Maybe I used to be naive to assume that the legend of Kazuma Kiryu truly wrapped up with Yakuza 6: The Tune of Life, and that his look in Yakuza: Like A Dragon was merely a nod to longtime followers reminiscent of myself. Having performed by way of Like A Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Identify, I am now satisfied that leaving Kiryu to develop previous within the shadows would not have been the appropriate transfer. Though Gaiden is a bite-sized story–noticeably shorter than earlier entries–it proves that there is nonetheless a lot extra to Kiryu’s legacy.
From the wild new Agent combating fashion to the wealth of charming facet actions and tried-and-true Yakuza story drama, Gaiden is a good bundle that is akin to a ‘best hits’ for the franchise. Whereas it might really feel like a retread of earlier video games at instances, the formulation isn’t any worse for put on and continues to finds methods to shock me with its straight-faced supply of absurdist humor. Gaiden acts as a center chapter that flows into the occasions of Yakuza: Like a Dragon, the 2020 RPG starring Kasuga Ichiban because the protagonist, and it leads straight into the upcoming Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth, which has Ichiban and Kiryu teaming up. It is powerful to speak about this recreation in a vacuum, however as a result of it so closely targets those that’ve been on the Yakuza journey all this time, it hit me arduous in my feelings–especially as I barreled towards its heart-rending conclusion. In that respect, it’s each a typical and distinctive entry within the Yakuzaverse.
With Kiryu because the main man, the real-time brawler fight returns, however Gaiden does not merely rehash the previous system. The brand new Agent combating fashion provides sufficient to clean up fights by giving Kiryu some James Bond-esque devices to enhance the melee finesse of this combating fashion. As you progress in the primary story, you may steadily unlock skills just like the drones that swarm and chip away at enemies, rocket boosters on his footwear that permit Kiryu jet round fight encounters and plow by way of dangerous dudes, and explosive cigarettes that act as a grenade to blast away mobs. Kiryu additionally channels some actual Spider-Man power with the aptly named Spider capacity, the place he shoots out a wire from his watch to lasso enemies, launch them throughout the sector, or pull in weapons from afar. And it is oh-so-satisfying to weave it in mid-combo to start out juggling enemies as should you’re a god-tier Tekken participant. He even makes use of it in web-slinging trend to swing round in action-packed cutscenes–it’s absolute Yakuza nonsense, and I find it irresistible.
Moreover, the parry mechanic to keep away from unblockable assaults helps mitigate the frustration of getting to frantically dodge formidable foes or get completely demolished. If all else fails, the Excessive Warmth mode in Agent fashion can tear down the strongest enemies swiftly due to beefed-up devices and unbreakable combos. It contrasts properly with the standard Yakuza stance, which performs nearer to Kiryu’s basic avenue combating types with heavier swings and grotesque Warmth strikes. So, from a fight perspective, Gaiden gives extra instruments which are genuinely enjoyable to experiment with and work into your strategy in more durable challenges–I not often felt like I used to be pitted in a battle of attrition, which was usually the case within the sequence’ previous. It isn’t fairly as elegant as Misplaced Judgment, which stays RGG’s greatest iteration of motion fight, however Gaiden’s mechanics had me trying ahead to combating mobs of 20-plus goons on the identical time when the chance arose.
After all, this being an RGG recreation, over-the-top fisticuffs are just one a part of the equation, and the larger draw for me has at all times been the storytelling. Having performed each entry within the sequence, it is arduous to be stunned by particular plot twists, but I nonetheless discovered myself on the sting of my seat within the story’s essential moments, as buddies flip to enemies and enemies to buddies. And I simply knew there’d be main betrayals or somebody getting into a scene on the final second to save lots of the day, however discovering out who does it and their causes for doing so stays as charming as ever. A part of it’s as a result of I have been invested on this world for thus lengthy that seeing the creating dynamics between longtime characters and the brand new supporting forged continues to be fascinating. And in sequence custom, the high-tension drama is instructed by way of highly effective voice performances and masterful cinematics that profit from these larger-than-life personalities.
