TheYakuzafranchise returns withLike a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name, a spin-off title that continues the story of veteran protagonist Kazuma Kiryu. Nearly seven years afterYakuza 6: The Song of Lifeclosed the curtainon the Dragon of Dojima, developer Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio delivers a satisfying return to the spotlight, which functions as both a celebration of the franchise’s past and further evidence of its bright future. In addition toLike a Dragon Gaidenboasting strong core gameplay and combat mechanics, the experience is wrapped in an emotional narrative that carries a surprising amount of weight, despite its relatively short 12-hour runtime. Together, these converging elements makeLike a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Namea must-play for veteran fans, and the perfect jumping-on point for newcomers.
Like a Dragon: The Man Who Erased His Namecontinues the story of Kazuma Kiryu, operating under the name “Joryu” after the Daidoji faction helped fake his death to protect those he loves. However, Kiryu/Joryu is quickly placed at the center of a critical situation, as a massive shift threatens to throw all of Japan into turmoil. Playing his part as ordered and with the safety of those he left behind caught in the balance, Kiryu navigates the Sotenbori District of Osaka, building alliances while loosening the grip of those who would do it harm. All the while, the legendary Yakuza reflects on the regrets of his past, while questioning whether “Joryu” can help to change Japan for the better.
Early inLike a Dragon Gaiden, Kiryu begins to take on jobs for an information broker named Akame, who recruits him to expand her network of informants through good deeds. While Akame’s motivations are chiefly concerned with Sotenbori’s homeless population, Kiryu’s expansion of the Akame Network is an enormous part of players’ journey throughLike a Dragon Gaiden. Each good deed done in Sotenbori rewards Kiryu with Akame Points, which he can use to buy unique items in Akame’s headquarters or invest in certain gameplay buffs. As players invest inKiryu’s abilities, unlocking new skills or increasing stats, Akame points become a mandatory resource for upgrading.
The Akame Network’s most important function is providing all ofLike a Dragon Gaiden’s side missions. These missions, calledsubstories, see Kiryu explore various narratives stemming from the events in his past. While the title’s core narrative is already deeply emotional, these substories provide some of Kiryu’s best moments, as many force the character to confront and acknowledge the damage he caused as a legendary Yakuza and leverage his skills gained for good. By completing substories, players can quickly obtain significant amounts of money and Akame points, making the time spent fulfilling requests dually rewarding.
Like a Dragon Gaidenis a gorgeous game, withthe streets of Sotenboriboasting crisp visuals and animations that make the setting feel truly alive. Particularly at night, the lights and signs of Osaka’s entertainment district positively burst with color, elevating its fervent energy. The additional locations to which Kiryu can travel, particularly a ship called The Castle, also deliver strong visuals, with each featuring unique sights and sounds that form their respective identities. The game’s character graphics, however, are inconsistent, with major players boasting next-gen looks, while some minor characters, including those in front-and-center cutscenes, look like relics from a distant past. While these visuals are not enough to dampen the overall experience, their sudden appearance is quite jarring in an otherwise beautiful title.
Players spend the majority ofLike a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Nameexploring Sotenbori. While the district’s map is generally small, it is packed to the brim with people and places with which Kiryu can interact. The district boasts a wide range of eateries, merchants, and hidden locations to explore, with many introducing unique characters. While making their way between points, players can encounterwandering groups of enemies, ranging anywhere from four to roughly 15 people, who will attack them on sight. While players may be tempted to evade these groups, they provide a consistent source of revenue, as Kiryu can keep any money they drop, and upgrade the drop rate, as the story progresses.
WhileYakuza: Like a Dragonintroduced turn-based combat,Like a Dragon Gaidenreturns theYakuzafranchise to its beat-em-up roots. Incorporating new techniques that Kiryu has learned in his time withthe Daidoji faction, players can dynamically switch between two fighting styles while in combat - the Yakuza and the Agent. The Yakuza style is best used in close-quarters combat, as Kiryu unleashes wildly aggressive moves on a single enemy. The Agent style, on the other hand, is best used against groups of enemies, as it leverages speed and an array of high-tech gadgets, such as the SPIDER Gadget, an electrified wire that binds and throws enemies or seizes their weapons. ThroughoutLike a Dragon Gaiden, Kiryu unlocks additional gadgets, allowing him to approach groups of enemies with a higher level of strategy and efficiency.
As Kiryu lands blows in either fighting style, he builds a characteristic called Heat, which allows him to unleashhigh-powered Heat Actions. While these actions can be used at various points on the gauge, reaching a certain threshold allows him to unlock Extreme Heat Mode, making Kiryu less likely to be downed and providing each Style with unique benefits. In Agent Style, new gadgets are unlocked and existing ones are strengthened. In Yakuza Style, attacks are stronger and multiple Heat Actions can be used in succession.
Like a Dragon Gaiden’s combat is as engaging as ever, and Sotenbori’s packed streets ensure that Kiryu has plenty of objects with which to clobber his opponents. These objects help to provide a reliable source of levity among the narrative’s largely dark and serious tone. A wide variety ofseemingly innocent objects, ranging from a desk ruler to a parked motorcycle, can be repeatedly swung at enemies. Depending on certain conditions, Kiryu can even perform unique weapon finishers, delivering a cinematically brutal, and often hilarious, end to an enemy combatant.
