The upcoming Yakuza: Like a Dragon will take a cue from another highly popular JRPG series, Persona, with the addition of social bonding mechanics, according to new information from Sega.

Sega released a press release over the weekend detailing the various ways for Kasuga Ichiban, Yakuza: Like a Dragon's brand new protagonist, to forge relationships and strengthen bonds with others in the game. Each character will have their own friendship meter with Ichiban that will raise based on shared social activities. As bonds between characters grow deeper, Ichiban can unlock new abilities, team attacks, skills, and jobs that will be highly beneficial in battle.

RELATED: Yakuza: Like A Dragon's Producer Talks Fan Reactions, Dragon Quest Influences

The press release outlines four different ways Ichiban can raise support levels with his allies:

Play Spots - Several of the game's Play Spots will allow Ichiban to invite a friend to accompany him for an activity. For example, Ichiban can invite friends to watch a movie with him at a theater, with bonus points awarded if the movie aligns with his friend's interests.

Eating Together - Ichiban can invite his friends out for a meal, and through a mechanic called "Table Talk," earn support points by choosing favorable responses.

Bond Dramas - As Ichiban forges stronger relationships with his allies, they'll open up to him more. As friends open up, players will unlock "Bond Dramas" where a friend will reveal secrets about their past, or open up about current and future worries. By listening and giving advice, Ichiban can continue to strengthen their relationship even further.

Bond Skills - After reaching a high enough support level by earning points and clearing Bond Dramas, Ichiban will unlock special combo attacks with his allies. Each attack will vary between allies, but they'll continue to strengthen friendships and provide extra support while fighting.

The various methods of raising support levels all sound pretty similar to the confidant mechanics in the Persona games. Considering how praised and loved that series' social mechanics have been, hopefully Yakuza: Like a Dragon can execute this just as well.

Yakuza: Like a Dragon will be released in Japan on January 16, 2020, for the PlayStation 4. The game will be released in the West sometime in 2020.

Source: Silicon Era

NEXT: Is Persona 5: The Royal Losing Sight Of What Made Persona 5 Great?