Review: Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name
It’s easy to feel how Like a Dragon is changing in Gaiden. But that doesn’t mean the latest, un-numbered entry in Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio’s series is eschewing its roots.
Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name mostly takes place concurrent to Yakuza: Like a Dragon, a game that saw RGG Studio tackle RPG ideas with a new hero in the lead. And though we’re back to brawler basics here with Kiryu in Gaiden, there’s enough here to make it a valuable excursion for the long-time fans.
Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name (PC, PS4, PS5 [reviewed], Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S)
Developer: Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio
Publisher: Sega
Released: November 8, 2023
MSRP: $49.99
Gaiden hands the mantle back to long-time Yakuza protagonist Kazuma Kiryu, now living under the pseudonym Joryu. After his death in Yakuza 6: The Song of Life was faked, Kiryu went into the service of the Daidoji, living a sequestered life and doing the occasional odd job for them to ensure the Morning Glory Orphanage and Haruka can live in peace.
One deal gone wrong, though, and “Joryu” is back in the thick of criminal conspiracies and politics. The plot moves pretty quick, and even though chapters are longer than you might expect, the overall game is pretty short by Like a Dragon standards, especially after the hefty runtime of Yakuza: Like a Dragon.
Considering this entry started out as DLC, the runtime lines up. And honestly, I welcomed the brevity; while I would’ve liked a little more time with some of the new cast members, Gaiden covers the ground it needs to. There are a few heavy emotional beats saved for the very end too, in a conclusion that feels crafted to hit every button for a franchise fan.
Most of Gaiden is spent in Sotenbori and a new
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