Like a Dragon: Ishin! (2023): Story Walkthrough, Chapters 1–2

Like a Dragon: Ishin! (2023): Story Walkthrough, Chapters 1–2 SPOILERS: This part covers the opening two chapters, including their boss fights. Later identities and twists are left for the chapters where they happen. 1. ESCAPING HOME Follow the road through Tosa and complete the opening fight. Once you are free to explore, eat at Hama Tea Parlor. Ask the townspeople about the Kengoshi Schoolhouse, then look behind Chitose Provisions. The narrow passage beside the shop leads to the schoolhouse. After meeting Toyo, ask about Takechi and visit the dojo in northeastern Tosa. The guard will turn you away. Return to the main street and look southeast for the employee being harassed by fake Tosa Loyalists. Winning that fight gets Shimada's attention and opens the dojo to you. Go back inside. Your next stop is Yoi-Yoi. Order something to move things along, then complete the Gunman and Wild Dancer tutorials. Before returning to the dojo, buy medicine from Chitose Provisions. BOSS: OKADA IZO Izo attacks with several followers. Clear the weaker men while keeping him in view, then concentrate on the duel. Swordsman is a comfortable choice: defend through his combination, wait for it to finish, and return a short combination of your own. He can turn around into a slash or thrust, so getting behind him is an opening rather than permission to attack endlessly. Don't stand still firing while everyone crowds around you. Make room first. You can also use Brawler's attack on a fallen enemy to swing him into nearby opponents. Return to Takechi and follow him to Kochi Castle. After the meeting, fight your way out. Break the highlighted screens or barriers when the route appears closed. Check the side rooms for medicine and materials, and collect the healing pickups before moving into the next fight. The enemies carrying large objects are easier to approach cautiously than to rush head-on. Stay ready for the escape's button prompts. BOSS: MASKED MAN The assassin interrupts long combinations and punishes careless attacks. Use Swordsman or Wild Dancer, let him commit to an attack, then take a few hits during his recovery. Reset your position instead of chasing a full combination through his guard. You do not have to empty his entire health bar. Keep damaging him until the scripted prompt and scene take over. Heal from the inventory if necessary rather than trying to save every bottle for later. The escape afterward closes the chapter. 2. THE MAN NAMED SAITO HAJIME Leave your room at Teradaya and head downstairs. The following dojo fight restricts you to Swordsman. Afterward, explore Fushimi and help the Shinto priest at the shrine in its southwestern area. This introduces Virtue and opens up more side activities. If your objective seems to be going nowhere, visit the trouble near Fukufuku Pub, then head north through Fushimi Ichibangai toward the gate. The resulting chase is the next story event. Check the map for your destination, break the pursuers' line of sight around corners, and use the hiding spots. Getting away from one patrol isn't enough if you immediately run into another. After meeting Niibori, return to Teradaya and rest until night. Go to the bathhouse marker. Buy medicine before entering; the next encounter cannot be solved with your sword or pistol. BOSS: LARGE MAN This is a Brawler-only fight. Komaki's training beside Teradaya is useful preparation, especially the Dharma Tumbler dodge. Watch the man's slow windups, evade or parry, and attack after the swing passes. His heavy attacks can break through a passive defense, so don't just hold your ground waiting for him to stop. Complete the button prompts when they appear. After the fight and drinking scene, return toward Teradaya, watching the intervening story scenes. At the inn, speak to the boatman to travel to Mukurogai. BOSS: OKADA IZO, SECOND ENCOUNTER Follow the marker through Mukurogai. Izo again has backup, so thin out the group before committing to him. The familiar attack pattern now hurts more. Let his combination finish, punish briefly, and move away before his turning attack catches you. Gunman works when you have space, but switch or reposition when he closes the gap. Watch for the mid-fight prompt. After winning, continue through the marked alleyways to Takechi's hideout. The conversation there finishes the chapter's main business.