Like A Dragon: Ishin is the newest title in the Yakuza line of games. Though this one isn't set in modern Japan, instead, it is a story told using real figures from Japanese history. That's right, despite looking a whole lot like Kiryu, Ishin's protagonist is, in fact, the famed Sakamoto Ryoma.
While Like A Dragon: Ishin is certainly an exciting title, it is also a bit of a confusing one. It seemingly has two release dates, it is a remake of a game that most people in the west had never heard of (and even fewer had the ability to play), and even the DLC is squirreled away. This FAQ guide is here to help you navigate this fantastic game's release and answer all your burning questions.
Updated March 12, 2023: We were seeing a little confusion crop up around the topic of lucky prize tickets. So, we added a section clarifying what they are used for, and where to use them.
FAQ
Q: When Does Like A Dragon: Ishin Release?
So, technically, the official release date for Like A Dragon: Ishin is February 22nd. However, if you buy the Digital Deluxe version of the game you get early access to Yakuza Ishin on the 17th.
Q: What Are The Different Versions Of Like A Dragon: Ishin?
Like A Dragon: Ishin is releasing on the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, the Xbox Series line of consoles, and on Steam. There are two versions available: the standard version, and the Digital Deluxe version.
The Digital Deluxe edition of the game comes with the following pieces of additional content...
- 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
If you want the physical copy of the game, but also want this additional content, you can purchase it separately. However, it will cost slightly more than if you had just purchased the Digital Deluxe edition.
Q: Is Like A Dragon: Ishin Crossbuy On The Playstation Line Of Consoles?
Yes! If you buy one version of the game then you gain access to the other as well.
Q: Is There Additional DLC That Isn't Included In The Deluxe Digital Edition?
Indeed, there is, but it is completely free. You can get a special Katana from each console's respective storefronts. You can also get access to the Elite Generals Trooper Card Bundle, which includes a number of celebrities. The celebrities involved are...
Q: How Do I Access The DLC In Like A Dragon: Ishin?
You won't be able to access the DLC until you reach the second chapter of the game. From here, you simply need to find Bakumatsu Bob in the Teradaya Inn. He will provide you with all the DLC you are entitled to (as well as give you the ability to purchase more).
You can find Bob hanging out in the back room of the Teradaya on the first floor. He has a clown nose and is pretty hard to miss.
Q: Is Like A Dragon: Ishin A Remake?
Yes, it is. The original version of the game was released in 2014 for the PlayStation 3 and the PlayStation 4. The remake has upgraded the visuals, replaced certain actors from the original title with new ones, and tweaked some gameplay systems (specifically the Trooper Cards). But the most important aspect for western audiences is that we finally received an English translation of this Samurai epic.
Q: Is Like A Dragon: Ishin A Yakuza Game?
Like A Dragon: Ishin is formally a spin-off of the Yakuza series. On one hand, it absolutely is a Yakuza game. It uses iterations of all the classic Yakuza mechanics, features returning actors from the series (notice I said "actors" and not "characters"), and follows the same classic Yakuza structure. It is unmistakably a part of the franchise.
However, it is set in a different time period, and there are no cross-over characters. So, while Ryoma looks like Kiryu, he is a completely different character. Though, he also largely acts the same way as Kiryu would.
So yes, in every way that matters, it is a Yakuza game, but it doesn't have a story that connects to the main narrative of the mainline Yakuza games. It is a spinoff, but not in the same way that Yakuza: Dead Souls is a spinoff. Ishin is a classic Yakuza game through and through, just set in a different era with a different cast of characters.
Q: Why Doesn't Like A Dragon: Ishin Have The Yakuza Name Like The Other Spinoffs?
So, the series has always gone under the "Like A Dragon" name in Japan. It was only ever called "Yakuza" in the west. They recently decided to unify the brand name with the release of "Yakuza: Like A Dragon". From now on, every title in the franchise will be released under the Like A Dragon name.
Q: What Era Is Like A Dragon: Ishin Set In?
Like A Dragon: Ishin is set in the mid-1800s, in what is known as the Bakumatsu period. The Bakumatsu period is technically part of the Edo period and comes at the tail end of it.
Q: Why Am I Not Building Heat?
If you are literally not gaining any Heat, then chances are you have equipped the Tranquil Towel, which is your reward for completing the Ee Ja Nai For Justice substory. The Tranquil Towel is a headband that provides petty stellar defense, but the "enhancement" attached to it makes it so that your Heat gauge will no longer charge. Unequip this troublesome towel and you should be heating up in no time.
Q: What Do I Use The Prize Tickets For?
As you have likely noticed, prize tickets are lining the streets of Kyo. You can't take a step without stumbling on one. These prize tickets are used to spin the prize wheel found in the Fushimi district. The lottery stand is across the street from Umai Udon, and around the corner from the Daruma Eatery on Fushimi Ichibangai street.
There are four different prize wheels that you will (eventually) be able to spin. The first Prize Wheel will cost a single ticket per spin. After you have used a certain number of tickets there, the Lucky Prize Wheel will open up. This Lucky Prize Wheel will cost you two prize tickets per spin.
Once you have done enough spins on the Lucky Prize Wheel, the Rare Prize Wheel will become available. This third wheel will cost you five prize tickets per spin. Finally, once you have spent a certain amount of tickets at the third wheel, the Lucky Rare Prize Wheel will unlock. The Lucky Rare Prize Wheel costs 10 tickets to spin. Naturally, the quality of the prizes increase dramatically as you move on to the more expensive prize wheels.
You don't just get tickets by picking them up. Spending money at shops and restaurants will also reward you with tickets. The more you spend, the more tickets you will receive.
There are five colors of balls that you can potentially get. Green is the lowest level, and the one you will get repeatedly, the other balls, however, are one of a kind. So as an example, you cannot get the "special prize" (represented by the yellow ball) multiple times. However, once you have collected one of each type (yellow, red, white, blue, and gree), the wheel will be reset. Each time it resets the prizes will change.