| ACG |
Jeremy Penter |
Recommended |
11-06-2023 |
‘The Man Who Erased His Name’ is pure Yakuza tradition and an excellent revisit to real-time combat. It’s also a moment-to-moment reminder that while the engine and visuals are getting older, the world is so full of amazing stories and excellent action that its bumps are smoothed over.” |
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| AnaitGames |
Víctor Manuel Martínez García |
7 / 10 |
11-06-2023 |
As an intermission or appetizer before the next big installment of the series, the Ryu ga Gotoku Studio Studio pays tribute to Kazuma Kiryu with a minor but hard to resist installment. |
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| Areajugones |
Cristian M. Villa |
8.5 / 10 |
11-06-2023 |
Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name is not simply a short story to contextualize the presence and appearance of Kazuma Kiryu in the chronology and history of Ichiban Kasuga. In the same way that Yakuza 0 ended up representing a magnificent ‘separate’ installment, Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name also manages to maintain itself by pulling nostalgia and some other curious novelty. |
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| Atomix |
Jose Celorio |
86 / 100 |
11-06-2023 |
Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name is a highly recommended title for this Christmas season, as it will serve as an appetizer to welcome Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, which looks extremely ambitious and promising, and will be one of the strong cards for when 2024 begins. |
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| Attack of the Fanboy |
Marc Magrini |
4.5 / 5 stars |
11-06-2023 |
Despite missed potential in terms of its main story, Like a Dragon Gaiden makes up for it with incredible combat and fantastic side content. Hopefully RGG Studio continues to expand on the beat-em-up style instead of going all-in on turn-based combat, because Gaiden offers one of the most fun gameplay experiences of the franchise. |
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| But Why Tho? |
Eddie De Santiago |
8.5 / 10 |
11-06-2023 |
Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name may not be as long as other games in the series, but it still provides a deep sandbox in which to lose yourself for hours, whether it’s in the arena, the arcade, or simply helping out around the neighborhood. |
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| Cerealkillerz |
Unknown |
8.2 / 10 |
11-06-2023 |
Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name offers the usual high class story, which demands some knowledge from the previous Yakuza entries. The agent abilities insert themselves perfectly into the combat and there are also again, a lot of sidequests to do, sadly without much new elements. This short trip to Sotenbori is a must have for fans of the series but will be difficult for Newcomers to get into. |
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| CGMagazine |
Khari Taylor |
8 / 10 |
11-06-2023 |
Despite a nonsensical plot and slightly lower emotional stakes, Like A Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name is a stunning refinement of the Dragon Engine that’s wholly deserving of your time, whether you’re a longtime Yakuza fan or new to the franchise. |
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| Checkpoint Gaming |
Charlie Kelly |
9 / 10 |
11-06-2023 |
Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name more than justifies its existence. It creates fantastic points of tension and a real constant threat in Kiryu’s attempts at anonymity as he butts head with the Yakuza and some mysterious, shadowy figures. Always keeping me on the edge of my seat, it’s a heavy-hitter in the narrative, having me actively weep at the conclusion. This kind of magnificence is the payoff of years upon years of hard franchise work, entirely rewarding for longtime fans though boldly unapologetic and unforgiving to the newcomers. Slamming enemy’s heads into walls and getting emotional over the franchise-long angst and baggage our beloved protagonist holds has truly never felt this good. Despite now hosting more than a dozen entries, Gaiden proves the Like a Dragon name is still endlessly valuable to this day. Bring on the next dozen, I say. |
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| COGconnected |
Rhett Waselenchuk |
80 / 100 |
11-06-2023 |
Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name doesn’t reinvent the wheel by any means. For Yakuza/Like Dragon fans, it’ll be a familiar, albeit enjoyable experience. It has a few shortcomings – the most egregious being a painfully slow first few hours. But once it gets going, Gaiden packs a punch. One that’s sure to keep you satiated until Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth drops. |
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| Cultured Vultures |
Ashley Bates |
7 / 10 |
11-06-2023 |
Like A Dragon Gaiden should tide fans over until Infinite Wealth drops as a shorter yet still enjoyable romp, but this is hardly a series highlight. |
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| Daily Mirror |
Scott McCrae |
4 / 5 stars |
11-07-2023 |
Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name goes toe-to-toe with the likes of Yakuza 0 and Kiwami 2. It also serves its main purpose and then some: to bring Kiryu back into the fold and get you excited for what could be his final ride in Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth. |
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| Destructoid |
Eric Van Allen |
8 / 10 |
