Like a Dragon: Ishin!

Like a Dragon: Ishin! is an action-adventure historical video game developed by Ryu Ga Gotoku (RGG) Studio and published by SEGA. Released globally in February 2023, the game serves as a ground-up remake of Ryū ga Gotoku Ishin!, a 2014 Japanese-exclusive launch title for the PlayStation 4. For nearly a decade, Western fans of the long-running Yakuza (now Like a Dragon) franchise heavily requested a localized version of this samurai spin-off. Thanks to the skyrocketing popularity of the franchise worldwide and the confidence of SEGA's localization team, RGG Studio finally brought the game to an international audience. Set in Kyo (a fictionalized Kyoto) during the chaotic Bakumatsu phase of the Late Edo period (1853–1867), the game drops players into an era of massive political upheaval, anti-foreign sentiment, and the twilight years of the Tokugawa Shogunate. Players take on the role of Sakamoto Ryoma, a real-life historical figure who heavily advocated for democracy and the end of feudalism. In typical franchise fashion, Ryoma is modeled after the series' iconic protagonist Kazuma Kiryu, sharing both his face and voice actor. After returning to his home of Tosa, Ryoma becomes embroiled in a coup d'état and witnesses the assassination of his father figure, Yoshida Toyo. To track down the killer, who utilizes a distinct martial arts style, Ryoma sheds his name, assumes the alias of Saito Hajime, and infiltrates the grim, legendary police force known as the Shinsengumi. The sweeping narrative explores themes of loyalty, class struggles, and revolution, ultimately climaxing in a showdown with Ryoma's brother, Takechi Hanpeita, which helps usher in the dawn of the Meiji Restoration. From a development standpoint, Like a Dragon: Ishin! represents a major technological shift for Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio. Instead of utilizing their proprietary Dragon Engine, which powered recent entries like Yakuza 6 and Yakuza: Like a Dragon, the team built this 2023 release using Unreal Engine 4. The developers opted for Unreal Engine because its Material Editor allowed for a high degree of freedom to reimagine the original assets, and its rendering capabilities were better suited for capturing the natural, cinematic daytime lighting of 1800s Japan. Despite this engine swap, the core mechanics strictly adhere to the energetic, action-brawler gameplay the series is known for, eschewing the turn-based RPG mechanics of the mainline series' most recent entries. The combat system in Ishin! is incredibly robust, borrowing heavily from the multi-style mechanics seen in Yakuza 0. Players can seamlessly switch between four distinct fighting styles on the fly: Swordsman, Gunman, Brawler, and Wild Dancer. The Brawler style offers classic hand-to-hand combat utilizing parries and environmental weapons, though it proves challenging against armed samurai. The Swordsman style focuses on lethal, two-handed katana strikes and dramatic ripostes, making it ideal for powerful single-target damage. The Gunman style utilizes a revolver to keep enemies at a distance, easily managing large mobs of unarmored foes. Finally, the Wild Dancer style is a flashy, combo-heavy hybrid that combines the sword and the gun, allowing Ryoma to spin through crowds while dodging and striking simultaneously. Progression is managed through four separate skill trees corresponding to each style, upgraded using a system of colored orbs and universal training orbs. To master these styles, players must seek out dojos run by specific masters across the map, such as Komaki for Brawler, William for Gunman, and Ginryu for both Swordsman and Wild Dancer. Furthermore, the remake revamped the "Trooper Card" system. Originally restricted to optional dungeon content in the 2014 release, Trooper Cards can now be used in regular street battles. These cards represent Shinsengumi recruits who grant Ryoma special attacks, buffs, or healing abilities. In a humorous nod to the game's international release, the roster of Trooper Cards includes cameo appearances from real-world celebrities and content creators, such as professional wrestler Kenny Omega and actor Rahul Kohli. Beyond the main story, the game is packed with the franchise's signature wealth of side content. The streets of Kyo are filled with expansive sub-stories ranging from heartfelt historical dramas to bizarre, comedic encounters. Players can engage in various minigames like chicken racing, traditional gambling, and karaoke. There is also a dedicated slice-of-life simulation mode called "Another Life," where Ryoma can farm vegetables, cook meals, and trade goods to pay off a young girl's debt. Once the dramatic story wraps up, players are granted access to a "Premium Adventure" sandbox mode (referred to as Bakumatsu Tour), allowing them to freely explore the world, finish leftover sub-stories, and continue upgrading their weapons at the blacksmith. Critically, Like a Dragon: Ishin! received generally positive reviews upon its 2023 release. Reviewers highly praised its gripping, high-stakes story and the fascinating lens through which it viewed 19th-century Japanese history. The stylish swordplay and over-the-top heat actions were also highlighted as major positives that successfully blended the series' hysterical action with period-accurate violence. Some criticism was directed toward its dated design elements; because it is a faithful remake of a 2014 game, certain side activities, environments, and grind-heavy progression systems felt like a slight step back compared to the modern refinements of recent Yakuza and Judgment games. Nevertheless, the game stands as a brilliant and essential historical fiction piece for fans, finally answering a decade of demand with a beautifully modernized, blood-soaked samurai epic.