Like a Dragon: Ishin!

 PlayStation 5
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 49 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 39 out of 49
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 49
  3. Negative: 8 out of 49
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  1. SolidGoodman
    Feb 22, 2023
    10
    Common RGG W. Must play for anyone with good taste, with absolute **** like atomic heart dropping nonstop these days this is a rare gem that only RGG can make.
  2. Smoothhands
    Feb 23, 2023
    0
    Charging for a difficulty setting is despicable. Is this going to be the new standard for the Yakuza Franchise? If so they just lost a long time fan.
  3. Mogmog000
    Feb 24, 2023
    0
    The action is monotonous and unexhilarating.
    There are few fast travel points, and moving around is tedious.
    Actors who were in the original film are no longer present.
  4. mangelrogel
    Feb 26, 2023
    10
    Me flipa me encanta me fascina lo amoooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!! Ryu ga gotoku los mejoreeeeeesss
  5. dark0153
    Mar 12, 2023
    1
    Top quality trash mini games and boss fights.

    Really hope whoever designed, tested and signed-off on the Anna minigames stub their toes daily, till the end of times
  6. NimbleOnion48
    Mar 9, 2023
    0
    I stopped at a fight so broken that it wasn’t even funny. After 8 RGG games, won’t buy a single entry from now on.
  7. crowstastegood
    Mar 4, 2023
    9
    pretty amazing game overall, although it isn't as strong as other titles, it's definitely worth playing.
  8. Jt0429
    Mar 2, 2023
    8
    Good-
    Incredible sense of time and place established via its great setting; combat is spectacular, and probably the best (or most visually satisfying, if nothing else) brawler combat in the series; retains all of the Yakuza/Like A Dragon series' strengths, including a LOT of addictive content, great setting, compelling characters, dramatic storytelling, and more.
    Bad- Retains a lot of    Good-
    Incredible sense of time and place established via its great setting; combat is spectacular, and probably the best (or most visually satisfying, if nothing else) brawler combat in the series; retains all of the Yakuza/Like A Dragon series' strengths, including a LOT of addictive content, great setting, compelling characters, dramatic storytelling, and more.

    Bad-
    Retains a lot of the Yakuza/Like A Dragon series' weaknesses too - the length of the game may be a put-off to many, for example, as might be the lack of an English dub; its technical PS3 era roots are often clearly visible.

    Thoughts-
    Ultimately, Ishin is a great game to hold us over until Like A Dragon 8, which continues the mainline story, eventually releases. It retains pretty much everything that made the original game a fan favorite among those who did play it, while also smartly modernizing what was necessary with a light and deft touch. It’s hard to think of any fan of the saga who will come away from this release unhappy. If you wanted more Yakuza, you have it. If you were starting to get fatigued, but weren’t completely off the train, then this game is just fresh enough to re-engage you, and just familiar enough to scratch the itch.    … Expand
  9. Inuyasha17
    Mar 5, 2023
    10
    Like a Dragon: Ishin! was very good for dealing with Japan's Meiji Restoration, one of the most important periods in world warfare.
  10. Inuyasha1
    Mar 4, 2023
    10
    크... 용과같이 유신 극의 검들이 다 간지나지만
    특히 붉은 화염 칼날인 호네바미와 바람의 검 사미다레가 제일 간지나는듯
  11. yikjr-yujr-ttur
    Feb 26, 2023
    10
    Yet another RGG Studios gem, an easy reccomendation. best game ever in my personal opinion
  12. locm
    Feb 26, 2023
    10
    another RGG Studios gem, imo this is the best game in the series outstanding world gameplay and music
  13. krutoj
    Feb 23, 2023
    10
    People that are used to newer RGG games might miss a few comfort features, the newer games have, but as any RGG game it's an awesome game.
    You get a cool story based on Japanese history, where characters from RGG games represent the historical characters. It has loads of content you can explore and the awesome substories typical for the series. The battle system feels a bit slow at first,    People that are used to newer RGG games might miss a few comfort features, the newer games have, but as any RGG game it's an awesome game.
    You get a cool story based on Japanese history, where characters from RGG games represent the historical characters. It has loads of content you can explore and the awesome substories typical for the series. The battle system feels a bit slow at first, but gets much better as you progress. Overall this game is incredible.    … Expand
  14. Zanfers
    Feb 23, 2023
    9
    A fun and colorful game in the franchise, it is definitely a worth buy for RGG fans.

    The story is cool, though I avoid it most of the time in favor of substories, that are countless. The minigames are some of the coolest ones in the series, and there is always something to do in Kyo. Also the combat for me personally is the most satisfying one in the entire series so far. Styles are and    A fun and colorful game in the franchise, it is definitely a worth buy for RGG fans.

    The story is cool, though I avoid it most of the time in favor of substories, that are countless.

