Ishin vs Yakuza: What Should Fans Expect from the Historical Title?

The revered Like a Dragon franchise has always - and we do mean always - been on the quirkier side of gaming. For all its poignancy, drama, and the protagonists' own self-discovery... there's ridiculousness aplenty. And, for what it's worth, a Yakuza game wouldn't really be a true Yakuza game if it didn't have both of these features in ample quantities. Now that we've got Like a Dragon: Ishin! slated to launch very soon, we wanted to see how a potential Ishin vs Yakuza comparison might hold up!

After all, the game is a total novelty on PC. Though it is a remake of a 2014 title, PC gamers might not have any idea what to expect out of the game and whether it's meaningfully different from, say, Yakuza 0. That's what we're here to explain, though!

READ MORE: Why Like a Dragon: Ishin! is So Exciting for PC Gamers

Ishin vs Yakuza: What Makes The Historical Title Special?

Ishin vs Yakuza: Article Pic 3

As Yakuza fans will already know, there was a time that RGG studio was going all-in on wacky approaches to Yakuza. There was a zombie apocalypse Yakuza game by a different SEGA studio, for one! Earlier still, though, in 2007, there was Ryu ga Gotoku Kenzan, which was the franchise's first foray into non-modern settings. Kenzan, keep in mind, takes place about two centuries before 2014's original Ishin title, meaning that the two are unrelated in anything but concept and execution.

In all the ways that matter, Like a Dragon: Ishin! was the superior title. Featuring the classic revenge story that's become emblematic of the franchise, albeit adapted for the game's Edo period setting, Ishin delivers all the key beats of a true, contemporary Yakuza title in a different format. It's immediately worth pointing out that the characters - though they do look like Yakuza protagonists and share their general moral disposition - have nothing to do with their modern-day parallels. Ishin is a standalone experience in every way, aside from its gameplay and mechanics.

Yakuza fans on PC should, therefore, have a solid idea of what's to come on February 21 already! Not everything is as one might expect, though.

Get Like a Dragon: Ishin! via 2Game to get our pre-release discount!

How Does Like a Dragon: Ishin! Stand Out?

As all the swords and guns may imply, Ishin doesn't take any prisoners. It's a brutal, violent game - significantly more so than the majority of baseline Yakuza experiences. This makes perfect sense, though, because the game's very subtitle - Ishin - refers to the Edo period's Meiji Restoration. This was a time of substantial social and political turmoil. While the protagonist - Ryoma - does have a revenge quest all of his own, his adventure is contextualized by the true-to-form dynamics of the era, and the violence and the killing are given.

It makes sense, then, that the specifics of the game's tackled politics are a bit heavier as well. Ryoma's mentor, Tōyō, is in the middle of attempting to dismantle the Edo period's rigid social class system when he gets assassinated, for one. The matters of one's social status, justice, and political subterfuge stretch through much of Ishin's narrative, and whereas much of the mainline Yakuza titles' stories are relatively self-contained and focused on local matters, Ishin goes well beyond that.

There are notable combat changes, too!

True enough, the general gameplay loop of Ishin will be familiar to anyone who's played Yakuza in the past. Yet, there are meaningful changes and upgrades in place as well. Players will leverage a classic roster of four disparate combat styles against enemies found in one of Yakuza's biggest open-world environments yet. These reflect whether the player wishes to use a sword or a gun, for the most part, but the introduction of special Trooper Cards is quite unlike anything else.

Trooper Cards are essentially extremely powerful one-off attacks inspired by other characters from the game and, indeed, pop media. Players can expect to see streamers, historical figures, Yakuza characters, Ishin characters, and WWE fighters here, just to list a few examples.

And, if you're wondering whether the game has enough combat to warrant such a big upgrade, the answer is - yes. There's a bunch of combat-related side-content available in Ishin, but the most important of it all is arguably the Battle Dungeon, where Trooper Cards will come in extremely handy.

Are There Mini-Games?

Ishin vs Yakuza: Article Pic 1

But, what would a Yakuza title be without mini-games? Those who want a new, fresh experience will be thrilled to hear that Ishin comes with its own set of unique side activities. Revealed examples include (but are not limited to):

Some do repeat from previous titles - true enough. Others, however, you'll find nowhere else. In fact, one of the most promising side activities coming with Ishin is the gardening mini-game. Reports indicate that the feature is almost as deep and engaging as dedicated farming games get, which is extremely exciting if you're a veteran Yakuza fan.

Is Like a Dragon: Ishin! A True Yakuza Game?

It shouldn't be hard to come to the obvious conclusion, considering all of the above: Ishin is, indeed, a Yakuza game. Or, rather, a Like a Dragon game, as the franchise has now adopted its official moniker in lieu of its translated title. SEGA and RGG are bound to deliver everything we've come to know and love from the IP over the years. The developer's track record does not lie, after all.

The most important differences we've outlined above, and mainly relate to the general vibe of the game. It promises a slightly grittier, more dire experience that still doesn't take itself too seriously for its own good. The biggest shift is certainly the game's 19th-century setting, and all the other bits are derived from this major change in tone.

In other words, if you're a Yakuza fan and want a true-to-form game that hits all the right beats... well, February 21 is very close indeed, isn't it? Stay tuned for more on Ishin - right here at 2Game!

CHECK OUT: Top 10 PC Gaming Classics to Replay in 2023

The revered Like a Dragon franchise has always – and we do mean always – been on the quirkier side of gaming. For all its poignancy, drama, and the protagonists’ own self-discovery… there’s ridiculousness aplenty. And, for what it’s worth, a Yakuza game wouldn’t really be a true Yakuza game if it didn’t have both of these features […]