sports news More than anything like GTA, here are 4 reasons to check out this action-adventure game set in feudal Japan
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The Yakuza saga is back in 2023. On February 21st, Ryu Ga Gotoku Studios is releasing a remake of a legendary episode that never officially arrived on our shores. Sometimes comparisons are made (rightly or wrongly) to Grand Theft Auto, a franchise published by SEGA and the more recent Like a Dragon named Japanese GTA-like in comparison. Here are 4 reasons to wait for the spin-off Ishin!
Summary
- remake of a mythological episode
- The “fictional” history of Japan
- way of the samurai
- Authentic “Like a Dragon” flavor
remake of a mythological episode
To say that the Feudal spin-off of the Like a Dragon saga was being expected in the west would be an understatement. Ishin! And to some extent Kenzan! Marked by their absence in our areas. The announcement of the previously mentioned remake ahead of Tokyo Game Show 2022 thrilled insider circles caused by Kazuma Kiryu, Ichiban Kasuga and the Tojo clan. In 2023, Ryu Ga Gotoku and SEGA are offering fans of the license… Like a Dragon: Isshin!.
This cult episode was released on PS3 and PS4 in 2014 and is only available in France in the import returns to the stage as a remake a decade later. The Japanese studio offers a global overhaul of the spin-off of the same name, this time developed under Unreal Engine 4 It’s all rooted in a visual and playful approach. The overhaul of the graphics is notable, and the same goes for the gameplay, especially the combat system, which still retains a certain stiffness inherited from its illustrious model.
The “fictional” history of Japan
The Like a Dragon saga (formerly Yakuza here – you’ll have to get used to it) has always been an open window on contemporary Japan. With the exception of Yakuza Zero: Place of the Oath and Kiwami, Returning to the past was in a certain sense forbidden. However, Kenzan! And Ishin! dared to defy this “prohibition” in 2008 and 2014, respectively. His plots set in a fictional feudal Japan again mixed fantasy and historical reality for an epic time in the era of the samurai.
Like Dragon: Ishin! Under the Bakumatsu era begins in the late 1860s, and this date is not insignificant. In contrast, 1867 is the point of no return for Japan of this period … The Twilight of the Samurai. Ryu Ga Gotoku Studios’ title comes again, not entirely without a touch of fantasy fiction, Ryoma Sakamoto’s Busy LifeOne of the main leaders of the political upheavals that shook Japanese society in the 19th century. Ishin! In , the player assumes the guise of another icon in the history of Japan, a historical figure, this time in video game form, Kazuma Kiryu aka The Dragon of Dojima. Indeed, the screenwriters are inspired by the history of the Land of the Rising Sun, draw some key events from it and dress everything with “yakuza sauce” with the mantra “having fun while learning”.
way of the samurai
The franchise’s history is littered with confrontations, each more epic than the other, that have become a trademark of the Japanese studio. Even the change to the turn-based system – “yakuza” games have historically been controversial – managed to retain the essence of the saga, namely wacky, technical and 100% uninhibited combat as much as anything big on violence. as well. Like Dragon: Ishin! Goes back to the origins of the series, and updates many of the confrontations and other boss fights, all experienced in real time. Nevertheless, this remake, set in 19th century Japan, fully embraces the era in which it is set.
Spin-off Ishin! Gives pride of place to combat with bladed weapons (katana, spear, etc.) and firearms. Ryoma Sakamoto sets out to avenge the murder of his mentor and father figure by switching between four styles with different attacks and different abilities. Firebrand, Shooter, Crazy Dancer and Brawler. This includes episodic actions called “heat actions” to defeat “yakuza style” or special attacks depending on the style selected. Finally, our protagonist can rely on various so-called “light-RPG” mechanics to power up throughout the adventure. Among the various skill trees, the creation-improvement of weapons and equipment or the military system that we will let you discover in due course, there is enough to preside over Ryoma Sakamoto’s destiny.
Authentic “Like a Dragon” flavor
A game stamped like a dragon would be only a shadow of itself without some of the prerequisites that have characterized the saga since its debut on the PlayStation 2 in 2005. Ryu Ga Gotoku Studios’ productions differ from Rockstar’s (Grand Theft Auto) adventure games in their highly descriptive vision, urban areas reproduced at 1:1 scale and their “over the top” approach to gameplay. . Beyond epic battles, like Dragon: Ishin! There are a multitude of mini-games (karaoke, chicken race, dancing, brothels, etc.), but also “what the fuck” secondary missions that make this a unique experience like no other in the modern video game landscape.
The remake also revisits its own story to integrate new characters, all adventures from canonical episodes of the franchise. The saga’s emblematic figures thus make a notable appearance, including Ichiban Kasuga (Yakuza: Like a Dragon), in one way or another (main campaign, side quests, soldiers, etc.). Ishin! is full of cameos that will please fans of the license or introduce cult characters to neophytes. Finally, like a dragon can only shine in an open world that “faithfully” reproduces a city, this time Kyo (real name Kyoto) from the 1860s, its exploration remains enjoyable. Feudal Japan has such an allure that it’s hard not to fall for it.
Like Dragon: Ishin! Will be released on February 21, 2023, on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
