The stage of history

Like a Dragon has seen its main series' star continually rise in the west, and now we're getting a remake of one that never managed to make it over. Like a Dragon: Ishin! is a remake of the 2014 game, tackling historical ficti?on through the lens of its characters, humor, and actio?n.

While the anachronistic premise can and does lead to some outlandish moments, the good news is that for the most part, Ishin comes together well. Aside from technical hitches and some tedium in the main story, Like a Dragon: Ishin! is an enjoyable romp through history with all the bizarre slice-of-life? moments and dramatic fights you could wan??t.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=bh83wVDmUcI

Like a Dragon: Ishin! (PS4, PS5 [reviewed], Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC)
Developer: Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio
Publisher: Sega
Released: February 21, 2023
MSRP: $59.99

Blade of vengeance

Ishin follows the story of Sakamoto Ryoma, a swordsman returning home to Tosa from his training in Edo. Ryoma is quickly reunited with adoptive father Yoshida Toyo and sworn brother Takechi Hanpeita, as the three collaborate to overthrow the class system of the land. A masked assassin interrupts the events, however. Framed for murder, Ryoma flees Tosa ??and heads to Kyo under the guise of Saito Hajime, seeking the attacker and their unique fighting style.

For those who aren't keenly familiar with the history of Japan, Ishin does take place in and portray the events surrounding the end of the Edo period. But it does so by obviously dramatizing events, intertwining and supposing characters in the ways historical fiction does, and using Like a Dragon (née Yakuza) characters as stand-ins for the figures of the era. It's The Muppets Christmas Carol take ??on his?tory, but instead of Kermit the Frog playing Bob Cratchit, it's Kazuma Kiryu's likeness portraying Sakamoto Ryoma / Saito Hajime.

This means that, much like The Muppets, every character pulls double duty. Okita Soji is their own character, but is also a representation of Majima Goro, Like a Dragon's mad dog whose penchant for hunting Kazuma Kiryu carries over into Ishin. Normally, these ideas would clash into each other and cause friction, but in Like a Dragon: Ishin!, the characters feel wh??olly their own while still providing tons of fodder for long-time series fans. Ryoma might be the best example of this, carrying on as the well-meaning protagonist constantly caught up in increasingly bizarre situations. But it all, somehow, works.

[caption id="attachment_363968" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

The main story itself can drag a bit, especially in the middle chapters. I wa?s sure that, by a certain point in the game, I had worn a virtual trail between the Shinsengumi barracks and Ryoma's room at the Teradaya Inn. And while the simmering tension of Ryoma searching for his mark in the wolves' den is exciting, the constant run-arounds these events send you on can feel tedious.

When it shifts into gear though, Ishin hits the same speeds that other Like a Dragon series entries reach. While no glorious back tattoos are bared, the weaponry of this era makes for some dramatic moments nonetheless. Seeing swords clash and the classic boss text slam onto the screen with flames erupting, still hits just as hard. Overall, Ishin strikes a good balance of personal drama and political intrigue, while still finding just the r??ight moment to let the music kick in and? an absolutely chaotic brawl to break out.

Stance switching

When fights break out, Ryoma has a pretty decent swathe of stances to use against enemies. Sure, there's the Brawler stance and its fists. But you can also employ a sword or gun, or b??oth in the Wild Dancer form, highlighting the changing tides of fighting in this era.

Each stance brings something different to the table, and they felt both varied and viable enough that I kept swapping forms throughout my playthrough. Sure, the Swordsman form felt the most narratively appropriate to master and level up first; but Brawler gave me some really fun tools, and the gun-wielding stance was a go-to for dealing with the random encounte?rs as I ran around the world. Swords may have been my staple, but I enjoyed spending time masterin?g the different styles and learning new moves at the dojos located around Kyo.

Boss fights are where the combat clicks the best, as the action zooms in and focuses on the tense clash between Ryoma and hi?s opponent. I was less enthused about some battles in enclosed spaces, where the camera struggled to track the action. In some areas, the cramped hallways and rooms be??came their own enemy, as I managed the camera alongside a swarm of enemies. And though the Heat Actions are here and effective as always, even comedic at times, I did find some repetition in them that lessened my desire to keep hitting the Triangle button.

