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.
The game is shorter than the main games in the franchise but it is very fun.
Playing with Kiryu is always a pleasure because for me he is one of the best characters in the history of games.
I liked the story and the characters. The map is small but there is a lot to do.
If you are a fan of the franchise and played the previous games, this game is a must.
I absolutely loved this game. It may be the shortest in the series but it's jam-packed with tons of fun to be had. This was my first ever Yakuza game I got the platinum for too. Great game
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.
I like the gameplay a lot, it is more fun and versatile than rpg-system in Like a dragon (7). Arsenal consists of four gadgets on top of two figting styles with a number of moves and combinations.
The story is however felt short and non-consequensial, you can say filler, for those who already played part 7, almost evertything would be predictable from the start. I appreciated the effort they made to flesh out cerrtain aspects of new life for Kiryu. But I left the game, wanting more, even after finishing all of side content and getting a platinum trophy.
I did not have the same felling in Like a dragon (7).
Gaiden is simple, but I feel like it's its strength as a fun, short and toching adventure for 10-30 hours.
Thus I would give it a 7 as a good game, but nothing outstanding.
Gaiden is a solid game, but it suffers from a few faults that hold it back from being on the same level as older games. While the return to brawling combat is one that I will always be welcome with open arms, especially with multiple fighting styles, the game doesn't entirely shake off the feeling that it should have been DLC instead. Paired with the English dub both not being included from the word go, and with Yong Yea being miscast as Kiryu/Joryu, and this was a bit baffling decision. I don't dislike Yong as a YouTuber, and he does have some voice acting roles I like, but he just was not the right fit for Kiryu. The story does hit some emotional highs, but the side stories/activities felt a bit too generic for Yakuza standards, or ones we've already seen with some minor tweaks. If you can get Gaiden on sale, go for it. It feels like overpriced DLC, and I say this as a die hard Yakuza fan.
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.