Using rocket boots and explosive cigarettes to beat down street thugs is something new for the Yakuza franchise, but it somehow doesn’t feel like a stretch. Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name is the latest entry in the nearly two-decade-old franchise, telling a new story that runs alongside Yakuza: Like a Dragon (Yakuza 7). Gaiden marks the return of longtime series protagonist Kazuma Kiryu as well as a return to real-time action combat. There’s a lot of history wrapped up in the return of Kiryu, but Gaiden’s shorter, tighter design makes it a great entry point in the franchise — or a way to get back in if you’ve fallen off. That’s especially true considering the game is free to Xbox Game Pass subscribers.
