RGG Studio’s latest action-brawler is a captivating and emotional look at Kiryu’s life that offers a ‘greatest hits’ of the series’ gameplay.
Perhaps I was naive to think that the legend of Kazuma Kiryu actually wrapped up with Yakuza 6: The Song of Life, and that his appearance in Yakuza: Like A Dragon was simply a nod to longtime fans such as myself. Having played through Like A Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name, I’m now convinced that leaving Kiryu to grow old in the shadows wouldn’t have been the right move. Although Gaiden is a bite-sized story–noticeably shorter than previous entries–it proves that Kiryu has so much more life to live.
From the wild new Agent fighting style to the wealth of captivating side activities and tried-and-true Yakuza story drama, Gaiden is a tight package that’s akin to a ‘greatest hits’ for the franchise. While it may feel like a retread of previous games at times, the formula is no worse for wear and still finds ways to surprise me with its straight-faced delivery of absurdist humor. Gaiden acts as a middle chapter that flows into the events of Yakuza: Like a Dragon, the 2020 RPG starring Kasuga Ichiban as the protagonist, and it leads directly into the upcoming Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth, Ichiban’s second outing. It’s tough to talk about this game in a vacuum, but because it so heavily targets those who’ve been on the Yakuza journey all this time, it hit me hard in my feelings–especially as I barreled toward its heart-rending conclusion. In that respect, it is both a typical and exceptional entry in the Yakuzaverse.
If you want to read the review check it out here: https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/like-a-dragon-gaiden-review-the-man-who-cant-escape-the-yakuza/1900-6418151/
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