Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth (PC, PS4, PS5 [reviewed], Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S)
Developer: Rya Ga Gotoku Studio
Publisher: SEGA
Released: January 26, 2023
MSRP: $69.99

The introduction sequence for Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is, quite honestly, fantastic. Starting out, directly after the events of Yakuza: Like a Dragon, we see Ichiban and the crew trying to enjoy a normal life after the Great Dissolution and ensuing drama. Ichiban does his best to support the rudderless yakuza struggling to earn a living as civilians, while also endearingly struggling in his own way, especially in the romance department.

It’s not long, though, until some ghosts of the past resurface. After bad actors rope Ichiban and co. into a sea of online controversy, our hero departs for Hawaii, where his long-lost mother, Akane, is thought to be hiding. Along the way, you’ll mostly hang out with familiar faces. Every cast member from Yakuza: Like a Dragon returns in some form, and the Geomijul’s Seonhee makes her playable debut in Infinite Wealth, alongside two newcomers: the compromised cabbie Eric Tomizawa and Chitose Fujinomiya, a maid Akane contracted for help.

The story takes many, many twists and turns, and it wouldn’t really make sense to dig too deep into the specifics. Suffice to say, it doesn’t take long for a seemingly simple trip to Hawaii to escalate into the kind of antics you’d expect from Like a Dragon. Secret underground areas, sudden betrayals and double-crosses, and of course, shirtless fist fights with back tattoos bared are all part of the Yakuza charm, and none of that is missing here.

Some of Infinite Wealth’s highest highs are in these story moments, especially for the individual characters. Yakuza: Like a Dragon roped me in fast with its cast of older characters, going through extremely relatable life struggles amid all the chaos, and Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth still captures that. Both Tomizawa and Chitose make excellent additions to the crew, while now-veterans Nanba, Saeko, and Adachi get plenty to work with, too. Heck, Joongi Han and Zhou – who arrive fairly late in Y:LAD – get plenty of character building in Infinite Wealth.

Let me buy you drink

Personalities and relationships really shine thanks to the Bond system, an overarching mechanic where party members can spend time with the protagonist to talk about their lives. Drink Links and growing Bonds are back, with truly great moments tucked away in those side stories. Characters like Seonhee and Tomizawa have especially effective moments in their Drink Links, adding intimate narrative details on the side while chipping away at the big picture. 

The addition of Bond Bingo also does a lot, dropping a bevy of spots around town where you can start up little skits. They’re framed as one of the party members taking note of something, like their favorite food or a place that reminds them of a particular memory, which gets marked off on a big bingo board. The goal is to form bingos and earn a ton of Bond progress, but you’ll make a lot of Bond progress just by playing the game; the real draw is the dialogue, which is pretty great.

All these ways of getting to know characters, with such a large cast, can feel a tad overwhelming. Really, splitting the party helps a lot in managing the sheer breadth of narrative content Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth has. After some chapters together, Ichiban and Kiryu eventually split up and lead their own crews. The scope of the story ratchets up even further, as Kiryu starts to retrace his many, many steps through Ijincho and Kamurocho as part of his own journey, too.

As was revealed in the story trailer for Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, Kiryu has been diagnosed with cancer, and a major facet of his own journey sees him revisiting the past. Some of this means simply interacting with particular locations, where Kiryu can reflect on memorable events from previous Yakuza games, while others are much more involved quests.

Limitless greed

Substories also return, growing quite lengthy in some cases, making for even more ways to lose track of the hours in Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth. My map was constantly filled with icons noting activities I could take on, all of them building up the various numbers I had, whether it was my party’s level and stats, the money in my pockets, or all the different personality traits that Ichiban builds up over time.

I haven’t even broached the subject of some of the larger minigames. The monster-catching Sujimon minigame is back, with on-the-map raids similar to recent Pokemon titles. Trainers are all over Hawaii waiting for a challenge, and there’s even a story quest involving fighting the aptly named “Discreet Four.” Building up a potent Sujimon party and taking down the best trainers around is its own adventure.

And then there’s Dondoko Island, Ryu Ga Gotoku’s version of Animal Crossing that has Ichiban cleaning up a trashed island and restoring it to resort status. It is, simply put, a really easy way to lose hours and hours of your time. I think I spent about three to four days of my review time with this game just on Dondoko Island, clearing out trash and building the island of my dreams. What was once a field with a single toilet in the middle of it soon became a bustling town, replete with food stalls and karaoke… and still, the toilet in the middle of it. It’s a landmark!

That said, it’s not all roses on Dondoko Island. The action combat doesn’t feel particularly great, and there’s a lot of it. And really, it’s a mode that feels like it’ll be best to revisit throughout the journey, rather than breeze through in one go. Eventually, visitors can start going to the island, and you’ll need to manage their wants and needs in an almost tycoon-style fashion. Getting some of the better, and more fun, visitors means finding them back in the open world of the main game, and progressing both the main story and various substories.

Plus, have I mentioned yet how big this world is? Not just with things to do, but in actual size. RGG added a segway for Ichiban and crew to travel around on, and really, it’s a helpful tool. Exploring the open world is highly encouraged; it’s where you grind battles for EXP and cash, it’s where you can hit the Square button (or your platform equivalent) to throw up the shaka and gain new friends to add more Aloha Links, and it’s where you stumble on items, substories, and more.

Even just Honolulu itself is big, and there’s still the addition of Ijincho and Kamurocho, too. It's a hefty game, in all senses. You can throw darts, try your luck on a dating app, play shogi or blackjack or koi koi, and even play a bike delivery game with a bunch of nods to its Crazy Taxi inspirations. Heck, just go to an arcade and play Sega Bass Fishing or Spike Out, or play online matches of Virtua Fighter 3tb.

Big world, small people

I stress the expanse of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth because this series has, in its own way, always been big and full of strange side attractions. Yakuza is no stranger to odd side games that eat up tons of time, from taxi driving to cabaret management, and that knob is turned all the way to 11. Usually, the appeal of Yakuza is that it has all this ridiculousness, but underneath both the explosive action and excessive side activities, there’s a beating heart of characters and story. Infinite Wealth still has that heart, but it misses in some tangible places.

As I said before, each character gets their time in the spotlight. Ichiban felt a bit second-fiddle to Kiryu, whose history and legacy are felt throughout his sections, but even still, Kasuga is every bit the lovable Dragon Quest-obsessed guy that he was in his debut game. Moments of this game where we get to see characters from through its history, past and present, interacting are instant highlights.

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth has a bit of a villain problem, though. Mostly in that its antagonists are both numerous, and aren’t quite as compelling or charismatic as the main cast. A few are your regular aggressors, the guys you fight a few times over the course of the game, and others are the ones waiting in the wings. But really, it felt like a few of the antagonistic forces just fall flat in the end.

This extends to the main plot, which can stifle a dramatic moment or two with some lackluster plot beats. Some characters and plot lines feel like they appear and disappear just for the benefit of moving the party from one location to another. I like the broad strokes of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth’s story, but it didn’t have that focused ramp-up I enjoyed in some of the series’ best narratives, like say, Yakuza 0 or Yakuza: Like a Dragon.

Ultimately, the best plot moments outside the chapter-ending climaxes are those Drink Links and side stories, where individual characters and stories can shine. The world of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is huge, but it's the moments that narrow down to a pinpoint that stuck with me most.

A second turn

When it comes to combat, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth shows that Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio must have been listening and taking feedback on Yakuza: Like a Dragon’s systems. Broadly, it feels like an upgrade in almost every way, while keeping much of the same spirit alive.

Characters can now move within a set range on their turn, eliminating some of the awkwardness around lining up attacks and AoEs. In fact, more movement – combined with the potency of knockbacks, back attacks, and other environmental enhancers – really makes the battles of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth feel more alive and active. I still had one or two moments where I was awkwardly trying to angle something just right, or would perform a knockback only for my teammate to watch the enemy fall down instead of adding a follow-up hit. But controlling the arena feels like a much more doable task in Infinite Wealth.

Additionally, the breadth of Tag Team and special moves, as well as the new jobs and Skill Inheritance system that lets job skills carry over, all form a wonderful playground for building a party. It’s still a pain to have to return to the job store – Alo-Happy, a tour company, in this game – to swap out roles. And it’s a real bummer that jobs are still gender-locked. While the guys have some support options, and the gals get one of my favorite new jobs in the Agility-focused Kunoichi, it still seems odd there aren’t some overlapping jobs between them. I don’t really see why Chitose can’t surf or shoot guns, or why Tomizawa can’t pick up the bucket and mop for a cleaning gig.

Still, battles in Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth are extremely good, with plenty of wild characters to fight and tough bosses to take down. While there’s a small bit of relying on the hits later on, even the ways in which Infinite Wealth remixes expectations from Yakuza: Like a Dragon is really fun.

One of the best ways is Kiryu’s ultimate move, which lets him unleash the beast and lash out in beat ‘em up form, turning the turn-based RPG into a Yakuza brawler for a short span of time. It’s one of the cleverest mechanics in this game, that really shows how confident RGG feels with their RPG systems, and it’s used to incredible effect.

It’s a real testament that, even after rolling credits, I’m still eager to unlock more roles and grind out more challenges in the battle system. Where Yakuza: Like a Dragon certainly felt like a game that rewarded smart play and good planning, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth feels like RGG taking a system built on inspirations and confidently making it their own. There are still some wrinkles to iron out – please, add a way of opting out of weapon attacks in favor of basic strikes – but largely, RGG has the combat down on the second time around.

