Like A Dragon Kenzan Finally Gets An English Patch After 18 Years

Published Nov 1, 2026, 6:45 AM EST James Lucas is an Executive Editor at TheGamer who has worked in professional journalism since 2018. A Newcastle University graduate with a degree in Journalism, Media, and Culture, they have written hundreds of guides, news stories, and original reports, with bylines in IGN, NME, GaymingMag, and VG247, sourcing interviews with studio heads, legendary industry figures, prominent actors, and more. An expert on FPS games, Soulslikes, RPGs, and survival horror, James has intimate knowledge of a wide variety of titles, providing in-depth coverage and exclusive profiles. Some of the games they have extensively covered include: Half-Life, Counter-Strike, Elden Ring, and Fallout. They pride themselves on their consistently thorough research, leveraging nearly a decade of industry experience. You can reach them at James.t@thegamer.com After 18 years, the Yakuza game that inspired Ishin is finally getting an English translation. Ryu ga Gotoku: Kenzan!, the jidaigeki-themed spin-off that re-tells the life of Miyamoto Musashi through the lens of Yakuza characters, launched in 2008 exclusively for Japan. Fans have been working hard on an English localization for years to bring this critically acclaimed gem to Western audiences—and now, thanks to majDima, you can download the translation patch and jump straight into the game either via PS3 emulation or original hardware. "Since the game is quite early, it was a real challenge," the team explained. "In the end, we even managed to exceed our own expectations by fixing errors and bugs present in the original game." What Is Like A Dragon: Kenzan? Set in Kyoto during the 1600s, Like a Dragon: Kenzan begins with Musashi, a famed Japanese swordsman who holds an undefeated record of 62 duels, aiding in the battle at Sekigahara between the Tokugawa and Toyotomi clans. Miyamoto is hired to carry out a high-profile assassination alongside Majima Gorohachi, only to be double-crossed and framed for the fall of the Toyotomi clan. Kiryu and Majima flee, fending off bounty hunters and Tokugawa soldiers, before arriving at a brothel where a monk gives Miyamoto a new name: Kiryu Kazumanosuke. This is where the story should start to sound familiar, as five years later, Musashi, under the alias Kiryu, is forced out of retirement when a young girl, Haruka, asks him to kill an impostor using his name. I won't spoil what happens next, but it's a fascinating little offshoot of Yakuza with the rich storytelling you'd expect of RGG Studio. The game introduced the option to switch between four different fighting styles, something that would be cemented in the main series with Yakuza 0—though broadly, it plays more like the original two games, and features the series' staple QTE special moves. What Critics Said In 2008 Via: Twisted Voxel Famitsu reviewers at the time lauded how brilliantly Kenzan "mixes the stylish flair typical of the Ryu series with historical elements," highlighting the sheer number of mini-games and side quests on offer and the "glamour and vibrancy" of Gion, rating the game a 37 out of 40. "Both visually and in terms of freedom, it’s reminiscent of the Samurai series," Dedeo wrote. "It’s great that while a variety of mini-games are available, the game doesn’t force you to play them. Also, the graphics—which make it feel like you’re watching a live-action period drama—and the characters’ detailed movements are a plus. It’s also fun to strategize between using your bare hands and weapons." "With a storyline that draws you in whether you like it or not, charming characters and cast, diverse gameplay, and a variety of subplots, this is an uncompromising production brimming with a spirit of service," Sugashi Kawata wrote for issue 1,004 of the magazine. "It's a monumental entertainment masterpiece that encompasses story, culture, entertainment, emotion, and the creators' passion. It's a game I want everyone—regardless of age or gender—to play." 18 years later, Kawata will finally get his wish, as the English localization patch makes the game playable for a whole new audience.