The Yakuza franchise returns with Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name, a spin-off title that continues the story of veteran protagonist Kazuma Kiryu. Nearly seven years after Yakuza 6: The Song of Life closed the curtain on the Dragon of Dojima, developer Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio delivers a satisfying return to the spotlight, which functions as both a celebration of the franchise’s past and further evidence of its bright future. In addition to Like a Dragon Gaiden boasting strong core gameplay and combat mechanics, the experience is wrapped in an emotional narrative that carries a surprising amount of weight, despite its relatively short 12-hour runtime. Together, these converging elements make Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name a must-play for veteran fans, and the perfect jumping-on point for newcomers.