If you’re coming to Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth for a massive RPG that packs in all that RGG Studio has ever offered into one package, this is that game. It’s titanic, yet it’s still got some character heart down below. And just the draw-in alone of seeing these characters laugh, learn, and fight alongside each other will be worth the ticket price for longtime RGG fans. I’d worry newcomers would feel quite lost at some points, even if they can broadly follow the story beats.

Yet I do still have some nitpicks and drawbacks, around the broad plot, the villains, and even how well some of the minigames stack up to others. (I found the Tinder-like dating app to be a really strange, opaque game compared to the relatively straightforward FMV dating in Like a Dragon Gaiden.) I really like broad pieces of this game, but with so much here, some portions feel way more fleshed out, and others feel like they drag the median down. Even the game’s conclusion ends rather abruptly, and with a bow-tie that feels a bit hastily wrapped.

Among the wealth of Like a Dragon games we’ve had over the last year or so, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is easily the stand-out for me. It’s still got a lot of what I love from this series, and I think anyone looking for a good follow-up to Yakuza: Like a Dragon will find it here. The second time around doesn’t feel quite as revolutionary, but this is still an island vacation I wouldn’t turn down. Some time spent in the sun with Ichiban and crew is always time well spent.

_{[This review is based on a retail build of the game provided by the publisher.]}

The post Review: Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth appeared first on Destructoid.

It’s easy to feel how Like a Dragon is changing in Gaiden. But that doesn’t mean the latest, un-numbered entry in Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio’s series is eschewing its roots.

Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name mostly takes place concurrent to Yakuza: Like a Dragon, a game that saw RGG Studio tackle RPG ideas with a new hero in the lead. And though we’re back to brawler basics here with Kiryu in Gaiden, there’s enough here to make it a valuable excursion for the long-time fans.

Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name (PC, PS4, PS5 [reviewed], Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S)
Developer: Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio
Publisher: Sega
Released: November 8, 2023
MSRP: $49.99

A man with no name

Gaiden hands the mantle back to long-time Yakuza protagonist Kazuma Kiryu, now living under the pseudonym Joryu. After his death in Yakuza 6: The Song of Life was faked, Kiryu went into the service of the Daidoji, living a sequestered life and doing the occasional odd job for them to ensure the Morning Glory Orphanage and Haruka can live in peace.

One deal gone wrong, though, and “Joryu” is back in the thick of criminal conspiracies and politics. The plot moves pretty quick, and even though chapters are longer than you might expect, the overall game is pretty short by Like a Dragon standards, especially after the hefty runtime of Yakuza: Like a Dragon.

Considering this entry started out as DLC, the runtime lines up. And honestly, I welcomed the brevity; while I would’ve liked a little more time with some of the new cast members, Gaiden covers the ground it needs to. There are a few heavy emotional beats saved for the very end too, in a conclusion that feels crafted to hit every button for a franchise fan.

Most of Gaiden is spent in Sotenbori, a small slice of Ijincho, and a new locale called The Castle, a floating container ship that’s home to a playground for the uber-rich, owned and operated by the yakuza. The former is familiar, and the latter is a home for tons of the minigames and side activities, of which Gaiden has plenty.

Space for so many activities

While Like a Dragon Gaiden is a little slimmer in story content, it easily feels like one of the better side-game offerings in the series. Plenty of favorites return, from the shogi and hanafuda that feel like staples at this point to the return of Pocket Racer. Sotenbori is filled with tons to do, and the main quest even takes you on a tour of some of the most notable to-do’s.

While the cabaret club returns too, it’s not through a management sim, but in an FMV dating sim-style interactive video. I’m a long-time lover of FMV in games, and RGG has been gradually incorporating more of it. It can work, and it's particularly funny when you’re given topics and responses that lean into Like a Dragon’s quirkier side. But other times, the ring-lit eyes staring at you through the screen can feel a little strange. Chalk this as a novel experiment with very mixed results.

On the whole, though, there’s a ton to do in Like a Dragon Gaiden, and all of it feels engaging. Billiards has shot puzzles and varying levels of competition, the Pocket Circuit has tons of customization, and karaoke makes a requisite reprise, complete with “Baka Mitai.”

The Arena offers some of the most in-depth distractions, though. Set aboard the floating Castle, this Like a Dragon’s Arena is surprisingly robust. Kiryu can fight in regular combat, or against a legion of adversaries, or in the extremely fun Hell Team Rumble.

Essentially, Kiryu can build up a roster of fighters who he can recruit throughout the world, who will fight alongside him in the Hell Team Rumble. These are chaotic, frantic, glorious all-out rumbles, where your crew fights another until only one is left standing. It’s like if the Jets and Sharks fought in a league, or the Anchorman news team brawl was made into a game.

Just the scope alone is impressive, but add in the scouting, recruiting, and training aspects, and the Arena becomes a genuinely engaging side game that reminded me of good times with Blitzball in Final Fantasy X. You can also play as characters that aren’t Kiryu, adding some fun ways of expanding this game’s combat out even further.

Codename: Joryu

The brawler combat of Like a Dragon Gaiden is pretty good to start, too. In some ways, it’s been scaled down. Rather than a bevy of stances, Kiryu has only a Yakuza stance, the familiar Dojima fighting style, and the new Agent style.

Agent is where some of the most unbridled fun is in Like a Dragon Gaiden. Framed as Kiryu practicing a new fighting style, to keep him occupied, it soon begins to incorporate special gadgets. The Spider is a literal web tool that can grab enemies and fling them around, or pick items off perches in the open world. It really never gets old, flinging enemies across the street and hearing them yell as they go flying by.

A legion of drones can be summoned to pester foes, keeping their attention off Kiryu. And the exploding cigarette is, well, an exploding cigarette. It does what it sounds like it does, and does it well. Add in some rocket boots than bowl over crowds as you dash through them, and Agent is a blast, clearly intended for dealing with large groups.

The dynamic of Like a Dragon Gaiden’s combat is fairly simple: beat down big groups with Agent, fight solo enemies with the Yakuza style. Tougher enemies and bosses get a special move, which you can dodge and hit back with an Ultimate Counter, an extremely rewarding move to pull off. The simplicity works well though, letting you really focus on brawling and beating down enemies.

At this point, the Like a Dragon series brawling feels pretty familiar. The new updates are just enough to make Gaiden feel distinct, and RGG puts enough added combat ideas and twists in to keep things fresh, between the story, roaming crews, and the Arena. While it’s not as complex to dig into as something like Ishin, and the upgrades feel a bit straightforward, Agent stance alone really shakes things up.

The social network

Everything, from brawling to minigames and more, is tied together under the Akame Network, an app system run by the network’s namesake, Akame. After meeting her in the story, she’ll rope Joryu into helping out the homeless and others in need around Sotenbori, as well as boosting the Network’s reputation as its key representative.

The Akame Network serves a lot of purposes: it’s a special item shop, it’s another currency to meter out upgrades you would normally buy with cash and orbs (now cash and Network points), and it’s a hub for all side stories. Rather than always stumbling across them in the open world, most of the substories I found were through requests at Akame’s.

I’m mixed on whether I like this option, though for Gaiden, it does ultimately work well. The brevity of the story means you’ll be running into odd content gates fairly often, and it’s simply easier to have substories be opt-in missions you can pick up whenever. There’s not as many surprises waiting around the corner, but it means you’re not worrying about advancing the story and losing a substory.

The substories are, also, very good. This isn’t a huge surprise, but I like how RGG Studio tackled the lineup for this version of Kiryu, specifically. Many of the substories I played were callbacks to old running gags or previous Yakuza games. Kiryu’s past is always following him, and in some ways, haunting him.

The ghost of you

Like a Dragon Gaiden is, on its face, a story about what Kazuma Kiryu was doing during the events of Yakuza: Like a Dragon, and how those events will seemingly lead into him becoming a full-fledged party member of Ichiban’s in Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth. It’s interstitial, meant to provide some story for those who really want more, or even just want a little Yakuza brawling as the main series goes more RPG.

Yet it’s also clearly wrestling with where the series is headed. Yakuza started out as a series about the titular crime organization, following Kiryu as he dealt with all the inter-family conflicts and fights for power. With Yakuza: Like a Dragon, though, RGG signaled the “end” of the yakuza, both literal and symbolic; an act that Kiryu takes part in, too.

With that in mind, Kiryu’s actions in this story become much more interesting. He is growing older, and his legacy is fading. He’s given up his name, which carries immense value and respect, in order to protect those that matter most to him. What kind of life does that leave for him to live?

It’s the start of something I imagine we’ll see explored more in Infinite Wealth, if its teasers so far are to be believed. And yes, there is a pack-in demo for Infinite Wealth that comes with Gaiden, to help cover the two-month gap between them. 

But this all means that the Kiryu we see in Gaiden is complex; gleefully antagonizing a villain in one moment, then solemnly contemplating his situation later. Like a Dragon Gaiden is Kiryu at his “most”: his most jovial, most emotional, most guarded, and most vulnerable. It all makes for one of the most compelling depictions of this character to date.

Ready to start

So while Like a Dragon Gaiden feels like an appetizer for what’s to come, it’s also a bit of an indulgence for anyone who’s been following this series. What started out as possible DLC feels expanded out into a look-back at Kiryu’s journey, up to now.

Its brevity may leave some feeling a bit put-off, but the side stories and activities more than make up for the shorter campaign. Much like The Castle Gaiden introduces, this entry feels like a carnival of things to do, with constant asides delving into all that Like a Dragon can be.

