Let’s get used to the fact that the series previously known as Yakuza from Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio will be subtitled Yakuza 7. The franchise is expanding with three titles: firstly, the previously Japan-only Ishin! is getting a revamp and a western release, there’s an episode in the works to fill the gap after 6, and there’s episode 8…

Let’s start with Like A Dragon: Ishin!, a remake of Ryu Ga Gotoku Ishin!, an early PlayStation 4 title (but also developed for PlayStation 3). The difference? This time, the game won’t just be available in Japan. Set in the Asian island nation, the story is described as follows: “1860s Kyo is plagued by widespread inequality, and one samurai will change the course of history in his search for justice. Take up the sword of Sakamoto Ryoma and venture to Kyoto to find your father’s killer, clear yourself of a framed murder, and restore your honour. In doing so, you will end the samurai era and forever change the future of Japan. Draw your blade, load your revolver, and join the revolution in this heated historical adventure that only the creators of Yakuza: Like a Dragon could produce.”

There will also be a Deluxe Edition: “Dawn the clothes and weaponry of the elite to become the samurai of legend, Sakamoto Ryoma. The Deluxe Edition adds challenges to your journey and gives you additional resources to overcome them. The Deluxe Edition includes: Shinsengumi Enjoyment Set, Ryoma Growth Support Kit, Sword Upgrade Materials Kit, Gun Upgrade Materials Kit, Third Division Armament Expansion Kit, and The Dragon of Dojima Skin.” Pre-ordering will also get you three of the best weapons of the era (Kijinmaru Kunishige: a dark sword with a white hilt; Tsuyano Usukurenai, a blood-soaked sword; and a black ship cannon from a western ship).

Several actors from the original RGG: Ishin! return to portray his character: Takeda Kanryusai is portrayed by Riki Takeuchi, Ito Kashitaro by Hitoshi Ozawa, and Takechi Hanpeita by Hideo Nakano. Like A Dragon: Ishin! will be released on February 21 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, PC (Steam, Microsoft Store), PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.

Then there’s Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name. We weren’t kidding when we said Yakuza would continue under a new name. The aim of this game (which is overtly a side story, see the word Gaiden in the title) is to shed some light on the life of Kazuma Kiryu after Yakuza 6: The Song of Life. The game is not full-sized: according to Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, it will be half the size of the average Yakuza/Like A Dragon game. It will launch in 2023 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, PC (Steam, Microsoft Store), PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.

And finally, Like A Dragon 8 has been announced… and it’s no coincidence that we didn’t mention how long Kiryu has been gone from the series because alongside Ichiban Kasuga (played by Kazuhiro Nakaya), the main character of Yakuza (7): Like A Dragon, Kazuma Kiryu (Kuroda Takaya) will be the other protagonist! (And you can feel his age by his white hair by this point…) Set for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, PC (Steam, Microsoft Store), PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in early 2024, the turn-based RPG will be the biggest game in the series to date.

Source: Gematsu, Gematsu, Gematsu, Gematsu