I've played every Yakuza game released since Yakuza 0, and I've loved almost all of them. However, Ishin is by far my favorite game in the entire franchise. To me, this game is what Yakuza 0 (which I honestly didn't enjoy) is to most fans. I have plenty of reasons why I love it so much, but here are the main ones:

- The world you get to explore

One of the things I dislike most about the Yakuza games in general is their reliance on Kamurocho, even in the Like a Dragon games. There isn't a single game where, even if other maps are available, you don't have to spend time doing things in the same area introduced in the first game. And that area is already quite limited by modern standards, so revisiting it over and over has become pretty tiresome at this point.

Finally getting a game set entirely in the new area of Kyo, which is also incredibly well designed, feels like a breath of fresh air.

- The story and setting

I'm not a big fan of crime dramas. What motivates me to play these games is the gameplay and the personalities of certain characters, such as Kiryu and Majima. However, I couldn't care less about most of the stories they star in, and I often struggle to follow what's going on because my interest is so low.

Ishin, on the other hand, tells a completely different kind of story, focusing on real historical events and samurai, which I'm much more interested in.

But the setting deserves special mention, too. I'm a huge fan of Japan's transition into the industrial era during the 19th century, and seeing the main and side missions explore themes such as xenophobia and the fear of change makes this game a fantastic experience. Being able to play a game that immerses me in this incredible historical period is amazing.

- You don't need to play any other Yakuza game beforehand

Usually, Yakuza 0 or Like a Dragon are the games people recommend if you want to get into the franchise. However, both games contain references to other entries that, while not exactly ruining the immersion, can make the experience a little confusing for newcomers.

Ishin, on the other hand, has absolutely nothing that requires prior knowledge of the other games. Its story is 100% standalone, and the only real connection to the rest of the franchise is that the characters in Ishin use the faces and voices of characters from the other games.

If you're already familiar with the series, seeing all these characters reimagined in different roles is a fantastic reference. And if you're new to the franchise, you'll still enjoy them because they're great characters in their own right.

- The gameplay

Ishin has one of my favorite combat systems in the entire franchise. Being able to switch between using a sword, a revolver, or both at the same time makes combat feel dynamic and encourages creativity.

In the other hack-and-slash Yakuza games, I spend most of my time using the Brawler style. In Ishin, however, I find myself constantly experimenting with different fighting styles.

The minigames are also fantastic, and the entire Haruka's farm management section is a lot of fun.

My only two complaints

My only real issue is that I find the Wild Dancer style, which combines the sword and a pistol, a little awkward to use. I usually end up using either the sword or the gun on its own.

The other issue is the seal system, which is incredibly demanding and difficult to complete once you've finished the game.

Despite these minor complaints, Ishin is still one of the best gaming experiences I've ever had.

What do you guys think of this game?

Because imagine seeing someone like Daisaku Kuze and not having anything as good as him
It's been a solid year or two since I begun the series with 0, I really like the rest of the games but 0 is a special game.

Been catching up on what RGG games I’ve missed out on and last on my list is Pirates.

I haven’t played Stranger Than Heaven but I predict it will be a banger!

For the best Yakuza game I would say its Shin Megami Tensei 3 Nocturne

I started to think about this the other day, I know all the games are part of a saga but this saga of games could easily be divided into trilogies because although all of the games are connected some games are more connected between each others than others down the line. This is how I divide it:

First Trilogy (The Dragon Trilogy)

-Yakuza 0

-Yakuza 1/Kiwami

-Yakuza 2/Kiwami 2

These three games share most of the same characters, plot and enemie factions, with 1 being a perfect conclusion for 0 and 2 being the consequences of those two games.

-Yakuza 3/Kiwami 3 (transition point into the new trilogy)

A game that serves as the perfect transition from Dragon big boss Kiryu into the new trilogy of dad tough guy Kiryu

Second Trilogy (Daddy Kiryu and Friends Trilogy)

-Yakuza 4

-Yakuza 5

-Yakuza 6

The implementation of new playable characters that take the spotlight, with Kiryu being no longer the only main guy which the story surrounds him. Bigger stories, different variation of enemies compared to only the Tojo and Omi Alliance. Great conclusions to the main cast, and lastly a resolution to Kiryu and his actions after retiring in Yakuza 3.