    The minigames are some of the coolest ones in the series, and there is always something to do in Kyo.

    Also the combat for me personally is the most satisfying one in the entire series so far. Styles are and feel different, fights are very fluent.

    My only issue with the game so far is the complete lack of Dualsense support, no adaptive triggers, which would have been awesome for a hack n slash fighting game. It has both guns and swords which both have great adaptive trigger support in several other games.    … Expand
  15. ViliusRepublic
    Feb 28, 2023
    10
    Good Ol Yakuza game experience. Mix good elements of new Yakuza games and older ones like Yakuza 0. The combat system might be the best in the series. Has a lot of content too. Still overwhelmed with all the things I can do in this game.
  16. debile56500
    Feb 26, 2023
    10
    this is easily in my top 10 favorite game of all time i fcking love it great job RGG
  17. kiryu6666666666
    Feb 26, 2023
    10
    Yet another RGG Studios gem, an easy reccomendation. 10/10 score!!!!!!!!!!!
  18. AxonYT
    Mar 10, 2023
    0
    Charging for a difficulty setting is despicable. Is this going to be the new standard for the Yakuza Franchise? If so they just lost a long time fan.
  19. Oneiricnoir
    Mar 1, 2023
    9
    The Yakuza series exists on a unique wavelength. It’s not for everyone, but if it’s for you then you’re a fan for life. Like a Dragon: Ishin is no exception. I’ve wanted a Western release for Ishin for years and what a treat to have it remade in UE4 instead of a mere port. While it forgoes some of the more modern amenities of recent RGG games it is still so damn charming and addictive. IThe Yakuza series exists on a unique wavelength. It’s not for everyone, but if it’s for you then you’re a fan for life. Like a Dragon: Ishin is no exception. I’ve wanted a Western release for Ishin for years and what a treat to have it remade in UE4 instead of a mere port. While it forgoes some of the more modern amenities of recent RGG games it is still so damn charming and addictive. I love the sub-stories lurking around every corner. A tremendous credit to the localization work on these games that the writing lands nearly 100% of the time. Combat is satisfying even if it feels mildly aged. Really I can’t help but feel astonished that with such an incredible main story, I find myself primarily occupied with growing produce, cooking dishes, and taking care of my homestead. Oh and chicken races. Love the chicken races. Hopefully this paves a clear path for Kenzan to be released in the west as well!… Expand
  20. GOTYEldenRing1
    Mar 5, 2023
    10
    용과같이 시리즈 중 가장 높은 역대급 근접 타격감을 자랑함. 강추합니다.
  21. DongNiko
    Mar 18, 2023
    8
    Great yakuza spin-off, but same flaw as every RGG games: too much boring side content...
  22. Strifefair600
    Feb 23, 2023
    9
    This is the ultimate yakuza 0 and yakuza kiwami experience and the graphics are amazing and great the story is really good too the only thing I have to complain about is the difficulty I think it’s probably the hardest yakuza game but I still beat it
  23. PickleNCP
    Feb 26, 2023
    4
    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)
  24. Worldwideclass
    Feb 25, 2023
    10
    Yet another RGG Studios gem, an easy reccomendation. 10/10 score!!!!!!!!!!!
  25. danteisthegoat
    Feb 26, 2023
    10
    another RGG Studios great game,. best game ever in the series great music gameplay story and world
  26. PayneChaos
    Mar 6, 2023
    8
    If you like the Like a dragon/Yakuza series then you'll like this game. Wouldn't say it's the best in the franchise but it's pretty great.

Awards & Rankings

16
#16 Best PlayStation 5 Game of 2023
14
#14 Most Discussed PlayStation 5 Game of 2023

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
81

Generally favorable reviews - based on 71 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 62 out of 71
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 71
  3. Negative: 0 out of 71
  1. IGN Japan
    Mar 22, 2023
    80
    With beloved characters from throughout the series, the remake of Like a Dragon: Ishin is an all-star game that fans of the Yakuza/Like a Dragon series will appreciate. It makes you feel like you are watching an epic drama series about the Meiji Ishin period with your favorite characters starring as historical figures. While this remake does bring new elements such as a change in its cast and special skills becoming available during normal battles, compared to the series’ other remakes it feels a bit lacking in novelty.
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  2. Gamers Heroes
    Mar 17, 2023
    90
    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.
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  3. JeuxActu
    Mar 16, 2023
    70
    Marketed as a remake with its new graphics engine, Like a Dragon Ishin is actually just a remaster to which its cutscenes have been boosted. After the improved cutscenes, the game reveals its technical problems (rigid animations), bugs and imbalance. With a game released almost 10 years ago, it was inevitable. But the strength of Yakuza games is also its immersion, its many activities and its history which succeed in transporting the player to an exotic feudal Japan.
    Read full review
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