-changing mechanicright away. Barmaid is almost entirely designed around skills that deal physical damage, but Saeko is the least physically-focused character in the game. Saeko’s stats are much better suited for the Hostess or Idol jobs, particularly the latter since it turns her into the game’s best healer. Keeping her as a Barmaid simply wastes her potential in a role she is ill-suited for. Worse, Barmaid is exclusive to Saeko, so even characters better-suited for what the class is designed for can’t use it.
What’s most shocking about Saeko’s Barmaid class is that most other characters' starting classes have something good to offer. While that shows thatjobs should return inLike a Dragon 8due to their consistency, it makes Barmaid look far worse in comparison. For many characters, their starting job is one of their best options, such as Nanba’s Homeless Guy class or Han’s Hitman job. Even Ichiban’s Freelancer job, which has the lowest damage potential due to having no weapons, will unlock the powerful Release German Suplex eventually. Barmaid doesn’t do anything for Saeko that another job can’t do better.
The sheer weakness of Saeko’s barmaid class is a disappointment. Whatever promise it had couldn’t make up for its flawed design, which leaves it as a wholly undesirable choice. One thing thatLike a Dragon 8needs to balanceis its jobs, to make sure that none of them end up being functionally useless. Due to its design, Barmaid is destined to never be used again once the player has access to Hello Work’s job-changing services due to Saeko immediately having better options available. It’s disappointing, but Barmaid isYakuza: Like a Dragon’s worst class by far.
Yakuza: Like a Dragonis available now for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
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