Like A Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name is not just another side story in the Yakuza franchise. It’s a game that takes a giant leap forward in terms of quality and thoughtful design. RGG Studio, the masterminds behind the Yakuza series, decided to shake things up and deviate from the usual Yakuza formula. They threw out the sprawling maps, the repetitive combat, and the slice-of-life approach in order to focus on what truly matters: the characters.
In this new installment, Kiryu takes center stage in a way that he never has before. He’s not just a plot device anymore, but a fully fleshed-out person. And let me tell you, it’s about time. Kiryu finds himself in a situation he never saw coming. Despite all his sacrifices, he’s now at the mercy of someone else, and there’s very little he can do about it. This side story takes place between Yakuza 6: The Song of Life and Yakuza: Like A Dragon, during one of the most interesting and pivotal moments in the series.
Kiryu’s world has changed forever. The yakuza, the powerful criminal organization that he was once a part of, is now in shambles. Many of its members are in jail or have turned to white-collar crime. In this new landscape, having a politician or a former Tojo clan leader in your pocket is a valuable prize. This sets the stage for high drama, and Gaiden delivers in spades.
Even though the Yakuza games have always revolved around Kiryu, they’ve never truly been about him. Yakuza 0 focused on a power struggle within the Tojo Clan. Nishiki and Haruka had more agency in Kiwami 1 than Kiryu did. And even in Yakuza 6, Kiryu’s own life and desires took a backseat to the Daidoji situation. But Gaiden changes all that. For the first time, RGG Studio takes a step back and delves into the characters as real people with dynamic personalities. Kiryu’s typical goofy optimism is replaced with harsh cynicism. He’s a broken man, but one who sees the world more clearly and is willing to take risks. This change is reflected not only in his character, but also in his fighting style and voice acting.
Speaking of fighting, Gaiden introduces a more natural and satisfying combat system. The battles feel less floaty and have a weight to them that previous games lacked. Boss fights, in particular, have seen a significant improvement. They’re no longer clunky and repetitive, but rather challenging and unpredictable. Bosses move faster, mix up their attacks, and require good timing and quick thinking to defeat. These encounters are now a highlight of the game, thanks in part to Kiryu’s new moves and fighting styles.
In Gaiden, Kiryu has two fighting styles: the Yakuza style, which focuses on heavy hits and block-breaking attacks, and the Agent style, which is a breakdancing James Bond extravaganza. The Agent style is a breath of fresh air and brings a whole new level of excitement to the combat. Kiryu’s moves are stylish and flashy, and it’s a joy to watch him take down enemies with his impressive range of gadgets. The fights in Gaiden are not just crunchy and brutal, they’re also damn cool.
But Gaiden isn’t just about the main story and the combat. It still offers the usual suite of Yakuza side activities that fans have come to love. Whether you want to play competitive Shogi, engage in no-holds-barred matches on a pleasure ship, or try your hand at classic Yakuza mini-games, there’s something for everyone. The substories, while not the best in the series, are still brilliantly written and provide another opportunity to witness Kiryu’s character development.
In conclusion, Like A Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name is a game that takes the Yakuza franchise to new heights. It’s a side story that surpasses the mainline games in terms of character development, combat, and overall quality. It’s a must-play for any fan of the series or anyone looking for a game that combines intense action with a compelling narrative. So, grab your controller and dive into the world of Gaiden. Kiryu is waiting for you, and trust me, you won’t be disappointed.
Sources:
– “Like A Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name Review” – GameSpot
– “Like A Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name – Official Trailer” – YouTube