Like a Dragon: Ishin! | Logo Art

[UPDATE]: Following the RGG Summit 2022, this article has been updated with more information.

After years of asking, Western fans of the Yakuza series are finally getting a localized version of the Bakumatsu spin-off Ishin!, this time with the new moniker Like a Dragon. The surprise announcement came during Sony’s State of Play on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2022. Originally released for the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 in 2014, Ishin! sees our familiar Yakuza friends recast as historical samurai, including Kiryu as Sakamoto Ryōma and Majima as Okita Souji.

From the trailer:

Kyo, 1867

A lone samurai embarks on a secret quest for revenge and sparks the greatest revolution in Japanese history…

Along with the usual beat-em-up combat you’d expect from a Yakuza title, Ishin! also includes series staples such as karaoke and a plethora of mini- games.

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Like a Dragon: Ishin! Key Features:

  • Over the top action and diverse weaponry: Engage in visceral combat that combines feudal-era firearms and swords as players switch between four different combat styles: Swordsman, Gunman, Wild Dancer and Brawler. A deep roster of varied weaponry marks the historic transition between classic sword fighting and modern armed warfare as players train and upgrade skills to unlock even more powerful abilities.
  • Historical samurai epic: An optional in-game glossary supplements context to the historical basis of the people, places, and events featured within Like a Dragon: Ishin!
  • Old meets new: Like a Dragon: Ishin! expands upon its 2014 Japan-exclusive predecessor with localization support, all-new content, exquisitely remastered graphics and enhanced capabilities for modern platforms in Unreal Engine 4.

Pre-orders for the Standard and Digital Deluxe editions are now available. The Standard Edition retails for $59.99 and includes a digital copy of the game. The Digital Deluxe Edition retails for $69.99 and includes the game, early access beginning Feb 17, 2023, and six unique DLC that expands Ryoma’s cosmetics, weaponry, challenges and more. All digital pre-orders come with three bonus legendary weapons: the Kijinmaru Kunishige katana, Black Ship Cannons and Tsuyano Usukurenai legendary katana.

Like a Dragon: Ishin! is slated for a Feb 21, 2023 release on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam.

Leah McDonald
Leah's been playing video games since her brother first bought an Atari back in the 1980s and has no plans to stop playing anytime soon. She enjoys almost every genre of game, with some of her favourites being Final Fantasy Tactics, Shadow of the Colossus, Suikoden II and The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. Leah lives on the East Coast with her husband and son. You can follow Leah over on Twitter @GamingBricaBrac