Backlog 2025 - August - Game 1 - Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name

Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name - PS5

Completed 2nd August

I have heard that this game was originally supposed to be DLC for Yakuza 8 and it takes place parallel to the events of Yakuza 7.

It is a shorter game than the traditional Yakuza games (story wise), but it sure does have a lot of side stories and tasks similar to the mainline Yakuza titles that have come before.

The combat is the usual over the top Kung Fu fun - gadgets can be used in combat and upgraded, but I never really used the gadgets during the combat sections.

In many ways The Man Who Erased His Name has a similar chapter number (5 chapters in total) to the Kaito Files (which was DLC for Lost Judgment - a spin off series to the Yakuza titles), but the side content makes the prelude to Yakuza 8 feel more indepth than the Kaito Files. 

The Kaito Files had some side content, but it was more collectable orientated than side missions, whereas Gaiden has side story missions and a whole coliseum fight mode, which could be itself a sperate game. 

Overall it is an excellent game that goes in parallel to the events of Yakuza 7 and has a satisfying story that fits in with the previous Yakuza titles. Maybe game wise it would have been nicer if it was longer to match the previous yakuza games, but the story still has the usual Yakuza epicness to it and afteral it is a game that bridges Yakuza 7 and Yakuza 8, so maybe it makes sense to be shorter.

8/10