While it was originally released back in 2014, Ryu Ga Gotoku: Ishin! has lived in relative obscurity in the west owing to lack of localisation. This, however, changed with the studio having recently announced Like a Dragon: Ishin!, which is set to be a complete remake of the original.
Speaking to Fanbyte, Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio boss Masayoshi Yokoyama revealed how the release and success of Ghost of Tsushima emboldened RGG Studio to remake Like a Dragon: Ishin!.
“We saw how well Ghost of Tsushima did, and how it was about this very Japanese setting made by Americans, so that gave us confidence Ishin could do well in America too,” said Yokoyama.
Far from the only game using a Japanese setting, Ghost of Tsushima’s success is what likely convinced RGG Studio that western audiences definitely have an interest in games set in historic Japan.
Yakuza series producer Daisuke Sato even said as much back in 2021. In light of the success Ghost of Tsushima saw in terms of both critical as well as commercial response, Sato stated that this could eventually lead to Ryu Ga Gotoku: Kenzan and Ryu Ga Gotoku: Ishin! getting released in the west as well.
Like a Dragon: Ishin! is set for release on February 21, and will be coming to PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.