Like a Dragon: Ishin! remake revealed at State of Play September 2022 and is launching on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC in February 21, 2023
[Update 9/14/2022 3:15am Pacific] RGG Studio has revealed that Like a Dragon: Ishin! will launch on February 21, 2023 at RGG Summit 2022. The original game previously only had characters from Yakuza 1-5 appear. Now, this remake will include characters from Yakuza 0, Yakuza 6, and Yakuza: Like a Dragon. An updated, extended trailer with the release date was shown as well.
RGG Studio and Sega made a surprise reveal at Sony's State of Play September 2022 event. They are remaking 2014's Ryu ga Gotoku Ishin! and will be releasing it globally under the title Like a Dragon: Ishin! in February 2023. The remake is coming to PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC (Steam, Windows). The original game was released for PlayStation 3 and also on PlayStation 4 as well.
Like a Dragon: Ishin! was often referred to as "Yakuza Ishin", since RGG Studio's flagship series held that brand name, since the first one on the PlayStation 2. It seems like the studio may be pivoting to adopting "Like a Dragon" as the series name moving forward; the phrase would be a direct translation its Japanese counterpart (and titular studio), Ryu ga Gotoku.
Even though Like a Dragon: Ishin! is the second samurai spin-off game that was on PlayStation 3, it is not related to Ryu ga Gotoku Kenzan! and serves as its own standalone entry that is set in 1860s Kyo, which is a fictionalized version of Kyoto.
Players take on the role of Sakamoto Ryoma, a famous historical figure known for bringing the nation of Japan into a radical reformation by overthrowing the shogunate at the time. Historical spin-offs of the Yakuza / Like a Dragon series often had the mainline casts' likenesses serve as the baseline appearance for the characters in them, which is why Sakamoto Ryoma looks a lot like Kazuma Kiryu. Other characters in Like a Dragon: Ishin! may appear to look like other familiar characters throughout the main series.
Unlike the main Yakuza entries, players will primarily be using a katana, gun, or both at the same time in Like a Dragon: Ishin! Of course, there will also be an option to just go about it the old-fashioned way with fists alone.
The Like a Dragon: Ishin! remake is built from the ground-up with Unreal Engine 4. This brings a graphical overhaul to the game making it prettier than ever.
Be on the look out for Like a Dragon: Ishin! next February. Watch its awesome reveal trailer down below, along with further details shared from the PlayStation Blog.
Hello everyone! Today is a very special day. Not just for RGG Studio, the masterminds behind Yakuza: Like a Dragon, but for all our fans worldwide who have been eagerly awaiting the most legendary lost chapter from the creators of the Like a Dragonseries. We’ve read your Twitter comments, seen your fan content, and are beyond excited to announce that the action-packed samurai title of legend, Like a Dragon: Ishin!, will launch globally in February 2023.
A hero of Japanese history brings about the samurai’s end
Like a Dragon: Ishin is an action-adventure historical thriller set uniquely in 1860s Kyo, a fictionalized version of Kyoto. While other games tell earlier stories in Japanese history, Ishin lets you experience the story of how the iconic samurai era vanished. Our hero, Sakamoto Ryoma, is a true historical figure largely credited with overthrowing the shogunate and taking Japan into a radical reformation.
Like a Dragon: Ishin brings in familiar faces to tell this epic historical tale. Fans will recognize our protagonist as Kazuma Kiryu from earlier entries in the franchise. In Ishin, Kiryu is cast as Sakamoto Ryoma and brings the rest of his crew along too. Goro Majima and other Yakuza celebrities join Ryoma as friends and foes in this fictional world that trades the flashy streets of Tokyo for the chaotic bustle of 1860s Kyo. These new character dynamics are as thrilling as they are unexpected, with a series of mind-blowing twists and turns in a story only RGG studio can tell.
Four killer combat styles and riveting Heat Actions
In Ishin, you can slash through foes with a lethal blade using the Swordsman style or sharpshoot your enemies with a revolver using the Gunman style. Better yet, wield both a gun and sword and enter a fury with the Wild Dancer style. And when you’re feeling extra brutal, smash some skulls with your bare fists using the Brawler style.
But that’s not all. It wouldn’t be an RGG Studio title without epically absurd heat actions. Summon a tiger to maul your foes, shove pickled plums down your enemies’ throats, and wield a whole cannon to blow down opponents. The heat actions in Ishin will leave you itching to uncover new moves at every stage of the game.
On Unreal Engine 4 for the first time
Like a Dragon: Ishin is the first title from RGG studio to be built on Unreal Engine 4, bringing astounding graphical quality to the Like a Dragon franchise. Developing on Unreal Engine 4 has unlocked new textures and other graphical details that make Ishin’s gripping story one of the most cinematic tales in RGG history.
And more…
There’s a lot more to come regarding Like a Dragon: Ishin and we can’t wait to share further details. From exquisite minigame content to unique in-game features that immerse you in the historically accurate world of Kyo, the best is yet to come. Like a Dragon: Ishin will be available in February 2023. Follow us on socials to get immediate updates, and tune into our livestream on September 14 at 3:00am PT for a special surprise! The stream will be available online afterwards as well.
