Metal Black S Tribute

City Connection specializes in acquiring the back catalogues of once-major publishers and releasing their titles individually on the Xbox Store. They have harvested the majority of shoot 'em up pioneers Psikyo's work and have now shifted their focus to Taito. Psychic Force, New Zealand Story, and Rainbow Islands are next on our Taito wish list, please.

Metal Black S-Tribute resides in a dusty, neglected nook of Taito's back catalog. Other developers may have overlooked it, but shooters are City Connection's forte, so it's easy to see why it attracted their attention. It's one of the most intriguing shoot 'em ups we've played in recent memory, so we're pleased that they gave it a boost.

Like a Dragon Ishin! Action & Adventure Game by Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio

Ryma's only clue for identifying his father's murderer is that they employed a particular fighting strategy known as Tennen Rishin. Now utilizing the alias Sait Hajime, he travels to Kyo in an effort to join the Shinsengumi. This is a controversial police force that occasionally appears to border on organized crime. You could say that their attitude is reminiscent of the Yakuza.

Veterans of Like a Dragon will recognize a variety of Shinsengumi members, including both allies and adversaries. However, you should not assume they have the same affiliation in Ishin.

The narrative of Ishin is a safe entry into the franchise that will feel familiar to even those who have only experienced a couple of installments. The initial phases of Ryma's story remain relatively personal, but it doesn't take long for the plot to become explosively political.

However, if you are familiar with the story beats of a Like a Dragon game, you are aware that the narrative is only a small part of the overall game. And Ishin is without exception.