Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Identify Evaluate (PS5)

Happening earlier than, throughout, and simply after the occasions of Yakuza: Like a Dragon, the intriguingly titled Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Identify tells us all about what Kazuma Kiryu was as much as in that point — and it is truthful to say he was busy. However earlier than we dig into the main points, it is necessary to notice that in its latter half, Gaiden goes all-in on including context to the story of Yakuza: Like a Dragon. As such, data of that sport is a necessity if you wish to get probably the most out of this Sotenbori-based journey.

Anyway, following on from Yakuza 6, Kiryu is indentured to the Daidoji faction — an organisation that helps manipulate Japan’s political construction from the shadows. Benefiting from Kiryu’s fairly distinctive expertise — that’s, his capacity to pummel mainly anybody or something — the Daidoji have our hero carry out varied duties for them behind the scenes, underneath the codename ‘Joryu’.

Setting Kiryu up as a undercover agent sounds extremely cool on paper, and we’re happy to report that it is fairly rattling cool in apply. Geared up with a pair of sun shades and a pointy swimsuit with a view to conceal his identification (that is all it takes, apparently), Joryu hits the streets of the aforementioned Sotenbori. His mission? To uncover the motives of a harmful yakuza clan — however issues are by no means easy within the Like a Dragon universe.

As we have come to anticipate, Gaiden’s plot is filled with twists and unbelievable characters. It is a barely smaller sport when it comes to scope; the story itself will run you roughly 15 hours, and the considerably cramped Sotenbori is the one explorable map. The latter turns into a little bit of a difficulty in direction of the tip — there are solely so many occasions you may run from one facet of the identical district to the opposite earlier than it grows drained — however the largely wonderful narrative carries the expertise general.

In some ways, Gaiden comes throughout as a Kiryu character research. We did not suppose it was attainable for developer RGG Studio to infuse the veteran protagonist with but extra persona, however he is received some completely killer scenes right here, to the purpose the place Kiryu feels extra fleshed out as a lead than ever earlier than. One cinematic specifically virtually moved us to tears — a rarity, we guarantee you — and that is testomony to the collection’ constantly very good storytelling.

And naturally, away from the primary story, Sotenbori is stacked with minigames and comical facet quests, all of that are virtually begging to your consideration. From classics like karaoke and darts to rather more in-depth pursuits like pocket racing, there is a shocking quantity of stuff to see, do you have to veer from the trail of the core plot. For reference, it took us round 40 hours to have a good crack at all the things Gaiden has to supply — and that is not dangerous for a ‘smaller’ Like a Dragon title.

That mentioned, there’s one headline ingredient that does not fairly reside as much as the billing. The return of a correct colosseum — wherein Kiryu faces off in opposition to all method of murderous opponents — needs to be trigger for celebration, however its implementation in the end disappoints. As a substitute of being constructed round randomised tournaments — as was the case in earlier video games, like Yakuza Kiwami 2 — you are basically tasked with finishing fight challenges, a few of that are time-limited.

What’s extra, there is a important grind behind assembling and levelling up your individual workforce of fighters. Group battles are an all-new idea, however once more, the implementation is missing. You and your allies at all times face off in opposition to the identical masked goons in each brawl, with later fights merely jacking up enemy well being values (to an usually absurd extent). The colosseum simply would not really feel just like the celebration that Gaiden’s crunchy motion fight deserves.

Certainly, mentioned fight system shines elsewhere — largely due to the sheer variety of battles and tense boss fights peppered all through the story. Kiryu comes with two types of arse-kicking: agent and yakuza. Agent is a brand new method that sees Kiryu make use of quick strikes and loopy devices — together with a ‘spider’ wire that may lasso foes and fling them throughout the battlefield in hilarious style. In distinction, yakuza encapsulates our hero’s normal combating fashion, comprising brutal cost assaults and deadly ending strikes.

The 2 types complement one another rather well, and mastering each is suitably rewarding. Gaiden’s fight feels refined, in the identical approach that the brawling in Misplaced Judgment did, and so we’re tempted to say that it is certainly one of collection’ greatest excursions in terms of the all-important motion.

Conclusion

Like a Dragon Gaiden teeters on the sting of feeling drained and a bit predictable, however ultimately, that is one other memorable chapter in Kiryu’s seemingly limitless story. It provides welcome weight to the occasions of Yakuza: Like a Dragon whereas additionally telling an incredible particular person story, which is full of sometimes participating characters. Refined fight carries this ‘smaller’ title even additional, and though its non-obligatory excursions can really feel a bit too grindy for their very own good, Gaiden stands as a rock stable instalment, and a potent reminder of why Kiryu’s such a beloved protagonist.