Like a Dragon Gaiden has games, laughs, tears, and brawls where characters dramatically reveal their resplendent back tattoos. It does what a new Like a Dragon entry needs to do, and tees up some big emotional moments for its longtime series lead along the way. If you want a deep story with twists and turns, this may not be all you hope for. But if you run off the beaten path to get a model AiAi out of the UFO Catcher, this should more than tide you over to Infinite Wealth.

The post Review: Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name appeared first on Destructoid.

Sympathy for the Underdog

We're still a few months away from seeing the eighth mainline entry in the Like a Dragon series. Fortunately, it won't be long before players meet Kazuma Kiryu again in the spinoff, Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name. That's right, Kiryu did such a thorough job erasing his name that he goes by the unsuspecting name of "Joryu". All the while, he'll find himself once again embroiled in threats, violence, and underworld intrigue. But those who manage to endure these trials will get treated to a Special Trial Version of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth.

SEGA and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio director Masayoshi Yokoyama revealed this and much more in an overview trailer and developer update video, which doled out a deeper look at the spinoff's story and gameplay before moving onto the bonus goods. Of note to hardcore fans, the unlockable Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth demo will include scenes that aren't present in the main game. This won't be a problem for Like a Dragon completionists, but it's an interesting approach to demo presentation. Of course, we don't know how much content we'll see in the sample. 

Like a Dragon Gaiden catches up with the former series star after he faked his death and made himself scarce. Yokoyama says this entry will offer "the best insight into the personality of Kazuma Kiryu". Even though, of course, we all know his personality really only comes out on the dance floor. The other side of his personality awaits at the end of his fists and feet. The trailer reinforces this by highlighting the gadget-focused Agent Style combat alongside some old fashioned Yakuza street fighting. 

[caption id="attachment_397465" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot via Sega[/caption]

Tokyo Drifter

It wouldn't be a Like a Dragon game without minigames to distract you from those battles without honor and humanity. Gaiden looks to get carried away with everything from arcade games to arena brawls, cabaret clubs with somewhat creepy live-action footage and, of course, karaoke. What's that? You made a time-sensitive threat against the orphans I devoted my life to back in Okinawa? Sorry, the night is young and I just got to the chorus of "Today is a Diamond." 

Mainstays like Goro Majima, Daigo Dojima and Taiga Saejima are on tap for the Coliseum battle arena and can join your team if you pre-order to get the Legendary Fighter Pack. They'll join Kiryu (sorry, I mean Joryu!) when Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name launches on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC on November 9, 2023. Meanwhile Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth will launch sometime in early 2024. 

The post You’ll need to beat Like a Dragon Gaiden to play the next game’s demo appeared first on Destructoid.

Charting a history of dramatic shirt-off moments

There are few moments as blood-pumpingly dramatic in a Yakuza/Like a Dragon game as when someone rips their shirt off and unveils their tattoos. It is the peak of a fight, often reserved for special showdowns or the height of the story's arc.

Sega—for a reason I can't really discern at this moment—recently posted a compilation celebrating just that: the epic back tattoo reveal moments of Ryu Ga Gotoku's Like a Dragon series. From the original Yakuza games up through Like a Dragon, there are many. And they're all spectacular.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Joowq-IM6PA

Of course, we see many of the usual suspects here: Kazuma Kiryu, Goro Majima, Taiga Saejima, and newcomer Ichiban Kasuga. Plenty of villains too, including Akira Nishikiyama and one of my favorites, Daisaku Kuze. All of them baring their incredibly detailed and gorgeous back tattoos.

Art in motion

Part of my motivation for writing about this was just the strangeness of Sega posting this on a seemingly random Friday, as if someone was bored and chopping together footage that someone, somewhere, gave it a green light. Maybe it's sowing some groundswell. Like a Dragon: Ishin! just came out, but there are still a few modern Like a Dragon games in the works, too. That's just my red-strings-on-corkboard theory, though it could just as easily be a fun video to fire off on a Friday.

But even more than that, I just love highlighting what I think is an excellent character development tool for Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio. The tattoos these characters bear often reflect who they are as a person: their values, their drives, and their ambitions. Nishikiyama's koi tattoo is a beautiful foil to Kiryu's dragon. And when Kiryu shows his tattoo in Yakuza 0, it's stenciled and uncolored; he is still becoming the Dragon we see him as in later games. Kotaku ran a feature around the release of Yakuza 0, delving into this and more around the imagery used for these tattoos.

So yes, it's not just a blood-pumping moment of hype, but these art pieces also add fantastic touches of character work to the memorable cast Yakuza and Like a Dragon has had over the years. So yes, we will take some time to celebrate that today.

The post Sega celebrates Yakuza’s tattoo reveals, and so should we appeared first on Destructoid.

The stage of history

Like a Dragon has seen its main series' star continually rise in the west, and now we're getting a remake of one that never managed to make it over. Like a Dragon: Ishin! is a remake of the 2014 game, tackling historical fiction through the lens of its characters, humor, and action.

While the anachronistic premise can and does lead to some outlandish moments, the good news is that for the most part, Ishin comes together well. Aside from technical hitches and some tedium in the main story, Like a Dragon: Ishin! is an enjoyable romp through history with all the bizarre slice-of-life moments and dramatic fights you could want.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bh83wVDmUcI

Like a Dragon: Ishin! (PS4, PS5 [reviewed], Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC)
Developer: Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio
Publisher: Sega
Released: February 21, 2023
MSRP: $59.99

Blade of vengeance

Ishin follows the story of Sakamoto Ryoma, a swordsman returning home to Tosa from his training in Edo. Ryoma is quickly reunited with adoptive father Yoshida Toyo and sworn brother Takechi Hanpeita, as the three collaborate to overthrow the class system of the land. A masked assassin interrupts the events, however. Framed for murder, Ryoma flees Tosa and heads to Kyo under the guise of Saito Hajime, seeking the attacker and their unique fighting style.

For those who aren't keenly familiar with the history of Japan, Ishin does take place in and portray the events surrounding the end of the Edo period. But it does so by obviously dramatizing events, intertwining and supposing characters in the ways historical fiction does, and using Like a Dragon (née Yakuza) characters as stand-ins for the figures of the era. It's The Muppets Christmas Carol take on history, but instead of Kermit the Frog playing Bob Cratchit, it's Kazuma Kiryu's likeness portraying Sakamoto Ryoma / Saito Hajime.

This means that, much like The Muppets, every character pulls double duty. Okita Soji is their own character, but is also a representation of Majima Goro, Like a Dragon's mad dog whose penchant for hunting Kazuma Kiryu carries over into Ishin. Normally, these ideas would clash into each other and cause friction, but in Like a Dragon: Ishin!, the characters feel wholly their own while still providing tons of fodder for long-time series fans. Ryoma might be the best example of this, carrying on as the well-meaning protagonist constantly caught up in increasingly bizarre situations. But it all, somehow, works.

[caption id="attachment_363968" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

The main story itself can drag a bit, especially in the middle chapters. I was sure that, by a certain point in the game, I had worn a virtual trail between the Shinsengumi barracks and Ryoma's room at the Teradaya Inn. And while the simmering tension of Ryoma searching for his mark in the wolves' den is exciting, the constant run-arounds these events send you on can feel tedious.

When it shifts into gear though, Ishin hits the same speeds that other Like a Dragon series entries reach. While no glorious back tattoos are bared, the weaponry of this era makes for some dramatic moments nonetheless. Seeing swords clash and the classic boss text slam onto the screen with flames erupting, still hits just as hard. Overall, Ishin strikes a good balance of personal drama and political intrigue, while still finding just the right moment to let the music kick in and an absolutely chaotic brawl to break out.

Stance switching

When fights break out, Ryoma has a pretty decent swathe of stances to use against enemies. Sure, there's the Brawler stance and its fists. But you can also employ a sword or gun, or both in the Wild Dancer form, highlighting the changing tides of fighting in this era.

Each stance brings something different to the table, and they felt both varied and viable enough that I kept swapping forms throughout my playthrough. Sure, the Swordsman form felt the most narratively appropriate to master and level up first; but Brawler gave me some really fun tools, and the gun-wielding stance was a go-to for dealing with the random encounters as I ran around the world. Swords may have been my staple, but I enjoyed spending time mastering the different styles and learning new moves at the dojos located around Kyo.

Boss fights are where the combat clicks the best, as the action zooms in and focuses on the tense clash between Ryoma and his opponent. I was less enthused about some battles in enclosed spaces, where the camera struggled to track the action. In some areas, the cramped hallways and rooms became their own enemy, as I managed the camera alongside a swarm of enemies. And though the Heat Actions are here and effective as always, even comedic at times, I did find some repetition in them that lessened my desire to keep hitting the Triangle button.

[caption id="attachment_363962" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

The real shake-up is in the Trooper Cards, which you can build up over the course of the story and act as a second inventory of boons to draw from in fights. It's an interesting system with some powerful results. Even just the starter cards Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio hands to you are solid through the game, from the quick healing and damage-boosting effects to a chain lightning move that would tear through big groups.

Building these abilities and fighters up is one of the side activities I'd like to have spent more time with, though it ultimately felt like a way to quickly out-pace the game's difficulty curve. I never even managed to find some of the rare ones, let alone any celebrity-themed cards, but the ones I had felt like trump cards in the right situation. They weren't insta-win effects, but I did prefer to use my own weapons to win fights. It feels more thematically appropriate, you know? But levelling and building up those Trooper Cards feels like one of LIke a Dragon: Ishin's main post-game sinks that I could fall into.