[caption id="attachment_363962" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

The real shake-up is in the Trooper Cards, which you can build up over the course of the story and act as a sec?ond inventory of boons to draw from in fights. It's an interesting system with some powerful results. Even just the starter cards Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio hands to you are solid through the game, from the quick healing and damage-boosting effects to a chain lightning move that would tear through big groups.

Building these abilities and fighters up is one of the side activities I'd like to have spent more time with, though it ultimately felt like a way to quickly out-pace the game's difficulty curve. I never even managed to find some of the rare ones, let alone any celebrity-themed cards, but the ones I had felt like trump cards in the right situation. They weren't insta-win effects, but I did prefer to use my own weapons to win fights. It feels more thematically appropriate, you know? But levelling and building up those Trooper Cards feels like one of LIke a Dragon: Ishin's main post-game sinks that I could fall into.

Another life

Other Like a Dragon games have had plenty of substories and side activities to get lost in, and Ishin is no different. A benefit of the walking back-and-forth Ishin demands of Ryoma is that it allows him, and the player, to stumble on all the different side activities and bonds that can fill up this map. I don't know? if Kyo ever felt as familiar as Kamurocho, but it certainly has a similar degree of life and vigor to it.

Between story missions, I'd chop wood or wait in line for infamous inari sushi. I'd tally up the prize tickets I could, turn them in, hoping for a decent roll at the booth. During my time in Like a Dragon: Ishin!, I helped a courier keep his business alive, taught a man to fish, slashed cannonballs with my sword, and? gave a madam a cucumber. It it exactly the kind of bizarre but oddly heartwarming substories you'd be looking for, here.

[caption id="attachment_363963" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

The largest of the side activities is easily the Another Life segment, which sees Ryoma building and maintaining a rural homestead with the orphaned Haruka. This mostly serves as a time and money sink, with some good results if you're looking to have some decent health recovery options in the late game. But I did enjoy the peace and quiet of Another Life, and building this home up with my steadily accruing Virtue felt rewarding. It's no Stardew replacement, but it's a nice change of pace, and certainly one I'm more likely to go back over other minig??ames?? (looking at you, Brothel drinking challenge).

True to life

One area in which Like a Dragon: Ishin! suffered in my experience, though, was the technical department. Playing on PlayStation 5, I was surprised to discover some heav??y performance dips when using certain abilities or fighting in certain foggy effects. (Those who may be familiar with a certain fistfight in a bathhouse will know the areas I'm talking about.)

Some of these issues were resolved in m??y pre-release playthrough, while others were not. We're keeping an eye on it and I'll make a note here of any substantial changes, but even with some of the patches that rolled out, I still ran into some weird technical hiccups. Nothing was overall game-breaking, but some were certainly jarring enoug??h to note.

[caption id="attachment_363959" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

Aside from those issues, I think Like a Dragon: Ishin! excels in the big moments. It's a historical drama?? that, much like Okita / Majima, loves when it gets to let loose and go crazy. Some of the later scenarios see some absolutely wild interpretations of both characters and events, and you can tell the RGG team had some fun imagining how these characters would interact in their new roles.

And, much like the Muppet-driven movie I keep referencing, Ishin knows how to balance the comedic and dramatic in equal measure. I don't know that the r??unning love plot worked too well for me, but most aspects of the story kept me driving towards the truth alongside Ryoma. Big moments can hit pretty hard, and little jokes or even just phrasing from the excellent localization kept me chuckling and slamming the Share button.

A different breed of dragon

The Like a Dragon series is going through some shake-ups, as it not only shifts away from the Yakuza theming but adds a new protagonist to the mix, too. In a way, Ishin feels like a celebration of the series up this point, a recognition that these characters are memorable enough to make up a cast of characters in this pseudo-stage play of history. Adding even more faces from Yakuza games in the series, especially the popular Yakuza 0 and Yakuza: Like a Dragon, as part of the remake ??emphasizes this even more.

[caption id="attachment_363970" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

And while there are some hitches, the Ishin remake can look absolutely s?plendid at times too. Cutscenes especially had me surprised, as little details like the rain falling on characters or a tear running down one's cheek floored me. Overall, this was a title well-deserving of a remake, and it got a solid one.

If you're a newcomer, you'll probably appreciate just the zany mix of comedy and action that defines the series, and is still present here. Long-time fans will still find the things they like about this series in Ishin, too. While there are some setbacks, it's fair to say Like a Dragon: Ishin! is a good entry in the series, hitting the same highs you'd hope for and filled with just the right balance of heart and laughter that made the s??eries stand out in the first place. Ryoma's story has fi??nally come west, and it's well worth experiencing if you're a fan of Ryu Ga Gotoku's brawlers.