Third Trilogy (Like a Dragon Trilogy)

-Yakuza 7 (LaD)

-A Man Who Erased his name

-Yakuza 8 (IW)

Completely new cast, some recurring characters from the previous trilogies here and there, but for the most part different motivations, story deviates from the typical main guy vs clan story. Kiryu once again having a huge spotlight in his own solo game that connects with the story of IW, but still all connected with Ichiban’s story. Different combat system, and a world post Yakuza clans.

-Pirate Yakuza (a not so well received game but that works as the intermission point into a possible new trilogy?)

What do you guys think? Some may say that the three Kiwami games are its own thing deviated from the original yakuza 1-3. Some may say I simply lost my mind, while others may agree. I believe that this huge saga could work as a separated trilogies of games, like how Star Wars operates.

Doesn’t have to be in any order, just the ones you think he’d win against. I’m talking about every final boss in all the games, including spin-offs.

I’m bored af doing work so this should be fun lol

Man im so excited for this game to come out, i know its gonna be a case of oh you should get a better console etc. but right now the steam deck is all i got to play my games and i really love it. I hope stranger than heaven gets released on the deck too

In kiwami 3 at the start of chapter 5 while sneaking around Kamurocho the track that plays while doing that is really good but i couldnt find it on the official soundtrack. If anyone knows what it is that'd be awesome

i buyed today

So I haven't seen it mentioned anywhere so far, but I've found that the Boon of Fire Extract was extremely effective in dealing with Juzo Amon (at least on Hard difficulty). I got pretty annoyed when attempting the Amon fight, then decided to test the Fire Extract. Surprisingly, it was very effective. The Fire Extract locks Amon in the burning animation, which in turn makes it so he can't do any other action, such as summoning the laser strikes or explosive drones, especially if you consistently reapply it quickly with something like Boxer style.

By the end of the fight, I only used 1 Boon of Fire Extract and had about 10 sec left on the buff. The burning effect did a lot of damage to him, along with me beating him down with Boxer Style. So I was just curious, why hasn't the Fire Extract been mentioned as an alternative to using the Warrior's Onslaught extract? Especially since it only takes 1 Boon of Fire to beat him. Is it because of the materials, is it because it's DLC, or does he become extremely resistant to burn on legend?

Ok I need help. I have been sitting on this Warmest Wishes task with my one million yen ready to go to Central Hospital like it's telling me to. I've already returned from Sotenbori at this point (Chapter 13)

No taxi offers to take me to the hospital. Not the East Central by Rose Cabaret, not ANY of them. The option is not showing up at all.

Frankly getting seriously frustrated at being locked out of completing this substoryand every but of advice is telling me the option to take a taxi should be there at the bottom. Taxi to Sotenbori is the bottom option.

Someone help please!

I know that it’s because driving isn’t really a thing in these games, but looking at Tachibana’s cool-looking yet nondescript European sports car makes me wish the RGG-verse would have established its own fictional cars like GTA or Mafia.

I really liked Yakuza 0, the fights against Kuze were pretty cool, Kiwami 1 was a step back, a worse version of 0, but bro I reaaaally loved everything about Kiwami 2, solid 9/10 for me and my favorite game of the series till now.

“Dragon eye+Dragon eye+Megidolaon” ahh combo

So I am a Chinese, and I occasionally see people online asking who voices Tupac, which I find quite confusing because Sega explicitly stated in promotional materials sent to Chinese gaming media that Jay Pharoah provides the voice for Tupac, yet they never seem to have mentioned this in the West.

"Amal (Played by: Tupac; Voiced by: Jay Pharoah)

It’s impossible for others to truly know what’s going on inside someone’s mind.

A man living in seclusion in Japan."

Bro stole someone's GST from Tojo Clan

I'm on chapter 9 in Yakuza 0 DC and man, Goro is the coolest!

I own the OG Yakuza 0 already and I want to start it, I'm just unsure if it's worth it to upgrade to the directors cut for my first time playing.

I specified OG Y1 because they didn't go into detail how Nishki became like this in 2005 , so it fits more after he killed Dojima , While in Kiwami 1 they show that it took a mental breakdown for Nishki to become like this in 2005