Like a Dragon: Ishin! (2023): Story Walkthrough, Chapters 7–8

Like a Dragon: Ishin! (2023): Story Walkthrough, Chapters 7–8 SPOILERS: This part covers the investigation after Ikedaya, including the bosses at the end of both chapters. 7. THE TWO RYOMAS Go to headquarters to seek an audience with Kondo. Follow the conversations in order: approach his office at the rear, visit Hijikata's room, then find Okita in the courtyard. When those attempts fail, leave the compound to receive the next assignment from Inoue. Return to Teradaya and report to Nakaoka. Then visit the Satsuma residence in northern Rakunai, near the shrine. Defeat the four samurai waiting inside and speak with Saigo. Yamazaki subsequently directs you to Asahi in Gion. Prepare before going in. The coming duel can last a while if your weapon is still weak, so this is a sensible moment to upgrade equipment and refill your medicine supply. BOSS: KONDO ISAMI Kondo alternates between his normal sword stance and a stance with his armored forearm held forward. Don't treat both as the same opening. His defensive stance can stop attacks that worked a moment earlier, and his rushing strike is dangerous if it connects. Move out of the charge's path, wait for the follow-through, then counter. If you know Brawler's parry timing, it is another way to deal with the rush. Swordsman is a safer fallback than simply taking the full attack, though some moves can still chip health through your defense. As the fight progresses, Kondo adds repeated rushes and a projectile attack. Keep your attention on the entire sequence instead of moving in after the first strike. Swordsman's guard is useful against the projectiles. Finish the duel to close the chapter. 8. THE MAD DOG HOWLS Return to headquarters and meet Okita in the storehouse. After the briefing, rest in your room at Teradaya until night. Go to Sengoku's residence on the western side of Fushimi, where the Shinsengumi are waiting outside. Make a manual save and stock up before entering. The mansion is a continuous combat mission ending in a boss fight; you cannot pop back out for supplies midway through it. SENGOKU'S RESIDENCE Fight through the rooms and pursue Sengoku. Use sword attacks against armored enemies instead of expecting ordinary pistol fire to remove their protection quickly. At the gunner section, use cover while approaching Sengoku's mounted gun. After he abandons it and you defeat the other shooters, enemies arrive behind you. Take over the gun to clear the group. Use the on-screen prompts to mount and leave it, and hold the normal attack input to keep firing. Collect the medicine and Acid Rounds beyond this section. The next armored group includes a huge club wielder. Acid Rounds are useful for stripping the purple armor gauge. Give the giant room to finish his swing before attacking; the size of the weapon should be your warning not to stand beside him trading hits. Finish the smaller armored enemies as well. BOSS: OKITA SOJI The first phase uses sword thrusts and sweeping follow-ups. He can adjust his direction during a combination, so one sidestep doesn't necessarily leave you safely behind him. Wait until the string is over before committing. A later button-prompt sequence leads into his short-blade phase. His reach changes, but he becomes quicker. Reassess the spacing rather than carrying on with the exact same timing. Listen for his laugh. Stop attacking and get clear, or defend in Swordsman, before his dangerous area attack. It can leave you bleeding and slowed, making the next attempt to escape much harder. Keep healing available, avoid long attack strings when he is ready to retaliate, and win the duel to finish the chapter.