![]() ![]() Like a Dragon: Ishin! swiftly layers in gameplay mechanics over the epilogue and early chapters. Although, once chapter nine rolls around and the sake starts flowing I knew Like a Dragon: Ishin! was going to get me rosy-cheeked and ready for another round. ![]() It was somewhere around chapter six that I felt the story started to ramp up and the pressure that was building was getting ready to blow. The build up of events that take place in Toso and Kyo were at times slow and left me wondering if I’d be drunk with love or left with an empty glass. Without delving into narrative spoilers of any kind, Like a Dragon: Ishin!‘s fourteen chapters had points early on that I didn’t feel as connected to the characters that I’d hoped I would be. Although after rolling credits on Like a Dragon: Ishin! I never felt like I was necessarily missing out on anything of major plot value or character development so if your experience with the Yakuza series is as limited as mine don’t let that deter you if Ishin! looks appealing. The amount of love and memes I see on a regular basis on the internet has me well aware of the adoration these characters have, but that’s not applicable to someone like me. This reimagining of true tales with some of your favorite Yakuza characters assuming augmented versions of historical figures had me initially unsure if this game would have a chance of alienating me since I have no real attachment for fan favorites such as Kazuma Kiryu or Goro Majima. When a devastating turn of events upends Ryoma’s life, inertia sets in for the personal and historical plot to unfurl. Throughout Ryoma’s quest you’re confronted by familiar faces as series stalwarts populate plot lines and usher in a sense of familiarity all while remaining distant from their Yakuza origins. Loosely following the story of Sakamoto Ryoma on his journey of revenge, redemption, and what loyalty, brotherhood, and family mean during an inspired tale borrowed from the real life history of the end of the Edo period of Japan. Like a Dragon: Ishin! transports you to 1867, with political turmoil bubbling up around different prefectures of Japan. ![]() So when it was revealed that the previously Japan only Ishin! was getting remade and released worldwide I was hoping that the series could rekindle the flame that Ichiban Kasuga and the gang sparked in me during my time with Yakuza: Like a Dragon back when the Xbox Series X launched. I’ve been told by many friends and colleagues that the logical path forward would be to play Yakuza 0 or Kiwami, but I briefly played Yakuza 0 and barely an hour in I came to the conclusion that it wasn’t the right time for me to tackle the long-running series. I know that last bit might make Yakuza loyalists shudder– good. As someone who’s first encounter with the Yakuza series of games was with Yakuza: Like a Dragon in 2020, I’ve been looking for an excuse to explore more of the beloved franchise and the upcoming release of Like A Dragon: Ishin! was the gentle nudge I needed. ![]()
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