Sega and RGG Studio released a new Like A Dragon Ishin trailer highlighting Kiryu’s new combat styles – or, more accurately, Sakamoto Ryoma who looks exactly like Kiryu. While the game’s action draws on RGG’s Yakuza series’ signature over-the-top style, it blends new elements in keeping with Ishin’s setting in pre-industrial Japan.
Instead of multiple brawling styles – Rush and Beast, for example – Kiryu-as-Ryoma builds his style around weapons. Swordsman sees him rush into battle with – you guessed it – a sword, whirling and slicing enemies in a style gorier than we’re used to. He picks up a revolver for Gunman style and gains some additional mobility skills. In Gunman stance, Ryoma excels at long-range fighting and maneuvering away from enemies to regain the advantage.
Brawler stance sees Ryoma adopt a traditional fist-focused style, as he pummels opponents and weaves and dodges his way out of harm.
Then there’s Wild Dancer, a blend of swordsman and gunman that sees Ryoma quite literally dance across the battlefield in a blaze of blood and bullets. While a revolver and a katana might seem tame for a Yakuza game, it seems Ryoma will get his hands on some more outlandish weapons as well, including a giant golden cannon.
Like A Dragon Ishin launches Feb. 21, 2023, for PS4 and PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
Written by Josh Broadwell on behalf of GLHF