Toshihiro Nagoshi is basically the father of the Yakuza / Like a Dragon franchise, but he left RGG Studio and SEGA back in 2021 to form his own development outfit — fittingly named Nagoshi Studio.
And guess what? He's basically just making his own Yakuza game (with mega publisher NetEase's monetary backing).
It's called Gang of Dragon, and its announcement trailer shows what looks to be a... grittier take on the criminal underworld than what RGG's cooking up these days.
The trailer itself seems to comprise purely of cinematics, but it's got plenty of violence, and at one point, we see a sports car tearing down a city street. We'll likely be hearing much more about this one in the relatively near future.
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What do you make of Gang of Dragon? Wonder if Kiryu will somehow show up in the comments section below.
Comments 35
MAN… I am so excited for this one. When I saw the first couple of seconds I instantly started thinking it was Kojima’s Physint as this Don Lee actor is also starring in there. But nevertheless this is truly one I cannot wait for, giving me insta Yakuza vibes.
I got Sleeping dogs vibes for some reason.
Don Lee!!!
Loved this trailer. Looks great.
Don Lee’s in everything now but that’s not a complaint at all. This looks brilliant and it’s become increasingly clear that Nagoshi was the one keeping Yakuza together, even if he does look insane.
Yes! Nagoshi is back and his new game looks a lot more hype than the current Yakuza games.
I instantly knew it was a new Nagoshi game. My reaction was... these games need to be shown with Japanese dialogue
Honestly, it looks nice, but I don't think the market for Yakuza games is big enough for 2 competing franchises?
I like how he left SEGA partially because he did not want to just keep making Yakuza games and his first game after leaving the studio is...basically Yakuza.
Good job. 🤣
GIMMEGIMMGEGIMME
"I'll just go and make my own Yakuza game! With blackjack, and strippers!"
The Yakuza franchise has significantly declined since Nagoshi left, its kinda become a parody of itself especially with the increased emphasis on silliness and reliance on an outdated engine. This looks way better graphically and thematically than anything RGG Studio has shown for years. Hopefully the gameplay matches its quality.
Getting tired of devs modelling characters on their actors though and using famous actors.
I love how these creators leave a studio they've been with for years, only to basically go and make what the same things they were known for.
The Kamurocho sign at the end popped me. Can't wait for this!
Looks really good, I can't wait.
With RGG under Yokoyama recently becoming very problematic with their decisions, this is a very welcome and timely news indeed! As a Yakuza/LAD fan I can't wait to hear more about this game. In Nagoshi we believe!
I mean I love Yakuza still and this just looks like more Yakuza so...I'm sold.
@AdamNovice @Fishysensei Hey, bills gotta get paid.
I love Ma Dong-Seok but a korean main character for a Yakuza (japanese) game is a bit weird.
As someone who plays all these games with original Japanese voices, it's a bit strange to see and hear it being acted in English. Just doesn't feel right for these games. Anyway, if it's anything like RGG, I'm definitely interested.
As others have said, I also haven't liked the new Yakuza games as of late. The series seems to going through it's "Saints Row" moment where they have no idea what to do with the story, and it just ends up being more and more goofy.
The older entries had this perfect mix of a more serious main storyline with less serious side quests. (Again also like how Saints row 2 was)
Oh hell yes! Considering Yakuza / LAD has gone deep into an era of "wacky bollocks" since Nagoshi-san left, this looks perfect.
One of the highlights of the show.
I thought Nagoshi will go for somthing a little different and here we are in Kamurocho again. Just..
While I honestly don't dislike (for the most part) how the latest Yakuza/LaD titles have been in terms of presentation, I be lying if I said that I don't miss this kind of grim atmosphere that the early titles had. Consider this game in my wishlist.
I've tried to get into the yakuza games and failed but this looks interesting so I'll be keeping an eye on this for sure.
Why did he stop working on a yakuza game to then get back into making another yakuza game?
@YeoSprings yakuza 8 was good, better than 7.
@Ainu20 it doesn't feel right because the acting was terrible.
Is the gameplay pushing buttons at right time like legacy Yakuza titles or RPG like.a dragon?
I'm so over with anything Yakuza. In reality they're not as cool and flashy as they come through Sega. They're nationalists and take a big part in union busting in Japan, especially as muscle for the dirty work.
And yes, I will not differentiate between fiction and fun, because this should not be gloryfied.
@gigiard especially considering the prevalent and societally suppressed racism towards koreans in Japan.
I can't wait. This game looks really good.
Man I hope this doesn't flop like Mindseye did after Leslie Benzies did similar by leaving Rockstar North and making his own game
Cool I might finally dip my toe into the yakuza world. Granted I get it back…
I don't understand why he left sega just to make more yakuza games, but ok.
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