Do you need to know previous Yakuza games to understand Ishin? When does the game fit into the timeline? What does it have to do with the previous parts? Here you will find the answers!
Yakuza fans in the West can finally play Ishin, one of the Yakuza series spin-offs. The game was originally released in 2014 for the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4. However, it was only available in Japan, so those who wanted to play it had to import the game and be fluent in Japanese, or just ignore the game. story and focus. in gameplay. After 9 years, we have Like a Dragon: Ishin! – a new version of the original Ishin. The next (chronologically non-consecutive) part of such a great series as Yakuza may raise some doubts, so we decided to clarify two very important questions:
I need to know that previous Yakuza games include Ishin’s story?
A new Yakuza game will surely catch the attention of those who have never played Yakuza games but wanted to try them. It also means that those players may wonder if they should play the previous installments or if they can go straight to Ishin.
The good news is that Like a dragon: ¡Ishin! it’s a spin-off, which means it doesn’t require any prior knowledge of the series. Ishin is set in 19th century Japan, nearly 200 years before the events of the main Yakuza games. Here we follow the story of Sakamoto Ryoma, who embarks on a journey to find the killer who took everything from him and bring him to justice.
Yakuza fans will recognize many familiar faces: Ryoma looks like Kiryu with a different haircut, while characters like Niibori Matsusuke look exactly like their counterparts (minus the outfit, of course). Virtually every character associated with the story, minor or major, is modeled after someone from the Yakuza games. On top of that, these characters have the same voice actors as their originals. This may cause a bit of confusion for some players, as Ishin’s characters don’t have the same roles as their originals, which means newcomers may find it easier to follow the story.
What is the best order to play Yakuza?
Chances are that Like a Dragon: Ishin! will introduce new fans to the Yakuza series. A series that currently has 8 main games and some spin-offs. Its name isn’t helpful either, as some core Yakuza games have titles that differ slightly from others, adding to the confusion.
An example? The remakes of Yakuza 1 and Yakuza 2 are called Yakuza Kiwami 1 and Kiwami 2. They are the only games in the series to use the word “Kiwami” in their title. Another confusing thing, which may become even more apparent with the release of Like a Dragon: Ishin!, is the title of the seventh main game: Yakuza: Like a Dragon. It was the first Yakuza game released in the West to have Like a Dragon in the title. To make it easier for you, we have prepared a chronological list of the main games, as well as spin-offs.:
- Like a dragon: ¡Ishin!
- Yakuza 0
- Yakuza Kiwami 1
- Yakuza Kiwami 2
- Yakuza 3
- Yakuza 4
- Yakuza 5
- Yakuza 6: Song of Life
- Yakuza: like a dragon
- Judgement
- lawsuit lost
As you can see, the chronological order isn’t that difficult to define once you learn the nuances associated with game titles. It also shows the series’ best entry point: Yakuza 0. Set in 1988, it tells the story of young Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima before they both became yakuza legends. Yakuza 0 has arguably the best story in the series, and the game shows how things happened in Yakuza 1 (or Kiwami 1, since the remake is much easier to find).
Whether you’re a veteran of the Yakuza series or a newcomer, discover Like a Dragon: Ishin! The first group will find familiar elements mixed in with those not present in any other Yakuza game. The latter will experience Yakuza and hopefully become addicted to the series, giving it more deserved attention.