Following Yakuza 6, many followers thought Kazuma Kiryu had completed as a protagonist within the franchise. Oh, however no – through the week of Tokyo Recreation Present final 12 months, RGG Studio unveiled two new video games, each of which allow us to return to taking part in because the legendary Dragon of Dojima. A kind of video games is Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Identify, and I skilled a demo of it at Tokyo Recreation Present this 12 months.
Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Identify is a spin-off sport however one with plot that may intrigue longtime followers. It would inform the story of what Kiryu-san has been as much as in time between Yakuza 6 and the following mainline entry Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth (or Ryu ga Gotoku 8 in Japan). Gaiden would be the connective tissue to bridge the hole, and doubtlessly maintain particulars that may enrich later Like a Dragon video games.
2020’s Yakuza: Like a Dragon modified the sequence from an journey sport with real-time fight to turn-based RPG. Gaiden returns to that real-time brawler type that RGG Studio has let stay on within the Judgment video games. On this new story, Kiryu has change into a undercover agent for the Daidoji faction and dons the title “Joryu.” The best way he can combat displays his new agent position. His fight prowess is assisted and enhanced by way of the usage of devices straight out of a spy movie.
He can name upon mini drones referred to as Hornets that may take a number of the warmth off Kiryu by distracting adversaries and inflicting little harm to them. On his ft, Kiryu has some new kicks: Serpent, that are jet-propulsion sneakers permitting him to sprint out of hurt’s manner or do a charging assault. It’s a great way to knock again and harm a gaggle of enemies. For some managed explosive energy, he can throw out a small short-timed, cigarette-looking bomb referred to as Firefly.
Final however not least, the Spider must be my private favourite gadget. When activated, the Spider shoots out wires that connect to shut enemies permitting Kiryu to swing them round earlier than the wire detaches, throwing them. This offers harm and knocks down each enemies that he was swinging round and those who get hit by the tossed enemies. A becoming title for a gadget that permits you to carry out an assault that appears prefer it was plucked straight out of a Spider-Man sport.
All in all, I discovered the brand new Agent type fight a whole lot of enjoyable. It provides a little bit of a contemporary spin on Yakuza’s bombastic fights. I hope there shall be extra new methods to combat. For now, it seems like followers ought to have a blast with Kiryu’s new expertise in a brand new journey as the unique franchise protagonist. Past this temporary take a look at the sport’s fight, there’s nonetheless a whole lot of different issues to sit up for. How will this espionage-looking story unfold? What amusing characters and mini-games await? I can’t wait to seek out out subsequent month.
You’ll be able to watch my hands-on gameplay beneath:
Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Identify arrives on November 9, 2023 on PS5, PS4, Xbox Collection X and S, Xbox One, and PC.
Thanks to SEGA for having me at their sales space at Tokyo Recreation Present 2023.
