Like A Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name Review

Release date: November 8, 2023

Engine: Dragon Engine

Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Series S, Xbox Cloud Gaming, Microsoft Windows

Mode: Single-player video game

License: proprietary license

Genres: Fighting game, Action-adventure game, Adventure

Developer: Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio

"Review Copy Provided By Sega"

"Like A Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name" situates itself within the "Like a Dragon" series, formerly known as "Yakuza," filling a narrative gap between "Yakuza 6" and the upcoming "Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth." This installment, however, diverges from its predecessors in scope and scale, presenting itself as a more focused, side-story adventure centered on Kiryu, the series' protagonist. It's a shorter, less grandiose chapter when compared to the main series entries.

The game unfolds primarily in the familiar setting of Sotenbori, a fictionalized version of Osaka's Dōtonbori district. The developers have opted to reutilize existing locations and mini-games, adding a sense of familiarity but also a noticeable lack of novelty. One new area introduced is The Castle, an exclusive offshore location that serves as a hub for combat and gambling mini-games. Despite these elements of repetition, the game maintains the series' signature blend of compelling narrative and quirky subplots. The return of Kiryu in this title signifies a revival of the series' traditional brawling gameplay, albeit with innovative additions. Kiryu now has access to two fighting styles: the classic "Yakuza" and the gadget-enhanced "Agent." The latter introduces inventive combat mechanics, such as a wrist-mounted rope and rocket-propelled shoes, offering a refreshing twist to the familiar combat formula.

The story delves into Kiryu's life post-"Yakuza 6," where he finds himself bound to a shadowy political faction. This storyline parallels "Yakuza: Like a Dragon," filling in backstory details and enriching Kiryu's character arc. The game's storytelling prowess shines, especially through its nuanced supporting characters and Kiryu's multifaceted motivations. Side missions in the game are organized through the Akame Network, effectively linking exploration and quest completion to character development. However, the game's limited number of side quests doesn't quite match the memorable quality of past games' subplots. Additionally, the battle arena introduces a team-based mode, adding a fresh layer to the familiar combat rhythm.

For series enthusiasts, "Gaiden" feels like a concentrated essence of the franchise, delivering a comfortable and nostalgic experience. It offers a more streamlined journey, enabling players to engage with the series' highlights in a more compact format. However, the game's $50 price tag might be a point of contention, especially for newcomers, as it offers less content in comparison to other titles in the series. This pricing consideration becomes more pronounced when contrasted with other entries like "Yakuza: Like a Dragon" or "Yakuza 0," which offer more expansive experiences at similar or lower price points.

To sum up, while "The Man Who Erased His Name" may not introduce groundbreaking developments, it delivers a fulfilling chapter in Kiryu's saga, making it a compelling experience for fans deeply immersed in the series' narrative.