Another life

Other Like a Dragon games have had plenty of substories and side activities to get lost in, and Ishin is no different. A benefit of the walking back-and-forth Ishin demands of Ryoma is that it allows him, and the player, to stumble on all the different side activities and bonds that can fill up this map. I don't know if Kyo ever felt as familiar as Kamurocho, but it certainly has a similar degree of life and vigor to it.

Between story missions, I'd chop wood or wait in line for infamous inari sushi. I'd tally up the prize tickets I could, turn them in, hoping for a decent roll at the booth. During my time in Like a Dragon: Ishin!, I helped a courier keep his business alive, taught a man to fish, slashed cannonballs with my sword, and gave a madam a cucumber. It it exactly the kind of bizarre but oddly heartwarming substories you'd be looking for, here.

[caption id="attachment_363963" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

The largest of the side activities is easily the Another Life segment, which sees Ryoma building and maintaining a rural homestead with the orphaned Haruka. This mostly serves as a time and money sink, with some good results if you're looking to have some decent health recovery options in the late game. But I did enjoy the peace and quiet of Another Life, and building this home up with my steadily accruing Virtue felt rewarding. It's no Stardew replacement, but it's a nice change of pace, and certainly one I'm more likely to go back over other minigames (looking at you, Brothel drinking challenge).

True to life

One area in which Like a Dragon: Ishin! suffered in my experience, though, was the technical department. Playing on PlayStation 5, I was surprised to discover some heavy performance dips when using certain abilities or fighting in certain foggy effects. (Those who may be familiar with a certain fistfight in a bathhouse will know the areas I'm talking about.)

Some of these issues were resolved in my pre-release playthrough, while others were not. We're keeping an eye on it and I'll make a note here of any substantial changes, but even with some of the patches that rolled out, I still ran into some weird technical hiccups. Nothing was overall game-breaking, but some were certainly jarring enough to note.

[caption id="attachment_363959" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

Aside from those issues, I think Like a Dragon: Ishin! excels in the big moments. It's a historical drama that, much like Okita / Majima, loves when it gets to let loose and go crazy. Some of the later scenarios see some absolutely wild interpretations of both characters and events, and you can tell the RGG team had some fun imagining how these characters would interact in their new roles.

And, much like the Muppet-driven movie I keep referencing, Ishin knows how to balance the comedic and dramatic in equal measure. I don't know that the running love plot worked too well for me, but most aspects of the story kept me driving towards the truth alongside Ryoma. Big moments can hit pretty hard, and little jokes or even just phrasing from the excellent localization kept me chuckling and slamming the Share button.

A different breed of dragon

The Like a Dragon series is going through some shake-ups, as it not only shifts away from the Yakuza theming but adds a new protagonist to the mix, too. In a way, Ishin feels like a celebration of the series up this point, a recognition that these characters are memorable enough to make up a cast of characters in this pseudo-stage play of history. Adding even more faces from Yakuza games in the series, especially the popular Yakuza 0 and Yakuza: Like a Dragon, as part of the remake emphasizes this even more.

[caption id="attachment_363970" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

And while there are some hitches, the Ishin remake can look absolutely splendid at times too. Cutscenes especially had me surprised, as little details like the rain falling on characters or a tear running down one's cheek floored me. Overall, this was a title well-deserving of a remake, and it got a solid one.

If you're a newcomer, you'll probably appreciate just the zany mix of comedy and action that defines the series, and is still present here. Long-time fans will still find the things they like about this series in Ishin, too. While there are some setbacks, it's fair to say Like a Dragon: Ishin! is a good entry in the series, hitting the same highs you'd hope for and filled with just the right balance of heart and laughter that made the series stand out in the first place. Ryoma's story has finally come west, and it's well worth experiencing if you're a fan of Ryu Ga Gotoku's brawlers.

_{[This review is based on a retail build of the game provided by the publisher.]}

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A small slice of Ryoma's swordplay

Like a Dragon: Ishin! is not far off from launch. But if the wait's just a bit too long, there's a demo for Ishin out today so you can get a taste of the new-old combat.

The "Combat Demo" is out now for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. The two-part combat demo covers a roughly 20-minute section of the game, specifically spotlighting the combat of Like a Dragon: Ishin, which sees Ryoma bringing his sword, gun, and fists to bear against foes.

The slice of Ishin covers both a brawl at Kiyomizu temple and a face-off with some armored foes. This demo looks to spotlight not just the fighting, but what enemies are bringing to the table to try and stop Ryoma. If he's anything like his supposed descendant, though, there's not much that can.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqkDNGqWrvE

Sega and RGG Studio have also revealed a special "Dragon of Dojima" skin, that will make Sakamoto Ryoma look just like Kazuma Kiryu, suit and all.

Heading back to an older era

Ishin is a remake of the earlier entry in the series, one which we never saw ported over to the west. It's historical fiction, using the likenesses of many Like a Dragon series characters, but with different names, playing figures from the time in dramatized versions of the events.

Still, just because Kiryu is actually Ryoma, doesn't mean there isn't some classic Like a Dragon to get up to. Alongside the brawling you can see in the Ishin combat demo, there's also the usual substories and side-games you'd expect from the series. Plus, an Another Life section where Ryoma can live it up as a peaceful farmer. What's not to like about a slice of farming life inside this classically action-heavy series?

Like a Dragon: Ishin! goes live on Feburary 17 for Deluxe Digital pre-orders, and on February 21 for every other version.

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The Dragon of Dojima steps back in time

Sega and Ryu ga Gotoku Studio are currently gearing up for the launch of Like a Dragon: Ishin! A full remake of the 2014 spin-off title in the Yakuza/Like a Dragon series of action-RPGS — And speaking of yesteryear, the studios announced that a special DLC skin is included in Ishin's Deluxe Edition, which sees the return of the eponymous Like a Dragon protagonist, Kazuma Kiryu!

The "Dragon of Dojima" DLC will allow players to dress Ishin's hero like his centuries-later descendant, complete with his iconic silver-grey suit and snakeskin shoes. It should be noted that this is just an aesthetic skin, Sakamoto will not literally become Kazuma — But if you fancied turning the attractive, period-piece world of Edo Japan into an absolutely dreadful anachronism, then you're sorted.

In this short trailer, you can see Sakamoto looking slick as he gets his ears cleaned out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqkDNGqWrvE&ab_channel=SEGA

Like a Dragon: Ishin! is a full remake of the 2014 PS3 release of the same name, and follows the adventures of Ryoma Sakamoto, who becomes embroiled in a local war of houses while investigating the murder of his sensei. Like a Dragon: Ishin! continues the hard-boiled drama, violent action, and a little of the tongue-in-cheek nature that is the trademark of the Like a Dragon series, but never saw the light of day outside of Japan, with Sega concerned that the game's setting and characters might not localize well enough to warrant the effort .

One should remember that the series then was not the highly recognized brand that it has become today, specifically since the launch of 2015's Yakuza 0, which was a huge hit on the PS4 platform.

Like a Dragon: Ishin! launches February 21 on PlayStation, PC, and Xbox platforms.

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Sheathe the sword and pick up the chef's knife

For as much as the Like a Dragon series has been about its over-the-top action and absurd comedic moments, it's also garnered a following for its mini-games. With that spirit in mind, Like a Dragon: Ishin! is highlighting its farming life mode in a new trailer.

In a mode called "Another Life," Ishin protagonist Ryoma leaves the violence for another day and instead tends to his quiet farm. We see a host of different mini-games and activities here, centered around living off the land. There's harvesting crops, chopping up veggies and preparing meat through cooking, and yes, even pets.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZJ_dc5gv-k

It's something special seeing a dog do a backflip. This side story seems to be bringing a heaping pile of peaceful slice-of-life warmth to the table, and I do enjoy that.

Farming like a dragon

Like a Dragon: Ishin! is the updated version of its historical fiction predecessor, which takes the cast of the Like a Dragon series and has them play out a story in a real, historical setting. Longtime series protagonist Kazuma Kiryu stars as Ryoma, and other characters from the series are set to appear as well.

Ishin is one of the Like a Dragon entries that hadn't arrived in the West yet. An official launch on modern consoles makes this a bit easier to get a hold of and play. Plus, now U.S. players can experience the joy of tending to a farm in 1860s Japan. Of course, there will still be fighting, intrigue, and plenty of drama. It's nice to have options, though.

If the quiet life appeals to you, you won't need to wait long to experience it either. Like a Dragon: Ishin! arrives for PlayStation 4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC on February 21, 2023.

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A little less forgiving than his ancestors

Ryu ga Gotoku Studio has released an action-packed trailer for its upcoming remake Like a Dragon: Ishin! spotlighting hero Sakamoto Ryoma as they embark upon a claret-spewing quest of honor and violence, set against the backdrop of 17th-century Japan. It looks to be a pretty brutal affair.

The Like a Dragon: Ishin! trailer focuses specifically on the remaster's combat mechanics, and sees our stoic protagonists engage with an army of samurai, ninja, and mercenary soldiers — utilizing several different fighting styles that all lead to the same result: a lot of blood and a lot of bodies. We see Sakamoto demonstrate four arts in all — Swordsman, Gunman, Wild Dancer, and Brawler — as he battles his way past insurmountable odds on his mission of vengeance. Sakamoto's wrath sees him lay waste to the opposition with fists, feet, cold steel, hot lead, and even a combination of all four simultaneously!

His enemies best just stay home today.

https://youtu.be/LQhLakRCEvQ

Like a Dragon: Ishin! is a long, long, long-awaited localization of the 2014 PS3 release Ryu ga Gotoku Ishin! brought up to speed with the power of Unreal Engine 4. Ishin! concerns the events of ronin Sakamoto Ryoma, an ancient ancestor of Like a Dragon protagonist Kazuma Kiryu, as they search for the killer of the father in the Bakamatsu age of Japan's Edo era. While it has been an exceptionally long wait for series fans, this remake looks set to deliver, freshly repainted and given a serious gameplay boost.

