Like a Dragon: Ishin! is worth considering if you want a character-led historical action game with stylish sword combat and the series’ mix of drama and comic diversions. Reviews are less enthusiastic about its gunplay, some side activities, and parts of its exploration. It is a Bakumatsu-era spin-off—not a contemporary crime story or a dependable history lesson.
What is Like a Dragon: Ishin! about?
SEGA sets the game in Bakumatsu-era Kyo, with Sakamoto Ryoma at the center of a fictionalized historical story. Rather than revisit the series’ familiar modern crime settings, Ishin! recasts its action and diversions in 19th-century Japan. The setting gives the game a different atmosphere, while its blend of serious drama and comic moments remains recognizable to series players.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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SEGA Like a Dragon: Ishin! | $16.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Like a Dragon: Ishin! - Xbox Series X | $39.97 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Like a Dragon: Ishin! - Xbox Series X (Renewed) | $30.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Like a Dragon: ISHIN! (Xbox One / Xbox Series X) | $79.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth (Xbox One / Xbox Series X) | $74.99 | Buy on Amazon |
SEGA’s launch announcement lists the game for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows, and Steam. It launched in February 2023; the announcement gives February 22, while the Steam and US PlayStation listings show February 21. See SEGA’s launch announcement, the Steam listing, and the US PlayStation listing for platform-specific details.
What do reviews praise?
Story and performances
The central story and performances are among the strongest points in the reviews. GameSpot’s 2023 review rates the game 8/10 and describes it as a period piece that brings series-style action together with comic diversions. That score represents GameSpot’s assessment, not an aggregate rating; the review page says SEGA provided review code. Read GameSpot’s review.
#1 Best Overall
- 1860s Kyo is plagued by widespread inequality, and one samurai will change the course of history in his search for justice.
- Take up the sword of Sakamoto Ryoma and venture to Kyoto to find your father’s killer, clear yourself of a framed murder, and restore your honor
- Draw your blade, load your revolver, and join the revolution in this heated historical adventure that only the creators of Yakuza: Like a Dragon could produce.
Sword-focused action
IGN highlights the sword fighting alongside the story. For players who enjoy close-range action, sword combat is a more convincing draw than the game’s firearms. IGN’s review was based on the PS5 version, so its assessment should not be treated as a platform-wide technical comparison. Read IGN’s review.
A different historical atmosphere
PC Gamer points to the fresh historical theme and strong performances, as well as the appeal of the city activities and substories. Its caveat for longtime fans is that the fun can feel familiar: the setting changes, but the series’ established mix of action and diversions is still present. Read PC Gamer’s review.
Rank #2
- Become Sakamoto Ryoma, a low-ranking samurai on a quest to avenge his adoptive father and overthrow the samurai
- Overpower your enemies with four gun and sword combat styles
- Use the most legendary battle moves of the era—heat actions will let you summon a tiger and overwhelm your enemies with the sour taste of pickled plums
- Experience the historical epic with a star-studded cast featuring Nishikiyama, Majima, and other Yakuza celebrities
- Find epic weapons of the era to slice and pierce your foes
What are the main drawbacks?
Gunplay is less satisfying
IGN criticizes the gunplay, creating a notable contrast with its praise for sword fighting. If firearms are a major part of what you want from an action game, that review suggests tempering expectations.
Some side activities and substories are weaker
IGN finds some optional activities less engaging, and its assessment of substories is less favorable than the strongest impressions associated with later franchise entries. PC Gamer, by contrast, sees city activities and substories as part of the game’s appeal. Together, those views suggest the optional content may depend more on your appetite for the series’ familiar diversions than on a uniformly strong set of side stories.
The Tool Desk
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- Become Sakamoto Ryoma, a low-ranking samurai on a quest to avenge his adoptive father and overthrow the samurai
- Overpower your enemies with four gun and sword combat styles
- Use the most legendary battle moves of the era—heat actions will let you summon a tiger and overwhelm your enemies with the sour taste of pickled plums
- Experience the historical epic with a star-studded cast featuring Nishikiyama, Majima, and other Yakuza celebrities
- Find epic weapons of the era to slice and pierce your foes
Exploration can feel less distinctive
IGN describes some areas as bland. The period setting offers a change from the series’ best-known urban environments, but a historical backdrop alone does not make every part of the world equally compelling to explore.
Is Like a Dragon: Ishin! a good fit for you?
| What you want | What the reviews suggest |
|---|---|
| A dramatic historical story | A strong match: reviewers praise the central story and performances. |
| Sword-based action | A strong match: IGN praises the sword fighting. |
| Gunplay as a major draw | A weaker match: IGN criticizes the gunplay. |
| Consistently compelling side content | A less certain match: reviewers differ on the appeal of activities and substories, and IGN finds some less engaging. |
| Distinctive exploration throughout | A less certain match: IGN says some areas feel bland. |
| A fresh experience for an established series fan | Mixed: the historical theme is fresh, but PC Gamer notes that the fun can feel familiar. |
Platforms, subtitles, and what to check before buying
The game is listed for PlayStation, Xbox, and PC. Dates differ by listing: SEGA’s announcement gives February 22, 2023, while Steam and the US PlayStation page give February 21, 2023. The US PlayStation listing says subtitles cover the main story and main characters only; check the listing for your region before relying on that localization detail. The ESRB has a title-specific rating entry; consult it directly for current rating descriptors.
Rank #4
- Experience up close battles that combine firearms and swords from the feudal era as you switch between 4 different battle styles
- Like a Dragon: Ishin! is an extension of the 2014 exclusive Japanese predecessor with localization support
- Completely new content, exquisitely revised graphics, and improved possibilities for modern platforms in the Unreal Engine 4
- An optional in-game glossary adds context to the historical foundations of the people, places, and events in Like a Dragon: Ishin!
Check the platform storefront you intend to use for the current regional listing, edition, language details, and availability. Prices, sale status, inventory, and complete edition contents are not established here.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Destiny brings two legendary heroes together, or is it a more ominous force...?
- Experience uniquely dynamic, turn-based fast-paced battles. Use the battlefield as your weapon, because everything is possible here
- Go wild in Japan and explore Hawaii or vice versa, because in this huge adventure you cross the Pacific
- Memorable moments await every corner
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