REVIEW – In a bold move in 2020, Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio replaced Yakuza’s iconic protagonist Kazuma Kiryu in Like A Dragon. Imagine, after seven games, the Dojima Dragon has become a rock-solid icon in the hearts of fans. We thought a Yakuza game without Kiryu would be like sushi without the essential wasabi. But the change worked out surprisingly well: Ichiban Kasuga has been a hit, like hitting the jackpot with a Yakuza casino game, and Like A Dragon‘s new RPG style has also been a hit. But now, in Like A Dragon Gaiden, good old Kiryu is back and more battle-hardened than ever… We tested the new game on the Xbox Series X, Game Pass.

So the legendary “Kiryu-chan” is back, but this time in a spin-off form, and will soon play a bigger role in the upcoming Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth. But don’t think that this means that RGG Studio is shying away from new characters; Kiryu is simply a character who still has something new to show. And his return to the spotlight is far from cheap nostalgia.

The Man Who Erased His Name is a confident, engrossing, and insanely entertaining game with a hard-hitting “yakuza” storyline that only adds to RGG Studio’s reputation.

My name is Kiryu, Kazuma Kiryu.

Set between Yakuza 6: The Song of Life and Yakuza Like A Dragon, Like A Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name picks up where Kiryu left off when he faked his own death to protect his loved ones. Now he lives a secret life as an agent code-named Joryu for the mysterious Daidoji faction. What is he doing here? Good old Kiryu appears as a James Bond-like super spy in a fancy suit, complete with gadgets. And why not? Kiryu has tried everything: mini-car racing champion, real estate tycoon, yakuza boss, taxi driver, orphanage owner. He even beat up two tigers earlier, so spying is really just the next logical step.

But it’s not that easy, Kiryu’s hands are tied, figuratively speaking. She can’t break her secret life, she has to show herself dead to the world, or the children at the Morning Glory orphanage could be in danger. So Kiryu “works as a simple undercover agent, doing black ops jobs like escorting rich people, monitoring drug shipments, and setting up rival mobsters. I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but I can tell you that things are about to escalate and Kiryu is about to find himself in a delicate situation where he is in danger of being caught. He will come into conflict with the leaders of the Daidoji faction. As usual, The Man Who Erased His Name weaves an intricate web of a story, where intrigues, plots, new alliances and surprises follow each other almost in a row, keeping the tension up until the end of the game, even if this part might be unusually short for fans.

A more independent story focusing on Kiryu

Make no mistake, this is Kiryu’s solo party. No matter how much we’ve changed the characters in previous games, ex-yakuza Kiryu still exudes the kind of brutal charisma that fans love. This guy isn’t just a hero – he’s the kind of ex-yakuza who is sensitive to those in need while putting his heart and soul into protecting his loved ones. Of course, he’s no Mr. Perfect – it’s his flaws that make him a genius. He may be overconfident at times, a little naive at others, but when it comes to his willingness to do something, there’s no one more ruthless. When he’s not fighting an army of yakuza, he’s fighting for a kid’s lost soccer ball – the Dojima Dragon is always on form and always the one we root for on screen.

Whether he’s facing seemingly impossible odds, such as taking on an entire Yakuza gang, or helping a child recover his lost soccer ball, the charisma of Dojima’s Dragon is undeniable. It’s always a pleasure to see him in action, and most importantly, Kiryu is a genuinely likeable hero, the true star of the franchise.

This time the story of Like A Dragon Gaiden is deeper than a good manga. Kiryu is somewhat isolated from his friends, which gives his story space without other characters taking up the attention. The story is shorter than we’re used to, but it’s still as powerful as a well-placed punch in a Yakuza movie.

The Japanese 007

Kiryu practically acts like a Japanese James Bond in this episode – he fits right in with the new agent fighting style, which brilliantly complements the Yakuza-style fistfights that fans love. He’s equipped with gadgets like a wristwatch-wielding drone, airborne drones that gradually damage your opponent, and special disposable cigarette bombs.

