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| A screengrab from Gang of Dragon |
A cinematic action epic set in Tokyo's real Kabukicho district marks the return of a legendary game director, backed by a dream team of Yakuza alumni and starring a Korean action superstar.
When Toshihiro Nagoshi stepped away from Sega and the beloved Yakuza series he birthed in 2021, it left a void in the hearts of gamers who cherished the series' unique blend of brutal street brawls, heartfelt drama, and quirky side activities. Four years later, at The Game Awards 2025, that void was filled with the explosive world premiere of Gang of Dragon .
The debut title from Nagoshi Studio is a gritty, cinematic action-adventure that promises to be both a homecoming and an evolution, marking a bold new chapter for one of gaming's most revered creators .
The Visionary Behind the Dragon
The story of Gang of Dragon begins with the legacy of its creator. Toshihiro Nagoshi is a veteran game creator whose name is synonymous with the Yakuza/Like a Dragon series . He founded Nagoshi Studio in November 2021 after concluding his tenure at SEGA, where he had worked since 1989 on iconic titles like Daytona USA before launching the Yakuza franchise in 2005 .
Following his departure, Nagoshi was headhunted by Chinese gaming giant NetEase Games . In early 2022, he struck a deal and assembled a formidable team of Yakuza alumni, including director and producer Daisuke Sato, art director Kazuki Hosokawa, and lead programmer Koji Tokieda . For years, this dream team has worked in relative secrecy, their project hinted at but never seen—until now.
A Grittier, More Cinematic Underworld
Gang of Dragon is an action-adventure game set in the very real streets of Kabukicho in Shinjuku, Tokyo—the same vibrant, neon-drenched nightlife district that inspired the Yakuza series' fictional Kamurocho . However, Nagoshi has signaled a deliberate shift in tone. In a 2022 interview, he described his post-Sega work as "more like a Quentin Tarantino film," blending humor with something "intimidating or only bloody and brutal" .
The game aims to sidestep some of Yakuza's signature elements, like an abundance of mini-games and over-the-top shenanigans, to deliver a tighter, more focused cinematic experience . The narrative will be a "violent human drama" focused on intense personal connections and a protagonist confronting his own purpose .
Meet Shin Ji-seong, Portrayed by a Hollywood Star
The game’s protagonist, Shin Ji-seong, is a high-ranking member of a Korean crime syndicate with deep ties to Kabukicho's underworld . The character is brought to life not just through code, but through the performance of a major cinematic star. Shin is portrayed by celebrated Korean actor Ma Dong-seok, known internationally as Don Lee .
Famous for his powerful physical presence in films like Train to Busan and The Eternals, Ma Dong-seok’s casting is a clear statement of intent. The game’s combat is designed around Shin’s overwhelming physical strength, featuring brutal hand-to-hand strikes, blade attacks, and gunplay . The trailer also teased high-speed vehicle segments, a dynamic addition not commonly featured in the Yakuza series, showing a sports car tearing through the city streets .
How It Compares: Gang of Dragon vs. Yakuza
The reveal sparked immediate and understandable comparisons to Nagoshi's legendary past work. As IGN's headline bluntly put it, the game "sure looks an awful lot like Yakuza!" . From the suit-clad protagonist walking rain-slicked streets to tense confrontations in small bars, the visual and atmospheric DNA is unmistakable .
However, key differences are emerging that suggest a distinct identity:
What We Know About Release & Platforms
The premiere trailer was confirmed by The Game Awards host Geoff Keighley to be captured entirely in-engine, showcasing the game's impressive photorealistic visuals . While the trailer did not announce a release date or window, a Steam page for the game is already live, confirming PC as the first announced platform . Additional platform announcements are expected to follow .
The Steam page also confirms the game will feature full voiceovers in Japanese and English, with subtitles in Korean, French, Italian, German, Spanish, and Chinese (Traditional and Simplified) .
For fans eagerly awaiting Gang of Dragon and wanting to revisit the series that started it all, a perfect entry point is available. You can experience the beginning of Nagoshi's original epic with the remastered classics:
Buy Yakuza Kiwami 1+2 for PlayStation 5 on Amazon
The Future of a New Legacy
In his statement upon the reveal, Toshihiro Nagoshi said he was "both relieved and deeply focused" to finally unveil the project. He emphasized the team's commitment to "delivering a powerful new human drama" born from the world of Kabukicho, noting that the teaser represents "only a small part of what G.O.D. truly has in store" .
With the formidable backing of NetEase, a proven all-star development team, and a clear, cinematic vision, Gang of Dragon is poised to be more than a spiritual successor. It is Nagoshi’s unfiltered creative statement, a chance to refine and redefine the type of experience he pioneered. While it walks familiar streets, it promises to tell a new, harder-hitting story where, as the Steam page describes, "violence and human bonds intertwine" . The dragon has been reborn, and its next saga is about to begin.