Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name
Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name is a 2023 action-adventure video game developed by Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio and published by Sega. It is a spin-off of the Like a Dragon series. Taking place during the events of Yakuza: Like a Dragon (2020), Like a Dragon Gaiden focuses on the series' original protagonist, Kazuma Kiryu, as he embarks on a new adventure in Osaka under the guise of a secret agent.
What it feels like
The story treats its themes of sacrifice, family, and personal redemption with sincere emotional weight and conviction. The narrative tension between Kiryu's hard-won peace and his forced return to conflict creates a tone of sacrifice and ambivalent necessity. The mystery figure forcing Kiryu out of hiding and the constant threat of discovery create persistent pressure and danger.
What it's about
Organized yakuza culture, criminal underworld, and the legacy of organized crime are central to the setting and narrative. Kiryu's reinvention and erasure of his past identity, and the struggle to protect that new self, anchor the emotional core. Protecting his family is the stated motivation for Kiryu faking his death and going into hiding.
How it plays
Fast, fluid hand-to-hand combat against multiple enemies is the core moment-to-moment gameplay, with extensive combo and fighting techniques. High-energy melee combat against groups of foes with showy chained attacks and environmental interactions define the action sequences. RPG progression systems allow customization of skills, techniques, and gear to create varied playstyles.
How it looks and sounds
The camera follows Kiryu from behind or over-the-shoulder during exploration and combat. The cast is fully voiced throughout dialogue scenes and cutscenes, driving narrative immersion.
How it's structured
Designed as a solo narrative-driven experience with no multiplayer component. A bounded authored story arc with clear narrative events, character arcs, and a defined endpoint. The game features explorable urban areas of Osaka as discrete but substantial zones rather than a seamless single open world.
Kindred games
Shares Melee Combat, Hack-and-Slash, Crime & Underworld, Third-Person.
Both lean into Single-Player, Melee Combat, Hack-and-Slash, Crime & Underworld.
Shares Melee Combat, Third-Person, Crime & Underworld, Hack-and-Slash.
Both lean into Melee Combat, Third-Person, Single-Player, Crime & Underworld.
Shares Third-Person, Crime & Underworld, Earnest, Open Zones.
Both lean into Third-Person, Single-Player, Campaign, Crime & Underworld.
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Closest hidden gems
A lesser-known kindred — Hack-and-Slash, Third-Person, Earnest, Dialogue Trees. 91% positive across 4,466 Steam reviews.
Both lean into Hack-and-Slash, Single-Player, Third-Person, Campaign.
A lesser-known kindred — Crime & Underworld, Earnest, Family, Dialogue Trees. 90% positive across 4,338 Steam reviews.
Both lean into Campaign, Single-Player, Crime & Underworld, Earnest.
A lesser-known kindred — Third-Person, Identity & Self, Earnest, Dialogue Trees. 90% positive across 4,965 Steam reviews.
Both lean into Single-Player, Campaign, Third-Person, Identity & Self.