Even though Gaiden is a side game with a main story and side contents roughly half the size of the usual RGG games, it still delivers on pretty much most of it. The biggest strength in Gaiden is how it bridges between Yakuza 6, 7 and upcoming Like A Dragon Infinite Wealth. The story revolving about Tojo and Omi's dissolution and how the aftermath of 6 made Kiryu a Daidoji Agent are handled really well. Even with short runtime, all the major characters are well written and have their own story arcs. The final boss symbolizes perfectly well about how the dissolution won't be easy for lots of the yakuza, how times are changing and some of them are desperately clinging to their old way of life. It's tragic but also handled with an intense and cathartic action sequences that is both entertaining to play through and make you feel for the characters.

And then the ending, one of the, if not the saddest moment in the series. It's moments like this that make Kiryu feel believable throughout the games. Beneath his stoic demeanor hides an overwhelmingly warm heart to his family. Gaiden is ultimately a direct continuation of Yakuza 6 and that feeling of parenthood and sacrifice echoes throughout the game and especially in the ending.

Combat in Gaiden feels great and the more aggressive enemies make for more challenging fights. It just feel and play incredibly well in every situations. The side contents, although small in variety, still manages to entertain. Some substories are among the best in the series and tackle Kiryu's past events, some are about current technological dilemma and some are just really funny. The live action cabaret hostess minigame is actually enjoyable, even if it's shorter than the previous games and lack depth that Yakuza 6 had. The fact that you can't ask them out for Karaoke is also a bummer but the live action videos itself are acted well enough, some are sweet, some are seductive and some are funny to watch. Pocket Circuit is back, still great as ever and it does have a callback to previous Pocket Circuit. The Boutique is great, although a bit barebones compared to other games with similar feature. The Castle Coliseum is the best version of the series coliseum to date, it can be challenging, chaotic and just really fun to fight.

Gaiden is mostly about quality than quantity. It comes with smaller package than the previous games but still manages to be one of the best RGG games, especially for longtime fans. Coupled with varieties of great soundtrack, the updated gorgeous visual, the beautiful locations and its attention to details and generally just how much optimized the game is, it's made in less than a year but still a quality game through and through.

A perfect bridge between previous games and Infinite Wealth that not only concludes one of the series' story arc in a beautiful way but also genuinely telling an engrossing and emotional story.

Even though Gaiden is a side game with a main story and side contents roughly half the size of the usual RGG games, it still delivers on pretty much most of it. The biggest strength in Gaiden is how it bridges between Yakuza 6, 7 and upcoming Like A Dragon Infinite Wealth. The story revolving about Tojo and Omi's dissolution and how the aftermath of 6 made Kiryu a Daidoji Agent are handled really well. Even with short runtime, all the major characters are well written and have their own story arcs. The final boss symbolizes perfectly well about how the dissolution won't be easy for lots of the yakuza, how times are changing and some of them are desperately clinging to their old way of life. It's tragic but also handled with an intense and cathartic action sequences that is both entertaining to play through and make you feel for the characters. And then the ending, one of the, if not the saddest moment in the series. It's moments like this that make Kiryu feel believable throughout the games. Beneath his stoic demeanor hides an overwhelmingly warm heart to his family. Gaiden is ultimately a direct continuation of Yakuza 6 and that feeling of parenthood and sacrifice echoes throughout the game and especially in the ending. Combat in Gaiden feels great and the more aggressive enemies make for more challenging fights. It just feel and play incredibly well in every situations. The side contents, although small in variety, still manages to entertain. Some substories are among the best in the series and tackle Kiryu's past events, some are about current technological dilemma and some are just really funny. The live action cabaret hostess minigame is actually enjoyable, even if it's shorter than the previous games and lack depth that Yakuza 6 had. The fact that you can't ask them out for Karaoke is also a bummer but the live action videos itself are acted well enough, some are sweet, some are seductive and some are funny to watch. Pocket Circuit is back, still great as ever and it does have a callback to previous Pocket Circuit. The Boutique is great, although a bit barebones compared to other games with similar feature. The Castle Coliseum is the best version of the series coliseum to date, it can be challenging, chaotic and just really fun to fight. Gaiden is mostly about quality than quantity. It comes with smaller package than the previous games but still manages to be one of the best RGG games, especially for longtime fans. Coupled with varieties of great soundtrack, the updated gorgeous visual, the beautiful locations and its attention to details and generally just how much optimized the game is, it's made in less than a year but still a quality game through and through. A perfect bridge between previous games and Infinite Wealth that not only concludes one of the series' story arc in a beautiful way but also genuinely telling an engrossing and emotional story.