Like a Dragon: Ishin is the Yakuza remake fans didn’t know they wanted

There’s already so much Yakuza action to look forward to within the next two years. We finally got our first details on the eighth entry in the now-renamed Like a Dragon series, and a spinoff focused on the continuing adventures of Kazuma Kiryu entitled Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name is also on the way.

But what many Yakuza fans couldn’t have seen coming is a remake of one of the more elusive games in the series: Ryū ga Gotoku Ishin! The Japan-exclusive spin-off has been a white whale for the Yakuza community for a while. Fans have demanded a localized version for the West, but until now, it was only a pipe dream.

Like a Dragon: Ishin! is a full remake of the game for modern systems. The game transports the world of Yakuza back into the 1860s with a whole new set of characters and storylines to deal with. And eager fans can finally sink their teeth into this title when it launches next February.

See the reveal trailer below, courtesy of SEGA:

What Yakuza fans know about Like a Dragon: Ishin! so far

As with the original game, Ishin takes place far before the events of previous Yakuza games, right at the end of the Edo period in Kyo, Japan. Players take control of Sakamoto Ryōma, a samurai on the hunt of the assassin of his mentor. Through a combination of traditional Japanese swordsmanship and firepower in the form of old-time revolvers, you’ll battle plenty of thugs and miscreants on the streets of Japan.

With this Ishin remake, Yakuza fans finally have the coveted spinoff they’ve been asking for. However, it’s not in a form many expected, as most have called for a simple localization. Still, with Like a Dragon 8 and Gaiden on the way in addition to Ishin, it’s safe to say that Yakuza lovers have a buffet of great titles to look forward to.

Will you be picking up Like a Dragon: Ishin! when it launches in February 2023? Let us know!

Via GamesRadar+.