Like a Dragon: Ishin! Offers players four different combat styles to take on the challenges that face Sakamoto Ryōma in his quest to find the murderer of his father figure. With the notable exception of Brawler, all the styles make use of weapons, and these weapons can be replaced, upgraded, and otherwise enhanced after players gain access to the smithy.

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Unlocking the Smithy

Like a Dragon Ishin_Blacksmith Intro

Fortunately, it's impossible to avoid unlocking the Smithy, which becomes available during chapter 3: Mibu Wolves. While heading to the barracks to enlist with the Shinsengumi, Sakamoto Ryōma will be invited into the Kurogane Blacksmith shop and given a brief tutorial on how it works.

In essence, players can upgrade a weapon by spending money and materials at the Smithy, upgrading it into one of the weapons on that weapon's tree. Each weapon has multiple branches to choose from, but weapons cannot be created from scratch, so players will need to find at least the very first weapon on a tree to use as the material to create the next. Players can also apply seals to their weapon at the blacksmith, assuming it has an open slot for one, adding additional effects to the weapon.

Like a Dragon Ishin_Smithing Tree

The other materials are mostly found by defeating enemies while exploring Like a Dragon Ishin's world, so getting into many fights is a great way to start building up a supply. The other limiting factor when creating weapons is the level of the blacksmith, which is increased by using the blacksmith and donating unneeded weapons. Getting the blacksmith's level higher provides numerous bonuses, including discounts on weapon forging and the ability to create weapons from further up the crafting tree.

Finding Weapon Shops

Like a Dragon Ishin_Arms Dealer

Players looking to purchase weapons will need to track down an Arms Dealer. Luckily, these are marked on the map like all other shops, and players should take note of the Rakugai Arms Dealer in particular.

Building up a bond with the Rakugai Arms Dealer eventually unlocks the Worn Sword, a weak weapon that is used as a material to get three of the strongest swords in the game. Players can bond with the dealers by purchasing weapons from them and occasionally answering philosophical questions they ask.

Like A Dragon Ishin is available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series.

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