The latest entry in Sega's Like a Dragon series takes a different route from its mainline predecessors. This side story gives players a condensed experience centered on Kazuma Kiryu before the franchise shifts permanently to turn-based combat. While intentionally brief, it still holds significance for longtime fans eager to revisit the spirits of classic brawler gameplay and familiar characters.
Gameplay – 7/10
Kazuma Kiryu returns to the fray, but without his signature fighting style. Instead, players toggle between the Agent style and Yakuza style, both new approaches that add fresh mechanics but lack the nostalgic punch of Kiryu's classic moves.
While enjoyable, especially with the Agent style's gadgets, it’s clear that the missing classic style leaves something to be desired. The fun of using the spider gadget and exploding cigarettes to control crowds stands out, but the drone and rocket boots gadgets feel less impactful in combat.
Exploration through Sotenbori remains engaging, with a variety of sidequests that offer humor and character interaction, even if they fall slightly short of the franchise’s usual standards.
One highlight this time is the ability to customize Kiryu's look, from suits to painted nails, adding a personal flair to wandering the streets. This choice complements his legendary status, making his presence in Sotenbori feel fresh yet familiar.
The Colosseum mode in the Castle returns after a four-game absence and is expanded impressively. Unlike previous games, you can fight as any Colosseum character, enabling a broad range of classic brawler thrills and serving as an excellent farewell to the old combat style before the series switches to turn-based combat with Infinite Wealth.
One aspect of the game that deserves all the praise it can get is the Colosseum in the Castle. This returning game mode, which has been absent for the past four games, has been greatly expanded. Instead of only letting you play as Kiryu, you can play as any Colosseum fighter.
This mode truly feels like a swan song for the franchise’s brawler gameplay before we permanently move on to turn-based combat in Infinite Wealth. Everything that you have wanted to do with the classic gameplay can be done in this mode.
Minigames – 7/10
Minigames have always been a staple of the Like a Dragon franchise, and while Gaiden brings back familiar favorites, it introduces no new minigames. The lineup feels safe, aimed at keeping players entertained but without pushing boundaries.
Classics like karaoke, Sega arcade games, and golf are all here, alongside returning titles like Pool and Pocket Circuit. The latter is particularly refined, as you can now conveniently purchase all car parts directly in the minigame area, removing the need to search the city for upgrades.
Thankfully, nearly all of these returning minigames are good and have had small UI changes that make them more enjoyable than ever. Minigames include mainstays like Karaoke, Sega arcade games, and golf. We also see returning minigames that sat out a few entries like Pool, and Pocket Circuit.
Pocket Circuit’s return is a welcome surprise, especially as it’s been refined so that all the car parts can be bought from the area where the minigame is. No longer will you have to run around the whole city trying to find new parts to trial and error your way to victory.
The Hostess Club minigame, however, feels weaker than ever. Its presentation through FMVs rather than in-game models gives an awkward, detached vibe, which clashes with Kiryu's character and makes engaging with it uncomfortable.
That weirdness has changed into a consistent uncomfortable feeling as the women are now FMVs instead of in-game models. Leading to a weird parasocial feeling about the minigame that makes me never want to touch it again.
Despite that, most minigames remain enjoyable. It’s just a shame there isn’t a fresh minigame to bring new excitement alongside the tried-and-true classics.
Story – 7/10
Storytelling has always been a centerpiece of Like a Dragon, and Gaiden chooses to tell a smaller, more contained tale. Originally conceived as a brief cinematics segment in the previous game, its narrative unfolds slowly, revealing little new outside what the player already knows.
The fact that Gaiden was originally supposed to be a simple thirty-minute cutscene in the previous game is very obvious from the plot of the game’s first two chapters. Every mystery proposed by this game was already solved and the audience is merely waiting for Kiryu to know what we know.
What it lacks in scale, it makes up for in emotional depth. Kiryu appears more vulnerable than ever, with raw, heartfelt scenes that bring a compelling human aspect to this iconic character.
We were told upfront by the game’s name alone that the story of Gaiden wouldn’t have a large effect on the franchise, so it’s hard to judge it there. Instead, focusing on how it makes fans of the franchise feel should be prioritized.
The game honors longtime fans by spotlighting Kiryu’s enduring relationships, especially with characters like Haruka and Yumi. The climax revisits key events from Like a Dragon from Kiryu’s perspective, adding layers of appreciation for series veterans.
The climax of the game especially works. Seeing scenes from Yakuza: Like a Dragon from Kiryu’s perspective and seeing all the work he put into ending the Yakuza is much more engaging than you would expect from a simple side game.
Aiming to complement the main series rather than redefine it, Gaiden’s story delivers meaningful moments that resonate well with established fans.
Graphics – 10/10
The Dragon Engine has matured impressively with Gaiden, delivering some of the most breathtaking visuals in the franchise to date. From intricate character details to stunning environmental effects, Sotenbori looks more alive than ever.
Dynamic lighting and water reflections, especially in the Castle area, showcase what Ryu Ga Gotoku Studios can achieve now, creating moments clearly designed to flaunt graphical prowess.
The game has several moments almost built to show off the graphics and what RGG Studios can achieve now. Scenes in the Castle area in particular are filled with dynamic lighting and water effects.
This leap in graphical fidelity is paired with strong performance, marking a high point in engine optimization.
Performance – 9/10
Historically, the Dragon Engine struggled with frame drops during combat-heavy scenes, but Gaiden breaks this streak. It runs smoothly on modern consoles, rarely if ever dipping below a consistent 60 FPS, even in intense battles.
This fluidity lends the game a polished feel that’s often lacking in previous entries, making combat and exploration more enjoyable overall.
Seeing NPCs walk around at a consistent 60 FPS can almost feel surreal at times when you remember how choppy previous entries can get. Whatever RGG Studios did when making this game, it’s working like magic.
Seeing such refined performance gives confidence that future titles on the engine, like Infinite Wealth, will continue this trend of visual and technical excellence.
Enjoyment – 8/10
Despite some narrative pacing issues and uneven fun with the new combat styles, Like a Dragon Gaiden delivers significant value to devoted fans. It balances heartfelt moments with classic gameplay nostalgia, making it a worthwhile stop before the franchise embarks on its new turn-based direction.