Like a Dragon: Ishin! launches on PlayStation, PC, and Xbox platforms on February 23.

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Throw open the doors and make some cash

One of the better mini-games from the Yakuza series is making its return. Upcoming Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name will have a cabaret mini-game.

The Like a Dragon, née Yakuza, series has had a wealth of minigames over the years. But few are as well-remembered as the cabaret ones. First making an appearance in Yakuza 0 and then again in Kiwami 2, these sections have you manage a club of hostesses.

Unlocking new hostesses through quests and scouting, while also competing with other clubs, became quite an engrossing side activity. And now it looks like the festivities return for Like a Dragon Gaiden.

https://twitter.com/RGGStudio/status/1597301578675130368

Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name follows longtime series protagonist Kazuma Kiryu, after the events of Yakuza 6. The Dragon of Dojima stepped down from the spotlight in the sixth entry as Ichiban Kasuga took over in Yakuza: Like a Dragon. (Kiryu did make an appearance in that entry, but didn't star.)

Gaiden looks to bridge the gap a bit, as Like a Dragon 8 will have both Ichiban and Kiryu in the lead. And from the looks of it, Kiryu has been going through some stuff.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fxkn-dcy01k

A year of dragons

It looks like we've got a decent amount of RGG content on its way, as the studio is also due to release Like a Dragon: Ishin next February. With Gaiden also set for 2023 and Like a Dragon 8 aiming for 2024, there's a lot of Kiryu in store for the next year or so.

All that said, I'm happy to see the cabaret game returning. It's fondly remembered for a reason, and will hopefully add an extra bit of mini-game oomph to Gaiden. As much as I liked holding meetings in Like a Dragon, I'm ready to manage the club again.

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Drug arrest actor finally faces Judgment

Once Judgment hit the PC scene, it was inevitable that players would start to poke around with the title's source code, as the PC krew are wont to do — case in point, this new mod, which restores the voice and visual likeness of actor Pierre Taki, who was patched out of the RPG shortly after its initial release.

The controversy came about way back in the spring of 2019, when the (then) 51-year-old actor was arrested for cocaine use. While no illicit substances were found at Taki's home, the actor registered positive when tested for samples. Japan's drug laws are among some of the world's most stringent, and the event led Sega to immediately halt sales of Judgment in order to remove Taki from his role as the Tojo Clan's subsidiary captain, Kyohei Hamura. Judgment would eventually return to the market, with Hamura sporting a brand new face and a re-recorded voice.

Clearly, however, his likeness and vocal performance remained buried within the source code of the PlayStation edition, as modder Timo654 has successfully adapted a similar PlayStation mod to now work with the new PC/Steam launch. The Pierre Taki mod for Judgment can be accessed via the NexusMods website, and is compatible with the popular trainer Ryu Mod Manager, which is utilized for the modding of titles within the Ryu ga Gotoku series.

As for Taki himself, the Tokyo District Court handed down a sentence of 18 months in jail for cocaine use. The sentence has a three-year suspension period. The actor has continued to work in film and television since the arrest.

Judgment PC mod restores ‘disgraced’ original Hamura actor [PCGamesN]

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Guest appearances from some series veterans

Sega and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio have released the first gameplay trailer for their upcoming remake Like a Dragon: Ishin! — the slick video shows off some of the characters, locales, and intense combat action of the period piece spin-off from the much-loved Yakuza/Like a Dragon franchise.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jk_z9hyFY1I&t

Originally released in Japan back in 2014 as Ryu ga Gotoku Ishin!, Sega's spin-off sees a suspiciously familiar party of heroes and villains clash against the backdrop of the latter-day Bakamatsu period of Edo-era Japan. Replacing the streets of Kamurocho with rural villages and ancient temples, the game follows the adventures of legendary swordsman and folklore figure Sakamoto Ryōma — essentially "portrayed" by Like a Dragon hero Kazuma Kiryu.

The new remake will feature an overhauled game engine, modern visuals, and tightened combat. In addition, a new "soldier" system will let the player call upon classic Like a Dragon characters for an assist in battle, including Like a Dragon 2's Kaoru Sayama and Like a Dragon 7's Ichiban Kasuga. As depicted in the trailer, fans can also expect a wide variety of dopey side activities, including some garden plantation, fishing, gambling, and, naturally, some Edo-era karaoke. Because why hot?

It might have been a very, very, very long time coming for western fans, but it looks like this new edition of the rare release is going to have been worth the wait. Like a Dragon: Ishin! launches on PlayStation, PC, and Xbox platforms February 21, 2023.

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Solving crimes with haymakers

In a surprisingly unceremonious piece of news, publisher Sega and developer Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio have quietly ported detective thrillers Judgment and Lost Judgment onto PC. The two Judgment titles are now available to purchase via the Steam platform, priced at around $40 and $60 USD, respectively.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hT6np8elumk

Judgment (2018) and its sequel Lost Judgment (2021), follows the adventures of lawyer-turned-private detective Takayuki Yagami, as he becomes embroiled in various escalating mysteries on the mean streets of Kamurocho — which just happen to be the setting for Ryu ga Gotoku Studio's flagship franchise, Like a Dragon. In the Judgment titles, players follow trails of evidence, interrogate perps, and solve minor and major crimes, more often than not at the end of a skinny-jeans-borne spin-kick.

Much like its Ryu Ga Gotoku brethren, the Judgment titles are renowned for their brutal martial arts combat, stylish nightlife settings, and abundance of dopey, tonally inconsistent mini-games and side activities. Both titles are solid, and well worth checking out if you've exhausted the Yakuza catalog and are looking for something to tide you over until the release of the just announced Like a Dragon 8.

Judgment and Lost Judgment are available now on PlayStation, Xbox, Stadia, and PC platforms.

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Ishin finally comes to the west on PS4 and PS5

[Update: RGG Studio has released a new, near-six-minute story trailer for Like a Dragon: Ishin! You can check it out below. Like a Dragon: Ishin! will launch worldwide on February 22, 2023.]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wVSyxsUQHU

A long-awaited Yakuza title is making its way to new fans. Like a Dragon: Ishin is a historical action-adventure, launching globally in February 2023.

Ishin is a historical thriller set in 1860s Kyo, a fictional version of Kyoto. Hero Sakamoto Ryoma is a true historical figure, and the story follows the overthrow of the shogunate and how the samurai era vanished.

If the faces look familiar, it's for good reason. Kazuma Kiryu is essentially "cast" as Sakamoto Ryoma, and others will appear as well. Yes, that includes Goro Majima.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWCjnYx7Ytc

While Yakuza Ishin launched in Japan in 2014, western players haven't had a localized version to play just yet. And more than a localization, Like a Dragon: Ishin is being built on Unreal Engine 4. I have to say, it's looking pretty darn good on it, too.

Of course, the game will still have heat actions for some big finishers. Sakamoto can also wield a blade in Swordsman style, a gun in the Gunman style, or both in the Wild Dancer style. Or maybe just go back to good old fists, in the Brawler stance.

Like a dragon

There's more to come for Like a Dragon: Ishin, and we might not have to wait long. Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio is set to host a summit live stream early tomorrow morning. Hopefully we'll get some more details and info on RGG's plans there.

Today's State of Play confirms that Like a Dragon: Ishin is coming to PlayStation 4 and PS5. The Sega upload of the trailer also confirms Ishin is coming to Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Windows and Steam.

The post (Update) Like a Dragon: Ishin launches February 22, 2023 appeared first on Destructoid.

See what's next for RGG Studio

Another developer is joining the list of showcases set for next week. Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, the developer behind the Yakuza and Judgment series, is hosting the RGG Summit 2022 on September 14.

The RGG Summit will air on Sega's Twitch channel, going live at 19:00 JST. That's 10:00 UTC, or 3:00 a.m. PT for those on the west coast. East coasters have it a little bit easier, with a 6 a.m. ET air time.

For those who are awake and tuned in, the stream will have live English interpretation and subtitled assets for those outside of Japan.

https://twitter.com/RGGStudio/status/1567830960133099520

No indication's been given yet as to what will be announced. Though, given the recent tease of some footage from the next Yakuza, that seems like a likely candidate.

The studio has confirmed it's working on the next Yakuza game already. It will be a follow-up to Yakuza: Like a Dragon, and it will retain a turn-based RPG approach.

Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio will also be without Toshihiro Nagoshi, who left the company and has established Nagoshi Studio under NetEase. It'll be interesting to see what's next for Ichiban and the crew, and the Yakuza series in general, if we get a glimpse during the RGG Summit.

Summer's end gaming news blitz

That's far from the only showcase next week, too. Next week is the 2022 Tokyo Game Show, and companies like Capcom, Square Enix, and Bandai Namco are all lined up to air streams.

Xbox and Twitch are also airing a showcase next week for ID@Xbox, too. This weekend will even have a Marvel and Disney showcase, and an Ubisoft Forward. Plus, the ever-present rumors of a potential September Direct (which may or may not be happening, who's to say).

With the holiday season just over the horizon, seems like we're getting one last wave of gaming news and announcements. We'll see what RGG Studio has in store next week.

