Like a Dragon: Ishin! Reviews

Like a Dragon: Ishin! is ranked in the 83rd percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
7 / 10.0
Mar 3, 2023

Like a Dragon: Ishin! sticks very closely to the Yakuza series' formula. Which means it'll bring its players both fun combat, ridiculous side content and some great character moments... and also exceeding amounts of expository dialogue and filler story beats.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

8 / 10.0
Mar 2, 2023

Like a Dragon: Ishin has some great characters, an immersive world, and a lot to love. The main plot may not stand out, but the smaller stories of the characters that inhabit the world do. With combat being a highlight, and tons to do, the few issues don’t stop me from recommending this. Just be sure to take it in slowly and experience the world.

Read full review

7 / 10.0
Feb 16, 2023

Like a Dragon: Ishin is a great standalone work that holds its own in a fantastic series. An exciting whodunnit plot is the basis for a whole lot of action, some solid storytelling, and characters you sort-of know and will grow to love.

Read full review

8.5 / 10.0
Feb 27, 2023

Fans of the Yakuza franchise will definitely love this entry and even those who haven’t played a game will find this is a great entry since it’s not connected to any other title.

Read full review

8.5 / 10.0
Feb 27, 2023

Like a Dragon: Ishin offers an entertaining adventure that maintains the high series standard, even IF the storytelling isn’t quite as engrossing as the mainline titles.

Read full review

4.5 / 5.0
Feb 23, 2023

Like a Dragon: Ishin! is an excellent spin-off that manages to please Like a Dragon fans and newcomers alike. Once again, there’s a seemingly endless amount of activities to do and stories to experience. Combat is fast and exciting and the narrative is dramatic and memorable. This is one remake that is entirely worth your time, as it’s everything Like a Dragon.

Read full review

8.5 / 10.0
Feb 24, 2023

Sure, a full-fledged remake of Like a Dragon: Ishin! would have been the better deal, but finally being able to play a localized version of this ludicrous Yakuza spinoff is still great. Even though it’s a bit dated for those used to the Dragon Engine, the controls are still excellent, the sheer amount of content is staggering, and the combat styles at your disposal are some of the best the franchise has ever seen. This is what we’ve been asking for years, and Sega delivered. I can’t complain that much.

Read full review

80 / 100
Feb 24, 2023

While Like A Dragon: Ishin! is a good addition to the Yakuza series, it still suffers from its cartoonish humour and jarring ending. The game is a comforting breath of fresh air regardless while it maintains your typical Yakuza mechanics but in a completely different time and place. It's like coming back to your home town after 10 years and seeing how much has changed; familiar but different all at the same time.

Read full review

Unscored
Feb 21, 2023

A must-play game for all the fans of the Yakuza franchise and RGG Studio. WIth all the pros an cons of any of the Yakuza series games but with a little twist changing the historical period to the end of the samurai era. The quantity of (good) contents and the narrative are enjoyable even if you haven't played any of the Yakuza/Like A Dragon/Judgment games... but take in account that you will need a lot of time to complete the game (30-40 hours only for the main story).

Review in Spanish | Read full review

XGN.nl
Top Critic
7 / 10.0
Feb 17, 2023

When is a remake not a remake? Ishin at times feels like the developers cut corners by incorporating existing models from other games and the original. NPC characters and animations lack refinement and didn't get the overhaul you would expect from a remake. However, the cutscenes and the original story remains strong and the gameplay with its new use of weapons and the added team cards are solid as ever. Together, Ishin fails to rise above the average, which could have been easily avoided.

Review in Dutch | Read full review

4 / 5.0
Feb 17, 2023

While not the best game in the series, Like a Dragon: Ishin! offers great fun to long-time fans while also delivering an excellent opportunity for those interested in these games to jump in and see what all the fuss is about. While it’s a different take on the classic formula, there’s enough here that still feels like a Like A Dragon game to provide an idea of whether this series is for you.

Read full review

7.5 / 10.0
Feb 21, 2023

Like A Dragon: Ishin is a competent remake of a previously Japan-only release, but series veterans might find more issues to nitpick over.

Read full review

Recommended
Feb 20, 2023

Like a Dragon: Ishin! it's another game with ryu Ga Gotoku's quality seal. It doesn't do anything new in the series, but by transporting you to Kyo in the 1860s, you can combine the feel of a historical and credible experience with the dramatic theatricality of the Like a Dragon series. It has everything good that you love in this series, has gameplay capable of making you lose the sense of hours, but also has a strong sense of familiarity and absence of relief news. On the scales, they gain their pros and it is one of my favorite games in the Like a Dragon series.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

8 / 10.0
Feb 21, 2023

Like a Dragon: Ishin!successfully brings classic Yakuza gameplay to Edo era Japan with a satisfying story and tons of side-content to sink hours into.

Read full review

7.5 / 10.0
Feb 17, 2023

Although Like A Dragon: Ishin presents a compelling story and fun gameplay mechanics but it fails to present a proper remake on the visual side that truly commemorates the original game

Review in Arabic | Read full review

8 / 10.0
Feb 17, 2023

Did Like a Dragon Isshin, therefore, have the charisma needed to put itself forward in a new market? The process of rejuvenation and restructuring conducted by SEGA was directed at tailoring a product to the level of expectations.

Review in Italian | Read full review

8.5 / 10.0
Feb 20, 2023

Like A Dragon: Ishin! is everything you want it to be and more. Fans won't want to miss this one.

Read full review

Cerealkillerz
Nick Erlenhof
8.7 / 10.0
Feb 17, 2023

Like A Dragon: Ishin! is not a new title in the well-known series, and yet it feels so fresh. That's because familiar faces in new roles, a new setting in feudal Japan, and the first time acting with sword and gun instead of fists make the game special. It may feel a bit stale in parts, but it plays wonderfully and should be tried by anyone who can relate to the setting or is looking to get into the franchise.

Review in German | Read full review

8 / 10.0
Feb 18, 2023

Like a Dragon: Ishin! entails an embellished escapade through he Edo-Period, that will have devout Yakuza fans, and those that love the original grinning with gratification.

Read full review

8 / 10
Feb 18, 2023

Like a Dragon Ishin! is a game that you'll definitely enjoy if you've already fallen in love with Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio's tried and tested formula, as everything that made Yakuza such a hit series feels intact.

Read full review