Like a Dragon: Ishin! Reviews

good game follow this series trend of serious and heart felt main line story and wacky side story (some with heart felt twist, but still wacky)

Really disappointing, coming as a massive Yakuza fan. Everything in the game is a constant grind. Grind EXP. Grind money. Grind friendships. Grind materials. Grind trooper cards. Grind farming. Grind dungeons. You know what this game really grinds? MY GEARS!!!!!

this game's gameplay is absolutely buns for its price. heck, the bosses are NOT FUN to deal with because of their hyperarmor spam. skills are exceptionally grindy too, you can't combine combos midway at early game and mid game even if brawler allows you to draw sword mid-combo, it is almost at an endgame upgrade. honestly, if you are into story and its graphic, sure. but if you are planning to play for the sakes of your normal yakuza combat system, DON'T. the hyperarmor here wrecks everything and if you say "meh it's just a yakuza kiwami feature". sadly no, it's worse because it can happen at anytime even if you try to land the first hit. just save money and buy the game when it's on sales. i really wanted to refund the game the first time i fought okada izo but then i rethought because of how long it would take to refund a game not made by valve. rgg fucked this game up with the ue4 because most modders of the lad series are familiar with dragon engine. there's no save for this game in term of combat and modding

10/10 game showed everything i could ever want from a jrpg and a yakuza game absolutely loved it my first playthrough being on ishin difficulty as well made it an all the more enjoyable experience

Only play this if these two conditions are met: [list] [*]You want more Yazuka stories, along with its minigames and silly side quests. [*]The game is on a heavy discount. Don't pay more than $15 for this. [/list] The bad: [list] [*]Combat is clunky and awkward. [*]Movement is also clunky. [*]Camera is poor and doesn't face the enemy while locking on. [*]Graphics are poor for a remake. They could have done better. [*]Enemies are damage sponges, and they hit you like a truck. It ends up being a battle of attrition. It's not fun. [*]UI is poor with none of the streamlining or quality of life improvements you'd expect for a remake. [list] [*]Want to change ammo? There's no quick swap. Navigate the full menus into your inventory. [*]Buying new weapons? There's no comparison with your current equipment. Hope you memorized your weapon stats. [/list] [*]Selection in some menus have an annoying delay before and after inputs. [*]Friendship bonds are repetitive and grindy. You repeat the same action multiple times before something happens. [/list] I've played all the Yakuza games from 0 till Gaiden. This is the worst one. This is a re-release/port marketed as a remake, most likely for the RGG studio to experiment with UE4, instead of actually improving an old game.

a little grindy and they censored the bathhouse fight a little too much but still a fun game also okita <3

kiryu's source of strength was power of love all along? absolute cinema If this is your 1st RGG game or played only few, definitely not worth it, this is the avengers of RGG where some characters from the mainline games appear

Like a Dragon: Ishin! is a bold and engaging historical spin-off of the long-running Yakuza series, bringing its signature blend of melodrama, over-the-top action, and heartfelt storytelling into 1860s Japan during the late Edo period. Developed by Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, this remake of the 2014 Japanese-only release places players in the role of Sakamoto Ryoma—a real historical figure portrayed in the likeness of Kazuma Kiryu—on a quest for justice and reform amid a time of national upheaval. The game brilliantly mixes the intensity of samurai drama with the eccentric charm fans expect from the franchise, delivering a unique and satisfying experience that stands out in both the Like a Dragon series and the action-RPG genre as a whole. From the outset, the setting is one of Ishin’s biggest strengths. Kyo, the game's fictionalized version of Kyoto, is brought to life with an impressive attention to historical detail. Wooden buildings, lantern-lit streets, traditional teahouses, and bustling markets all paint a vivid picture of Japan on the cusp of modernization. The backdrop isn't just window dressing—it informs the tone and rhythm of the narrative, which is deeply rooted in themes of loyalty, class struggle, and the tension between tradition and change. Players are immersed in a world where samurai and peasants coexist uneasily, political factions vie for power, and every decision carries weight. The story, like most entries in the series, is rich in drama, featuring complex relationships, political intrigue, and emotional stakes that unfold gradually. Ryoma is a compelling protagonist, torn between his desire to avenge a murder and his larger goal of reforming the country from within. The narrative cleverly uses familiar faces from the Yakuza universe to fill in the roles of historical figures, creating a fascinating alternate take on both real and fictional histories. This makes the game particularly enjoyable for longtime fans, though newcomers can still appreciate the plot thanks to its self-contained arc and well-paced storytelling. Combat is where Like a Dragon: Ishin! shines mechanically. Players can switch between four distinct fighting styles: Swordsman, Gunman, Brawler, and the flashy Wild Dancer style, which blends gunplay and swordplay into stylish, chaotic movement. Each style has its own strengths and weaknesses, and mastering the switch between them during battle adds a layer of strategy. The heat actions—cinematic special attacks—return in dramatic fashion, bringing flair and intensity to every skirmish. Whether you're dueling elite warriors or mowing down street thugs, combat is visceral and satisfying, bolstered by responsive controls and a wide variety of weapons and upgrades. In addition to the main storyline, the game is packed with side content that ranges from emotional sub-stories to completely bizarre comedic diversions, a hallmark of the series. You can engage in karaoke, cooking, farming, gambling, and more, all of which help flesh out Ryoma’s life outside of the bloodshed. These activities, while often absurd in tone, provide a welcome contrast to the seriousness of the main narrative and offer substantial rewards and character growth. They also help build a deeper connection with the game’s world and its many memorable NPCs. Visually, Like a Dragon: Ishin! makes good use of the updated Unreal Engine, offering improved lighting, character models, and environmental detail over the original PS3-era release. The city of Kyo feels lively and immersive, though some textures and animations occasionally betray the game's origins. The soundtrack blends traditional Japanese instruments with modern beats, effectively supporting both the action sequences and emotional moments. Voice acting, presented in Japanese with subtitles, is passionate and well-delivered, contributing significantly to the storytelling and character development. In conclusion, Like a Dragon: Ishin! is a triumphant reimagining of a beloved but previously inaccessible Yakuza spin-off. It delivers everything fans love about the franchise—an engaging protagonist, dramatic storytelling, explosive combat, and tons of side content—while offering a refreshing historical setting that distinguishes it from its urban counterparts. It manages to feel both familiar and new, proving that the Like a Dragon series can successfully explore different genres and time periods without losing its core identity. Whether you're a veteran of Kamurocho or a newcomer to the series, Ishin! is a journey well worth taking. Rating: 8/10

Good game overall but the grind will make you want to finish the game as soon as possible

The swap to unreal engine, questionable enemy designs, including trooper cards into normal gameplay (and as a byproduct letting bosses use them aswell) and the grindiness to get decent equipment really weight down what otherwise would be a really fun game. Buy the game on sale if you just REALLY want more of the Like a Dragon series, otherwise stay away and you wouldn't be missing out on much. The bad outweights the good of this game.