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Misadventures in Kamurocho

Ryu ga Gotoku Studio, perhaps better known to western audiences as Team Yakuza, has announced that it will be hosting a new episode of production web series next week, which will feature none other than studio director himself, Masayoshi Yokoyama, who will present fans with a "sneak peek trailer."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMIrQbJ5K2E

The developer did not offer any further hint as to what the trailer will be giving us a "sneak peek" of, but the rumor mill has been turning for some time — spilling stories that a "Yakuza 8" is currently in the works at the veteran studio. With Tokyo Game Show kicking off in just a fortnight's time, now would be the perfect opportunity for a Japanese company to get the hype engine in motion for a brand new release. The stream will also feature a gallery of specially selected fan art reflecting the studio's games.

The Ryu ga Gotoku Studio TV #12.5 episode will premiere on the developer's official YouTube channel Thursday, September 8, at 20:00 JST. This is, obviously, an eye-watering 02:00 PT / 05:00 ET, but fret not, as we will be sure to have all of the pertinent details on the new trailer right here on Destuctoid, ready and waiting for you when you eventually roll outta bed and into your snakeskin shoes.

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You'll need PS Plus Premium to get them all, though

The PlayStation Plus games for August are now officially announced, with Yakuza: Like a Dragon among the lineup. But that isn't the only Yakuza game coming to PlayStation Plus owners this year.

Sony has confirmed that eight Yakuza games, stretching across the mainline entries, will arrive on PlayStation Plus services by the end of the year. To check out the full gamut, you'll need PlayStation Plus Premium. But yes, those who do have a subscription will be able to dive deep into this wild series.

Starting this month, Yakuza: Like a Dragon is the first up. The RPG may be a departure from the usual beat 'em up action of the core series, but it's a darn good one. August's Game Catalog update for PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium members will also see Yakuza 0, Kiwami, and Kiwami 2 arrive. The Kiwami games are remakes of the first two games, while Yakuza 0 is a prequel story that is frankly superb.

Then, as the year rolls on, the remasters of Yakuza 3, 4, and 5 will arrive for PS Plus Premium, and Yakuza 6: The Song of Life will close it out for Extra and Premium. The short version is:

Yakuza games headed to PS Plus by tiers

• Essential: Yakuza: Like Dragon
• Extra: Yakuza 0, Kiwami, Kiwami 2, 6
• Premium: Yakuza 3, 4, 5

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkygiqC7ulQ

So yes, you will need PlayStation Plus Premium to take full advantage of the sheer flood of Yakuza content. But for those who did dip all in the way, getting the entire Yakuza series seems like a good upside.

Sony has also rolled out additional PS Plus bonuses since launching its new subscription tiers, like making popular cat-game Stray free for Extra and up. We'll see how these tiers keep up with both the modern offerings of Game Pass and the retro lineup of the Nintendo Switch Plus collection as time goes on, but a whole bunch of Yakuza is a pretty good pace-setter.

Meanwhile, if you want a look at the future of the Yakuza series, we got one in an offscreen video clip. Now would be a great time for a Like a Dragon refresher, as Ichiban and the crew look ready to take the lead again.

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Some off-screen footage appears of what looks like the next Yakuza

We just got a glimpse of the next Yakuza story. And rather than through a story or gameplay trailer, it's through some off-the-screen footage of Yakuza 8 in a studio tour.

As shared by Famitsu, MMA fighter Mikuru Asakura recently posted a behind-the-scenes tour of Sega's headquarters. He spends the video chatting with developers, but what really caught attention was a moment where a screen shows several Like a Dragon characters in what appears to be Yakuza 8.

https://twitter.com/famitsu/status/1549363407614185472

Ichiban, Nanba, and Adachi all appear in this scene. The Yakuza: Like a Dragon protagonist appears to have a different haircut again, though it seems like his hair might be tied back rather than cut short.

Return of the dragon

The development team confirmed that the next Yakuza story would be a follow-up to Yakuza: Like a Dragon, so seeing these characters again makes sense. This was alongside a larger shake-up at Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, which saw longtime director Toshihiro Nagoshi depart the studio. The Yakuza creator would later reveal his own studio, Nagoshi Studio, under the NetEase banner.

As for the next Yakuza game? This is the first glimpse we've seen of it. We did get confirmation last year that the Yakuza series would not just carry on the Like a Dragon story, but its RPG combat as well. It seems like the brawler action will live on with Lost Judgement and other games from Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio.

Hopefully this is a sign that we'll see more of the next Yakuza soon. Yakuza: Like a Dragon was a major departure for the series, with a new core cast and entirely new battle system. But it was incredibly charming, and I'm pretty down to spend some more time with this disaster-person RPG party.

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I'm really interested in seeing how Ryu Ga Gotoku fares long term

Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, better known to some as the "Yakuza developer," has been around in some form for several decades. They've become a fixture at Sega, and whenever they announce a game, time stops for a moment. The Yakuza studio's future is uncertain, especially with a change in leadership recently, but they're still planning on sailing full speed ahead.

As a reminder, producers Toshihiro Nagoshi (the face of the Yakuza franchise) and Daisuke Sato left the company, leaving producer/writer Masayoshi Yokoyama in charge. It was a shock for Yakuza fans given how much Nagoshi had put his heart and soul into the franchise, and the studio took the opportunity to course-correct with the announcement of Yakuza: Like a Dragon 2 in that same breath. This announcement was preceded by rumors pointing toward Nagoshi's departure.

So what's happening now, three months later? Speaking to 4Gamer, Yakuza director Hiroyuki Sakamoto says that the studio will continue to live on, and there will be some surprises in store (as translated by Gematsu):

"Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio has taken on a new structure, but we’ll continue to create games that everyone can enjoy from here on. Please look forward to some truly surprising announcements in the future!"

Those "surprises" likely include the already confirmed non-Yakuza games. So at this point, it's safe to say that if anything is in active development, Nagoshi likely had a hand in it before he left. With that in mind, I'm really keen to see how the studio gets on in five, or six years from now.

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Ichiban Kasuga to return in 'Yakuza 8'

Ryu ga Gotoku Studio, (also known as "Team Yakuza"), sat down with Japanese publication Weekly Famitsu to discuss various aspects of the studio's output — from its recent staff restructure, to its recent releases, upcoming sequels, and, perhaps most intriguingly, new titles that will actually take place *gasp* outside of the Yakuza/Lost Judgment universe!

Among the tidbits transcribed from the interview by Gematsu, (with an assist from the ever-ready Ryokutya2089), is news that the next Yakuza title will see the return of Yakuza: Like a Dragon protagonist Ichiban Kasuga, as the loveable ne'er-do-well continues his story in a new game set "several years" after the events of the 2020 action-RPG. This is news that was well received by many Yakuza fans, as Ichiban did a fantastic job at filling the snakeskin shoes of Yakuza's long-time protagonist Kazuma Kiryu. More adventures from the crazy-haired reprobate are welcome.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRgZog5Y328

As previously mentioned, some of the most interesting news from the interview concerns new titles that are set outside of the Yakuza and Lost Judgment universe. This is a territory rarely ventured by Ryu ga Gotoku, save for the 2018 anime adaptation Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise.

The studio seemingly did not offer much in the way of details pertaining to these new releases, so we'll have to wait and see whether they fall in line with the tried-and-tested brawler/adventure action that is the Ryu ga Gotoku trademark. Let's not forget that the developer also coded Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown for Sega earlier this year, so the studio clearly has the capabilities to produce an excellent fighting game.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3JTmNATxWc

Recently celebrating its 10th anniversary, Ryu ga Gotoku Studio underwent a personnel shakeup, which saw the departure of Yakuza series creator and game director Toshihiro Nagoshi, as well as producer and 25-year Sega veteran Daisuke Sato. Both visionaries expressed confidence in the studio's future, which is now in the capable hands of writer and Yakuza Kiwami producer Masayoshi Yokoyama.

Here's to another decade of bicycle-breaking, sign-smashing, nightclub-wrecking adventure, peppered with the delightful comedy and warm characterization that makes Ryu ga Gotoku's output so appealing.

Yakuza 8 set several years after Like a Dragon [Gematsu / Ryokutya2089]

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Murder mystery kicking ass on PlayStation & Xbox

Sega released a neat video looking at the creation of a slick 'n' sick graffiti mural, installed to celebrate the launch of Team Yakuza's Lost Judgment. The video follows the painstaking work of artist Dan Kitchener, who was commissioned to design and paint the piece. Kitchener's love of the "cyber city" aesthetic is perfectly reflective of Kamurocho's neon style.

You can check out the video, showcasing the masterwork and its entire conception, in this exclusive from NME.

Kitchener used a wide palette of dazzling color to create the mural, installed within the arches of Waterloo Leake Street in London. Completing the diorama is a ringed neon light, which offers onlookers the opportunity to recreate the flashy fighting techniques of Lost Judgment hero, Takayuki Yagami.

Alongside footage of Kitchener's stellar work, we also catch a glimpse of a cute dog — suspiciously familiar to Lost Judgment's own "Detective Dog" — who visited the site. No doubt the canny canine was keeping an eye out for any troublemakers.

The Lost Judgment mural is just the latest in a number of stunning street art projects painted to market the launch of a new video game. Earlier this year, EndoftheLine's Jim Vision created an electrifying piece to celebrate the debut of Bandai Namco's Scarlet Nexus. EndoftheLine was also responsible for a famous painting of Metal Gear protagonist Raiden, that adorned the side of Aireside House in Leeds for seven years, before sadly being removed in 2020.

Lost Judgment is available now on PlayStation and Xbox platforms. You can check out Chris Carter's review right here.

