These gaffes extend from the fact that the narrative is technically a biopic, supposedly depicting the real-life figure Sakamoto Ryoma. Its resemblance to what came before pays off when you’re playing it and exploring mid-19th century Kyoto, but its inability to escape its own tropes amidst real-life historical events leads to some uncomfortable simplifications and unsatisfying conclusions that make its story fly off the rails. While these many similarities are Ishin!’s main draw, and elements like its blood-pumping action sequences are a perfect match for its samurai flick stylings, its historical setting eventually clashes with the storytelling quirks of the series, resulting in a tale that feels less charmingly overblown and more deeply nonsensical. And more than looking and sounding alike, these people even behave similarly to their 21st-century counterparts. An even more obvious point of comparison is that almost every cast member shares a likeness and voice actor with figures from previous entries, with this story’s main character, Sakamoto Ryoma, evoking the visage and sultry tones of Yakuza protagonist Kiryu Kazuma. Its visual presentation is virtually identical, from its constant use of ostentatious camera angles to its tendency to introduce its major players with title cards. Despite being set in the 1860s instead of the present, and focusing on political upheaval over its usual crime family dynamics, in many ways Ishin! fits in neatly with the rest of the series. Thanks to the franchise’s uptick in popularity, Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio and Sega have decided to remake Like a Dragon: Ishin!, a 2014 historical spin-off that was initially only released in Japan. While much of their appeal comes from their sense of style, these stories’ greatest strength is that underneath their maximalist aesthetics and affecting twists are heartfelt tales of brotherhood, self-sacrifice, and non-toxic masculinity. Years after playing it for the first time, moments from Yakuza 0 still reverberate in my mind, its climatic showdowns and tragic turns heavy with rich melodrama. In what feels like the blink of an eye, the Yakuza series has gone from somewhat obscure outside of Japan to one of the most beloved sagas in the medium, largely thanks to their earnest storytelling and ability to spin compelling mystery yarns.
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