Fans of the Yakuza series, or as it is now called ‘Like a Dragon’ – are having a very good time of it just now. From Like a Dragon: Ishin! this year, to the Yakuza: Like a Dragon sequel – Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth set to drop early next year. But to hold us over till then, Sega and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio have a little something in store – Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name.
Read More: Like a Dragon: Ishin! review – Walk Through Feudal Japan
Gaiden is a new spin-off of sorts that aims to bridge the gap between the Yakuza games of old and the new shiny Like a Dragon titles. The Gaiden sub-series focuses on the series’ original protagonist, Kazuma Kiryu, as he embarks on a whole new adventure in Osaka under the guise of a ‘secret agent’.
A Gaiden
First thing to understand about Like a Dragon Gaiden is that it’s a bite size offering. Games in the sub-series will clock in at about half the time to compete of its more established kin.
This is a welcome move but also an odd one. Gaiden is the perfect showcase of what a Like a Dragon game is all about, but if you’re a newcomer it also drops you right into the thick of it. And, technically, jumping in here will waste the end of Yakuza 6 and also elements of Yakuza: Like a Dragon.
A Densetsu Tamed
Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name takes place after Yakuza 6: The Song of Life and also before, during, and after the events of Yakuza: Like a Dragon – all of which lead into next years Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth. So, unless you’re up to date on the overall series tale and its lore, it’s safe to say there will be a few spoilers in there.
That said, we’ll try and sneak around them here, but beware the game assumes you’re a fan right from the get go.
Read More: Kirby’s Return to Dreamland Deluxe review – Puffier and Prettier
You play a series legend Kazuma Kiryu but under a new name Joryu. You are, sort of, back from the dead, and after a brief cameo, the tale seems to force itself to hit certain points and situations just to fit into the series in general.
So, in order to not break the overall series lore, it has to twist and turn a fair bit which makes it all feel a bit constrained in ways. Overall, the game is less bombastic than other instalments. Plus, the fact that everyone can see through his paper-thin disguise right off the bat just re-enforces this.
Like a Dragon Prologue
That said, it’s adequate on the tale front and does achieve its goal. That is, to get you set up for Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth. It’s like how Marvel handled the Black Widow movie. It feels out of place coming after the main event, but also trying to push elements forward while standing on its own two feet.
Gameplay, however, is an interesting spin on what you know from Kazuma games, Real-time combat is the order of the day, none of that new flashy turn-based stuff here. And in Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name, get in more scraps than you’ll count.
Read More: Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty review – Hard-Hitter
A significant portion of its run-time is spent beating seven shades out of endless thugs and cardboard gangsters.
Like a Brawler
You have two fighting styles to play around with as you see fit. And you can switch between them at any moment mid-fight. One, the Yakuza style, is the most traditional to Kazuma’s style, being hard hitting and charge focused. The other, Agent Style, which is fast, fluid and gadget filled.
From rocket boots, to exploding cigarettes, you have more than a few tricks up your well-tailored sleeves. Which lets you play around with combos and your general fighting technique and is a lot of fun as you face off against evermore bigger groups.
Read More: Lords of the Fallen (2023) review – The AAA Soulslike We Were Promised
Controls can be a little hit and miss, though with some moves just not responding sometimes. For example, when trying to grab weapons and objects in the heat of a fight.
When not brawling to survive, there are a tonne of side activities to lose yourself in. From side missions and jobs to more standard fare like karaoke, Pocket Circuit racing, cabaret clubs, and a new fighting arena.
Key to Infinite Wealth Demo
Gaiden also features a special trial version of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, unlocked after beating the main story. This trial version offer two demos. A Story Demo, which continues from the end of Gaiden and features exclusive scenes not included in Infinite Wealth. And a Hawaii Demo, which features a limited free-roam map of Honolulu.
These extras are a beautiful touch, and superfans will get an incredible kick from them. Their inclusion also really highlights how much of a bridging title the game is.
Look and Sound of Yakuza
Visually, Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name looks as good as the main titles. The games reuses/reimagines a lot of series’ areas and the audio is also to the series standard.
However, there is no English dub for Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name. This may hint at it being pushed hard to meet a deadline just before Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth.
Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name is 100% aimed at fans and is not ashamed of this fact. But, in ways, it feels like it’s been rushed to make a deadline. The tale is also boxed in by choices made by other games in the series and the story never goes over the top.
But with that said, there are fun moments and a good time to be had. And in many ways, it’s a perfect slice of what the Like a Dragon series is all about. One that would be the perfect entry point ahead of the new game for newcomers, if it didn’t spoil some of the series’ best games.