Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name

NOV 16th, 2023

Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name Review Blog

"Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name" has been reviewed as a game that successfully navigates through the narrative closure of Kiryu's story as the main protagonist and the beginning of a new era for the Yakuza world. While it wraps up some of Kiryu's storylines, it also opens new ones, creating an intriguing, emotional narrative. The game is shorter than typical entries in the series, with only five chapters, but it doesn't feel lacking. It effectively uses its time to address narrative elements without feeling overextended.

Combat System

The combat system in "Like a Dragon Gaiden" is highlighted as one of its strengths, with the introduction of the 'Agent battle style.' This new combat style lets Kiryu use spy gadgets like the Spider tool, which adds a fresh dynamic to the fights. The game also features rocket shoes, exploding cigarettes, and drones, making the combat engaging and entertaining.

Side Content

In terms of side content, "Like a Dragon Gaiden" offers a variety of minigames and substories, including the return of Pocket Circuit, a revamped Coliseum, and a new Boutique feature that allows for detailed customization of Kiryu. Despite having a smaller map, the game compensates with these additional activities, which are said to be well-executed and add depth to the gameplay experience.

Criticisms

However, there are criticisms as well. The handling of side stories, now accessed through a bounty board system, is noted as a drawback, reducing the spontaneity and immersive nature of these narratives. Additionally, some reviewers have pointed out the game's relatively high cost compared to its size and content, as well as the reduced size of the Yokohama map, as negatives.

Overall

Overall, "Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name" is seen as a compact, satisfying addition to the Yakuza series, offering a fitting continuation and closure to Kiryu's story, while also setting the stage for future narratives. Its new combat system and side content are well-received, though there are some reservations about the game's pricing and reduced exploration scope.