The Like a Dragon series (formerly known as Yakuza outside of Japan) has seen a resurgence in popularity since the release of Yakuza 0 in 2015. And the momentum continues with the recent gameplay reveal of Like A Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name. This installment not only brings back the original star of the series but also incorporates the fast-paced action that fans have come to love from Ryu Ga Gotoku.
With the series now divided into three distinct storylines, featuring Kiryu, Ichiban, and Yagami as protagonists, there is ample opportunity to experiment with the franchise. By introducing turn-based combat in the Ichiban storyline and sticking to classic action in Like a Dragon Gaiden, the developers are catering to fans with different combat preferences and keeping them invested in the franchise.
The Return of a Modern Kiryu
The timeline of Kiryu's involvement in the mainline Like a Dragon series is somewhat convoluted due to the prevalence of prequels and remakes since 2015. However, his ongoing storyline was last seen in Yakuza 6: The Song of Life, which initially released in 2016. Although he did make appearances in Yakuza Kiwami 1 and 2, the torch was ultimately passed to Ichiban as the new series protagonist for Yakuza: Like a Dragon. Kiryu's most recent appearance was in Like a Dragon: Ishin!, where his likeness was used to portray the historical figure Sakamoto Ryoma. Bringing Kiryu back as the protagonist in Like a Dragon Gaiden, even under a different name, is a smart decision to maintain the series' roots. With the shift in tone that came with Ichiban taking over as the playable character, keeping the spin-off titles closer to the original series could help retain fans of the older games. Furthermore, Kiryu's return has reintroduced his iconic combat style to the spin-off titles.
Kiryu's Combat Allows Like a Dragon to Grow in Every Direction
The upcoming game, Like a Dragon Gaiden, seems to be bringing back Kiryu's signature hand-to-hand combat, along with a mix of improvised and stored weapons. This promises to deliver the same high-octane, impulse-driven action that fans have come to love, as they guide Kiryu through intense battles against waves of enemies. Meanwhile, the turn-based party system introduced in the previous game's Ichiban storyline is set to continue evolving in Like a Dragon 8, without having to compromise the action combat in Gaiden. This dual approach allows the series to cater to both turn-based and action combat fans, ensuring that all players can enjoy the game at their own pace.
Fans of Yakuza: Like a Dragon can look forward to the continuation of both design styles in the series. The announcement of Like a Dragon Gaiden also suggests that there may be more information on Like a Dragon 8 in the near future, giving turn-based enthusiasts a chance to see that aspect of the franchise. Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name is scheduled for release on November 9th for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
