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Released on February 21, 2023, Like a Dragon: Ishin (Yakuza) story follows a solemn samurai’s fight to bring about justice in 1860s Japan. Now available for the first time in the West, this samurai epic is remade with beautifully remastered graphics and additional content. The original game was released in Japan in 2014 but never made it to the West. Now, SEGA and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio has developed it under a new engine with enhanced capabilities for modern hardware.
This new version of Like a Dragon: Ishin features a completely revamped gameplay experience with a number of notable improvements over the original. The game has been rebuilt from the ground up using the Unreal 4 engine, a first for the series. It also features new content, a completely new samurai, and improved gameplay mechanics. Additionally, the game has been reworked to improve its visuals and make use of the latest hardware.
Yakuza Lovers are Going to Love This
For fans of the Yakuza franchise, this is a must-have title. There is a lot to explore, including hidden secrets and minigames.
While some players may be put off by the Like a Dragon: Ishin‘s story setting and historical references, it is still a Yakuza game at its core. There are still the substories, minigames, and hearts that we all love.
Like a Dragon: Ishin‘s story has a strong mix of personal drama and political intrigue, and it’s easy to find yourself drawn in. Whether you’re fighting a mad dog or trying to outmaneuver a Shinsengumi inspector, many moments will leave you reeling.
Interesting Combat but Troubled Movement
As you travel around Like a Dragon: Ishin, you will come across many samurai families and the enemies they face in battle. These enemies will be very tough to kill, so you have to be careful. Combat in the game is very interesting, and you can choose between four different fighting styles: Brawler, Swordsman, Gunman, and Wild Dancer. These different styles have their own benefits and weaknesses.
You can also upgrade your weapons and gear to help you survive longer and deal more damage. There are also shops where you can buy and sell items. Like a Dragon: Ishin is an enjoyable experience. However, there are a few problems in the gameplay. These issues are largely related to the movement system in the game.
Yakuza Mechanics, Substories, Heat Actions, and So On!
Like a Dragon: Ishin uses a number of familiar Yakuza mechanics, including fishing, gambling (poker, shogi, mahjong), karaoke, and the battle arena. The title also includes a variety of side activities that fit into the time period, such as betting on cock racing, wood chopping, dancing, and more.
While some of these side activities can be quite frustrating, others are genuinely charming. Even a few substories involve Ryoma establishing bonds with NPCs who require performing repeated tasks at set intervals.
This can include fetch quests, such as the naive kid who wants you to give him vegetables or a battered defender who needs to be stuffed with medicine. In the past, these fetch quests often required you to push through prompts for them to complete repeatedly, but Ishin streamlines the process with a new menu that makes it easier to sort through them all.
Another new addition to the franchise is a number of Heat Actions that allow you to perform quick-time events and special moves in the heat of combat. These can be fun to try out, especially when you’re playing with Ryoma‘s unique arsenal and fighting styles, but some of them are a bit difficult to pull off without a decent amount of practice.
