Like a Dragon, formerly known as Yakuza, owes its lineage to the genre-defining Shenmue from the Dreamcast era. The series currently comprises eight titles, generally released in chronological order, with the exception of the prequel Yakuza 0, which was released later. While playing the games in sequence is beneficial for narrative comprehension, it isn’t strictly necessary, though encountering spoilers becomes more likely. Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man who Erased his Name revisits Kiryu Kazuma (who, as it turns out, survived the events of Yakuza 6) and his journey following his departure from the yakuza life. This digital-only release serves as a prologue to Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, slated for release in late January 2024.
The narrative is engaging and accessible to both newcomers and long-time fans. The captivating plot delves into Kazuma’s new existence as a shadow operative, introducing new characters while seamlessly reintegrating familiar figures from the series. The compelling storyline is a highlight, driving the player forward. As is typical for the series, the narrative cutscenes are well-produced, but lengthy and abundant; skipping them is possible, but not recommended for a complete experience.
The graphics and audiovisual elements are notably impressive on the PS5. The vibrant environments and detailed character models enhance the story. High-quality cinematics contribute to an immersive experience reminiscent of an action-packed Asian film. The authentic Japanese atmosphere is a key element of the game’s appeal, particularly as the game features Japanese voice acting exclusively – a contrast to the English dubbing available in Yakuza: Like a Dragon (Update: A post-release patch has added optional English voice acting).
The game marks a return to the Yakuza series’ signature beat-em-up combat, evoking a sense of nostalgia for veteran players. Battles are intense and often dynamic, encouraging strategic use of the environment. Kazuma’s new agent abilities introduce a layer of freshness to the combat, although the core mechanics can occasionally become repetitive due to frequent enemy respawns.
Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man who Erased his Name does have some shortcomings (beyond its lengthy title). Its significantly shorter length compared to previous installments may disappoint players seeking a more extensive experience. While the price reflects this reduced scale, the shorter playtime might feel like a compromise, or even a cliffhanger, for those accustomed to the series’ typically longer adventures.
The game’s explorable environments, set in Osaka and Yokohama, feel somewhat constrained compared to those in previous titles, which can detract from the sense of a vibrant, living world. Furthermore, the game’s pacing can occasionally feel protracted, particularly concerning level upgrades required for main quest progression. On a positive note, SEGA deserves commendation for its continued development of the virtual arcade hall – a game within a game – now featuring fully functional Model 3 emulation of classic titles, allowing players to lose themselves in Daytona USA 2 for extended periods.
Despite its imperfections, Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man who Erased his Name delivers a solid gaming experience. The side quests and mini-games are engaging, providing a welcome diversion from the main storyline and the sometimes-monotonous brawling. For fans of the series, this title is a worthwhile addition to their collection. For newcomers, it offers an accessible entry point into the Yakuza universe, particularly given the length of the other games. The inclusion of a preview (demo) of Infinite Wealth upon completing the main story is an added bonus.
We found ourselves tempted to revisit the entire game series from the beginning in anticipation of the next installment’s release at the end of January…
Plaion provided a review code for this analysis. The provision of review materials does not influence our editorial evaluations.
