Summary

  • Dondoko Island is a standout feature in Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth, offering a relaxing social component away from the main story.
  • The island can be unlocked in Chapter 6 of the game, so players need to be patient before diving into its customization and simulation features.
  • Spending time on Dondoko Island has benefits for the main content, such as raising the Livability score and providing health boosts for the protagonist.

Dondoko Island is a significant part of Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth's appeal, but how and when the experience can be accessed in-game isn't immediately obvious. The Like a Dragon series, formerly published as Yakuza in the west, has long been known for featuring memorable and unique side content and mini-games to accompany its more dramatic main stories. Infinite Wealth promises an even longer and more robust experience than any of the past games have ever delivered, and Dondoko Island might be the selling point that jumps out the most.

Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth marks a major turn for the series by moving to Hawaii, a tropical change that Dondoko Island doubles down on. This mini-game packs the simulation features of something like Animal Crossing into a rich side activity, allowing protagonist Ichiban to purchase and craft the items and materials to build a true paradise. Dedicating time and effort to Dondoko Island will attract visitors, creating a relaxing social component to kick back and enjoy in the absence of aggressive yakuza bosses or criminal maniacs.

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When Dondoko Island Unlocks In LaD: Infinite Wealth

Ichiban and a group of celebrating islanders, including two mascots, in a screenshot from Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth.

Dondoko Island can be unlocked in Chapter 6 of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, so anyone itching to jump straight into the island customization action will have to get accustomed to the idea that it's not an immediate start. Infinite Wealth has 14 chapters total, a fairly average number for the series that comes out to one less than its immediate predecessor Yakuza: Like a Dragon. Not every chapter is created equal, of course, but it does take a decent chunk of time to unlock Dondoko Island as an Infinite Wealth mini-game.

Infinite Wealth Has Plenty Of Time For Dondoko Island

Kasuga, flanked by two mascots, holds a beetle aloft in a screenshot from Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth.

Luckily, once players do reach Dondoko Island, there's no need to feel like its relaxing experience has to be rushed in order to experience more of Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth's nearly boundless content. There's plenty of time to spend there before the credits roll, and Yakuza/Like a Dragon games always offer opportunities to return to side content and warnings when major story beats will render them accessible. Idling away the hours on Dondoko Island can also provide some benefits for the main content, and raising the Livability score of Ichiban's home provides the character with health boosts.

It might be a good thing that Dondoko Island doesn't unlock too soon, as it's nice to be able to get some momentum in the main story before the game's biggest distraction opens up. Dondoko Island makes it all too easy to sink time into Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, and paradise is just as appealing as when Animal Crossing: New Horizons sent tropical video game life to stratospheric popularity several years ago. The opening chapters of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth have plenty of charms, but unlocking Dondoko Island in Chapter 6 is definitely one of the biggest highlights.

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Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth
Systems
Released
January 26, 2024
ESRB
M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Simulated Gambling, Strong Language
Developer(s)
Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio
10/10

Publisher(s)
Sega
Franchise
Yakuza
Platform(s)
PS5, PS4, PC