Sega and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio reveal a new DLC skin coming to the Like a Dragon: Ishin remake. This skin will turn the protagonist Sakamoto Ryoma into his modern counterpart, the Dragon of Dojima, Kazuma Kiryu. Like a Dragon: Ishin is a spin-off from the mainline games that changes the setting from the bustling nightlife district of Kamurocho to the Bakumatsu-era. Instead of the Tojo Clan’s Kazuma Kiryu, players embody the role of the samurai Sakamoto Ryoma, who has the former’s likeness and voice. Players will encounter a number of other historical figures portrayed by familiar faces from the series, such as Shun Akiyama as Katsura Kogoro, Goro Majima as Okita Soji, and more.These historical counterparts of Like a Dragon characters sees them having an era-appropriate outfit, along with the game itself having counterparts that reflect the time period. Not all of it is entirely accurate however, giving some anachronistic charm to the game. This includes things like the Like a Dragon series’ iconic karaoke minigame, giving an Edo-period makeover for songs like “Baka Mitai,” or wholly original enka songs. Players can emphasize this anachronistic nature by having Kiryu himself, gray suit and all, walking around in the game.The “Dragon of Dojima” skin will be DLC after launch and will be included in the Digital Deluxe version of Ishin. This skin turns Ryoma into Kiryu, where fans enjoyed how he notably sticks out like a sore thumb. The costume applies for not only the gameplay, but also the cutscenes, so players can be treated to the sight of Kiryu having been transported into the era, wielding a katana and revolver.
This isn’t the only time that RGG Studio had given fans a skin of Kiryu in a Like a Dragon game that didn’t feature him. Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise, a Fist of the North Star-licensed game that the studio released in 2018, featured a Kazuma Kiryu skin as well. This similarly gave the uncanny sight of Kiryu using Kenshiro’s iconic Hokuto Shinken.
Many fans joked that Kiryu had been “isekai-ed” into Like a Dragon: Ishin, with others saying Kiryu didn’t want to deal with another issue from the Tojo Clan, so he ran away to the time period. Others noted that since it contains historical versions of familiar characters, it could also be similar to a stage play or TV drama that everyone got dressed up for, but Kiryu forgot his costume. Fans also noted there will inevitably modders that will change these historical characters into their modern Kamurocho counterparts.
Like a Dragon: Ishin launches February 23, 2023 on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
