Western Release Please? Yakuza Ishin

     
​     The next game that needs to have a western release is りゅが如く：維新！(Ryu Ga Gotoku: Ishin!/Yakuza: Restoration!) Being a side game to the Yakuza series, if you have played one game in the series, the overarching gameplay and controls are similar. If you haven't played a Yakuza game yet, and you have even a passing interest in Japanese culture, or history, then not only is this the one for you story-wise, but also the sheer amount of things to do and is the most mechanically robust in the series (though Yakuza 0 improved even on this game).

     This game takes place during the Bakumatsu period (late Edo period that started at the American civil war and ended soon after that) where your player character, takes on the persona of Sakamoto Ryoma (佐上音りょま） who is doing his best to fight through the corruption of the government to open up the borders of Japan, and bring Japan up to date with technology. In the true history, he was assassinated by those who desired to silence his ideals, but being a videogame the history is altered a decent bit. The story starts where a mentor of your character is assassinated, and you are on the run, after being seen at the scene of the crime. Sooner or later you end up a part of the Shinsengumi (A pro-shogunate secret police force, created to oust dissenters, and other traitors to the Shogun) where you get involved in trying to figure out a government conspiracy, that involves someone using your name.

     The story in and of itself is very dramatic, and human, while not being mired in the overly silly idea of taking itself too seriously. With the time period that it is set, most of the combat is that of melee, and sword combat, with some use of firearms. The combat mechanics are vastly improved to those of previous titles, (excluding Yakuza 5 which has mechanics just as good) and the graphics are beautifully rendered on the PS4. Overall this is a game that I feel many people can enjoy, not only for its engrossing story, and impressively acted characters, but this is also a game where there is so much cultural examples of Japan, and gives a taste of its history.
     
     So Sega, please, release to the west?  

​    Koyuuki
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