Like a Dragon fans are set to have a great 2023 with Like a Dragon: Ishin releasing earlier this year and Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name on the horizon. The game was originally announced alongside Like a Dragon: Ishin and Like a Dragon 8 back in September 2022, with the former scheduled for release in early 2023 and the latter not expected until 2024. As if these games weren't enough to get fans excited, Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name was also announced for a 2023 release date, giving the series a solid output schedule over the next couple of years.
Like a Dragon: Gaiden's place in the series could be far more important than many realize, despite not being a mainline numbered release. The game is set to bridge the gap between the events of Yakuza 6: The Song of Life and Yakuza: Like a Dragon, detailing the events surrounding longtime series protagonist Kazuma Kiryu and how he ended up playing the role he did in Yakuza: Like a Dragon. With the series now balancing two protagonists in Kiryu and Yakuza: Like a Dragon's Ichiban Kasuga, this next title will likely set the tone for the franchise moving forward.
Like a Dragon Gaiden Aims to Be a Pivotal Entry in the Series
Fans of the Yakuza/Like a Dragon series have been somewhat split over the change to a turn-based JRPG combat system in Yakuza: Like a Dragon from the traditional beat 'em up combat the series had been known for. While developer Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio has stated that Like a Dragon 8 will keep the combat system of Yakuza: Like a Dragon, Like a Dragon Gaiden will return to the combat style of the earlier entries. This way fans of both styles of gameplay will get some representation, and this decision helps differentiate this spin-off title from the new style of mainline games.
Like a Dragon Gaiden will also act as an important connector for the series' overarching storyline since it aims to fill in the gap between Yakuza 6 and Yakuza: Like a Dragon. The story is set to follow Kiryu, dawning the alias of Joryu, as he sheds his former identity and works in service of the Daidoji Faction introduced in Yakuza 6. This service seems to lead him back into the world of the yakuza as he takes on the role of bodyguard for certain unnamed individual who is implied to have heavy implications for Kiryu's life thereafter.
Despite the statement from RGG Studio saying Like a Dragon Gaiden will be smaller in scope than other entries in the series, many features fans have come to know and love will still be present. Players can expect many of the franchise's iconic mini-games to return, including the Yakuza series classic cabaret club mini-game, as well as an open world with a series of substories for players to enjoy. Although these features will add to the game's overall content, the main story itself is said to be shorter than most other games in the franchise.
The big question on many fans minds is when they can expect Like a Dragon Gaiden to see a release. Although no specific dates have been confirmed, the game has been given a 2023 release window, and seeing as how the year is nearly halfway over, it's more than likely targeting a late 2023 launch date. While there hasn't been much shared about the game after its initial reveal, fans can expect the upcoming season of gaming news and announcements to likely yield some updates about the game and nail down a more specific release date now that RGG Studio's latest title Like a Dragon: Ishin has released.
Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name will release in 2023 on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
