It’s finally here! It’s been about 10 years since the Ryu ga Gotoku Restoration! Released exclusively in Japan on PS3 and PS4, Western fans have been asking for a localization effort for a long time.But back then yak… um like a dragon The series was never as popular as it is now.
This PS5 and PS4 re-release is officially billed as a remake, but its descriptor is a bit of stretching. In practice, this is more like reskins in Unreal Engine. His 2014 bones of the original Isin are still here, virtually unchanged. The gameplay structure is all pretty much the same, though the cutscenes differ from beat to beat. It adds a welcome depth to the capital.
Yes, before we go any further, it would be better to explain that it is set in Japan in the 1800s, when the British Empire frowned on island nations and firearms were replacing traditional Japanese weapons. Calling it a volatile period in Japan’s history is probably an understatement, as both social and social unrest threatened to erupt in a bloody civil war.
In all of this potential turmoil at the center of Ishin’s overarching plot, step into the sandals of Ryoma Sakamoto, the adopted son of an influential lord, a low-ranking samurai, and a skilled swordsman. In real-world history, Sakamoto was a very influential figure in bringing about Japan’s “Meiji Restoration.” The game’s story is, of course, highly romantic, but Sakamoto’s historical trial forms the basis for Ishin’s story.
The plot is sprinkled with familiar faces from what we know as the Yakuza franchise. Notable supporting characters such as Hachi borrow the looks and vocal cords of Goro Majima and Taiga Saejima respectively. If so, you’ll absolutely love the fan service on offer here, with yakuza heroes and villains as historical figures.
In fact, this remake includes more familiar faces than ever before. Due to the number of Yakuza titles released between the original Restoration and this revival, developer RGG Studio decided it would be a good fit to add a series of new brackets from recent games, and in the process We re-dubbed the entire character in. Again, it’s a true all-star cast.
It goes without saying that the story of the Restoration is true, TRUE good. It contains all the usual “Like a Dragon” themes – honor, betrayal and brotherhood – but enhanced with a samurai movie sensibility. There are many life-and-death sword fights, and the tension works very well. In fact, the game’s starting time sees Ryoma join the infamous Shinsengumi. He is there seeking revenge, unable to share his true identity at the risk of his plans being exposed, and forced to play alongside his new allies in a bloody campaign across the city. I’m here.
It’s gripping things at its best, and in true Yakuza fashion, the storytelling reaches a dizzying high towards the end. This is what we’ve come to expect from the series at this point. Whether it’s intense standoffs or comedic side quests, the writing is excellent – and that’s especially important when there’s no English dub. .
In between cinematic stories, you can freely roam Kyo, brawl with villains, find a side job, and soak up the atmosphere of the 1800s.By today’s standards, Kyo is a fairly small and rather bland sandbox, but its compact design gives the illusion of being a densely populated place. bad The setting, but the way it’s stitched together is a little rudimentary, and without the glitz and glamour of modern Tokyo to keep things visually interesting, it’s quickly becoming tedious to spend hours navigating the same sandy streets. You may get bored.
Naturally, the city has all kinds of distractions. For example, a bar where you can go on stage and sing, an underground chicken race and, of course, a robust gambling den. It’s safe to say that Yisin has a lot to do.it can Large scale It’s a waste of time if you’re trying to master every activity, but overall it rivals some of the most content-rich Yakuza titles.
That said, most of what’s on offer can easily be considered filler. I can. But apart from potentially humorous conversations, these exchanges are empty. It’s pure hectic work of delivering specific items over and over again. Not all optional quests have their own storylines and combat encounters, but it would be dishonest to submit these tasks under “substories.”
Luckily, the title actually does a great job of providing other gameplay goals. It’s tactical. Like Kiryu and Majima in Yakuza 0, switching between four different fighting styles is all about choosing the right tool for the job.
Ryoma is equipped with his trusty blade and revolver, which can be deadly from any range. This is a blessing if you’re constantly being harassed by thugs, bandits, and other warriors who want to prove their worth. You can develop your abilities. It’s an addictive process, made even more engaging by the game’s RPG elements, such as steadily collecting materials for new swords and armor.
You get to the point of forging broken equipment that’s close to the limit, but that’s part of the fun. Ishin’s combat system offers plenty of opportunities to push Ryoma’s abilities to near-superhuman levels, encouraging him to bend things in his favor. It’s fair game when the enemy is very stubborn. Look at the opponent’s movements and hit when you have an advantage to press. It feels good to see through the enemy’s attack at the end, and it feels even better to unleash Hell.
Aside from the extreme sword acrobatics, Isin’s skirmishes are somewhat down-to-earth, but the introduction of trooper cards blows away any sense of realism.Ryoma’s position in the Shinsengumi means he can recruit divisions of capable fighters at will… in the form of cards. These collectibles enhance Ryoma’s status. and Works as a cooldown-based super move in combat. They don’t feel out of place in Yakuza’s absurd turn-based battles: like dragons, but here, In many cases Rooted in 19th century Japan, they’re a jarring addition.
card that is While fun to use, collecting them is an addicting pastime in itself.But if you think they’re a step too far, you’re not offal Equip a trooper. Based on our experience, it’s perfectly possible to progress without touching them. They are best thought of as kind of crazy extensions to an already layered system. That said, some bosses have their own ridiculous super moves.
