A shorter but wonderfully packed spin-off that finally gives fans of the multi-decade franchise a satisfying end to Kiryu Kazuma's story while also reminding us of all the greatest parts from the previous action-based Yakuza games.
This game once started as extra content and it shows, the story is on the short side at just over 10 hours. Fortunately, the game has enough to offer through its minigames and extra content to keep you entertained for a long time, although you have to reckon with somewhat mediocre pacing and remarkably, lumbering animations. With that said, by the way, we can recommend this title to any fan of the franchise.
Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name might be the shortest game in the series, a playthrough clocking in around 18 hours. But it does deliver on every promise of the series with a story full of twists, plenty of combat, countless side activities and as a bonus, a lot of familiar faces recognizable by the fans. It is a great game, but does not manage to stand out, and it feels like a great effort to have a proper send-off to the old formula before reconcentrating on the main games and the next Lost Judgement. It is the weakest episode of a very strong series, making it a good game.
Like a Dragon Gaiden is a perfect appetizer before the main course. Just a few weeks away from the release of Like a Dragon Infinite Wealth, Gaiden serves as a reminder of events from previous episodes, reconnects with our favorite protagonist, and offers what the franchise does best: epic situations, complex and endearing characters, and a fantastic way to unwind.
Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name is a throwback and a step forward, putting a potential end to what came before on the way to something new. As it does so, it is a shorter, but still truly excellent example of everything that has made the Like a Dragon series so great for so many years.
What perhaps saves Kiryu's latest adventure is an absolutely fantastic combat system, bolstered with wild gadgets, and minigame offerings that just about work with an approach to breadth instead of depth. This is another entertaining, idiosyncratic, action-packed romp for the Yakuza series, but it feels as though Like a Dragon Gaiden needs to do more to justify its undermining of Kiryu's perfect sendoff in Yakuza 6.
Très bon jeu, mais un peu trop répétitif. Les combats manquent d'interaction avec l’environnement, même si l’histoire, elle, est vraiment captivante et bien construite.
Smaller in scale yet rich in emotion, this entry trades the grand spectacle of earlier installments for a more personal, character-driven experience. It peels back the layers of Kazuma Kiryu, exploring his regrets and motivations with a sense of maturity rarely seen in the series. The combat returns to its classic roots, fluid and satisfying, elevated by new gadget-based mechanics that add flair even if they stop short of true innovation. Its brisk pacing keeps the story engaging from start to finish, though the uninspired side content and recycled mini-games make the world feel less alive than before. It is a confident, well-executed chapter in Kiryu’s saga, yet one that ultimately leaves you wishing the Dragon of Dojima had been given a stage as grand as his legend.
Leave it to Yakuza fanboys to overrate and eat every slop RGG makes. Its the same game yet again with the same awful and repetitive combat, terrible writing and cringe humor.
Critics > User score
Thank god the critics know the truth of this franchise, its mid!!!!
SummaryKiryu returns in Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name, launching in 2023! This classic high-octane RGG action-adventure sheds light on Kiryu's perspective following the events of Yakuza 6: The Song of Life leading up to Like a Dragon 8.