Yakuza is one of the most iconic and prolific franchises in gaming, at least in the single-player space, and this is part of why the upcoming Gang of Dragon looks so promising.
The game, which was revealed at The Game Awards 2025, will be the debut release of Nagoshi Studio, a development house formed by Yakuza creator Toshihiro Nagoshi. Its pedigree and talent pool, not to mention a tough-as-nails cinematic trailer, paint an enticing picture indeed.
Nagoshi worked on every Yakuza/Like a Dragon game up to and including 2020's Yakuza Like a Dragon, usually as Executive Director.
Gang of Dragon follows Shin Ji-seong, a hulking beast of a man who holds a high office in a Korean crime syndicate operating out of Tokyo. Shin's adventures unfold in Kabukicho, a real-world nightlife and entertainment district in Shinjuku, and will involve organized crime politics, colorful characters, and a number of other J-drama tropes that help characterize the Yakuza and Like a Dragon series. But Gang of Dragon promises to expand the mechanical repertoire of Ryu Ga Gotaku's sandbox franchise as well, ultimately creating an experience that's surprisingly similar to Grand Theft Auto and other western crime games.
How Similar Is Gang of Dragon to Yakuza?
Granted, some of the comparisons being drawn between Yakuza and Gang of Dragon are aesthetic, as there hasn't been much information revealed about the latter aside from the aforementioned Game Awards reveal trailer. That said, it's not too much of a leap to say that Gang of Dragon's cinematic narrative, small open-world, and organized crime premise all have significant crossover with Yakuza.
Gang of Dragon's reveal trailer suggests a touch of grit and melodrama, showing audiences a "you messed with the wrong guy" scene, wherein arrogant thugs attack Shin Ji-seong and immediately regret it. I can't help but think of Yakuza when I watch this scene: its direction, dialogue, pacing, and structure make it feel like so many similar interactions starring Kiryu, Majima, or Ichiban. Once Ji-seong emerges onto the busy Tokyo streets after the showdown, we get a glimpse of Kabukicho, where players will be spending most of their time in-game.
This brings us to another parallel between the two IPs: Nagoshi is choosing to set Gang of Dragon in just one district of a city, rather than attempting to make the map as sprawling as possible. This small, dense world design is a staple of Yakuza, so it's not surprising that Nagoshi would continue to develop the approach in this new project. The smaller setting may also inform the story, which is about Ji-seong's conflicts and relationships with Tokyo factions as a Korean criminal operative. It's possible that the story will have a particular focus on smaller, more intimate relationships and micro-community elements, just like its Yakuza predecessors.
Is Gang of Dragon Really Going to be Like 'GTA in Japan'?
Yakuza might define Gang of Dragon's development pedigree, but audiences have also been quick to point out the game's ostensible Grand Theft Auto inspiration as well. Just like the Yakuza comparisons, this observation will likely be more compelling once we see extended gameplay, but there's credence to it already. Indeed, Gang of Dragon has the makings of a multifaceted, gritty, and violent crime sandbox experience that wouldn't feel out of place alongside Rockstar's crime-action franchise.
Perhaps Gang of Dragon's most significant departures from RGG's games are its inclusion of guns and cars, which don't typically appear in Yakuza, Like a Dragon, or Judgment titles. Of course, they are at the center of each and every Grand Theft Auto game. It will be interesting to see how this approach distinguishes the overall narrative and tone of Gang of Dragon from the Yakuza games, as one would imagine that the former is going to be much more lethal than the latter. You don't really kill people in Yakuza, but that probably won't be the case in GoD.
Even Shin Ji-seong himself feels emblematic of this more brutal and unforgiving fashion. He's being played by legendary Korean-American actor Ma Dong-seok, also known as Ga Dong-seok and Don Lee, who is easily recognizable by his massive, wall-like physique. He uses this intimidating stature to great effect in action films like Train to Busan and The Roundup; it looks like players will be wielding it themselves in Gang of Dragon. That is to say, Shin Ji-seong may be more violent and punishing, with or without guns, than his Yakuza counterparts.
Gang of Dragon won't be Ma Dong-seok's first video game, as he appeared in 2025's Death Stranding 2: On the Beach.
With Gang of Dragon being the first release from Nagoshi's new studio, how similar it will be to its progenitors is a bit of a toss-up. On the one hand, Nagoshi may want to make the game considerably different from anything he has done before, as he presumably has the creative control and experience to do so now. Alternatively, Nagoshi Studio could choose to play it safe with its first release, aiming to make Gang of Dragon polished and well-crafted, but familiar.
- Developer(s)
- Nagoshi Studio
- Publisher(s)
- Nagoshi Studio
- Number of Players
- Single-player
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Unknown
WHERE TO PLAY
An action-adventure set in Kabukicho, the iconic nightlife district of Shinjuku, Tokyo.
Shin Ji-seong — portrayed by renowned Asian actor Ma Dong-seok — is a high-ranking member of a Korean crime syndicate based in Kabukicho. As he explores the streets of Shinjuku, Shin becomes entangled in underworld conflicts and forges intense, human connections that push him to confront his own sense of purpose.
Combat unfolds from a third-person perspective, centered on Shin’s overwhelming physical power. Engage enemies through brutal hand-to-hand strikes, precise blade attacks, gunplay, and high-impact vehicle action across the city.
Forge your own path through a story where violence and human bonds intertwine.
