The Man Who Erased His Name Release Date And Details

Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name Release Date and everything else we learned about the upcoming entry in the legendary Yakuza franchise.

Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name is the next entry in the legendary Like a Dragon/Ryu ga Gotoku franchise, formally known as the Yakuza franchise in the West.

Officially dubbed Like a Dragon 7 Sidestory: The Man Who Erased His Name, is an in-between title that will link the events of Yakuza 6 and Like a Dragon: Yakuza (Yakuza 7/Ryu ga Gotoku 7) to the upcoming Like a Dragon 8: Infinite Wealth which is expected to release next year.

Here is a quick rundown of everything we've learned about the title by RGG Studios.

What is Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name About?

*Warning, Spoilers for Yakuza 6 and Like a Dragon: Yakuza*

Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name is a side story that serves as both a reunion and a reintroduction to former series protagonist Kiryu Kazuma. After being pronounced dead at the end of Yakuza 6 to protect his adoptive daughter Haruka and the children at the Sunflower Orphanage, Kiryu has turned his back on the life he led before.

But we've seen this story play out time and time again. Whenever Kiryu tries to leave his old life behind, something will inevitably drag him back into the twisted underbelly of Japanese Society. As mentioned above, the game is aimed to reintroduce old and new players to Kiryu Kazuma and explain the events that led to his appearance in Like a Dragon: Yakuza.

We'll learn more about his involvement in the abolishment of the Omi Alliance and how these events transition into the next title in the franchise.

Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name Release Date

The Man Who Erased His Name will release on November 8, 2023, on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. The game will only be available digital on all those platforms but you can export a copy from the Asian Region which will include the English text translations.

Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name Gameplay

Unlike Like a Dragon: Yakuza, The Man Who Erased His Name will return to the action gameplay of previous entries. Just like Lost Judgement and Judgement, the two detective spin-offs the game will feature two combat styles for Kiryu to defend himself with; The classic Yakuza and the new Agent Style.

The Yakuza style looks like a new and improved version of Kiryu's classic fighting style. Dropkicks, Tiger Drops, and the usual combination of punches and kicks.

The Agent Style on the other hand will give Kiryu access to all sorts of spy tools. Here Kiryu has access to wires that let him throw his enemies around, rocket shoes, and a gun. This is a Like a Dragon game after all so you can already imagine how insane it will get.

As for the rest, the game will most likely follow the many standards the series has set over the years. Kiryu will be able to return to his old stomping grounds in Tokyo and Osaka but also new locations to see what the Japanese nightlife has to offer. And for the first time, you can dress up Kiryu before hitting up the arcades or spending your money on vanity toy racecars.

Like a Dragon Infinite Wealth Demo

For fans of the franchise, the special treat after completing The Man Who Erased His Name is going to be a demo of Like a Dragon 8, which is supposedly going to include exclusive cutscenes you won't see in the main game, similar to the Yakuza 6 demo.

What exactly that demo's going to look like is still up in the air, but we'll probably get a taste of the new and improved gameplay as The Man Who Erased His Name seems to be based on Judgement and Lost Judgement respectively when it comes to gameplay.

For more on Like a Dragon, check out our review of Like a Dragon: Ishin! or our recommended way to play the series.