These gadgets open up a whole new range of tactical possibilities in the game, although they can sometimes seem more spectacular than effective, especially against the main villains. But when it comes to the real action, it’s Kiryu’s fist-pumping that takes the cake. He’s a true agent-style ninja, beating his opponents to a pulp with precise punches and quick, acrobatic moves.

And while his gadgets are not always the most effective, they are a lot of fun to use. In the familiar Yakuza fighting style, Kiryu works his fists and feet, dominating with powerful punches and rock-solid combos. He moves in familiar territory, but he’s still as exciting as he was in the first game.

Switching between the two styles gives the player plenty of opportunity to experiment, providing freedom and variety. Heat and Extreme Heat attacks bring brutal power and cinematic visuals to every fight.

And Ultimate Counters is another great addition that adds even more strategic depth to combat. The R1 + X combo must be timed perfectly to react to the opponent’s powerful punches, forcing the player to anticipate every move.

The missions in The Man Who Erased His Name also draw from the world of spy movies. The story includes familiar yakuza elements such as beating people up or having important conversations, but the introduction of the Akame Network is a refreshing new addition to the gameplay that further enriches the experience.

The Akame Network is the real highlight

Well, when it comes to Sentobori, you can’t help but mention Akame, who is not only a cool Japanese chick, but also a true multi-talent. An information broker and angel to the homeless, she is Kiryu’s main ally in the game, a character who works hard but never loses her sense of humor.

Her job is to provide Kiryu with exciting side missions and new developments that will ensure the game is not just about fighting, but also about the adventures of a lifetime. These missions are so varied that you can be sure there will be new surprises around every corner of the game.

The streets of Sentobori are full of challenges; sometimes you just have to buy a drink for a homeless person, sometimes you have to protect them from bullies, or help locals find their lost belongings. Each successful mission earns you money and Akame points, which you can use to upgrade Kiryu’s skills, making him even stronger and more skilled.

Akame Network not only takes Like A Dragon to a new level of gameplay, but also brings a whole new dynamic to the series. As you climb the Akame ladder, your progress in the game becomes more tangible.

You won’t just be a gladiator in this coliseum.

When it comes to the side missions in The Man Who Erased His Name, you can be sure they won’t skimp on the challenges. The biggest kicker? A neon-lit, decadent coliseum on a giant container ship, where you’ll revel in the depravity and extravagance of Japan’s upper crust. Here you can compete for money and rank, either alone or as part of a team.

This place is a real challenge to your combat skills. Don’t expect easy victories unless you have Kiryu’s skills pumped up, especially in the higher ranks. The higher you climb, the more new areas and perks become available, even a trainer can help you improve your team. Colosseum is a truly addictive challenge, a game within a game that you can spend hours playing.

There’s also karaoke, billiards, a pocket tournament, hostess clubs (now with FMV live action models), classic SEGA arcade and Master System games like Sonic the Fighters or Alex the Kidd in Miracle World to add to the fun.

We don’t need seppuku here, but maybe cutting off a few fingers…

Like A Dragon Gaiden isn’t without its faults in a few small areas, though. Castle and Akame Network’s main sin is to artificially extend the game time by upgrading the ranks – this may seem a bit excessive, but it didn’t bother me too much. Then there are those endless battles where, if you’re not prepared enough, you’ll have to fight a brutally powerful boss while running out of the items you need (vitamins, food, etc.). This can cause some head-scratching, and some players may have to resort to activating easy mode, but it doesn’t detract from the gameplay experience.

Like A Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name is exactly what you’d expect from a Kiryu story: punchy combat, super-agent extras, an exciting story with memorable characters, and plenty of fantastic missions. Don’t let the shorter length fool you: there’s plenty of content to keep you busy until Infinite Wealth is released next January. Gameplay, graphics, story, music, sounds, atmosphere – all get top marks and prove that Kiryu is still one of the series’ biggest stars.

-Gergely Herpai (BadSector)-

Publisher: SEGA

Developer: Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio

Style: Open-world action-adventure

Release: November 8, 2023.