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Like a Dragon: Ishin!
Released On: Feb 21, 2023
81
7.2
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Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 80 Critic Reviews
81
83% Positive
66 Reviews
66 Reviews
14% Mixed
11 Reviews
11 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 80 Critic Reviews
81
83% Positive
66 Reviews
66 Reviews
14% Mixed
11 Reviews
11 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Like a Dragon: Ishin in my eyes earns the lofty score I’m giving it. The game is the most fun I’ve had with a single player game in years, and getting a review code for it the same day as Hi-Fi Rush left me spoiled, incredibly tired, and astoundingly happy. It’s worth your time and your money.
Like a Dragon: Ishin sees the historical adventure spin-off from Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio finally released in the West, and the wait has been worth it despite some technical issues. The story, characters, and superlative voice acting make this an easy recommendation if you're a fan of the series.
User Score
Mixed or Average
Based on 149 User Ratings
7.2
64% Positive
95 Ratings
95 Ratings
18% Mixed
27 Ratings
27 Ratings
18% Negative
27 Ratings
27 Ratings
User Score
Mixed or Average
Based on 149 User Ratings
7.2
64% Positive
95 Ratings
95 Ratings
18% Mixed
27 Ratings
27 Ratings
18% Negative
27 Ratings
27 Ratings
What an excellent game this has been! If you like the Yakuza games then you will love this. I’ve put about 120 hours in now as there is just so much to do and it’s all super fun.
The combat is excellent, with 4 different styles to choose from and the side stories are as great as always from this studio. I wont give anything away as it’s an exciting story so give it a go!
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PlayStation 5
Like a Dragon: Ishin! was very good for dealing with Japan's Meiji Restoration, one of the most important periods in world warfare.
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PlayStation 5
Like a Dragon: Ishin is an awesome spin-off to an already-great series, and one I'm glad finally came to the States. Even if it tripped on the landing, the story kept me gripped, and I hope some of the new combat styles and special moves make their way to other RGG games. I also hope we'll get the other spin-offs that never made their way over. Time will tell, but for now, it's nice to be back with my favorite criminals.
Like a Dragon: Ishin! is a lost classic that has finally made its way to a global market. Fans of the franchise will be ecstatic to experience an Edo-period drama that features icons of the Yakuza series. Even though it is set in the 1860s, the foundation of the series is evident with each step. It’s a familiar experience that feels similar to its PS3 counterparts rather than the modern releases. The world lacks the hustle and bustle of Kamurocho and the mini-games are not as diverse. However, the card-based combat system and four fighting styles make battles a thrill. While the game may not do enough to alter the perception of those who don’t enjoy titles from the franchise, fans of the series are in for a treat with this samurai-focused epic.
At its best when its focus is divided, Like a Dragon: Ishin! is a fun Bakumatsu sandbox. It doesn’t have the engrossing standout minigame like the cabaret or business management challenges of previous titles, and its time period means it also doesn’t pack a fun arcade. But its jack-of-all-trades approach still resonates.
Like a Dragon: Ishin! is a game that both delights and frustrates me for a lot of reasons. I don’t feel like the shift to Unreal Engine 4 added anything substantial, and it seems to have come at a steep cost compared to the framework the studio normally uses. The drawbacks make this fully-remade title feel like it would have been at home two generations ago, rather than belonging next to Lost Judgment and Yakuza 7.
The recreation of the fall of the Bakumatsu Era at the tip of your sword is as exciting and entertaining as expected, but it seems that apart from a fresh coat of (glitchy) paint, Sega didn’t do even the basic refurbishment to bring properly this game to 2023. Unlike the wonderful job they did with the Kiwami remakes, here it feels more like Sega used the game as a training exercise for its studio to learn the Unreal Engine and simply didn’t bother to invest in anything else.
용과같이 시리즈 중 가장 높은 역대급 근접 타격감을 자랑함. 강추합니다.
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PlayStation 5
i wish there was half scores cuz I'd give this a 7.5 but would be an 8 or higher if there was a way in the game to skip the dialog faster. half of the game im just sitting through dialog waiting to press x to skip it and u can't just skip it all if u wanted to
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PlayStation 5
I loved yakuza like a dragon, so i decided to buy this game. I am disappointed, even though I can see that the game has potential, and i find its setting interesting (end of the Edo period).
What could have been improved: for a ps5, 2023 game, the graphics did not blow me away. They were fine. The music did not stand out to me like trek to yomi, blades of the shogun, total war shogun 2, or ghost of tsushima. The animations for the wells and pot looting were cutscenes (hence: slow), and Ryoma always does the same noise while consuming food. Ryoma also did not display a lot of emotions or ambitions or opinions. All of these I can ignore.
The bad: a lot of lines are not voiced. this is problematic for three reasons. 1.) They come unexpectedly, and this results in the game being unsettlingly quiet at times 2.) There is a lot of dialogue, so it was important to voice it fully in order to maintain the immersion. 3.) You only had one language to voice anyway. Secondly, something which baffled me: the camera automatically centres when u look up or down (um - why? we can disable auto camera for horizontal movement but not vertical? what???) and it is jittery when the character is in tight spaces. Thirdly, the parrying was very hard and the pistol did very little damage. I also did not like how it was always 5v1 or something. Feels so unfair. The combat in Ghost of Tsuhima was great: It was refined, fun, felt precise, and most of all fair.
Conclusion: After a few hours into the game, I knew this game was not for me. I enjoyed briefly dipping my toes into a Japan that is shifting from the sword to the gun, from feudalism to republicanism. The story itself was mildly interesting. why is a kid randomly dying right when important people walk through town? and why couldnt she have waited a few seconds or hidden somewhere? Something sad happens early on but you dont really have the time to care about them. Ryomo is pretty stoic and reserved. The first "villain" seems like a generic anime bad guy. The list of narrative woes goes on. The gameplay was also not my cup of tea. It is with much regret that I must say I cannot recommend this game to anyone, unless they are a massive fan of yakuza games or the vagabond manga or samurai champloo anime, but even then... there are simply games more deserving of my time out there. it seems like a repetitive and unrewarding game. Its only redeeming qualities are perhaps the story and mini games later on, but i do not even have the will to reach those points. 70/100
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PlayStation 5
a mix of dynasty Warriors and devil may cry. its dated in every way. if someone is looking for a game to replace dynasty Warriors this is it. the combat is 30% slower and more tactical but doesn't feel sluggish.
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PlayStation 5
Worst Yakuza title since Yakuza 0.
The outdated combat system + extremely low drop rate of materials make the weapon crafting system a real pain in the ass, and most of the side missions are repetitive and boring(providing some kind of item several times)
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PlayStation 5
Summary 1860s Kyo is plagued by widespread inequality, and one samurai will change the course of history in his search for justice. Take up the sword of Sakamoto Ryoma and venture to Kyoto to find your father’s killer, clear yourself of a framed murder, and restore your honor. In doing so, you will bring an end to the samurai era and forever cha...
Rated M
for Mature
Platforms:
- PlayStation 4
- PlayStation 5
- PC
- Xbox Series X
- Xbox One
- PlayStation 3
Initial Release Date: Feb 21, 2023
Developer:
- Ryu ga Gotoku Studios
Publisher: Sega
Genres:
