The reception to Like a Dragon: Ishin! has largely been positive since the game's reveal last year. This is, after all, a remake of a highly rated instalment that was never officially released outside of Japan. We're all expecting yet another engrossing RGG Studio adventure, but for some fans, there's a bit of concern over one of the Ishin's new mechanics (which is highlighted in the title's latest trailer).
The 'Trooper Cards' system, which didn't feature in the original game, basically lets you collect and level up special abilities which can be used in battle. Based on what we've seen, these powers are generally over-the-top, with protagonist Ryoma slinging fireballs and laser beams at his enemies.

Now, it's important to note that Trooper Cards haven't replaced the the game's base combat system. You can still beat the hell out of thugs with your sword, guns, or fists — and you apparently don't have to equip the cards at all if you don't want to.
However, there's a worry that combat in general is now balanced around the use of Trooper Cards. Boss enemies in particular can now use their own special attacks and abilities, so it's assumed that if you want to level the playing field, you'll probably have to equip some cards and go Super Saiyan. There are also more obvious concerns that having such crazy techniques detracts from the game's serious tone (in the main story, at least).
We can totally understand where these potential criticisms are coming from, but the bottom line here is that we're going to have to wait for Ishin! to release before judging anything. The game's out in under a month, set to launch on the 21st February.
What do you make of these cards? Can you see them detracting from the experience, or do you think they'll be a fun addition? Keep it real in the comments section below.
Comments 33
So, special moves that can be levelled. Par for the course. Possibly they need to be found or won. Which will be cool. And, yes, I could understand that some might be concerned about the disconnect between these outlandish moves and the general tone of the game…except, it’s Yakuza. So that’s kind of what’s expected and loved about the franchise, the juxtaposition of the serious and wacky.
Is there any Yakuza (Like a Dragon sucks as a name btw) game that is indeed serious? Yes the story has some dark tones and stuff, but come on...just have fun with the game lol the combat is always super goofy, you would kill someone if you hit their head with a freaking bike or other crazy attacks
At least they kept the base fighting mechanics. I am a big fan of the Yakuza series but don’t really dig the shift to turn based combat now that it’s Like a Dragon.
@thefourfoldroot1 @AFCC I agree that one of Yakuza's greatest strengths has always been its ability to combine insane sh*t with serious stories and morals.
However, I can also understand why people might find these card attacks to be too much. There's a big difference between kicking a bike off someone's face and unleashing a kamehameha out of nowhere.
But yeah, like the article says, we all have to wait and see how the actual game plays before launching into complaints.
@ShogunRok
I played through Fist of the North Star, so think I’ll be able to handle it, lol. Might have been a nice addition to save for NG+ though I guess, second plat playthroughs can be a little bit of a chore.
Although, I’ll take all possible help against Amon!
I don't think they will hurt the experience much especially since you don't even need to equip them necessarily. Will they add anything to the experience? That remains to be seen.
Though I got to admit the dancing dog one made me chuckle a bit.😄
@ShogunRok sure, it's different. But if it's totally optional, there is no reason to complain I guess
@AFCC Yeah I think making it optional would be best. Then people can just play with the original combat system if that's what they want. Win-win.
@thefourfoldroot1 I'll be shocked if there aren't at least a couple of cards that can break the game when used in specific ways. Would be nice to completely cheese Amon.
I like it i dont see nothing wrong with the combat.it looks really good.yakuza games are always have crazy cool combat abilities.word up son
Well if the cards level up, then they are kinda like special summons like with the LaD phone calls.
@thefourfoldroot1 They did stop somewhat short of giving characters outright blatant superpowers. The more outlandish combat stuff in 7 was justified by Ichiban's perspective. Let's see if they can walk that tonal line without Nagoshi-San.
@Korgon Same here on the dog comment. The cards look interesting but I'm not sure I'd want to use them all the time.
Oh god, the four day early access thing is spreading to other Sega releases. Launching the game early for people who pay a premium is such a scuzzy business model.
Honestly, just a thing I wish they kept exclusively to the dungeons, bothers me they decided to expand it to the general gameplay of it.
But the remakes always seem to add something that I do not like, still will end up buying the game, just one thing I'm not particularly fond of.
As someone who typically plays through the like a dragon games on the hardest difficulty, even if it was a mandatory card system you'll likely still be able to get through any encounter by button mashing, spam dodging and bringing a ton of healing items. This just sounds like a fun addition, if anything...as long as it isn't a way to monetize the game.
@Ralizah Couldn't agree more, it's just their way of getting pre orders.
i thought this game always had the cards even when it was a Japan import?
I think adding goofy stuff like that is signature Yakuza and I'll change em around and use em to make a nice set as I go that'll help me out. And to enjoy the funny attacks!
Yakuza games have always been mental, dont really see what the issue is, special moves mapped to the d pad by the looks of it, whats the problem ,people moan about anything and everything these days.
No reason not to trust team RGG. Can't wait for this one.
If anything the cards are an extra bonus for me! Still not buying the game at launch though.
February 10+ is going to be solely dedicated to playing Hogwarts Legacy and nothing else.
Not to mention I still haven't even began to play thru the Like a Dragon franchise yet.
I prefer this mechanic to making mainline games turned based. (I still really enjoyed Like Dragon, however to me Lost Judgment proved you could keep the traditional Yakuza combat and switch it up.)
I haven't followed this one closely but this seems like a bit of a bait and switch, never saw ANY of this in the previous trailers which looked action packed.
THIS is why people want to see raw gameplay not just flashy trailers that miss sell an experience. It's probably still good it's RGG, but that doesn't stop it being disappointing.
I don't think it's a big deal. It very much reminds me of their own Fist of the North Star game - it had its own summons/powers in the form of Talismans, which I largely ignored without an issue. Game was still totally manageable without resorting to those broken assists.
And if bosses get the occasional super attack that is tough to deal with, then all the better. RgG games always veer towards easy, after all.
Looks awesome to me! Level up a squad of cards, making the GAME more fun to play? Brilliant. I'm glad RGG studio still know what games are, and how to make them fun to play.
As soon as I see card leveling, I think of MTX.
Assuming they don't use this mechanic as a way to sell you stuff, it seems OK. Doesn't matter if you call a crazy summons from your phone or from a card deck to me, its all crazy weird stuff that makes these games so fun
I have no idea whether I'll like this system or not, but one thing I am definitely not worried about in a Yakuza game is the tone of the serious story being at odds with the silliness of the battles. I'd be more worried if that wasn't happening.
I am looking forward to this game more than any other game coming out this year on any platform.
We're talking about the same series that has actual porn stars on the voice cast and where Ichi thinks he's the Hero of Light and sees enemy gangsters as Oni. This.....does not seem out of place.
@Ralizah I'd rather a $60 game up-front tell people if you pay more you get it 4 days early rather than a $60 game tell everyone to pay $70 to get it weeks to months early. Same trunk, different body.
@NEStalgia When has that happened, though?
Although this strikes me as a "Would you rather be punched in the face or kicked in the crotch?" sorta scenario. One's clearly worse than the other, but the correct, unstated third option is to run away before either happens. Or, since we're Americans, pull out a firearm and immediately escalate the stakes of the standoff.
@Ralizah Isn't that what $70 games are? The early access premium price for early adopter whales. At least this is a few days early if you overpay as a purchase option rather than overpaying being the only purchase option until waiting.
Until Nintendo goes $70, then we're effed.
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