11-06-2023 |
Like a Dragon Gaiden has games, laughs, tears, and brawls where characters dramatically reveal their resplendent back tattoos. It does what a new Like a Dragon entry needs to do, and tees up some big emotional moments for its longtime series lead along the way. If you want a deep story with twists and turns, this may not be all you hope for. But if you run off the beaten path to get a model AiAi out of the UFO Catcher, this should more than tide you over to Infinite Wealth. |
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| Digital Trends |
Tomas Franzese |
3 / 5 stars |
11-06-2023 |
Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name satisfyingly ties up many loose ends in Kiryu’s story, but it’s one of the franchise’s most tedious adventures. |
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| Digitally Downloaded |
Matt Sainsbury |
3.5 / 5 stars |
11-07-2023 |
Thankfully we only have to wait three months for the next “proper” title in the series to land. While Like a Dragon Gaiden might have been disappointing against the astronomically high standards of this series, I have no doubt whatsoever that January 2024 will deliver another bold step forward for SEGA’s gritty urban epic. |
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| DualShockers |
Matthew O’Dwyer |
8.2 / 10 |
11-06-2023 |
Despite its flaws, I can’t deny that I had a great time walking in the shoes of Kiryu. |
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| Game Informer |
Blake Hester |
8 / 10 |
11-06-2023 |
By the time credits roll, Gaiden neatly establishes Kiryu’s role in the next mainline game, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, and since that game’s out in a few months, the brief taste gave me plenty to be excited for. I wish the story were more interested in exploring who Kiryu is now that he’s forced into this double life, but as a thin bridge between games, Gaiden is a neat one. |
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| Game Rant |
Brie Hoban |
4 / 5 stars |
11-06-2023 |
Like a Dragon: The Man Who Erased His Name marks the beginning of the end for Kazuma Kiryu, but, if its quality is anything to go by, the Like a Dragon series has a long and bright future ahead. |
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| Game Revolution |
Nicholas Tan |
4 / 5 stars |
11-06-2023 |
As an extended epilogue for Kazuma Kiryu, The Man Who Erased His Name is well worth the time. While the game could be longer, it’s a strong send-off for a character that has made Yakuza the thrilling, dramatic series it has been for nearly two decades. As the franchise transitions to Ichiban Kazuga as the main protagonist, I will still fondly remember him, with or without his name. |
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| GAMES.CH |
Olaf Bleich |
76 / 100 |
11-08-2023 |
Like A Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name is a more than solid spinoff for the successful Yakuza-series. With a satisfying fighting-system, tons of side-activities and the typical Yakuza-humor, Like A Dragon Gaiden make veterans happy and gives newcomers a chance to get into the series easily. |
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| GameSpot |
Michael Higham |
8 / 10 |
11-06-2023 |
RGG Studio’s latest action-brawler is a captivating and emotional look at Kiryu’s life that offers a ‘greatest hits’ of the series’ gameplay. |
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| GamesRadar+ |
Kazuma Hashimoto |
3 / 5 stars |
11-06-2023 |
Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name feels like another swan song for Kiryu, and it’s one I’m tired of hearing. |
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| GameXplain |
Mac Campbell |
Recommended |
11-06-2023 |
Video Review |
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| GamingBolt |
Pramath |
7 / 10 |
11-06-2023 |
While not on par with Kiryu or the franchise’s finest outings, Like A Dragon Gaiden is still a good enough game that does the job of priming you up for the next big entry in the saga. |
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| GamingTrend |
Henry Viola |
80 / 100 |
11-06-2023 |
Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name is a great interlude before Infinite Wealth comes out next year, with its throwback to the franchise’s classic real time beat ’em up combat in the shoes of Kiryu. The narrative does take a step back, and the new characters aren’t as memorable, but there’s plenty of bizarre and addicting side activities to partake in on the streets of Sotonbori or at the Castle. |
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| Generación Xbox |
Gabriel Fuentes |
8.1 / 10 |
11-07-2023 |
Originally conceived as a DLC, perhaps that’s why it’s smaller in size, and developed in just six months by Ryu Ga Gotoku, Like a Dragon: Gaiden – The Man Who Erased His Name is a very worthy installment of the saga, and although it may not add any significant novelty, seeing Kiryu in action on the streets of Japan is always something extraordinary. as is the fact that such a long-running saga doesn’t feel heavy or repetitive. |
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| God is a Geek |
Chris White |
9 / 10 |
11-06-2023 |
Like A Dragon Gaiden has one of the better stories of the series, acting as a love letter to Kiryu that fans are going to fall in love with. |
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| Hey Poor Player |
Francis DiPersio |
3.5 / 5 stars |
11-06-2023 |