_{[This review is based on a retail build of the game provided by the publisher.]}

The post Review: Like a Dragon: Ishin! appeared first on Destructoid.

A small slice of Ryoma's swordplay

Like a Dragon: Ishin! is not far off from launch. But if the wait's just a bit too long, there's a demo for Ishin out today so? you can get a taste of the?? new-old combat.

The "Combat Demo" is out now for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. The two-part combat demo covers a roughly 20-minute section of the game, specifically spotlighting the combat of Like a Dragon: Ishin, which sees Ryom??a bringing his sword, gun, and fists to b?ear against foes.

The slice of Ishin covers both a brawl at Kiyomizu temple and a face-off with some armored foes. This demo looks to spotlight not just the fighting, but what enemies are bringing to the table to try a??nd stop Ryoma. If he's anything like his supposed descendant, t?hough, there's not much that can.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqkDNGqWrvE

Sega and RGG Studio have also revealed a special "Dragon of Dojima" skin, that will make Sakamoto Ryoma look just like Kazuma Kiryu, suit and all.

Heading back to an older era

Ishin is a remake of the earlier entry in the series, one which we never saw ported over to the west. It's historical fiction, using the likenesses of many Like a Dragon series characters, b??ut with different names, playing figures from the time in dramatized versions of the events.

Still, just because Kiryu is actually Ryoma, doesn't mean there isn't some classic Like a Dragon to get up to. Alongside the brawling you can see in the Ishin combat demo, there's also the usual substories and side-games you'd expect from the series. Plus, an Another Life section where Ryoma can live it up as a peaceful farmer. What's not to like about a slice of farming life inside this classically action-heavy series?

Like a Dragon: Ishin! goes live on Feburary 17 for Deluxe Digital pre-??orders, and on February 21 for every other version.

The post Like a Dragon: Ishin! demo lets yo??u get a tast?e of battle before launch appeared first on Destructoid.

The Dragon of Dojima steps back in time

Sega and Ryu ga Gotoku Studio are currently gearing up for the launch of Like a Dragon: Ishin! A full remake of the 2014 spin-off title in the Yakuza/Like a Dragon series of action-RPGS �?And speaking of yesteryear, the studios announced that a special DLC skin is included in Ishin's Deluxe Edition, which sees the return of the eponymous Like a Dragon protagonist, Kazuma Kiryu!

The "Dragon of Dojima" DLC will allow players to dress Ishin's hero like his centuries-later descendant, complete with his iconic silver-grey suit a??nd snakeskin shoes. It should be noted that this is just an aesthetic skin, Sakamoto will not literally become Kazuma �?But if you fancied turning the attractive, period-piece wo??rld of Edo Japan into an absolutely dreadful anachronism, then you're sorted.

In this sho??rt trailer, you can see Sakamoto looking slick as he gets his ears cleaned out.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=kq?kDNGqWrvE&??ab_channel=SEGA

Like a Dragon: Ishin! is a full remake of the 2014 PS3 release of the same name, and follows the adventures of Ryoma Sakamoto, who becomes embroiled in a local war of houses while investigating the murder of his sensei. Like a Dragon: Ishin! continues the hard-boiled drama, violent action, and a little of the tongue-in-cheek nature that is the trademark of the Like a Dragon series, but never saw the light of day? outside of Japan, with Sega concerned that the game's sett?ing and characters might not localize well enough to warrant the effort .

One should remember that the series then was not the highly recognized brand that it has become today, specifically since the launch of 2015's Yaku?za 0, which was a huge hit on the PS4 platform.

Like a Dragon: Ishin! launches February 21 on PlayStati??on, PC, and?? Xbox platforms.

The post Kazuma Kiryu DL?C skin included in Like a Dragon: Ishin! Delux??e Edition appeared first on Destructoid.

Celebrity 'Trooper Cards' revealed

While stoic ronin Sakamoto Ryoma has had to wait many, many years for his journey to the west, it seems that he will not be coming alone, as Ryu ga Gotoku Studio has revealed that several celebrities will be making guest appearances in the long-awaited western release of Like a Dragon: Ishin!

