85 Critic Reviews
You can't go wrong with Like A Dragon Ishin. The game includes what makes the Yakuza franchise so special and combines it with samurais and Edo Period politics. A handful of oddities aside...
GAMEPLAY combat is spectacular, and probably the best (or most visually satisfying, if nothing else) brawler combat in the series
graphics its technical PS3 era roots are often clearly visible
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...
story Story is full of intriguing conflicts, betrayal and themes
GAMEPLAY Trooper Cards won't be for everyone
Like A Dragon: Ishin! has a bit of ironing out to do before it becomes the amazing game it deserves to be. Players may notice it is the least polished game in the series in some time, and be tested by a slow start to the narrative and rolling out...
GAMEPLAY Dynamic and engaging combat system
GAMEPLAY Periodic difficulty spikes
Like a Dragon: Ishin: an action-packed and emotionally-charged adventure through a breathtaking period in Japanese history.
story A stunning setting which is rich with real-life history
GAMEPLAY Some non-optional side quests interrupt the pacing
The long-awaited remake of Like a Dragon: Ishin delivers an exciting and frequently gorgeous new setting to explore, a more rewarding combat system, and some of the best side quests and minigames in the series to date.
story Hilarious substories
technical Technical wobbles
Fans won’t want to miss this recontextualised yet authentic Yakuza brawler. Hopefully, newcomers attracted to the theme can forgive some poorly aged systems and jank.
GAMEPLAY Wonderfully engaging combat
story Plot can get a bit confusing
Playing Like a Dragon: Ishin! took me back to the feeling I had when I first played Yakuza 0, which is not a bad thing! Though it isn’t the pinnacle of the series, Ishin delivers a pure Yakuza experience that will delight both long-time and new fans.
Ultimately, Like a Dragon: Ishin! feels like it delivers on the promise of a well-timed remake for an underappreciated title in RGG's catalog. It's a refreshing adventure that's identity is both intrinsically tied to the usual crime drama RGG...
GAMEPLAY Card Troopers Add Further Variety
technical Shows Its Age
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.
story Compelling and Engaging Narrative Told Through a Fascinating Lens
GAMEPLAY Crafting System Feels Arbitrary
Like A Dragon: Ishin, offers both a familiar Yakuza experience in an entirely unique setting. Some technical issues and arbitrary systems can't hold back a compelling narrative, excellent combat, and a compact open-world packed to the brim ...
Characters Brilliant deployment of classic heroes and villains
GAMEPLAY Typical minigame spread to eat up your hours
Like any swordsman learning their craft, Ishin! starts unsteady and builds in confidence. Some ideas struggle to earn their place in the overstuffed mix, but with a propulsive tale, told by some of our favourite gaming characters, it’s easy to get sw
GAMEPLAY Impressively deep combat system
story The main story rehashes Yakuza tropes
There’s not much else that can be said of Like a Dragon: Ishin! other than that it’s an exemplary Ryu Ga Gotoku title. Fans of the older Yakuza games and Judgement will feel right at home amidst its familiar gameplay mechanics and story beats...
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