{"id":1612,"date":"2023-12-07T08:00:42","date_gmt":"2023-12-07T07:00:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.senses.se\/en\/review-like-a-dragon-gaiden-the-man-who-erased-his-name\/"},"modified":"2026-03-21T18:17:59","modified_gmt":"2026-03-21T17:17:59","slug":"review-like-a-dragon-gaiden-the-man-who-erased-his-name","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.senses.se\/en\/review-like-a-dragon-gaiden-the-man-who-erased-his-name\/","title":{"rendered":"Review: Like a dragon Gaiden \u2013 The man who erased his name"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Like a Dragon<\/strong>, formerly known as Yakuza<\/a><\/strong>, owes its lineage to the genre-defining Shenmue<\/a><\/strong> from the Dreamcast era. The series currently comprises eight titles, generally released in chronological order, with the exception of the prequel Yakuza 0<\/a><\/strong>, which was released later. While playing the games in sequence is beneficial for narrative comprehension, it isn’t strictly necessary, though encountering spoilers becomes more likely. Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man who Erased his Name<\/strong> revisits Kiryu Kazuma (who, as it turns out, survived the events of Yakuza 6<\/a><\/strong>) and his journey following his departure from the yakuza life. This digital-only release serves as a prologue to Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth<\/strong>, slated for release in late January 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: SEGA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The narrative is engaging and accessible to both newcomers and long-time fans. The captivating plot delves into Kazuma’s new existence as a shadow operative, introducing new characters while seamlessly reintegrating familiar figures from the series. The compelling storyline is a highlight, driving the player forward. As is typical for the series, the narrative cutscenes are well-produced, but lengthy and abundant; skipping them is possible, but not recommended for a complete experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The graphics and audiovisual elements are notably impressive on the PS5. The vibrant environments and detailed character models enhance the story. High-quality cinematics contribute to an immersive experience reminiscent of an action-packed Asian film. The authentic Japanese atmosphere is a key element of the game’s appeal, particularly as the game features Japanese voice acting exclusively \u2013 a contrast to the English dubbing available in Yakuza: Like a Dragon<\/a><\/strong> (Update: A post-release patch has added optional English voice acting)<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: SEGA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The game marks a return to the Yakuza<\/em> series’ signature beat-em-up combat, evoking a sense of nostalgia for veteran players. Battles are intense and often dynamic, encouraging strategic use of the environment. Kazuma’s new agent abilities introduce a layer of freshness to the combat, although the core mechanics can occasionally become repetitive due to frequent enemy respawns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man who Erased his Name<\/em> does have some shortcomings (beyond its lengthy title). Its significantly shorter length compared to previous installments may disappoint players seeking a more extensive experience. While the price reflects this reduced scale, the shorter playtime might feel like a compromise, or even a cliffhanger, for those accustomed to the series’ typically longer adventures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Don’t underestimate the side tracks and the entertainment it can provide. Photo: SEGA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The game’s explorable environments, set in Osaka and Yokohama, feel somewhat constrained compared to those in previous titles, which can detract from the sense of a vibrant, living world. Furthermore, the game’s pacing can occasionally feel protracted, particularly concerning level upgrades required for main quest progression. On a positive note, SEGA deserves commendation for its continued development of the virtual arcade hall \u2013 a game within a game \u2013 now featuring fully functional Model 3 emulation of classic titles, allowing players to lose themselves in Daytona USA 2<\/strong> for extended periods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its imperfections, Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man who Erased his Name<\/em> delivers a solid gaming experience. The side quests and mini-games are engaging, providing a welcome diversion from the main storyline and the sometimes-monotonous brawling. For fans of the series, this title is a worthwhile addition to their collection. For newcomers, it offers an accessible entry point into the Yakuza<\/em> universe, particularly given the length of the other games. The inclusion of a preview (demo) of Infinite Wealth<\/em> upon completing the main story is an added bonus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: SEGA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

We found ourselves tempted to revisit the entire game series from the beginning in anticipation of the next installment’s release at the end of January…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plaion<\/em><\/strong> <\/a>provided a review code for this analysis. The provision of review materials does not influence our editorial evaluations.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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