The developer announced that the Edo-era epic will feature a selection of new "Trooper Cards" �?affording our hero new abilities to utilize in battle. The first two of these cards feature video game-loving pro-wrestler Kenny Omega, and charismatic actor Rahul Kohli (Midnight Mass, iZombie). Omega's "Essence of One-Winged Angel" will afford Sak??amoto the ability to cut down a crowd with a mighty sword swing, while Kohli's "Essence of Firestorm" will see the lone warrior torch his enemy with an extended blast of flames. Both cards will be available as free DLC on launch day.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9YiUTyqpGU&ab_channel??=SEGA

“I’ve been a fan of the Like a Dragon series for years, and to be forever immortalized in Like a Dragon: Ishin!, the newest entry in one of the most iconic game franchise of all time, is surreal," said Omega in a press release. “I’m so excited about my Trooper Card, and I think players are going to love the ar?twork and attack animation �?and the damage I can deal to enemies!"

//www.youtube.com/watch???v=auEmOD2ObEQ&ab_channel=SEGA

"As a huge fan of Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio’s games, I was honored to be asked to be a guest for the Like a Dragon: Ishin! Trooper Cards," added Kohli. "As someone who is emotionally invested in the Like a Dragon story, I’m nervously excited to take on this mantle of being a small part of Ryoma’s journey, The close relationship that SEGA and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio have with?? their fan community, has been really exciting to see manifest in these cards. I’m very honored to not only be a part of the community, but to also be a part of the series."

There are still four more "special guest" car??ds to be revealed. Who could they ??be? C'monnn Meiko Kaji...

Like a Dragon: Ishin! will?? finally arrive on P?layStation, PC, and Xbox platforms February 21.

The post Wrestler Kenny ??Omega and actor Rahul Kohli will cameo in Like a Dragon: Ishin! appeared first on Destructoid.

Sheathe the sword and pick up the chef's knife

For as much as the Like a Dragon series has been about its over-the-top action and absurd comedic moments, it's also garnered a following for its mini-games. With that spirit in mind, Like a Dragon: Ishin! is highlighting its farming life mode in a new trailer.

In a mode called "Another Life," Ishin protagonist Ryoma leaves the violence for anoth??er day and instead tends to his quiet farm. We see a host of different mini-games and activities here, centered around living off the land. There's harvesting crops, chopping up veggies and preparing meat through cooking, and yes, even pets.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZJ_dc5gv-k

It's something special seeing a dog do? a backflip. This side story seems to be bringing a heaping pile of peaceful slice-of-life warmth to the table, ??and I do enjoy that.

Farming like a dragon

Like a Dragon: Ishin! is the updated version of its historical fiction predecessor, which takes the cast of the Like a Dragon series and has them play out a story in a real, historical setting. Longtime series protagonist Kazuma Kiry??u stars as Ryoma, and other characters from the series are set to appear as well.

Ishin is one of the Like a Dragon entries that hadn't arrived in the West yet. An official launch on modern consoles makes this a bit easier to get a hold of ??and play. Plus, now U.S. players can experience the joy of tending to a farm in 1860s Japan. Of course, ther??e will still be fighting, intrigue, and plenty of drama. It's nice to have options, though.

If the quiet life appeals to you, you won't need to wait long to experience it either. Like a Dragon: Ishin! arrives for PlayStation 4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S??????????????????????????, Xbox One, and PC ?on February 21, 2023.

The post Like a Dragon: Ishin! shows a slice?? of the quiet farm lif?e in new trailer appeared first on Destructoid.

A little less forgiving than his ancestors

Ryu ga Gotoku Studio has released an action-packed trailer for its upcoming remake Like a Dragon: Ishin! spotlighting hero Sakamoto Ryoma as they embark upo??n a claret-spewing quest of honor and violence, set against the backdrop of 17th-century Japan. It looks to be a pretty brutal affair.

The Like a Dragon: Ishin! trailer focuses specifically on the remaster's combat mechanics, and sees our stoic protagonists engage with an army of samurai, ninja, and mercenary soldiers �?utilizing several different fighting?? styles that all lead to the same result: a lot of blood and a lot of bodies. We see Sakamoto demonstrate four arts in all �?Swordsman, Gunman, Wild Dancer, and Brawler �?as he battles his way past insurmountable odds on his mission of vengeance. Sakamoto's wrath sees him lay waste?? to the opposition with fists, feet, cold steel, hot lead, and even a combination of all four simultaneously!

