Ryu Ga Gotuka Studio has revealed a Yakuza spin-off called Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name which will let fans play through what Kiryu had been up to between Yakuza 6 and Like a Dragon 8, coming out in 2024.
Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name will be coming out next year, announced Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio during today’s Summit live stream.
Set for release sometime in 2023, the game will bridge the storyline between Yakuza 6, Yakuza 7, and the renamed Like a Dragon 8. This official trailer description of the Yakuza spin-off reads:
“This classic high-octane RGG action-adventure sheds light on Kiryu’s perspective following the events of Yakuza 6: The Song of Life leading up to Like A Dragon 8.”
The game will have two protagonists, one of which will be the fan-favorite Kiryu alongside Ichiban, exploring both narratives simultaneously.
Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name
Also revealed during the RGG Summit showcase that the upcoming Like a Dragon Gaiden will be bigger than the Lost Judgement – The Kaito Files DLC but around half as big as a main-line Yakuza title.
Players will still have the ability to go to the main town in the game and play through side quests though. The gaming being shorter is because it just aims to bridge some story gaps for newcomers as well as old-time Yakuza fans. The company also said that Like a Dragon Gaiden will introduce Kiryu to new players before his role in the next mainline Yakuza title.
This spin-off might also explain why Kiryu’s hair looks completely different in Like a Dragon 8 than in the past. It was also confirmed that Kiryu and Ichiban will be playable in different time periods. With Kiryu being playable in the past, and Ichiban being playable in the present/future.
The release date for the game has not been confirmed, only that it is coming out next year. It looks like the already sizable Yakuza line-up is only getting larger from here on out.