After years of trying, the Yakuza series has finally got the foothold in Western gaming it so rightly deserves. Few series have crafted such a strong and compelling world over an impressive number of titles. And with the series earning global popularity in recent times; fans can now enjoy Like a Dragon: Ishin! on these shores for the first time. It’s worth noting that theYakuza series has changed its name to Like a Dragon.
Yakuza By Any Other Name
But for those looking for another crime-filled epic, where you beat up rival gangs and get lost in the neon soaked Tokyo mean streets, may be in for a bit of a shock. Ishin is a period-set instalment, taking place during the Bakumatsu phase of the Late Edo period. History shows this was a very turbulent time for Japan to say the least.
As stated this is a remake of the 2014 release and it marks the first time any Like a Dragon/Yakuza game has been built in the Unreal 4 engine. And it’s lost nothing in the translation to the modern tech.
A Densetsu
Being a Like a Dragon game, you can expect a rich and layered tale. And its setting offers up some really different themes and social points, like the beginning of an industrial revolution to the dying days of the way of the Samurai.
For fans who get a kick from the series’ spin on virtual tourism, you will not be disappointed here. Like a Dragon: Ishin! features a lovingly recreated snap shot of a long forgotten time that you can explore.
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Story-wise, it’s standard Like a Dragon fair – where things start out simple enough, but
escalate in sometimes hilarious ways. Pulling on an endless number of threads from across its world and as is the way is packed with equal parts sincerity and melodrama.
Interestingly though returning fans may have a double-take moment as a lot of the cast are returning fan favourites.
Reign Man
While these returning fan favouries, they are all playing new roles in the universe. These all have similar personality traits to their long-running characters which is a nice touch. However, it’s hard to really shake your established feeling for their past portrayals in the series.
When not getting lost in the core tale with this being a Like a Dragon game, you can bet your right arm that there is a tonne of things to do. From its life sim and dungeon-crawling side modes, to more traditional series fare, like karaoke.
Combat Core
Karaoke which features two new songs, fan favourite “Baka Mitai” and “Ichizu Samurai”. But this is only the cream on top of the real treat, the combat, and Ishin doesn’t let the side down here. As it fully embraces its setting, meaning you’ll be wielding katanas, as well as a revolver.
You’ll use both and a number of different fighting styles – which favours sword play, your firearm, brawling. Or a mixture of all three, as you unleash a stunning ballet of violence. The styles all come complete with a beefy skill tree for you to unlock and make them even more deadly.
This combat system is one of the best seen in the Like a Dragon/Yakuza series and its numerous spin-offs. And this deserves real credit ahead of for how ahead of its time it was back in 2014.
But this also brings in a few issues with the game, as it does show its age at times and its PS3 roots – with some animations being a bit stiff and some textures being a bit low quality in areas.
No Dubs
Also worth noting is that there is no English dub for the game. So it’s all very much a subtitled affair, which does hit a little harder after a heavy lore dump. Like a Dragon: Ishin! may hit you as a novel title at the beginning, but it soon shows it’s a full-fat Like a Dragon title through and through.
Fans will love a chance to get lost in this near-forgotten instalment. And this version retains what made it great while smoothing out a few issues along the way. It’s a remake well worth looking into and it will hold you over till we get Like a Dragon 8.