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Want to learn more about the Like a Dragon Gaiden release time? Sega and Ryu Ga Gotaku Studio are making sure Yakuza fans eat well, with a third game announced in the series, this time a spin-off. It’s called Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name.
The man in question is Yakuza 1-6 protagonist Kazuma Kiryu, and the game will tell the story of what happened to him following the events of Yakuza 6: The Song of Life. You can check out the announcement trailer, taking the form of an early cutscene from the game, below.
Like a Dragon Gaiden release date and release time
Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name is scheduled to release on Thursday, November 9, 2023. But the release time on Steam is 10 AM ET on November 8. This earlier date is because of the Japanese release date. As for Xbox and PlayStation players, they get access to Like a Dragon Gaiden at 12 AM ET on November 9 (10 AM PT on November 8).
Given the game will focus on Kiryu, it’ll set up his return in Like A Dragon 8. It’s only fitting that it will be released before that game does. The game will be released on PC, PlayStation 5 (PS5), PS4, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S. We got to learn even more at the RGG Summit where more details were announced.
Like a Dragon Gaiden preload and file size explained
Yes, you can preload the game on Steam and it’s a 98 GB download on all platforms. But Like a Dragon Gaiden does not have this option on PlayStation and Xbox consoles. If you’re considering getting the game early, read up on the Like a Dragon Gaiden pre-order bonuses. The Legendary Fighter pack grants access to legends like Goro Majima (Mad Dog of Shimano), Taiga Saejima (Killer of Eighteen), and Daigo Dojima (6th chairman of the Tojo Clan). These legendary yakuza will be available in the arena mode.
Learn about the Like a Dragon Gaiden story and its characters
This game follows the story beats of Yakuza 6: The Song of Life. Without getting too much into spoiler territory, Kiuryu now leads a different life after faking his own death. He abandons his past in a bid to protect those he holds dear. Under the new codename ‘Joryu,’ Kiryu now works with the mysterious Daidoji faction. In a Q&A after the reveal, series director Masayoshi Yokoyama claimed the game will be smaller in scope than the main series, at about ‘half the size’.
There’s a whole new cast with both old and new Like a Dragon Gaiden voice actors. Yuki Tsurono from the Watase family looks to be an antagonist in the game alongside Homare Nishitani III from the Omi Alliance. You’ll also find allies like Kitei Hanawa of the Daidoji faction although their true motives remain unknown. The Head Priest helps Kiryu deal with his past as he tries to reinvent himself. There are plenty of other characters like the Daidoji loyalist Yoshimura, the elusive BOSS, and the mysterious Akame. Expect more information to drop as we inch towards the game’s release.
Like a Dragon Gaiden gameplay in action
Like a Dragon Gaiden will also be an action-adventure – akin to the Judgment side-series and not the turn-based RPG direction the main series leans into since Yakuza 7. Brawler combat takes into account Yakuza and Agent fighting styles. The latter is particularly novel with drones and rope-based attacks in addition to sweet Agent style gadgets. Yakuza style looks to be fairly similar to the earlier games’ combat.
Expect incredible side stories and heaps of optional content. The arena is a strong standout among them. Outside that, you’ll get the usual karaoke, cabaret, racing, and other mini-games.
Expect a smaller game that ties into the narrative of Infinite Wealth. But that doesn’t mean that there won’t be plenty of side quests to get lost in. The arena also lets you design battles between other characters from previous Yakuza games. You’ll also get to explore Sotenbori and Yokohama. There’s a new castle hub area too. The live-action cabaret club paired with bone-shattering combat and a gripping action narrative should be more than enough to reel gamers into Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio’s latest title. The franchise is known for spinoffs that are just as wacky as the mainline titles.
Like a Dragon Gaiden latest updates
In case you missed it, there are now three Yakuza/Like A Dragon games on the way. Like A Dragon 8 will release in 2024, and Like a Dragon: Ishin! is a remaster of the 2014 historical spin-off. The latter was released in February 2023. And if all that wasn’t enough, Judgment and its sequel Lost Judgment are now both available on PC via Steam. Lovely.
Like a Dragon Gaiden will initially launch only with Japanese voice acting with an English dub following suit after launch. English subtitles will be available, though. Speaking of the English dub, Yong Yea replaces the earlier Kiryu voice actor. Like a Dragon Gaiden has also been confirmed to be digital-only outside of Asia.
Check if Like a Dragon Gaiden is on Game Pass to make use of Microsoft’s service for the RGG Studio game. And if you’ve got a last-gen console, read up on whether Like a Dragon Gaiden supports the Xbox One and PS4.
Is Like a Dragon Gaiden going to be turn-based?
Like a Dragon Gaiden returns to the franchise’s brawler action.
Is Like a Dragon Gaiden a full game?
Yes, Like a Dragon Gaiden is a full game with a plot that ties into the established canon.
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