While Like A Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name undoubtedly suffers due to its smaller scale and a heavy reliance on the Akame Network to pad out its 12-hour story, there’s no denying how good it feels to see the Dragon of Dojima back in action – especially with the grab bag of gadgets he has at his disposal. And while this spin-off’s story is over a bit too soon, Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio’s penchant for spinning a compelling narrative shines through, showing Kiryu at his most vulnerable and setting the stage for what’s sure to be a momentous follow-up when Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth launches next January. |
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| Hobby Consolas |
Rafael Aznar |
82 / 100 |
11-06-2023 |
Considered inside the long trajectory of the Yakuza franchise, this is a secondary chapter, as you can see in the digital format, the lenght or the mechanics, but it works really well as a bridge between the game from 2020 and the game that will be released in 2024. Few games can compite with this one in terms of script, characters, minigames… |
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| IGN |
Tristan Ogilvie |
7 / 10 |
11-06-2023 |
Like a Dragon Gaiden’s combat hits with flash and fury and its story is sharp, but its setting and side activities feel a bit on the stale side. |
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| IGN Italy |
Francesco Destri |
7.6 / 10 |
11-09-2023 |
From a spin-off such as Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name, we can’t expect any innovation, and in fact, while enjoyable and always entertaining thanks to its varied combat-system, the game does not add much to the Yakuza series. |
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| IGN Spain |
Rafa Del Río |
8 / 10 |
11-06-2023 |
Like a Dragon Gaiden: The man who erased his name serves as chapter 0.5, a title that brings back the figure of Kazuma Kiryu and serves as a connection between Yakuza 6: Song of Life and the next great adventure with Kasuga Ichiban in Like a Dragon Infinite Wealth. |
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| LevelUp |
Pedro Pérez Cesari |
8 / 10 |
11-07-2023 |
Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name is a game that arrives more as a luxury than a necessity. Just when it seemed that Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio and SEGA had completely handed over the baton to Ichiban Kasuga, they pampered us with an installment that pays tribute to everything that made the series great and treats Kazuma Kiryu and the legacy he has within his universe as well as in the real world with immense respect. Yes, we’ll see Kiryu again in Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, but he may never star in another installment. If so, it would be a phenomenal goodbye for the Dojima Dragon. Thank you for everything, Kiryu. |
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| Metro GameCentral |
Michael Beckwith |
7 / 10 |
11-06-2023 |
A much smaller Like A Dragon game, that offers everything fans love about the series, but one that doesn’t quite justify its own existence. |
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| PC Gamer |
Phil Savage |
70 / 100 |
11-06-2023 |
It may be short, but it still packs a punch. Like a Dragon: Gaiden does little new, but its story is fascinating and heartbreaking in equal measure. |
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| PCMag |
Zackery Cuevas |
4 / 5 stars |
11-06-2023 |
Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name is another excellent entry in the Yakuza/Like a Dragon series, one that’s packed to the gills with crime drama, oddball humor, and many mini-games. |
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| PlayStation Universe |
Michael Harradence |
8.5 / 10 |
11-09-2023 |
Like A Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name is another fantastic entry into this much-loved series, proving that Kiryu has more than enough gas left in the tank to continue fronting the series. Despite some combat gadgets feeling a bit gimmicky and some obvious grinding to lengthen the story, The Man Who Erased His Name is a compelling time sink and proves that Kiryu isn’t a spent force. |
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| Press Start |
Harry Kalogirou |
8 / 10 |
11-07-2023 |
While The Man Who Erased His Name is a very safe Like A Dragon experience, longtime fans are sure to relish its smaller scope and renewed focus on Kiryu. It might lack some of the suspense and unpredictability of prior entries, but more than makes up for it in its more intimate exploration of one of the most legendary characters in gaming. |
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| PSX Brasil |
Isabella Alves |
85 / 100 |
11-06-2023 |
Although not suitable for first-time players, Like a Dragon Gaiden is a spin-off made for fans that fulfills its objective: it delivers a narrative wrapped in a roller coaster of emotions with classic beat’em up gameplay and dozens of side activities. |
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| Push Square |
Robert Ramsey |
8 / 10 |
11-06-2023 |
Like a Dragon Gaiden teeters on the edge of feeling tired and a bit predictable, but in the end, this is another memorable chapter in Kiryu’s seemingly endless tale. It adds welcome weight to the events of Yakuza: Like a Dragon while also telling a great individual story, which is stuffed with typically engaging characters. Refined combat carries this ‘smaller’ title even further, and although its optional excursions can feel a little too grindy for their own good, Gaiden stands as a rock solid instalment, and a potent reminder of why Kiryu’s such a beloved protagonist. |
