Like A Dragon: Ishindoesn’t skimp on difficult boss fights that will challenge your blade, pistol, and head as you formulate winning strategies against these formidable opponents. Taking the time to craftsome of the best weapons in Ishinwill certainly take some of the pain out of these matchups.
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However, even withthe most protective accessoriesandhard-hitting special weapons, you’ll still have to avoid attacks from these powerful foes if you hope to come out on top. While you may be able to tear through grunts and bandits without much thought, you’ll need to take a more diligent approach to these bosses as they’ll hit you with combination attacks, stuns, and quickfire slashes if you aren’t careful.
Contains Story Spoilers
10Inabara Akumi
This rogue doctor is far from a healing presence, as you might sense from the very first time you meet him. From his unsettling laugh to his grim expression and demeanor, Inabara Akumi certainly plays the part of villain well.
Though his true intentions remain a secret until the final confrontation, Akumi’s plan becomes fairly clear before he spills it to you anyway. Once he’s done confessing, enjoy beating this creep to a pulp as his large amount of health will take some time to whittle down, but Akumi’s attacks should prove simple enough to avoid.
9Ginryu
You will first meet Ginryu when you visit his dojo in northwestern Rakunai; he is the master of both the Swordsman and Wild Dancer styles. Ginryu is a quiet and humble teacher who cares deeply about his students, but he is also exceptionally skilled with the blade, so don’t underestimate him.
He puts up a decent fight in his final mastery lessons, but he really holds nothing back once you meet him in the Arena. His most notable attacks are a devastating multi-slash combination and a forward dash that can catch you off guard and knock you to the ground. Watch out for the moment Ginryu begins glowing, as he is preparing to surge forward and inflict a ton of damage.
8Yukimitsu
Yukimitsu is the leader of a group of katana-collecting aficionados who are under a strange spell. While under the spell, Yukimitsu and his cronies will fight with reckless abandon, and can quickly gang up on Ryoma unless you stay on the offensive and keep at least one of the group knocked down.
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After you defeat Yukimitsu and his fellow collectors and free them from their spell, you’re able to later rematch Yukimitsu in the Arena. His moveset is largely unchanged and focuses on quick, surprise attacks with his sword. He does not telegraph his attacks very clearly, so be aware and prepared to dodge to avoid being caught by surprise.
7Okada Izo
Your first major hurdle, Okada Izo’s first boss fight is quite a daunting challenge as you settle into the four combat styles early in the game. Izo’s strong, sweeping attacks are difficult to avoid with the limited movement options you have early on in Tosa, so this battle definitely makes an impression.
As you fight Okada Izo throughout the story’s progression, he continues to present a challenge, but by this time you’ll have plenty of tools in your arsenal to take care of business without too much of a struggle. Despite his diminishing difficulty, Okada Izo is a worthy rival to test your mettle at each bloody encounter.
6Shogun Tokugawa Yoshinobu
Few swordsmen could ever hope to rival the expertise and technique of the Shogun, Tokugawa Yoshinobu. Ryoma quickly learns that he is not the only master capable of using powerful Heat Actions and unorthodox attacks that seem straight out of a Dragon Ball Z game.
The Shogun will approach slowly and slash in front of him three or four times as he attempts to catch you in a deadly combo. Be careful, as he will attack with an Essence Of Firestorm (akin to a Kamehameha blast) which can knock you to the ground in addition to the damage it does. Avoid his thrown objects and keep close while avoiding slashes, and you’ll come out on top.
5Takechi Hanpeita
Takechi Hanpeita has a fascinating story and nuanced goals thatmake him one of the best characters in Ishin, and a worthy final boss fight. While he works from the shadows pulling strings and growing stronger, Ryoma eventually confronts his former brother at the close of the winding journey.
The fight is challenging, with Takechi attacking ferociously in this decisive match with Ryoma. Emotions are running high and the weight of this final confrontation lends even more weight to each swing of your blade and pull of the trigger. Defeating a man like Takechi will take every trick you’ve learned to this point.
4Nakamura Hanjiro
Saigo Kichinosuke’s right-hand man, Nakamura Hanjiro is the major roadblock that stands between you and the completion of the game’s final substory, and Ernest Satow’s objective. In order to secure a meeting with Saigo for Satow, you must get the best of the sturdy mountain of a man, Nakamura Hanjiro – and his cronies.
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The henchmen are not much of a challenge but must be defeated quickly before they overwhelm you. Once they’re out of the way, Nakamura’s attacks can be read due to their slow, telegraphed wind-ups. Dodge around his combo attempts and chip away at his massive HP bar – it will take a while, even with well-built endgame weapons and combat skill trees.
3Komaki Munemitsu
This familiar face resemblesYakuza’sKazuma Kiryu’s master in both appearance and skill. Despite using the weakest combat style in the game, Komaki is an incredibly powerful opponent capable of catching you off guard. His combos are quick, powerful, and track your movements unless you continue to dodge or opt to block instead.
If you aren’t careful, you may easily get hit for four to five punches totaling well over 20 percent of your health, depending on your level. Being knocked down by these attacks will slow down the fight and is particularly painful when facing Komaki in the Arena. His appearance makes a life-steal weapon all but required when taking on the Banquet of Might.
2Sanada (Sodachi) Nobuyasu
Sanada, a.k.a. Sodachi Nobuyasu, is the final boss of the Shinsengumi’s Battle Dungeon and an incredibly formidable foe in both his immense skill and massive stature. Nobuyasu uses a physically bigger character model that exceeds Ryoma in height by at least a foot, and his blade’s reach is equally intimidating.
He begins the battle with a full set of minions wielding katana, and spears; they’re even armored to make them survive even longer. The extra posse will provide an annoying distraction, but once they’re out of the way, you can focus on Nobuyasu. The safest strategy is to run from one end of the square stage to the other and fire at him with a pistol, but carefully timed dodges in Wild Dancer work wonders. However you choose to take on this giant, stay far away from him when he’s in the middle of his three-swing combo, as it will deplete your health in an instant
1Amon Genjosai
Fans of the Yakuza series will recognize this Amon brotheras yet another member of the famous Amon Assassin Clan. However, this will be a fight that requires your utmost preparation. If you’ve completed other entries in the series, then you’ll recall that the Amon brothers are typically hidden post-game bosses and Genjosai is no different.
The journey to reach Amon Genjosai is long and arduous, requiring that you firstcomplete every substory in the gamebefore you receive his challenge. Once you’ve completed the memoirs and received the final one from Ernest Satow following the final substory, you will be contacted by Amon the next time you head to the Battle Dungeon Vendor. Follow through with his invitations and bring plenty of healing items; these two battles are unique treats.