Generally it is hilarious how the story portrays Kiryu as an spy named Joryu, working for the Daidoji Faction, a shadowy group that influences Japan from behind the scenes. It’s particularly amusing as he intentionally doesn’t maintain a low profile and will get roped again into the enterprise of the Tojo Clan and Omi Alliance, all whereas insisting he is probably not Kiryu. It is a bit foolish however speaks to a bigger theme about him being conflicted about his life decisions, extra so than in earlier tales. Gaiden treads by way of acquainted territory the place Kiryu tries to flee his previous life by disappearing and dwelling off the grid elsewhere in Japan–the premise of Yakuza 5 and the ending of Yakuza 6–but this recreation is a reminder that we have just about skilled each pivotal second in Kiryu’s life to date, and as long as he is alive, he’ll by no means fade away. He is at all times been the hardened powerful man who not often lets something section him, even when on the point of dying or when combating tooth and nail for these he loves. That is an enormous cause why Gaiden hits so arduous, not as a result of we revisit a few of these recollections alongside the best way, however as a result of these recollections are wielded in such a manner that they offer Kiryu a stage of emotional depth that we have by no means seen earlier than.
In the event you performed Yakuza: Like A Dragon, you recognize the place the story heads since Gaiden is basically about what he was doing within the background, previous to his cameo. However seeing occasions from Kiryu’s perspective provides texture to the larger image. That is additionally the lacking piece that explains the explanations behind Kiryu’s outstanding function in Infinite Wealth, and reasonably than feeling like a filler chapter, Gaiden highlights the issues that make the legendary Kazuma Kiryu human.
The principle story is reasonably quick, and it generally goes by way of the motions of a typical Yakuza story and glosses over facets that might’ve used a bit extra depth. Consequently, Gaiden’s brevity finally ends up being a double-edged sword that forestalls it from dragging on longer than it must and cuts to the chase however leaves a couple of supporting characters and plot beats barely underdeveloped. Nevertheless, you get simply sufficient time with the newcomers to grasp them and their motivations, and when the primary story hits its peaks, it is the great things solely RGG can pull off. Gaiden takes about 10 hours to complete, not together with any facet content material. Naturally, although, the facet content material is among the core pillars of the sequence and it delivers, so I would not advocate skipping it on this or another entry within the franchise.
Gaiden principally takes place within the acquainted location of Sotenbori, and it really works superb for what the sport goes for. The one new location you get, The Fortress, is a lavish Vegas-like hub space constructed within an deserted naval ship. The neon-soaked strip options casinos for playing minigames and a luxurious clothes retailer the place you’ll be able to customise Kiryu’s outfits, and it is sufficient of a diversion to stave off the staleness of in any other case strolling the identical streets once more. The Fortress can also be key to Gaiden’s story, because it’s used as a stronghold for a strong yakuza household and a spot for some wild set-piece battles. Whereas the primary quest funnels you to and from The Fortress for story functions, integrating among the facet actions alongside the best way, the first draw is the Coliseum, an underground combat membership manufactured from dozens of brawling challenges.
It is one of many recreation’s extra elaborate items of content material, that includes one-on-one tournaments, battles towards waves of menacing males, and the party-based Hell Group Rumble. Right here, you recruit NPCs who’re normally goofy-ass dudes who haven’t any enterprise being in a cage match however, in some way, handle to place up a decent combat. The Coliseum works nicely as a result of the core fight system is pleasing, however it additionally implements administration sim components much like earlier Yakuza minigames, such because the RTS-style Clan Creator from Yakuza 6 or Majima Development from Kiwami 2. Your staff members stage up, develop stronger, and you may maintain them in combating form by interacting with them on the poolside bar that they hang around directly they’re recruited. The toughest battles are discovered within the platinum challenges and actually take a look at your fight expertise and get together administration. There’s additionally a facet story the place you combat the 4 leaders of The Coliseum–not solely is that this a enjoyable time, however the incentives are a pleasant cherry on prime that can assist you see it throughout.
