The Yakuza hierarchy is swapped for the samurai strata in Like a Dragon: Ishin!
Whoever is playing all the content that the Yakuza saga has released in recent years is sure to be enjoying it like never before. From compilations, remastered versions and even new deliveries, Any content that Ryu ga Gotoku Studio touches turns to gold. The same happens with the spin-offs. We have already seen how well alternative histories such as Judgement and now the company, due to the boom and good recognition that its saga has finally achieved, dares to launch more special proposals. This is the case that today we have to analyze with Like a Dragon: Were!. A title that in the first instance did not leave Japan, but today it opens its borders in an improved version in many aspects that we will detail below.
an alternate history
Although the faces we will see will be very familiar to any Yakuza fan, Like a Dragon: Ishin! It transports us to a different time and with a radically different history. To begin with, the entire plot will begin in the year 1867, in an arc known as the it was Bakumatsu, right in the last bars of the Edo shogunate. A troubled period, where peace is disrupted by several revolutions that are shaking the very conservative cultural foundations of Japan. On the one hand, the first firearms arrive on the island, intermingling with the classic combat with spears and katanas. And on the other hand, the social strata are also compromisedsince many of its citizens do not want to continue living in misery and poverty while a few get rich at their expense.
In this adventure in feudal Japan we will control Sakamoto Ryoma, un ronin de Tosa that he will seek revenge when a murderer kills his father. Unfortunately for him, he is charged with the murder and must flee to Kyoto to avoid arrest. In this city, he will have to look for clues that lead him to the real murderer, and apart from taking another identity to go unnoticed, You must enter the Shinsengumi, a special force from the city where the person guilty of the homicide is possibly.
You will become a samurai… both in body and soul
It should be said that, despite the appearance and personality of the characters are what we associate with the Yakuza saga, This installment is detached from everything we know. Each of the protagonists that will appear have different names, completely different roles in the game, and other purposes that are very different from those of the original saga. It’s more, Like a Dragon: Ishin! It collects names and actual historical facts based on the Edo period. All this adapted so that the title has a certain coherence and adding the absurd and humorous facets to which we are accustomed.
The documentation that the game has is brutal. Not only by the real names mentioned above. As it happens in the original saga, the terminology, the division of classes and behaviors at that time is perfectly reflected in the title. From the mentality and exclusion of the ronin, the fame that the ghosi of the time had, those who supported the emperor and those most related to the Bakufu… Little by little Like a Dragon: Ishin! It gets you into its cultural side in a way that few titles do.
Secrets around the corner
The bases of its playable mechanics are very similar to what has been seen in other installments. Basically we will have to move through the streets of Kyoto solving the main plot, while we carry out other activities or secondary missions by the way. And it is very interesting how they have implemented these mini-games at a time that, a priori, has less entertainment than Kamurocho itself.
There will be everything. From a kind of karaoke with songs of the time, to a Buyo dance school going through chicken races or cooking typical dishes of the time. Without forgetting the dojos where you can learn new combat techniques or the restaurants where you can taste a good warm miso. In addition, at one point in the adventure we will obtain our own place of residence where we can have our small garden, adopt dogs, cats and a host of other tools to take care of at our own pace.
Influencer en Like a Dragon: They were
The secondary missions will continue to be the “sauce” that seasons the entire game. While the main plot is more serious and sober, It will be in the sub-missions where we will see the funniest (or tenderest, as the case may be) facet of Sakamoto Ryoma. Without wanting to spoil anything, I’ll just say that the moments in the bathrooms are brutal…
As we complete this series of tasks, or visit food establishments and objects, we will be gaining a link with the villagers. As the affinity with the inhabitants grows, we will obtain prizes and rewards, so we better be sociable to get the most help and bonuses.
Where you put the eye… you put the sword
Where we find the most difference for reasons of the story is in combat. There will be four aspects to develop. the facet racketeer it will be the most familiar, since he will use his fists and kicks in a very similar way to what we have seen in contemporary Kiryu. on the slope swordsman we will become an expert in the use of the sword, being the most complete combat branch. For a ranged attack, we can use our ability to gunslinger to put an end to lead based bandits. Finally, there is a slope called wild dancer where sword and gun attacks merge.
There is a greater depth in the fighting. While in the Yakuza saga we could win the fights by pounding the buttons without control, in Like a Dragon: Ishin! we need some control. We will have to know when to attack, dodge blows or stop them with our sword. They will be longer matches, and many times they will put us in a real bind.
Relaxing in Kyoto
To go as prepared as possible, we will have no choice but to improve our skills. There will be four skill trees, one for each combat style. that we will have to fill in to learn new movements, get more life, strength or fury. If that’s not enough, We can always visit the blacksmith and craft new weapons or improvements. It seems strange to me to do these actions, since in no original installment have I had to resort to improving my team to defeat the thugs on duty. All this conglomeration of situations makes Like a Dragon: Ishin! be a slower game, to enjoy calmly and unhurriedly to complete each chapter.
Dojima Dragon Sweat
Visually there is a significant graphic leap compared to the original delivery. Although we are not facing the visual section that we have witnessed in Yakuza 7: Like a Dragon, in my opinion it is better than what was seen in Yakuza: Kiwami. It gives me the feeling that there is more emphasis to better recreate the animations, and then there is a certain technical drop when we begin to wander through its streets and squares. However, I insist that it looks very good, and both during the day, as in its sunsets or illuminated moments at night, it has memorable prints.
It still has bugs, and where the seams are most visible is in combat. Despite being a more refined version of the original saga, there are still problems when it comes to hitting. Especially when there is more than one enemy on the screen, where the precision when aiming at a fixed target is conspicuous by its absence. A small bump that absolutely tarnishes the final result or the fun it offers.
Finally, it should be mentioned that Like a Dragon: Shine! comes translated into Spanish, and in a superb way. They have localized expressions, slang and ways of speaking in a very commendable way, and it suits you wonderfully. Expressions of wonder like “Jesus, Mary and Joseph!” insults and other types of talks are much more enjoyed in our language.
Conclusion of Like a Dragon: Ishin!
What Ryu ga Gotoku Studio touches turns into gold, and this proposal is no exception. This adventure starring the Yakuza characters takes us to a radically different historical arc, with a change that affects not only the aesthetics, but also the plot, characters, and even the way of fighting. Visiting Kyoto is wonderful, and although it seems impossible, there are plenty of activities to do, people to interact with, and restaurants to visit. All without losing the sociocultural context that surrounds its streets.
The combat, despite being deeper than other installments, may not end up working as well as it should. Especially when there are groups of enemies on the screen. The difficulty in the confrontations has also increased, and it is that you have to know how to defend yourself, attack and counteract the enemy’s attacks. This makes the crafting to improve swords, weapons and derivatives increase, being an adventure that should be taken more slowly, looking for materials and improving the level of Sakamoto Ryoma.
If you like the Yakuza saga, don’t hesitate to get this installment. It is a different turn of events, a full-fledged spin-off, but with the tragic and comic essence that we have seen in the original saga. A roller coaster of situations, which go from the deepest drama to the most absurd ridicule. All in addition, with a very accomplished facelift and with texts in Spanish, so as not to lose detail of the dialogues.
Like a Dragon: Were!
59.99€
Pros
- The cultural trip to the Edo period is impressive
- Lots of tasks to complete, and a captivating story
- Localized to our language in a brutal way
Cons
- Some textures are conspicuous by their absence
- Control in combat is still a problem…
- There will be people who do not want to waste time crafting and improving weapons