Sega has commented on the possibility of remakingLike a Dragon: Kenzan, claiming its likelihood depends on the success ofLike a Dragon Ishin’s upcoming remake. The announcement ofLike a Dragon: Ishinduring the Tokyo Game Show came as a major surprise to fans, who had long given up hope that Sega would localize the previously Japan-exclusive historicalLike a Dragon(orYakuza) games. While only one of the games has been confirmed, it seems like there is still hope for the other title’s chances for a remake.
Like a Dragon: Ishinwas first announced at a PlayStation State of Play showcase held just before Tokyo Game Show 2022. The game is a remake of a Japan-exclusive 2014 game of the same name which was released on PS4 and PS3. The game follows a samurai named Sakamoto Ryoma as he attempts to find the murderer of his mentor.Like a Dragon: Ishinis set in Japan’s Edo period and is inspired by real stories from Japanese history. The game features belovedYakuzaseries characters fulfilling the roles of these historical figures, such as protagonist Kazuma Kiryu playing Sakamoto Ryoma.
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Upon its original release in 2013,Like a Dragon Ishinwas not Ryu Ga Gotoku Studios' first attempt at blending theYakuzaseries with a historical Japanese story and setting, as the first in this series of spin-offs was 2008’sLike a Dragon: Kenzan. This saw Kiryu fulfill the role of Miyamoto Musashi in 1605. There has been much debate as to why Sega has decided to remake and localize the latter of these two titles, withsome fans speculating that Sega choseIshinoverKenzan’s more questionable content regarding minors which relates to its time period. Regardless, RGG Studios' executive producer has implied that the option is still available to giveKenzanthe same love asIshin.
Speaking to Ungeek, RGG Studios' executive producer Masayoshi Yokoyama and chief director Hiroyuki Sakamoto claimed thatthe main thing holding the studio back from remakingKenzanis the game’s age, with Yokoyama claiming that there is a desire among the team to remakeKenzan, but that it would require far more work thanIshingiven the age of the game’s combat system. He later added that in order for the team to consider such a remake,Ishinwould need to be a proven success first.
Regardless ofIshinbeing the title chosen first to receive the remake treatment, a remake ofLike a Dragon Kenzanstill has a pretty big shot of happening ifIshinmanages to succeed. Given the success of theLike a Dragonseries in recent years and otherhistorical Japan-set games likeGhost of TsushimaandSekiro: Shadows Die Twice, the possibility of that doesn’t seem like such a long shot as it did back in 2013.
Like a Dragon: Ishinwill release on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S on Jul 08, 2025.
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