Name: Like a Dragon: Ishin!
Item: Like a Dragon: Ishin!
Rating: 4
Author: Philip Tauschek

I have never played any of the Yakuza games. And since this is a spin-off, I couldn't say that this is my first Yakuza game. 

But did I enjoy it? Honestly, I couldn't. Its got some fun content in it such as the fishing mini-games or cutting wood, but the dialogue and combat is just excruciatingly slow and outdated. Its definitely like playing a soap opera.

Combat is so outdated. No auto-target so you tend to strike or evade in wrong paths ending up on a vulnerable or open position.

Also, combat is screwed over. There's a reason why Sakamoto Ryoma (the dude on the cover) is wielding a gun. Because the game is trying to tell you that the gun is OP. You gotta use it if you want to steamroll most of the content. I can clear rooms filled with ronin with my 7 shooter. All I gotta do is get some distance and just blast away. The gun doesn't even have a reload, so you can just mow anyone down by just spamming.

I wont spoil the story. Its just like any vengeance plot that you come across on most action soap-opera out there. 

Characters are memorable but the dialogue with them can be frustratingly boring and repetitive. 

The mini-games act like a break from the main content but it can get boring fast.

All in all, I did enjoy the game on the earlier parts but as I got closer to the end, I just wanted it to end.

Do I recommend Like a Dragon: Ishin! ?  Not really. I suggest you get it on sale. And if you got GamePass, its worth a try.

Like a Dragon: Ishin!

Like a Dragon: Ishin!

Player Score

Philip Tauschek