Like a Dragon: Ishin! Reviews

Like a Dragon: Ishin! is ranked in the 83rd percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
Gamersky
Top Critic
8.6 / 10.0
Feb 17, 2023

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

3.8 / 5.0
Feb 19, 2023

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.

Read full review

8 / 10.0
Feb 17, 2023

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

7.5 / 10.0
Feb 18, 2023

Fans won't want to miss this recontextualised yet authentic Yakuza brawler. Hopefully, newcomers attracted to the theme can forgive some poorly aged systems and jank.

Read full review

gameranx
Top Critic
Unscored
Feb 18, 2023
Like a Dragon: Ishin! - Before You Buy - YouTube video thumbnail
7 / 10.0
Feb 17, 2023

Was it really necessary to remake Like a Dragon: Ishin!? It’s questionable, but we’re glad it’s finally available in the west in some form. It’s not the best Like a Dragon game – in fact, it might come quite low in the pile – but a good time can be had with it nonetheless. Its world might not be all that attractive, and its story a slow-burner, but it has the usual charm and a bucketload of interesting activities to carry it.

Read full review

Feb 21, 2023

A ballet of blades and bullets.

Read full review

GBAtemp
Top Critic
8 / 10.0
Mar 8, 2023

Incorporating most of the highs from the mainline games, Like a Dragon: Ishin! delivers a compelling “Yakuza with samurai” standalone experience.

Read full review

8 / 10.0
Apr 5, 2023

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

8.5 / 10.0
Apr 6, 2023

Like a Dragon: Ishin fulfills the promise: better later than never. It would be pity to miss such different part of series drawing lot of freshness from 19th century and different drama. The familiar faces and combat system is put into the new perspective in attractive environment.

Review in Slovak | Read full review

8.5 / 10.0
Mar 17, 2023

A great addition to any fan's game collection, and sure to turn the heads of newcomers looking for some samurai action.

Read full review

90 / 100
Mar 17, 2023

Like a Dragon: Ishin! is the most fun I’ve had playing a Yakuza game since Yakuza 0. Any fan of the series or fans of samurai games, in general, should check it out.

Read full review

7.5 / 10.0
Feb 27, 2023

Whether you are a fan of the Yakuza series or you are really into Samurais, Like a Dragon: Ishin! won't disappoint you. It might not be a perfect remake and some gameplay mechanisms, especially the gunplay could have been better, but it offers enough action to satisfy anyone obsessed with the far east.

Review in Persian | Read full review

Feb 18, 2023

Like A Dragon: Ishin is an almost stunningly intelligent game and in so many ways it is superior to the (already brilliant) series that it has spun off from. The historical setting really does the formula favours, and the development team have done such an exceptional and highly refined job of balancing authenticity and entertainment, serious storytelling and humour. At the same time, they’ve also maintained the core action and gameplay structures that we all love about the series. It is, simply, impossible to put down, and will be a strong contender for the best thing you’ve played this year.

Read full review

TrueGaming
Top Critic
8 / 10.0
Feb 17, 2023

Like a Dragon: Ishin! starts slowly and then suddenly bursts into many details and opportunities to expand your abilities and activities in everyway possible. The story is intriguing, combat is fun, and the content is varied.

Review in Arabic | Read full review

Saudi Gamer
Top Critic
8 / 10
Feb 17, 2023

All the strengths of the main series, strong main plot and characters, brutal fighting system and a rich world brimming with activity, albeit in a smaller, simpler package, offset by a historical setting during a pivotal time in Japanese history.

Review in Arabic | Read full review

85 / 100
Feb 17, 2023

With a great story, charismatic characters, fluid and fun combat and a gameplay that is the hallmark of the franchise, Like a Dragon: Ishin! is the remake fans wanted so badly. Even with small bugs, Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio shows, once again, that the series' formula is far from boring and makes us anxious about what will come ahead.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

8.5 / 10.0
Feb 17, 2023

Like A Dragon: Ishin! is Ye Olde Yakuza, but that's all it needs to be. The setting is fresh for the series, and it provides a fun way to see the same crime drama action in a new historical setting. Even if I prefer the modern setting, Ishin handles the change of setting well. It doesn't break an molds, but it's a delightfully fun experience for fans of the franchise. If you're itching for more Like A Dragon, Ishin! scratches that itch wonderfully, and it's a darn fun game in its own right.

Read full review

7.5 / 10.0
Feb 28, 2023

If I were to sum up the game’s pros and cons, Like A dragon Ishin is good. I personally recommend this game to all action RPG fans and especially to the Like A Dragon community to play this game if they want to see how different it is from its original version. Plus, if new players are interested in trying this out, I also recommend that they should try out the demo version of the game on their consoles as well.

Read full review

8.4 / 10.0
Mar 7, 2023

Like a Dragon: Ishin! finally arrives in the West nine years after the original and exclusive Japanese release for Sony consoles. A midway operation between remake and remaster that allows us to appreciate a fascinating story in late Edo period Japan, enhanced by the gameplay ideas of the original title that would mark a turning point for the future of the saga. Despite the past years showing on the technical side, Ishin is an excellent title that will enrapture not only Ryu ga Gotoku fans but also anyone looking for an excuse to approach the saga.

Review in Italian | Read full review