Both Like a Dragon: Ishin and Rise of the Ronin offer players a deep dive into the world of samurai in Japan, but they are fundamentally different games with unique experiences. If you’re a fan of action RPGs and historical settings, both titles have something to offer. However, they cater to different playstyles and have distinct gameplay mechanics. Let’s break down the key differences and similarities between Like a Dragon: Ishin and Rise of the Ronin to help you decide which one is right for you.

1. Setting and Story

Like a Dragon: Ishin

• Setting: Like a Dragon: Ishin is set in the late Edo period of Japan, during the 1860s. The game reimagines real historical figures from Japan’s Meiji Restoration era in the form of characters from the Yakuza series, with a more fictionalized, cinematic storyline.
• Story: The game follows the story of Sakamoto Ryoma, a real historical figure, who is framed for the murder of his father and embarks on a quest for justice and revenge. Players explore the conflict between the samurai and the changing tides of Japan as the country shifts from feudalism to modernization.

Rise of the Ronin

• Setting: Rise of the Ronin takes place during the Meiji Restoration in Japan, roughly in the 1860s, just like Ishin. However, it focuses more on the turmoil during the shift from the Edo period to the Meiji era, bringing historical events to life with a broader focus on the samurai’s role in these changes.
• Story: Players take control of a Ronin (masterless samurai) named Hachiro Azuma, navigating a world in chaos, where both traditional and modern forces battle for control. The game tells a deep, personal story of honor, rebellion, and survival in a rapidly changing society.

2. Gameplay and Combat

Like a Dragon: Ishin

• Gameplay: Ishin combines the series’ signature beat ‘em up mechanics with some RPG elements. Players explore the world of Edo-era Japan, complete side quests, engage in mini-games, and level up characters through traditional RPG systems. The game is more linear in terms of story progression, with a focus on narrative-driven action.
• Combat: The combat in Ishin retains the dynamic, fast-paced brawler style that the Yakuza series is known for, with players switching between different stances such as swordplay (katana), gunfire, and martial arts. The combat is brutal, with a focus on chaining combos, utilizing weapons, and executing powerful finishing moves.

Rise of the Ronin

• Gameplay: Rise of the Ronin leans more into open-world exploration, where players can freely traverse expansive landscapes, engage in large-scale battles, and undertake side missions. The game offers a greater sense of freedom compared to Ishin in terms of exploration and player choice.
• Combat: The combat is heavily focused on samurai swordsmanship, with more deliberate and tactical combat. Players can choose from a variety of weapon types (katana, spears, bows, etc.) and engage in a more strategic, slower-paced combat system, emphasizing timing, dodging, and parrying. There’s also a strong emphasis on weapon mastery, as players can learn different techniques and skills as they progress.

3. Visuals and Art Style

Like a Dragon: Ishin

• Visuals: Ishin features a more stylized, realistic art direction inspired by historical Japan but with the usual over-the-top flair of the Yakuza franchise. The characters are more exaggerated in their appearance, and the environments are somewhat confined to the urban areas of Kyoto. The art style is similar to other Yakuza titles, with vibrant colors and a slightly exaggerated, cinematic look.

Rise of the Ronin

• Visuals: Rise of the Ronin opts for a more realistic and gritty aesthetic, depicting the Meiji era in a grounded manner. The environments are expansive, and players can explore lush forests, busy cities, and battlefields. The character designs and animations are more grounded in realism, with attention to period accuracy in the architecture, clothing, and weapons.

4. Open World vs. Linear Experience

Like a Dragon: Ishin

• World Structure: The game is semi-open world but much more linear compared to Rise of the Ronin. Players navigate through various districts, which are large and immersive but not open-world in the same way. The focus is on storytelling and personal quests within confined spaces.
• Exploration: There’s still a lot to discover within each district, such as side activities, mini-games, shops, and collectibles. However, the game doesn’t feature the same level of freedom as an open-world game.

Rise of the Ronin

• World Structure: Rise of the Ronin offers a full-fledged open-world experience, where players can roam freely across Japan. The game emphasizes exploration, allowing players to engage with the environment, complete side quests, and interact with NPCs in a more immersive way.
• Exploration: The vast open world includes various biomes, towns, and battlefields that can be explored in depth. Players can also engage in large-scale battles, with the freedom to approach situations in different ways, whether that’s through stealth, combat, or diplomacy.

5. Tone and Atmosphere

Like a Dragon: Ishin

• Tone: The tone of Ishin is a blend of dramatic storytelling with light-hearted moments. It has moments of intense action and tragedy, but it also embraces humor and quirky side content, a hallmark of the Yakuza series. The game mixes serious drama with the franchise’s well-known silly distractions like karaoke, arcade games, and more.

Rise of the Ronin

• Tone: Rise of the Ronin has a darker, more serious tone, focusing on the brutality of warfare, the uncertainty of the period, and the moral ambiguity of being a Ronin. While there may be moments of levity, the overall atmosphere is somber and reflective, centered on the personal journey of the protagonist in a world filled with conflict and change.

6. Length and Replayability

Like a Dragon: Ishin

• Length: The game typically takes around 30-40 hours to complete the main story, but with side content, mini-games, and challenges, you can easily spend 50-70 hours or more.
• Replayability: Ishin has good replay value, especially for fans of the Yakuza series, thanks to its side activities, unlockable content, and multiple difficulty levels.

Rise of the Ronin

• Length: Rise of the Ronin offers a more expansive experience, with the main story likely taking over 40 hours to complete, and the open-world side content adds another 20-30 hours of gameplay, depending on how thoroughly you explore.
• Replayability: The open-world nature and multiple ways to approach combat and quests add high replay value. Players can take on different character builds, try out various weapons, and explore different faction dynamics.

Conclusion

Both Like a Dragon: Ishin and Rise of the Ronin are fantastic samurai games, but they cater to slightly different audiences:

• If you prefer a more narrative-driven experience with brawler combat and a mix of humor and drama, Like a Dragon: Ishin is the game for you.
• If you’re looking for an open-world samurai game with tactical combat, exploration, and a more serious tone, Rise of the Ronin will likely be your top choice.

Ultimately, the decision depends on whether you prefer a story-focused game with linear progression or a sprawling open-world RPG that lets you explore and create your own path.