The essence of gameplay in the Like a Dragon series hinges on the verticality inspired by Japanese architecture. In these games, players navigate through intricate urban layouts that mirror Tokyo’s real-life districts exactly, particularly through locations like Kamurochō, crafted by Sega.
This reuse of game maps reflects how closely Sega’s virtual city resembles the actual neighborhoods, allowing for a seamless integration of creativity and real-world design. As Eiji Hamatsu, RGG Studio’s Design Manager, articulates:
“Why has the Like a Dragon series been able to create games that differ, sometimes even in genre, while using the same locations across them?”
Translation: “One of the reasons is the presence of zakkyo buildings, which are multi-tenant structures that are characteristic of Japanese city centers.”
Hamatsu emphasizes two main advantages these buildings offer:
- They create a visually compelling entertainment landscape.
- They enable a rich variety of experiences within tight spaces, altering player experiences simply by changing floors or shifting within the environment.
As urban designers observe, the layered, compact nature of Tokyo significantly enhances the gameplay experience. This design philosophy contrasts with many western cities, where spaciousness is paramount for effective storytelling in gaming. When developers reuse environments like Kamurochō, they create opportunities for fresh interactions and renewed player engagement.
In essence, Kamurochō faces unique challenges that make it memorable as a gaming location. This setup allows repeated explorations in a contained yet densely populated environment, which evolves dynamically over time.
With ambitious new titles on the horizon, returning to these well-crafted centers, reminiscent of real-world urban dynamics, continues to spearhead the Like a Dragon franchise’s innovative storytelling and design.