His enemies best just stay home today.

//youtu.be/LQhLakRCEvQ

Like a Dragon: Ishin! is a long, long, long-awaited localization of the 2014 PS3 release Ryu ga Gotoku Ishin! brought up to speed with the power of Unreal Engine 4. Ishin! concerns the events of ronin Sakamoto Ryoma, an ancient ancestor of Like a Dragon protagonist Kazuma Kiryu, as they search for the killer of the father in the Bakamatsu age of Japan's Edo era. While it has been a?n exceptionally long wait for series fans, this remake looks set to deliver, freshly repainted and given a serious gameplay boost.

Like a Dragon: Ishin! launches on PlayStation, ??PC, and Xbox platfor??ms on February 23.

The post Sakamoto kicks off in glorious ‘n’ gratuitous Like a Dragon: Ishin! trailer appeared first on Destructoid.

Guest appearances from some series veterans

Sega and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio have released the first gameplay trailer for their upcoming remake Like a Dragon: Ishin! �?the slick video shows off some of the characters, locales, and intense combat action of the period piece spin-off from the much-loved Yakuza/Like a Dragon franchise.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=jk_z9hyFY1I&t

Originally released in Japan back in 2014 as Ryu ga Gotoku Ishin!, Sega's spin-off sees a suspiciously familiar party of heroes and villains clash against the backdrop of the latter-day Bakamatsu period of Edo-era Japan. Replacing the streets of Kamurocho with rural villages and ancient temples, the game follows the adventures of legendary swordsman and folklore figure Sakamoto Ryōma �?essentially "portrayed" by Like a Dragon hero Kazuma Kiryu.

The new remake will feature an overhauled game engine, modern visuals, and tightened combat. In addition, a new "soldier" system will let the player call upon classic Like a Dragon characters for an assist in battle, including Like a Dragon 2's Kaoru Sayama and Like a Dragon 7's Ichiban Kasuga. As depicted i??n the trailer, fans can also expect a wide variety of dopey side activities, including some garden plantation, fishing, gambling, and, naturally, some Edo-era karaoke. Because why hot?

It might have been a very, very, very long time coming for western fans, but it looks like this new edition of the rare release is going to have been worth the wait. Like a Dragon: Ishin! launches on PlayStation, PC, and Xbox platforms February 21, ??2023.

The post Like a Dragon: Ishin! slices, dices, and… gardens in first gameplay trailer appeared first on Destructoid.

Ishin finally comes to the west on PS4 and PS5

[Update: RGG Studio has released a new, near-six-minute story trailer for Like a Dragon: Ishin! You can check it out below. Like a Dragon: Ishin! will launch worldwide on February 22, 2023.]

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wVSyxsUQHU

A long-awaited Yakuza title is making its way to new fans. Like a Dragon: Ishin is a historical action-adventure, launching gl?obally in February 2023.

Ishin is a historical thriller set? in 1860s Kyo, a ?fictional version of Kyoto. Hero Sakamoto Ryoma is a true historical figure, and the story follows the overthrow of the shogunate and how the samurai era vanished.

If the faces look familiar, it's for good reason. Kazuma Kiryu is? essentially "cast" as Sakamoto Ryoma, and others will appear as well. Yes, that includes Goro Majima.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWCjnYx7Ytc

While Yakuza Ishin launched in Japan in 2014, western players haven't had a localized version to play just yet. And more than a localization, Like a Dragon: Ishin is being built on Unreal Engine 4. I ha??ve to say, it's looking pretty darn good on ??it, too.

Of course, the game will still have heat actions for some big finishers. Sakamoto can also wield a blade in Swordsman style, a gun in the Gunman style, or both in the Wild Dancer style??. Or maybe just go back to good old fists, in the Brawler stance.

Like a dragon

There's more to come for Like a Dragon: Ishin, and we might not have to wait long. Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio is set to host a summit live stream ???early tomorrow morning. Hopefully we'll get some more details and info on RGG's plans there.

Today's State of Play confirms that Like a Dragon: Ishin is coming to PlayStation 4 and PS5. The Sega upload of the trailer also confirms Ishin is coming to Xbox One, ?Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Windows a??nd Steam.

The post (Update) Like a Dr??agon: Ishin launches February 22, 2023 appeared first on Destructoid.