Summary

Release Year: 2008
Genres: Adventure
Platforms: PlayStation 3
Developers: Ryu ga Gotoku Studios
Publishers: Sega

Ryuu ga Gotoku Kenzan!: A Samurai Epic

Ryuu ga Gotoku Kenzan! (Like a Dragon: Kenzan!) is a spin-off of Sega’s popular Yakuza series, set in feudal Japan during the Edo period. The game was released in 2008 for the PlayStation 3, and was later ported to the PlayStation 4 and Windows in 2018.

Kenzan! follows the story of Kazuma Kiryu, a legendary yakuza who is transported back in time to the Edo period. Kiryu must navigate the unfamiliar world of samurai and feudal politics, all while trying to find a way to return to his own time.

The game features a mix of action-adventure gameplay and historical drama. Players will explore a variety of locations in feudal Japan, including Edo, Kyoto, and Osaka. They will also interact with a cast of historical figures, such as Miyamoto Musashi and Oda Nobunaga.

Kenzan!’s combat system is based on the Yakuza series’ signature brawling style. However, the game also incorporates new elements, such as swordplay and the ability to use environmental objects as weapons.

The game’s story is told through a series of cutscenes and dialogue sequences. The cutscenes are beautifully rendered and feature some of the best voice acting in the Yakuza series. The dialogue is also well-written and full of humor and pathos.

Kenzan! is a must-play for fans of the Yakuza series or anyone interested in feudal Japan. It’s a great action-adventure game with a compelling story and memorable characters.

Gameplay

Kenzan!’s gameplay is a mix of action-adventure and historical drama. Players will explore a variety of locations in feudal Japan, including Edo, Kyoto, and Osaka. They will also interact with a cast of historical figures, such as Miyamoto Musashi and Oda Nobunaga.

The game’s combat system is based on the Yakuza series’ signature brawling style. However, Kenzan! also incorporates new elements, such as swordplay and the ability to use environmental objects as weapons.

In addition to the main story, Kenzan! also features a variety of side quests and minigames. These include everything from gambling and fishing to participating in tea ceremonies and attending sumo matches.

Setting

Kenzan! is set in feudal Japan during the Edo period. This was a time of great social and political change in Japan. The country was ruled by the Tokugawa shogunate, which had imposed a strict class system and a ban on foreign trade.

Despite these restrictions, the Edo period was also a time of great cultural and economic growth. The cities of Edo, Kyoto, and Osaka flourished, and new forms of art and entertainment emerged.

Kenzan! captures the look and feel of feudal Japan in stunning detail. The game’s environments are meticulously researched and recreated, and the characters are dressed in period-accurate clothing.

Characters

Kenzan! features a cast of memorable characters, both historical and fictional. The protagonist, Kazuma Kiryu, is a legendary yakuza who is transported back in time to the Edo period. Kiryu is a skilled fighter and a loyal friend, but he is also haunted by his past.

Other characters in the game include:

Ryuji Goda: A powerful yakuza boss who is Kiryu’s rival.
Makoto Makimura: A beautiful and intelligent woman who is Kiryu’s love interest.
Shinsuke Takasugi: A skilled swordsman who is Kiryu’s ally.
Miyamoto Musashi: A legendary swordsman who is based on a real historical figure.
Oda Nobunaga: A powerful warlord who is trying to unify Japan.

Story

Kenzan!’s story is a complex and engaging tale of honor, loyalty, and betrayal. The game begins with Kiryu being transported back in time to the Edo period. Kiryu is confused and disoriented, but he quickly learns that he must adapt to this new world if he wants to survive.

Kiryu soon becomes involved in a conflict between two rival yakuza clans. He must choose sides and fight for what he believes in. As the story progresses, Kiryu learns more about the history of feudal Japan and the people who live there. He also begins to understand the importance of honor and loyalty.

In the end, Kiryu must make a choice that will determine the fate of Japan. He must decide whether to fight for the old ways or to embrace the new.

Themes

Kenzan! explores a number of themes, including honor, loyalty, and betrayal. The game also examines the conflict between tradition and modernity.

The game’s protagonist, Kazuma Kiryu, is a man who is torn between two worlds. He is a yakuza, but he is also a man of honor. He must find a way to reconcile these two sides of himself.

Kenzan! also explores the conflict between tradition and modernity. The Edo period was a time of great change in Japan. The country was moving away from its feudal past and embracing a new, more modern world. This change was not always easy, and it led to conflict between those who wanted to preserve the old ways and those who wanted to embrace the new.

Legacy

Kenzan! is a critically acclaimed game that has been praised for its story, characters, and gameplay. The game has been compared to other classic samurai films and games, such as Akira Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai and the Way of the Samurai series.

Kenzan! has also been credited with helping to popularize the Yakuza series in the West. The game’s success helped to convince Sega to release more Yakuza games in English, and it has also led to the development of several spin-off games.

Kenzan! is a must-play for fans of the Yakuza series or anyone interested in feudal Japan. It’s a great action-adventure game with a compelling story and memorable characters.