Definitely has shown it's age in some areas, more so then other Yakuza games. The decision to essentially just port this with an updated graphics engine and some new cast members makes Ishin a decidedly, and weirdly, retro experience, but it's a return to the classic Yakuza formula that should work for long time fans even if it's grindier then I think people would like.

It's liberties with Japanese history are plentiful for sure, but it's version of Ryoma Sakamoto feels true to life while also fascinating in it's exploration of identity and legacy; it feels like a game grappling with it's own portrayals of these figures on a meta level which makes the story thematically compelling. Another RGG banger, if ultimately nothing more then a fun side story.