Like a Dragon: Ishin is an action-adventure historical thriller set uniquely in 1860s Kyo, a fictionalized version of Kyoto. While other games tell earlier stories in Japanese history, Ishin lets you experience the story of how the iconic samurai era vanished. Our hero, Sakamoto Ryoma, is a true historical figure largely credited with overthrowing the shogunate and taking Japan into a radical reformation.

Like a Dragon: Ishin brings in familiar faces to tell this epic historical tale. Fans will recognize our protagonist as Kazuma Kiryu from earlier entries in the franchise. In Ishin, Kiryu is cast as Sakamoto Ryoma and brings the rest of his crew along too. Goro Majima and other Yakuza celebrities join Ryoma as friends and foes in this fictional world that trades the flashy streets of Tokyo for the chaotic bustle of 1860s Kyo. These new character dynamics are as thrilling as they are unexpected, with a series of mind-blowing twists and turns in a story only RGG studio can tell.

In Ishin, you can slash through foes with a lethal blade using the Swordsman style or sharpshoot your enemies with a revolver using the Gunman style. Better yet, wield both a gun and sword and enter a fury with the Wild Dancer style. And when you’re feeling extra brutal, smash some skulls with your bare fists using the Brawler style.

But that’s not all. It wouldn’t be an RGG Studio title without epically absurd heat actions. Summon a tiger to maul your foes, shove pickled plums down your enemies’ throats, and wield a whole cannon to blow down opponents. The heat actions in Ishin will leave you itching to uncover new moves at every stage of the game.

SEGA and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio will launch a free to download Like a Dragon: Ishin! Combat Demo later today, which will be downloadable on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.

Until March 20, Xbox and PlayStation players who subscribe to the SEGA newsletter will also receive access to two exclusive in-game weapons upon the game’s release: the Bonechewer Katana and the Waterdrop Katana. 

The Combat Demo for Like a Dragon: Ishin! will let aspiring samurai explore two action-packed segments of the game. Players can face off against enemies at Kiyomizu Temple, and then go toe to toe with three armored warriors.

Like a Dragon: Ishin! is the first title from RGG studio to be built on Unreal Engine 4, bringing astounding graphical quality to the Like a Dragon franchise. Developing on Unreal Engine 4 has unlocked new textures and other graphical details that make Ishin’s gripping story one of the most cinematic tales in RGG history.

From exquisite minigame content to unique in-game features that immerse you in the historically accurate world of Kyo, the best is yet to come.

Key Features:

• Over the top action and diverse weaponry: Engage in visceral combat that combines feudal-era firearms and swords as players switch between four different combat styles: Swordsman, Gunman, Wild Dancer and Brawler. A deep roster of varied weaponry marks the historic transition between classic sword fighting and modern armed warfare as players train and upgrade skills to unlock even more powerful abilities.
• Historical samurai epic: An optional in-game glossary supplements context to the historical basis of the people, places, and events featured within Like a Dragon: Ishin! 
• Old meets new: Like a Dragon: Ishin! expands upon its 2014 Japan-exclusive predecessor with localization support, all-new content, exquisitely remastered graphics and enhanced capabilities for modern platforms in Unreal Engine 4.

Purchase options

All digital pre-orders come with three bonus legendary weapons: the Kijinmaru Kunishige katana, Black Ship Cannons and Tsuyano Usukurenai legendary katana. Pre-orders for the Digital Deluxe edition on all platforms grant five days of early access starting February 17.

• Standard Edition - $59.99
  • Digital copy of Like a Dragon: Ishin! 
• Digital Deluxe Edition - $69.99
  • Digital copy of Like a Dragon: Ishin! 
  • Early access starting February 17.
  • Six unique DLC that expand Ryoma’s cosmetics, weaponry, challenges and more. 
    • Shinsengumi Captain’s Set
    • Ryoma Growth Support Kit
    • Sword Upgrade Materials Kit
    • Gun Upgrade Materials Kit
    • Third Division Armament Expansion Kit
    • The Dragon of Dojima Skin
    • An additional three weapons to help you trailblaze the road to revolution:
      • Kijinmaru Kunishige, a dark sword with a white hilt
      • Bloody Sheen, a sword soaked in blood
      • Black Ship Cannon, a cannon taken from Western ships

Like A Dragon: Ishin! is coming to PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and PC (Steam) in February 21, 2023.