Like a Dragon: Ishin!

"The long overdue samurai spin-off is classic Yakuza under its period dressing but also underwhelming as a current-gen remake."

"Like a Dragon: Ishin is a fantastic remake of a title that hasn&s;t left Japan in 9 years, only lacking some polish in a few areas."

"Like A Dragon: Ishin is a really fun spin off for this long-running series. Many of the big characters from the mainline Yakuza games, bar some of the newer games, are recast as new ones but none of the impact …"

"Like a Dragon: Ishin is an awesome spin-off to an already-great series, and one I&s;m glad finally came to the States. Even if it tripped on the landing, the story kept me gripped, and I hope some of the new …"

"Like A Dragon: Ishin! doesn&s;t reach the same heights as previous titles, but the new mechanics bring a different feel to the series."

"Ultimately, Like a Dragon: Ishin! feels like it delivers on the promise of a well-timed remake for an underappreciated title in RGG&s;s catalog. It&s;s a refreshing adventure that&s;s identity is both intrinsically tied to the usual crime drama RGG is …"

"Like a Dragon: Ishin in my eyes earns the lofty score I’m giving it. The game is the most fun I’ve had with a single player game in years, and getting a review code for it the same day as …"

"Like A Dragon: Ishin! it&s;s like all Yakuza in a sense: it will blow you away for knowing how to combine a serious and solid narrative with completely absurd moments. On the other hand, it differs a LOT from other …"

"A fascinating game in many aspects, which rewards the patient player and eager to explore. It does justice to the legendary franchise it comes from."

"Recovering from the mists of time an old game like a Dragon: Ishin! may be a risky choice, but the restoration operation can be considered perfectly successful. Perhaps the overall variety doesn&s;t quite reach the heights of insanity of the …"

"Like a Dragon: Ishin is a stellar period piece filled with melodramatic monologues, great combat, goofy side content, and a whole lot of heart."

"Old-school Yakuza for better or worse, but still a good point of entry for newcomers."

"Impressive efforts with a few noticeable problems holding them back. Won&s;t astound everyone, but is worth your time and cash."

"As a remake, Like a Dragon: Ishin! is nothing special, but fortunately the game, despite its spin-off nature and a few wrinkles here and there, has little to envy the other chapters in the series."

"Like a Dragon Ishin is a must-see for longtime fans of Kiryu Kazuma and other yakuza legends. It is in fact an adventure full of fanservice, both in a purely playful (with the Trooper Card) and narrative, restored in Unreal …"

"It&s;s been nearly a decade since Ryu ga Gotoku Ishin! released exclusively in Japan, but RGG Studio has finally brought it over to the West in the form of Like a Dragon: Ishin!, and it does not disappoint. Not only …"

"While Like a Dragon: Ishin! Might not be the strongest entry in this venerable franchise, its emphasis on weapon combat and an interesting take on historical characters and events makes it one worth experiencing all the same."

"Like a Dragon: Ishin is worth the wait, and fans of the series are in for a real treat. However, it is a niche entry in the series and not one I’d recommend for beginners. In fact, the more of …"

"It’s been a long time coming but Like a Dragon: Ishin! is finally out for western audiences in remade form. While the game is starting to show some of its age mechanically, the redone visuals and quality-of-life changes also give …"

"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 …"

"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. Don&s;t let the …"

"Exactly what fans of the series have come to expect, whilst still providing one or two interesting deviations in gameplay along the way, Like A Dragon: Ishin! fuses familiar traits with a delightfully-versatile combat system to great effect."

"It’s almost miraculous how such wild tonal swings don’t break the immersion of the game. Instead, they provide much-needed respite from the ins and outs of a bloody, morally charged tale about family, betrayal, colonialism, democracy, and revolution unlike anything …"

"Kazuma Kiryu&s;s lineage is ever present even as the streets of Kamurocho are swapped for the well-traveled streets of Kyo at a time when American influence was only starting to reach Japan. Despite being a period piece set during the …"

"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 …"

"Like a Dragon: Ishin is a near-perfect package for fans of the series. It weaves an intriguing tale founded in historical events that has you hooked from the very start and eager to learn more at the very end. There’s …"

"A welcome novelty and throwback for long-time Yakuza fans, that offers everything they love about the series, although it&s;s held back by a rather underwhelming plot and too much fan service."

"Although Like A Dragon: Ishin is dated in some respects, the gripping drama and spirit of Yakuza makes for an enticing historical fiction."

"Like a Dragon: Ishin! is an essential entry in the franchise, and it&s;s finally available for us to play."

"An action-packed and emotionally-charged adventure through a breathtaking period in Japanese history."

"Though Like a Dragon Ishin! is rough around the corners, its complex story and rich world with an abundance of side adventures are well worth the cost of admission. The game’s reinterpretation of Japan’s Bakumatsu period is a transporting experience …"

"The wait has been worth it: Like a Dragon: Ishin! is another great instalment in RGG Studio&s;s series. An often gripping story is made even better by the game&s;s historical leanings, while a rewardingly intricate combat system gives the gameplay …"

"You can&s;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, it leans into its strengths and irons …"

"Like a Dragon: Ishin&s;s timeless story and accessibility options make up for some of its outdated gameplay."

"Like a Dragon: Ishin! is an enjoyable and interesting spin-off from the Yakuza series, but not an essential one."

"Like a Dragon: Ishin! is a remastered blast from the past that will appeal to longtime Yakuza fans, but a dated design and some bugs make the game feel rough around the edges."