Gaiden encompasses a slew of different minigames from the sequence’ previous, together with the Pocket Circuit, the place Kiryu will get actually into customizing RC automobiles to race them in native occasions, which is lovely. For karaoke, Sayonara Silent Evening is a heartbreaking Christmas ballad, Like a Butterfly makes for an incredible duet, and sure, Baka Mitai is on the setlist. The Cabaret Membership returns as a social sim minigame the place you make dialogue decisions with hostesses as real-life fashions who rizz you up by way of FMVs. It is admittedly fairly jarring because the transition to FMV scenes of cabaret hostesses staring into your soul feels misplaced, however as soon as I bought previous that preliminary bewilderment I discovered the conversations type of endearing, though they’re reasonably fundamental. It is also price mentioning the roster of retro video games which are totally playable within Gaiden, like Sonic the Fighters and Preventing Vipers 2, which can be found at arcades. And there is additionally the unique variations of Grasp System video games reminiscent of Fantasy Zone 2, Alex Kidd in Miracle World, and Alien Syndrome, too–it’s a neat perk and additional highlights the sequence’ and Sega’s custom of preserving basic video games inside its trendy ones.
This would not be a correct Yakuza/Like A Dragon recreation with out the sequence’ signature substories, which as soon as once more ship comedic and infrequently poignant facet quests that deliver the town to life, whereas giving Kiryu a few of his most memorable moments. In Gaiden, substories run by way of the brand new character Akame, who operates the Akame Community. She’s essential to the primary story as somebody who serves as Kiryu’s informant and wields her avenue rep to maintain him linked to the underworld, however she’s additionally a charismatic and energetic Osakan who works behind the scenes to defend and uplift Sotenbori’s homeless inhabitants. By way of the Akame Community, you settle for requests to assist totally different individuals within the open world or examine studies of unusual issues taking place within the streets. And whereas the 20-plus substories are pleasing to various levels, Gaiden has some notable bangers.
One substory revolves round a younger man who’s completely satisfied he wants to make use of an AI chatbot to create good responses on courting apps, however lacks the social expertise to comply with by way of. It offers a reasonably nuanced tackle the topic and seeing it by way of the lens of “previous man” Kiryu reminds you that he is extra considerate than he usually appears. You will additionally encounter a livestreamer who goes to absolutely the excessive for consideration, which then turns right into a spoof on horror story tropes. Others have you ever thwarting money-laundering schemes, going through off towards a sequence of rival gangs, or chasing down a completely kitted samurai who roams the streets, harking back to Mr. Shakedown in Yakuza 0. However the perfect substory must be the one the place RGG universes collide for a form of crossover episode the place your favourite characters lastly work together with one another.
The Akame Community is a cleaner strategy to bundle substories, however additionally they include extra substantial rewards like tons of money and Akame factors, each of that are essential to improve Kiryu’s fight skills. It is a bit of an odd development system, however it pushes you towards finishing these requests, which I had no qualms about because the substories therein are nearly as important as the primary story. And the extra requests you end, the higher your social standing with Akame turns into. This ends in alternatives to hang around along with her on the bar and strike up genuinely attention-grabbing conversations about her life and motivations, whereas additionally showcasing Kiryu’s capacity to be an incredible buddy.
When you wrap up the primary story, you get entry to the Infinite Wealth demo that is included with Gaiden. And whereas that could be a separate recreation, it is an thrilling a part of the general bundle. It additional emphasizes Gaiden’s place as a bridge to the following recreation and, following Gaiden’s conclusion, I used to be left extra invested in Kiryu’s journey than I’ve ever been. No different recreation franchise pours this a lot right into a single character’s life, so to have seen the place he began and all the things he is gone by way of over the course of eight-plus video games, his perspective at this important narrative juncture for the sequence feels warranted.
And so there I used to be, sitting in entrance of my TV, watching Gaiden’s ending, crying like a rattling child over the hardships of a fictional man again–and I do know those that’ve additionally been on this journey through the years will really feel me on this. Gaiden could also be a short tour that sometimes leaves the total potential of its supporting forged on the desk and infrequently depends on remixing concepts from the sequence’ previous, however with sufficient new options to make fight thrilling and a buffet of high-quality facet content material, it is nonetheless among the most enjoyable I’ve had with an RGG recreation. Extra importantly, I used to be simply glad to be in Kiryu’s footwear once more for one more emotional story and to brace myself for what lies forward for the beloved sequence.