There is one recurring situation, however, in whichLike a Dragon Gaiden’s combatfalters. Occasionally, Kiryu is forced to fight alongside allies in large group encounters, each of which can swing any number of environmental objects at their foes. These segments often see Kiryu interrupted mid-combo or even made vulnerable to devastating attacks, as allies attempt to hit the same enemy or one nearby. While most situations only arise once a few enemies are left,Like a Dragon Gaiden’s late-game sees Kiryu tasked with protecting and aiding allies in combat. Due to enemy strength, friendly fire could see any number of characters stunned, knocked down, or even killed due to an NPC ally’s repeated swinging of a large object.
Aside from its missions and combat encounters,Like a Dragon: The Man Who Erased His Nameoffershours of optional activitiesfor fans to enjoy. Exploring Sontebori, Kiryu can partake in a variety of day and night leisure activities including all the following.
While many of these activities can be enjoyed with allies, Club SEGA andthe SEGA Master Systemoffer fans of the company a unique break from the action. Club SEGA allows players to enjoy classic SEGA arcade games, including the very first appearance of SEGA RACING CLASSIC 2 on consoles. The SEGA Master System provides a similar experience, with fans able to relive some of the developer’s most revered at-home classics. While Kiryu enjoys the SEGA Master System solo, some cartridges allow multiple players to get in on the action, as they boast two-player gameplay.
The most significantside-activity inLike a Dragon Gaidencomes in the form of The Castle’s Coliseum. First introduced as part of the main narrative, the Coliseum offers players the opportunity to rise the ranks of fighters and vie for the title of “World’s Strongest”. Players can partake in solo and team-based tournaments, recruiting various NPCs to fight alongside them. Kiryu is required to invest some time in the Coliseum, as reaching certain ranks opens crucial locations for the main narrative. However, players who continue to partake in the Coliseum’s tournaments will find themselves handsomely rewarded with cash prizes and various unlockable items, as well as the opportunity to take on the Coliseum’s Four Kings in one ofGaiden’s best substories.
Despite its overall high quality,Like a Dragon: The Man Who Erased His Namedoes have a few shortcomings. The title packs the majority of its action into a rather small map, with the same handful of key locations popping up throughout its main and side narratives. Because of this, certain segments inGaidencan feel like a lot of unnecessary back-and-forth, depending on how fans choose to approach its core objectives. This particular issue is exacerbated by times during which the main narrative requires Kiryu to obtain a certain amount of Akame points or earn the next Coliseum rank, leaving fans to wander around Sotenbori helping its residents, breaking up fights, or completing often-lengthy substories to progress the story.
Developed in only six months,Like a Dragon: The Man Who Erased His Namewas originally conceived as DLC forthe upcomingLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth. However, Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio has grown the concept into an effective and impactful re-introduction to Kazuma Kiryu that balances the remarkable depth and zany qualities that theYakuzafranchise is best known for.Gaidenstands on its own as a strong entry in theLike a Dragonseries, delivering an experience that both veteran fans and complete newcomers can enjoy. The title does more than an excellent job of setting the stage forLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, a tale in which Kazuma Kiryu andLike a Dragon’s Ichiban Kasuga will have their fates intertwined during the Dragon of Dojima’s final days. Those fans who completeGaidenwill get a first glimpse atInfinite Wealth, as story completion unlocks a Special Trial Version of the title.Like a Dragon: The Man Who Erased His Namemarks the beginning of the end for Kazuma Kiryu, but, if its quality is anything to go by, theLike a Dragonseries has a long and bright future ahead.
Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name
WHERE TO PLAY
ERASE YOUR PAST TO PROTECT YOUR FUTURE: Once a legendary yakuza, Kazuma Kiryu faked his own death and abandoned his name for the sake of protecting his family. Now, he is thrust into conflict by a mysterious figure attempting to drive him out of hiding. Under the codename “Joryu,” Kiryu embarks on a gripping action narrative with bone-shattering combat in vibrant locations filled with exciting characters and activities.ULTIMATE COMBAT WITH TWO HIGH-IMPACT FIGHTING STYLES: Dynamically switch between the Yakuza and Agent fighting styles in visceral melee combat. With the Yakuza style, strike fear into enemies by unleashing wildly aggressive moves powered by Kiryu’s unparalleled strength and flair. Or up the ante with the Agent style by delivering blows with absolute speed and precision, while using an array of high-tech gadgets like electrified bind wires to stun enemies then send them flying. Strategically adapt to the situation and leverage both styles to dominate and destroy hordes of enemies.ENDLESS ENTERTAINMENTWhether you’re brawling in the secret Battle arena, singing a new karaoke song, enjoying a drink at the live-action cabaret club, or racing in the pocket circuit, the world offers a variety of immersive experiences. An intriguing informant named Akame also provides thrilling sub-missions, drawing you into an epic showdown that unfolds the more you explore and enjoy Sotenbori and Yokohama.