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I'm glad Yagami is back

Judgment is an interesting (now) series. You hear about Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio's Yakuza all the time, but the spinoffs rarely garner the same amount of respect. There's a lot of reasons for that, newness for one, but I loved seeing a different kind of open-world project from this team, and was intrigued to the point where I wanted more. I got it with Lost Judgment.

Lost Judgment (PS4, PS5 [reviewed], Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S)
Developer: Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio
Publisher: Sega
Released: September 24, 2021
MSRP: $59.99

To be frank, I kinda needed more Judgment in my life.

The void of a mainline Yakuza game that's not Like a Dragon (it was fine, but I need my action fix) has been a huge contributing factor, but Judgment itself has created this nice little lore niche for itself that I have to see more of. Similar to the Phoenix Wright series, Ryu Ga Gotoku could go full Perfect Strangers-Family Matters or Happy Days-verse on this, doing spinoffs of spinoffs until they get around to more Yakuza.

I’m so glad to be back in this world again with detective Takayuki Yagami. No, it’s still not perfect. Some investigations are a drag just like the first (we'll get into that). But those are often followed up by some unique and thrilling moments, and the characters vibe just right; you remember who made this game and why they have the reputation they do.

The greater narrative of Lost Judgment (which you can experience with dual audio) deals with a Yokohama building fire linked to a man accused of sexual harassment — and leads to a greater mystery. All the while, Yagami and his crew (mostly ex-Yakuza member Masaharu Kaito, returning from the first game) investigate tangential crimes and other small-time cases. This is key.

It's interesting how Lost Judgment is constantly shifting from the micro to the macro picture. One minute you're following someone's boyfriend on a hunch, and the next you're embroiled in a bigger conspiracy. Then minutes later you're having a drink or talking about Peking duck to loosen up clientele. The sequel aims to open up Yagami more — beyond the very broody persona that dominated much of the first title — and for the most part, I think it succeeds.

To reach that end, you're basically going to be doing the same things as the prior Judgment, just punched up a bit mechanically, and with better pacing. Sneaking/stealth sequences, tailing people, taking photos as evidence, and of course, fighting are at the forefront, amid countless sidequests and silly activities like skateboarding.

The main upgrade compared to the first game is that stealth and trailing are more relaxed this time around. While they could often be a pain originally, they come up less often, and you have a little more to do during them (like taking photos at key times with parameters).

The missions themselves are give and take, with a few of the more intriguing/silly scenarios coming about from sidequests (which are mostly stacked at the school, a huge focus in this entry). There's a few gamey elements (like disguises and "choices" during missions), but then Lost Judgment hits you with a curveball. One minute you're setting up surveillance cameras, the next you're espousing knowledge on the psychology of penguins.

There's still a huge emphasis on combat, which is mostly straightforward and fun, drawing upon the system of the first game: which placed an emphasis on simplicity and style. You'll swap to the crane stance for crowds, tiger for one-on-one, and snake for anti-weapon tech. On higher difficulty settings, you do need to pay attention to some of the nuances of those stances, and the juice is worth the squeeze.

Even before pumping any amount of XP into abilities or stats, the core combat of Lost Judgment is focused on arcade action. The stances are incredibly flashy, as the coloring of each not only looks cool, but very clearly tells you at a glance what style you're using. The entire adherence to this gimmick also ensures that there's a good amount of variety too, with one-on-one bouts, group fights, and backlot brawls with items.

The EX system and contextual abilities — like slamming people into walls or stomping on them while they're down — are cinematic as hell and provide just the right amount of silliness without going too over the top. While Judgment as a whole might look too serious for its own good, the more you peel back, the more comfortable it gets.

One of the big reasons Lost Judgment truly sings (just like its predecessor) is the open world. It's cliché to say, but the landscapes really are a few of the primary characters of Lost Judgment. Kamurocho (the development team favorite rendition of Kabukichō) and Isezaki Ijincho (Isezakichō) are a blast to walk around in. The game looks great on PS5 (some of the animations and environments are really great) and the load times are minimal.

Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio once went outside of their Tokyo-based development house and did the work on recreating the city, with authentic knick-knacks like Boss Coffee and Suntory Tea. I've spent hours in this game just strolling around, either on foot or on the skateboard you get several hours in. With Lost Judgment, it's really easy to lose track of time.

Not only is it fun to get lost, but there are over 600 shop missions (essentially achievements), and school storylines (which I won't spoil because a few of them are really fun). Plus there's activities like batting cages, UFO catchers (you can display your rewards at home), and darts to screw around with. And of course, there's video games: Motor Raid (one of my personal favorites), Super Hang-On, Fantasy Zone, Space Harrier, and Hama of the Dead are the headliners.

Oh and that's not counting Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown, Fighting Vipers, and Sonic the Fighters, which are playable from the very start on the main menu with two players. The spirit of Shenmue lives on in series like Yakuza and Judgment.

Judgment may have been an acquired taste in many ways, but the sequel makes some of the bitterness go down easier. Given that you can basically dive in here and feel sufficiently caught up with a new case as the focus, it's for the best. I really hope we haven't seen the last of this subseries, because the creators seem to really care about it.

The post Review: Lost Judgment appeared first on Destructoid.

The Godfather of 3D fighters returns

Virtua Fighter 5: Ultimate Showdown is the fourth iteration of the fifth mainline entry in Sega's legendary 3D fighting franchise — the first release since 2010's (now suspiciously titled) Final Showdown. The core aim of Ultimate Showdown is to reignite Virtua Fighter's admittedly niche competitive scene, offering players an alternate to FGC giants such as Tekken and Mortal Kombat 11. Mighty opponents indeed. Still, if any title has the pedigree to make such a comeback, it'll be Sega's iconic slugfest.

Carving out a prime spot in a crowded esports market is an unenviable task, particularly given the current global climate and the unpredictable nature of its eventual aftermath. Sega will be required to go all-out in its efforts to market and, crucially, to support Ultimate Showdown as a title worthy of a fresh turn in the premier league of competitive fighters.

While no-one would deny Virtua Fighter the mantle of one of the finest and most influential titles ever to hit the scene, Virtua Fighter 5's initial release was a bone-rattling 15 years ago. Can Sega's formative 3D fighter shine once again on the main stage, particularly when toeing the line against such stiff competition? Until the return of the global tournament scene, we'll have to be patient for those answers. For now, let's take a look at what Ultimate Showdown brings to the ring.

Virtua Fighter 5: Ultimate Showdown (PS4)
Developer: Sega AM2 / Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio
Publisher: Sega
Released: June 1, 2021
MSRP: $29.99 (includes DLC bundle)

Virtua Fighter 5: Ultimate Showdown is a joint production of Sega's pioneering AM2 division and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, who themselves are no strangers to skull-busting, having developed both the Yakuza and Judgment franchises. The two talented teams have recreated Virtua Fighter 5 within RGG's Dragon Engine, accurately retaining the gameplay and mechanics of its earlier iterations, while offering a fresh coat of paint to the decade-old visuals and tweaking its under-the-hood technology.

Virtua Fighter 5 has never looked so flashy. The work done by RGG to improve the fighter's light and shadow effects are exemplary, while individual textures for material, hair, and skin — always a VF standout — have also seen a noticeable upgrade. Additionally, Virtua Fighter's gallery of sun-streaked battlegrounds — among some of the most idyllic in the genre — sparkle like never before. Sega's love of neon-soaked cities, bright blue skies, sparkling seas, and sun-washed beaches is in full effect.

Despite this glow-up, some of the character models don't quite match up to the quality of other 3D fighters. While pugilists such as Akira and Eileen look fantastic, others stumble occasionally, even feeling like a step down from their prior appearances. Perhaps we've been spoiled by the stellar work performed by Team Ninja for VF's turn in Dead or Alive, but while Ultimate Showdown's textures and visual effects are most certainly improved, mileage on the characters themselves varies. Overall, Ultimate Showdown looks great, better still if you use the delightful VF 1 retro models, available separately as paid DLC.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnC_9rf1u28

The meat of any fighting game lies in the blood-pumping action once fists and feet start flying. Ultimate Showdown has lost nothing in the transition to its new engine, delivering the exact same satisfying and compelling gameplay that has been a franchise trademark since its 1993 inception. Virtua Fighter has always been a joy to play, its ingenious three-button system is all the innovation it has ever needed. While the fighting game genre has reinvented itself time and again in the ensuing decades, VF's mechanics are galvanized, and as solid in Ultimate Showdown as they have ever been.

While RGG successfully retained both the visual style and the excellent gameplay of Virtua Fighter 5, one important feature has not made a similarly impressive transition. Ultimate Showdown's cutomization mode is severely lacking compared to both Final Showdown and even the original Virtua Fighter 5. The fun costumes and wide variety of clothing and accessories are gone, with Ultimate Showdown offering three (admittedly nice) outfits for each character, alongside a basic selection of color choices and a handful of different hairstyles and jewelry.

A possible drawback facilitated by the new engine, the fun customization options of prior releases have been lost in the process, with elements such as unlocking items, character crossover skins, and hidden winposes nowhere to be found. While the clothing textures look mighty fine, it's the weakest customization mode in Virtua Fighter 5 to date. Hey, if can't turn Vanessa Lewis into KoF's Leona Heidern, or Sarah Bryant into Space Channel 5's Ulala, what even is the point?

The stripped-down customization mode is indicative of something that hangs heavy over Ultimate Showdown: a lack of single-player content. Designed specifically as a tournament tool, Ultimate Showdown is, first and foremost, a Vs.-centric release. Players can create smart and highly customizable lobbies, stacked to the rafters with bracket builders, spectator options, passcode locks, emote windows, and a huge slew of rule variables for all your tournament needs. Very commendable. For solo players, however, the features on offer here are extremely thin.

