Like a Dragon: Ishin! Reviews
There’s not much else that can be said of Like a Dragon: Ishin! other than that it’s an exemplary Ryu Ga Gotoku title. Fans of the older Yakuza games and Judgement will feel right at home amidst its familiar gameplay mechanics and story beats, and the polish applied to these facets will ensure they’re well rewarded for the time they invest in the game. It’s a welcome return to the series’ past, and a good sign of how well the series will hold up moving forward.
In sum, Like A Dragon: Ishin! is a cool game with a lot to offer for those curious about the series or those who love it but want a fresh take on the characters, setting, time period, and combat. Much of what makes RGG Studio games so great is here, and there is no shortness of characters, story, and content for players to sink themselves into if they so choose. I enjoyed my time with Ishin!, and while I prefer the more modern settings the series is known for, I tip my hat to RGG for stepping out into this time period to take a fun look at a piece of Japanese history.
Like a Dragon: Ishin! blends the real-world history with the franchise's signature charm in a way that shouldn't work but just does. Resulting in one of the most memorable Like a Dragon experiences so far, this is a must-play game for long-time fans.
If you've been wondering what all the fuss surrounding the Yakuza series' foray into Japanese history is about, then wonder no more. Like a Dragon: Ishin! is a superlative localisation of a compelling samurai story, that is every bit as good as the series' other best outings. Brilliant.
Like a Dragon: Ishin is simply another well-made game in this infinitely original series. It may be a bit rusty, not quite up to modern standards, but it nevertheless is a lot of fun and offers all the things people want from and love about the Yakuza series.
Review in Polish | Read full review
And despite some skepticism about how its historical period would be portrayed, the early turns of its story hooked me thanks to its marriage of murder-mystery, subterfuge, and deeply felt brotherly bonds. Unfortunately, these points of familiarity eventually proved incompatible with the kind of politically charged tale it was trying to tell. While most of my time with Ishin! was a delight, its closing hours are a mess due to its inability to reconcile the series' naivety and optimism with the complexities of history, resulting in a sanitized portrayal of the past that is both bewildering and somewhat troubling.
While it definitely departs from the usual formula for the series, Like A Dragon Ishin is undoubtedly worth your time. While this isn’t a story of true history, the game is happy to educate you on Japanese culture of the time – a helpful Glossary option will pop up for many terms unfamiliar to an English-speaking audience, so you’ll be able to tell your joshi from your goshi and shishi – and suddenly, Final Fantasy XIII’s naming conventions make a lot more sense. Becoming a badass, unstoppable samurai seems only right for someone who looks like Kiryu, and the story will keep you guessing to the end. Also those cucumbers are almost ready to harvest, so don’t forget to stop by the villa soon.
Like a Dragon: Ishin turns back the clock to the Bakumatsu period in Japan and its new remake is an excellent revitalization of an already solid entry in the Like a Dragon / Yakuza series as it finally launches in the west for the first time at last.
Like a Dragon: Ishin! is a terrific Yakuza game, and a wonderful jumping-on point for new fans of the series!
Like A Dragon: Ishin, offers both a familiar Yakuza experience in an entirely unique setting. Some technical issues and arbitrary systems can't hold back a compelling narrative, excellent combat, and a compact open-world packed to the brim with engaging content. Like A Dragon: Ishin shouldn't fly under your radar during this busy period, and is well-worth diving into for both series veterans and newcomers alike.
A new setting is not enough to disguise Like a Dragon: Ishin!'s unbalanced combat and middling story.
Like a Dragon: Ishin! is a bloody battle feast. You can not only appreciate the historical heaviness of the backlash movement from its plot, but also meet many classic characters of the "Dragon" era.
Review in Chinese | Read full review
Overall, Like a Dragon: Ishin is an excellent remake of an older unappreciated RPG with an impeccable historical story to tell. While the remake isn't in the best condition it could've been, especially on PS5, it is still a game that will provide players, especially Yakuza fans, lots to enjoy.
Buoyed by a fantastic setting, Like A Dragon: Ishin! is bound to be a treat for all fans of the series.
Exactly what fans of the series have come to expect, whilst still providing one or two interesting deviations in gameplay along the way, Like A Dragon: Ishin! fuses familiar traits with a delightfully-versatile combat system to great effect.
Like a Dragon: Ishin! despite being set in the distant past, is unmistakenly bore of the same DNA of the Yakuza series proper and will be a treat for fans of the long-running series.
Yes, Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio could have redone this with the Dragon Engine and yes, it plays exactly like the original, which is a game from nine years ago, but Like a Dragon Ishin! is still a delight for both newcomers and old time fans alike.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Incorporating most of the highs from the mainline games, Like a Dragon: Ishin! delivers a compelling “Yakuza with samurai” standalone experience.
It's essentially a classic Yakuza game, but the samurai theme added a completely different flavor. Arguably one of the best games in the series.
Review in Turkish | Read full review