Like a Dragon: Ishin!

Like a Dragon: Ishin! is a remake of the 2014 original, which Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio rebuilt on a modern engine and released on PlayStation 5 in 2023 as well. The story is set at the end of the shogunate era in the 19th century and follows Sakamoto Ryoma, a historical figure from Japanese history, in an alternate version of events full of intrigue, betrayal, and a struggle over the future shape of Japan. The player moves through a reconstructed Kyoto, tackles side quests, and builds relationships with other characters in the spirit of the series' classic entries, with many familiar faces from the Like a Dragon series appearing here in period-appropriate roles.

The combat system combines close-quarters swordplay with the firearms of the era and offers several fighting styles that can be switched between depending on the situation and the number of opponents surrounding the player. Besides the main story, the game offers a wealth of side content — from growing rice, to running your own weapons shop, to minigames typical of the Like a Dragon series, including card games and guard duty duels. The PS5 version brings improved graphics, a higher frame rate, and faster loading compared to the original Japanese version from 2014, which never made it to the West at the time.

Thanks to the remake, European and American players got their first chance to experience a title that had long been valued in Japan as one of the series' best spin-offs. The atmosphere is rounded out by music blending traditional Japanese instruments with a dramatic orchestral score that underscores both the gravity of the historical period and the protagonist's personal drama. Ishin! was received as a successful fusion of a historical setting with the series' proven mechanics, and today it serves as an excellent entry point for new players as well as a pleasant reminder for those already familiar with the game. Also worth praising is the care with which the creators translated period costumes, architecture, and social conventions into interactive form, without sacrificing the characteristic humor and over-the-top situations that made the series famous.

Why play it: For newcomers and longtime series fans alike, Like a Dragon: Ishin! offers a great entry into historical Japan thanks to its carefully rendered period setting and the series' proven mechanics.