Arcade Mode is available, as is a solid Tutorial and an excellent, in-depth Training mode. There is, however, no Time Attack, Survival, Combo Trial, or a return for VF 5's beloved Quest Mode. Ultimate Showdown makes no bones about its "PvP Comes First" intentions, (Hell, it's even titled "Virtua Fighter eSports" in Japan), but this prioritizing results in a skeletal package for anyone disinterested in competitive play. "Ultimate" Showdown does not quite live up to its moniker from a "complete" perspective. It's a shame to not see Sega go all-out to ensure that this release is the culmination of Virtua Fighter 5's entire lifespan.

Let's suplex the elephant in the room: online play. Despite Ultimate Showdown going all-in on its competitive features, Sega has not developed brand new technology to host online battles — something of a self-defeating decision. Ultimate Showdown uses a tweaked version of Final Showdown's online technology, which I'm pleased to report remains very solid. At the time of writing, I've had around 80 fights with around 30 opponents. Of all of these opponents, only a handful caused any lag hiccups whatsoever. A positive first impression, at least.

I intend to continue playing today, and will update this review with my findings once the game is in the public's hands. Ultimate Showdown sacrifices single-player content specifically to focus on competitive options. As such, that multiplayer content is a core element in the title's overall value and bears scrutiny.

Virtua Fighter 5: Ultimate Showdown will find its aligned PlayStation Plus release will do a lot of heavy-lifting. There's no denying that Ultimate Showdown is an excellent fighting game, but its bare-bones release, niche branding, and emphasis on PvP combat would make it a tough sell to anyone who wasn't a dyed-in-the-wool Virtua Fighter player.

However, as PS+ title, Ultimate Showdown will naturally find its way into the libraries of almost every single PS4 fighting game player on the planet, affording the release a broad introduction to both new and returning players. One wonders how much broader that audience could be had Sega chosen not to make Ultimate Showdown a platform exclusive.

Ultimate Showdown is a great release, if one of mixed intent. Seemingly for each of its advancements, there is a odd retraction. The new visuals are great, but the customization is weak. The lobby and online options are absolutely superb, but there's very little here for offline engagement. The product leans heavily on PvP gameplay, but re-uses decade-old netcode. Thankfully, despite these mismatched visions, the quality of Virtua Fighter 5 as a fighting game shines through brilliantly, while the budget price/PlayStation Plus angle makes the title's negatives far easier to parry.

15 years on, Ultimate Showdown finds Virtua Fighter 5 just as engaging as it ever was, maintaining its long-held reputation as one of the genre's classiest and most enduring fighters. Woeful single-player content and receding features prevent the package from achieving its full potential but, despite its flaws, Ultimate Showdown costs little, looks good, and plays great. A welcome return to one of gaming's most distinguished rings. Now... about that sequel...

_{[This review is based on a retail build of the game provided by the publisher.]}

The post Review: Virtua Fighter 5: Ultimate Showdown appeared first on Destructoid.

Real Polygon Kid

Earlier in the week, we revealed that Sega's upcoming slugger Virtua Fighter 5: Ultimate Showdown was getting an amusing DLC bundle, offering players the opportunity to play as the entire Virtua Fighter 5 clan in a fashion recalling their old-school, polygonal roots.

The "Legendary Pack" DLC, which launches June 1 for $10, features two skins for each of VF 5's pugilists, reflecting each character's P1 and P2 regalia. Best of all, latter-day characters such as Brad Burns and El Blaze also receive VF 1-style skins, giving us a glimpse of what might have been had they appeared in the formative projects of Sega AM2.

For funsies, I took an in-game shot of every roster member sporting the new skins. They all look pretty great and some, such as Brad Burns and Vanessa, have two distinctly different looks to choose from. Sadly, the faces are not animated, so we don't get to see Lau's creepy, eyebrow-raising sneer. The Legendary Pack also includes an option to replace the redesigned U.I. with that of the original release in this classic series. Now all we need are a full range of Figmas. Make it happen, Good Smile Co.!

Virtua Fighter 5: Ultimate Showdown launches June 1 on PS4. It will be included in June's PlayStation Plus selection, or can be purchased separately for $30, which includes the DLC.

Akira Yuki

Jeffry McWild

Pai Chan

Lau Chan

Wolf Hawkfield

Jacky Bryant

Sarah Bryant

Kagemaru

Shun Di

Lion Rafale

Aoi Umenokoji

Taka-Arashi

Lei-Fei

Vanessa Lewis

Goh Hinogami

Brad Burns

Eileen

El Blaze

Jean Kujo

The post Here’s Virtua Fighter 5: Ultimate Showdown’s roster in all their boxy, retro glory appeared first on Destructoid.

Roll(back) Eyes

While Sega offered a variety of details pertaining to its upcoming release Virtua Fighter 5: Ultimate Showdown yesterday, one aspect of the game went mysteriously unspoken: the all-important netcode. The silence has been deafening, as Ultimate Showdown is a title that has been literally designed specifically for competition, thus a stable online experience is a must.

In an email to Kotaku, Sega has stated that Virtua Fighter 5: Ultimate Showdown will use delay-based netcode technology adapted from 2012 release Virtua Fighter 5: Final Showdown, essentially using decade-plus-old technology to run the remake in an online capacity. The news has caused Virtua Spit-Takes from fans, who were hoping for more precise tech — such as the much-vaunted "rollback" — to make an appearance. Honestly, I wasn't expecting rollback netcode at all, but I was at least expecting freshly built technology.

It should be stated for the record that Final Showdown's netcode was mostly fine. I personally played thousands of matches on it. Thousands. But, that said, not only is it Two Thousand and Twenty One, but Sega's Ultimate Showdown is specifically designed as a competitive play title, and while that's all well and good for the offline/tournament scene, quality online is a must in order to carry home players and build a stronger community.

I'm yet to find a single online fight in Ultimate Showdown, (the game isn't on the market yet), so I can't speak to the new release's stability. It's not worth ringing any death knells just yet — for all we know Ultimate Showdown could have the cleanest online in series' history — but it remains a baffling decision by Sega to build a release entirely around the PvP demographic, and then not go all out to make sure online quality is its number one priority.

Virtua Fighter 5: Ultimate Showdown won't have state-of-the-art online [Kotaku]

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Hip to be Square

It might not have hit the ring just yet, but Sega has already announced a day-one DLC pack for its upcoming Virtua Fighter 5: Ultimate Showdown. The aesthetic-only add-on sees Akira and pals return to their strangely unnerving polygonal roots.

The "Legendary Pack", which will launch alongside Ultimate Showdown on June 1, will add alternate skins for every character on the roster, replicating the classic "Virtua" look that took the arcade scene by storm back in 1993. While this turns back the clock for classic characters such as Pai, Wolf, and Sarah, it's going to be fun to retroactively see latter-day fighters such as Vanessa, El Blaze, and Eileen recreated in beautiful, box-headed glory.

In addition to the retro skins, the Legendary pack will also include a "Classic" U.I., which replaces the redesigned health bars and on-screen prompts with those of the original release. The Legendary Pack will retail for around $10. It bears repeating that Virtua Fighter 5: Ultimate Showdown will also be part of June's PlayStation Plus offerings. Once the title leaves PS+. it will retail for $30, which includes the Legendary Pack.

Ultimate Showdown will be receiving an arcade release in Japan on June 6, as well as an upcoming pro-tour, with Sega hoping that it can reignite the classic fighter's competitive scene. We'll keep you updated with any further information pertaining to the re-release.

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The Yakuza collaboration I didn't even know was an option

I can't begin to describe the whiplash I experienced today when I learned that not only is there a toy duck version of Yakuza's Kazuma Kiryu, he's just the latest in a long and bewildering line of gaming, movie, and comic book characters — even Tofu! — who have been rubber duck-ified by Tubbz.

RKG Studio shared the news with a head-turning tweet this morning. Love that shot.

Imagine taking a bath with the Dragon of Dojima — now you don't have to!

While Sega has collaborated with Tubbz before on "cosplaying duck" versions of Shenmue's Ryo Hazuki, Jet Set Radio's Beat, and a freaky Dr. Eggman that makes me uncomfortable, this is a new direction for the Yakuza series. Obviously, we gotta get Majima up in here too. They complete each other.

The 3.54" tall Kiryu duck will be available in July 2021 for $15, and pre-orders are open today.

The post Oh my god, Kiryu is a rubber duck appeared first on Destructoid.

Judgment will carry the action onwards

Today, Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio announced Lost Judgment, a follow-up to its street detective spin-off Judgment. And while Judgment will carry forward the classic Yakuza series action, the Yakuza series will keep diverging into new territory.

Speaking to IGN, Yakuza creator Toshihiro Nagoshi and producer Kazuki Hosokawa confirmed that Judgment will be the pillar for action going forward, while Yakuza will carry forward the turn-based RPG systems brought about by last year's Yakuza: Like a Dragon.

"The Yakuza series has been transformed into a turn-based RPG," they told IGN. "On the other hand, over the year, Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio has accumulated resources and know-how of making flashy and exhilarating action games that are effortless to enjoy. We decided that we should let our signature action gameplay live on through Lost Judgment."

 This might be a surprise for some, but it might split the difference of letting Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio continue building on the foundation of Like a Dragon while still creating their particular brand of beat 'em up. Lost Judgment certainly doesn't seem like it's slouching on either the action or the wild side activities either way.

Lost Judgment is coming to PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S on Sept. 24, 2021.

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