Summary
For fans of the popularLike a Dragonfranchise,Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Namerepresents something of a return to the series' roots.The game is set to feature fast-paced, hard-hitting combat centering around its veteran protagonist Kazuma Kiryu, something many fans thought they would never see again. For those who are less excited about the gameplay mechanics,Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Namealso promises to shed some much-needed light on Kiryu’s actions following his previous starring role inYakuza 6: The Song of Life, which many thought would be his last outing. GivenLike a Dragon’s complex plot and characters, a recap of events leading up to this point will likely be beneficial.
After being the face of the franchise for over a decade,Yakuza 6: The Song of Lifeappeared to bring the curtain down onKazuma Kiryu’s epic storyof crime and revenge. 2020’sYakuza: Like a Dragonrepresented a radical change of direction for the series, introducing a brand-new protagonist in Ichiban Kasuga, and shifting from a real-time brawler to a fully turn-based RPG. These changes were hailed as largely positive ones, but interestingly, it seems that developer Ryu Ga Gotoku is not ready to say goodbye to Kiryu just yet.
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Like a Dragon Gaiden Should Provide Some Much-Needed Backstory for Kiryu
The climax ofYakuza 6saw Kiryu accept a bribe from a corrupt politician, who bought his silence for crimes he had witnessed the deceased politician Minoru Daidoji commit. As part of this deal, Kiryu arranged to fake his own death in order to keep his foster children safe from any harm, allowing them to live peacefully. However, he returned during the events ofYakuza: Like a Dragon, proving himself to be very much alive, serving one of the Omi Alliance captains as his bodyguard. Fans trying to bridge the gap betweenYakuza 6and its predecessor have so far had little information to help them do so.
Hence, news ofLike a Dragon Gaiden, a game that should bridge the gap between the sixth and seventh mainline installments by explaining Kiryu’s whereabouts and actions, understandably piqued interest. When Kiryu reappears inYakuza: Like a Dragon, not much is said about where he’s been, but he does reveal intel provided by The Fixer’s men (The Fixer being a nickname of Minoru Daidoji) that aidsIchiban Kasugain his quest. He doesn’t simply hand it over though, of course, and Kiryu demands Ichiban and his allies prove themselves worthy of his aid by fighting him.
What ensues is one of the game’s toughest battles, where Kiryu is able to keep the entire party at bay while hardly breaking a sweat. Satisfied with their efforts, he agrees to share the information before sending the party on their way. Just how Kiryu became the bodyguard of the Omi Captain Masaru Watase is never fully revealed, butLike a Dragon Gaidenis set to explain how Kiryu signed a pact with the Daidoji factionand has been operating as one of their secret agents. In order to keep his identity a secret, he uses the nickname Joryu.
Fans already know at this stage that the next mainline entry in theLike a Dragonseries will feature dual protagonists, with Ichiban and Kiryu sharing the spotlight. A story trailer has also revealed that Kiryu is battling with cancer, leaving his future uncertain. With this in mind,Like a Dragon Gaidenshould serve as the perfect way to fill the gap betweenLike a Dragon 7and its proper sequel,Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealthwhich launches on 26 January.
Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name
WHERE TO PLAY
ERASE YOUR PAST TO PROTECT YOUR FUTURE: Once a legendary yakuza, Kazuma Kiryu faked his own death and abandoned his name for the sake of protecting his family. Now, he is thrust into conflict by a mysterious figure attempting to drive him out of hiding. Under the codename “Joryu,” Kiryu embarks on a gripping action narrative with bone-shattering combat in vibrant locations filled with exciting characters and activities.ULTIMATE COMBAT WITH TWO HIGH-IMPACT FIGHTING STYLES: Dynamically switch between the Yakuza and Agent fighting styles in visceral melee combat. With the Yakuza style, strike fear into enemies by unleashing wildly aggressive moves powered by Kiryu’s unparalleled strength and flair. Or up the ante with the Agent style by delivering blows with absolute speed and precision, while using an array of high-tech gadgets like electrified bind wires to stun enemies then send them flying. Strategically adapt to the situation and leverage both styles to dominate and destroy hordes of enemies.ENDLESS ENTERTAINMENTWhether you’re brawling in the secret Battle arena, singing a new karaoke song, enjoying a drink at the live-action cabaret club, or racing in the pocket circuit, the world offers a variety of immersive experiences. An intriguing informant named Akame also provides thrilling sub-missions, drawing you into an epic showdown that unfolds the more you explore and enjoy Sotenbori and Yokohama.
