This is set to be an exciting year for theLike a Dragonfranchise. If all goes to plan, Ryu Ga Gotoku’s popular series - formerly known asYakuza- should release two new spin-off games:Like a Dragon: Ishin!, andLike a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name.Fans are also hopeful that more details emerge regarding the next mainline entry in the series,Like a Dragon 8, which has a tentative release date of 2024.
Like a Dragon: Ishin!takes the series to the mid-19th century, during Japan’s Bakumatsu period. A remake of the PS3 and PS4 title that was never released outside of Japan,Ishin!has long been called for by western fans of the series.Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Nameis set to bridge the gap betweenYakuza 6: The Song of Life, andYakuza: Like a Dragon, filling in the blanks in thetimeline for the series' long-time protagonist Kazuma Kiryu.
RELATED:Like a Dragon: Ishin’s Place on the Timeline Explained
What to Expect From Like a Dragon: Ishin!
Initially released in 2014,Like a Dragon: Ishin!tells the story of Sakamoto Ryoma (who looks suspiciously like Kazuma Kiryu) as he navigates the political pitfalls of feudal Japan. Using the familiar faces ofLike a Dragon’s cast of characters,Ishin!places each of them in alternative historical roles. This remake has been built from the ground up, using Unreal Engine 4 to replace Ryu Ga Gotoku’s Dragon Engine - which the developer hopes will lead to a polished experience. Plenty of gameplay footage has already been revealed, showing off faster, smoother combat in which the player is able to use swords, fists, and even guns to overcome their opponents.
The game’s story is expected to remain mostly unchanged, and the decision to finally bring it to the west was based on a combination of the successful releases of similar titles likeGhost of Tsushimaalongside theLike a Dragonseries' growing popularity. With the game set to release next month, there may be a final hands-on preview in the next couple of weeks. ShouldLike a Dragon: Ishin!perform well, Ryu Ga Gotokucould look to remake other spin-offs in the series, notablyYakuza: Dead Souls, a bizarre blend ofLike a Dragon’s characters with a third-person zombie shooter.
What to Expect From Like a Dragon: Gaiden
AfterYakuza 6: The Song of Lifeseemingly brought Kazuma Kiryu’s story to an end,Yakuza: Like a Dragonintroduced Ichiban Kasuga as the series' next protagonist. Many assumed this meant Kiryu’s involvement in proceedings had come to a conclusion, even when he briefly returned in the seventh installment to aid Ichiban and his friends on their quest. To everyone’s surprise, this is not the case, and Kiryu’s presence in the franchise is far from over. Not only was it revealed thatKiryu would be the joint protagonist inLike a Dragon 8, he is also getting another spin-off that dives deeper into his story.Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Namewill explain Kiryu’s whereabouts between the conclusion ofYakuza 6and his appearance inYakuza: Like a Dragon.
Aside from a short announcement trailer and this synopsis, not much is known about the new Kiryu-centric spin-off. The release ofIshin!in February should see a shift in marketing focus from Ryu Ga Gotoku, and it is likely the developer will begin to unveilmore details aboutLike a Dragon Gaidenas the year goes on, including gameplay footage and more story details.
Yakuza: Like a Dragonmoved away from the action-brawler combat that the series had become synonymous with, instead utilizing a turn-based system. Such was this new system’s success that the developer has confirmed it will be used inLike a Dragon 8,too.Like a Dragon Gaidenwill revert to the real-time beat ‘em up mechanics of previous installments, ensuring fans of both diversifying systems should be somewhat catered for. With thespin-off seriesJudgementalso featuring real-time action, the future ofLike a Dragonlooks to be in good hands.
RELATED:Assassin’s Creed Mirage and Yakuza’s Like a Dragon Gaiden Set a Great Precedent
What to Expect From Like a Dragon 8 in 2023
For fans of the franchise, the reveal ofLike a Dragon 8was particularly exciting as both Kazuma Kiryu and Ichiban Kasuga were confirmed to be protagonists. This unexpected development could lead to some intriguing possibilities, especially as the game will continue to develop and evolve its new turn-based combat system. Having Kiryu and Ichiban both present as lead characters should create an interestingstudent-teacher dynamic inLike a Dragon 8, but at this stage very little is known about how it will actually work.
A case could be made for the two to have separate adventures, perhaps even letting the playermanaging two separate parties withinLike a Dragon 8, similar to howYakuza Zerobalanced its protagonists, but this would feel like a missed opportunity. Ryu Ga Gotoku should use the opportunity to allow Kiryu to properly pass the torch to Ichiban, imparting the knowledge and wisdom that Kiryu has accumulated over many years of adversity and turmoil.
While the game isn’t due to be released until next year,Like a Dragon 8is confirmed to be the biggest entry in the series yet, and 2023 should shed much more light on its components. The second half of the year in particular could see trailers and hopefully even some gameplay footage of Kiryu and Ichiban in action. Fans of the franchise certainly have much to look forward to this year, and 2023 could be one of the biggest years inLike a Dragon’s history.
Like a Dragon: Ishinreleases June 08, 2025, for PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
Like a Dragon: GaidenandLike a Dragon 8are currently in development.
MORE:Like a Dragon Gaiden May be the Most Important Entry in the Franchise Yet
