Following Yakuza 6, many followers thought Kazuma Kiryu had completed as a protagonist within the franchise. Oh, however no – through the week of Tokyo Sport Present final yr, 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 type of video games is Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Title, and I skilled a demo of it at Tokyo Sport Present this yr.
Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Title is a spin-off sport however one with plot that can intrigue longtime followers. It’s going to 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 can enrich later Like a Dragon video games.
2020’s Yakuza: Like a Dragon modified the collection from an journey sport with real-time fight to turn-based RPG. Gaiden returns to that real-time brawler model that RGG Studio has let reside on within the Judgment video games. On this new story, Kiryu has develop into a undercover agent for the Daidoji faction and dons the identify “Joryu.” The best way he can battle displays his new agent position. His fight prowess is assisted and enhanced by using devices straight out of a spy movie.
He can name upon mini drones referred to as Hornets that may take among the warmth off Kiryu by distracting adversaries and inflicting little injury to them. On his toes, Kiryu has some new kicks: Serpent, that are jet-propulsion footwear permitting him to sprint out of hurt’s approach or do a charging assault. It’s a great way to knock again and injury 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 needs to 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 injury and knocks down each enemies that he was swinging round and those who get hit by the tossed enemies. A becoming identify for a gadget that allows 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 model fight plenty 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 battle. For now, it appears 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 plenty of different issues to stay 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 possibly can watch my hands-on gameplay under:
Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Title arrives on November 9, 2023 on PS5, PS4, Xbox Sequence X and S, Xbox One, and PC.
Thanks to SEGA for having me at their sales space at Tokyo Sport Present 2023.