Legendary reformed mobster Kazuma Kiryu is returning to the screens sometime this year. And according to leaks revealed by the tracking site PS Deals, the upcoming spin-off to one of Sega’s most prolific franchises may be coming out in November.
An alleged release date for Like a Dragon Gaiden has just surfaced. Fresh information on the upcoming spin-off title has momentarily appeared on the PlayStation Store’s page, suggesting a November 9 release. A leaked product description also hinted at the game’s plot, which will reportedly centre around Kazuma Kiryu faking his own death and giving up his name to protect his family. But as he goes by the new codename of Joryu, a mysterious figure will attempt to drive him out of hiding.
This leaked information coincides with the few details revealed by the series’ developer Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio during a Studio Summit presentation back in September 2022. Iconic protagonist Kazuma Kiryu played centre stage in the official announcement trailer for Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name. The studio subsequently confirmed that the game would feature a canon story shedding light on Kiryu’s whereabouts between Yakuza 6: The Song of Life and Yakuza: Like a Dragon. An action-adventure title departing from the standard RPG formula of the series, this Kiryu-focused story will reportedly be half the size of its predecessors.
In all likelihood, these new bits of information were meant to be disclosed during Ryo Ga Gotoku’s next Studio Summit scheduled on June 15. Chances are high that the information went online by accident a week earlier than expected. But it’s got the internet buzzing anyway. Apart from hinting at a November release, the leak also unveiled exciting gameplay details. Like a Dragon Gaiden might feature two distinct fighting styles, allowing players to switch between a “wildly aggressive” Yakuza persona and an Agent character relying on high-tech gadgets and precision.
Style-switching aside, Like a Dragon Gaiden will apparently herald the return of fan-favourite features like a pocket racing circuit and a cabaret club. For all its intoxicating brawling, the franchise is also known for its countless wacky minigames. From screaming at the top of their lungs at the karaoke to playing vintage arcade video games, players can take a break from all the fighting with a variety of minigames. Some entries like Yakuza Kiwami even boast a few hidden surprises, such as a secret gambling venue in the back of a ramen restaurant, where players can make bank enjoying casino classics like blackjack and poker.
Underground casinos have long been a staple of the series. But as entertaining as they can be, they may get gamers itching for some real casino fun on top online platforms. The best websites even reward players with an array of juicy casino bonuses to get their bankroll started. Casino offers range from welcome packages granted to newcomers to reload bonuses and loyalty programmes for seasoned users. Players willing to test a platform’s catalogue risk-free can also take advantage of no deposit bonuses, which allow them to have a go at machine slots and tabletop games without putting any money on the line. And many reviewing sites spell out the process of claiming a casino promotion with handy step-by-step guides.
So, will Like a Dragon Gaiden feature as many fun minigames as its predecessors? Gamers may get their hands on this much-anticipated spin-off title on PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series, PS4, and PS5 in a little over five months, making 2023 a memorable year for fans of the franchise. A long-awaited spin-off entry already took players to the late Edo era in February. A remake of a game that hadn’t made it out of Japan so far, the epic samurai tale of Like a Dragon Ishin! received favourable reviews from critics and gamers alike. Set in a time of political turmoil, this open-world action-adventure entry explores the ins and outs of a Kyoto-inspired capital city and a fictitious Japanese castle town.
But these spin-offs are arguably just paving the way for the next mainline entry in the series. Announced at the same time as Like a Dragon Gaiden, Like a Dragon 8 is slated for release in 2024. The ninth instalment in the franchise will follow the events depicted in Yakuza: Like a Dragon, starring Ichiban Kasuga as its main protagonist and Kazuma Kiryu as a supporting character for Kasuga’s storyline.