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| Rock, Paper, Shotgun |
Ed Thorn |
Recommended |
11-09-2023 |
A shorter stop-gap that fills us in on Kiryu’s agent activities after his “death”, Gaiden’s story might be a repetitive shuttle to endless scuffles, but the draw of its minigames is undeniable. |
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| RPGamer |
Sam Wachter |
3.5 / 5 stars |
11-09-2023 |
Did Kazuma Kiryu need another game? The short answer is both yes and no. It’s great that this side story exists as it does bridge some plot points from previous games together, and offers some interesting lead-ins for Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth. On the other hand, the narrative overall doesn’t have the same strength that we’ve seen from this series time and again. There is a lot to love here for fans of the series, but there are also some noticeable issues that keep it from being an easy recommendation. The Man Who Erased His Name is a decent addition to the series, but it misses the mark in being a truly memorable experience. |
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| Screen Rant |
Cody Gravelle |
4.5 / 5 stars |
11-06-2023 |
Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name is a success. With just five chapters total, it tells a compelling story that maintains interest throughout. It’s also a neat summary of Kiryu’s storied past, serving as a solid introduction to him for those who found the franchise through Yakuza: Like A Dragon and Ichiban. |
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| Shacknews |
Lexi Luddy |
9 / 10 |
11-06-2023 |
Having now completed every side mission, substory, and objective in a little over 25 hours, I can only hope Ryu Ga Gotoku learns from this game and works on more bite-sized spin-offs fleshing out the rest of this universe roster of loveable weirdos, gallant heroes, and snarling villains. |
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| Slant Magazine |
Justin Clark |
4 / 5 stars |
11-06-2023 |
Still, at the center of it all remains Kazuma Kiryu, a genuinely good man caught in the throes of a vicious career. Even with the series ready to move on without him as protagonist—no disrespect to everybody’s new favorite himbo, Ichiban Kasuga, who’s positioned to be our hero going forward—Gaiden makes a stronger than expected case for why and how he’s endured so much, and deserves a better ending than the old life has been willing to give him. |
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| SpazioGames |
Gianluca Arena |
7.9 / 10 |
11-06-2023 |
Like a Dragon Gaiden: The man who erased his name was originally born as a DLC for the eighth chapter in the mainline saga, and it shows in its shorter length and in the reuse of assets, locations and character models. Still, exploring Sotenbori in the shoes of Kazuma Kiryu is a lot of fun like it’s always been up to now. |
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| Stevivor |
Matt Gosper |
8 / 10 |
11-06-2023 |
While I did warm to new Like A Dragon protagonist Ichiban quickly, you can’t forget the OG. It’s great to see Kiryu take a victory lap in this tightly designed, smaller-scale story before the next big chapter kicks off |
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| TechRaptor |
Tyler Chancey |
7 / 10 |
11-06-2023 |
While short and lacking in side content, Like A Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name is a good entry point for curious players and a nostalgic throwback for longtime fans. (Review Policy) |
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| The Game Crater |
Jayden Hellyar |
7 / 10 |
11-07-2023 |
Ultimately, Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name provides the iconic Kiryu Kazuma with a fitting conclusion to his story and sets the foundation for the next game. |
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| The Games Machine |
Daniele Cucchiarelli |
8.6 / 10 |
11-07-2023 |
A fitting “Yakuza” that takes the old Kazuma Kyriu and launches him into a new life |
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| Twinfinite |
Keenan McCall |
4 / 5 stars |
11-07-2023 |
While it might not be among the best entries in the series, there’s still enough to Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name that makes it worth playing. Those willing to work around some bare bones design and frustrating quality of life issues will find a compact but necessary entry in the saga of Kazuma Kiryu, and will be that much more excited for the next true entry in the franchise. |
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| VG247 |
Josh Broadwell |
Recommended |
11-06-2023 |
Like A Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name may be a side story in RGG Studio’s long-running Yakuza franchise, but it’s also one of the biggest steps forward in quality and thoughtful design that the series has seen in years. |
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| Wccftech |
Kai Tatsumoto |
7.9 / 10 |
11-09-2023 |
While another trip to Sotenbori is always worth the price of admission, Joryu’s brief trip away comes at a high price: respecting the player’s time in Like a Dragon Gaiden. |
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| Xbox Achievements |
Richard Walker |
80 / 100 |
11-06-2023 |
A relatively short side-story it may be, but Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name is a blistering chapter in Kiryu’s journey, a Yakuza 6 epilogue that brilliantly tees up what’s next, while delivering on the unadulterated fun and weirdness the series is celebrated for. |
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