The revelation of Project Century during The Game Awards generated considerable excitement and curiosity among fans and industry observers alike. Ryu Ga Gotoku has consistently demonstrated an impressive ability to produce high-quality projects, and this latest title appears to be one of their most ambitious undertakings in recent years. With a distinctive setting, gameplay mechanics, and thematic elements that diverge sharply from recent entries in the Like a Dragon series, Project Century stands out as a significant new direction for the studio.
Despite the buzz surrounding Project Century, many critical details remain elusive. A prominent question on the minds of avid gamers is whether this project will integrate into the established Like a Dragon franchise. Currently, fans have only the brief reveal trailer at their disposal to speculate on the game’s identity—could Project Century represent a fresh intellectual property, marking a bold shift for Ryu Ga Gotoku?
Project Century: A Bold New Venture for Ryu Ga Gotoku
Fans of Ryu Ga Gotoku, as well as the Like a Dragon/Yakuza series, have been inundated with exciting content. Anticipation is mounting for the upcoming February release of Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, which will see the much-loved character Goro Majima return to a protagonist role. The release follows closely on the heels of the expansive Infinite Wealth, which debuted in January. Ryu Ga Gotoku further stirred interest at The Game Awards by teasing two additional projects, including a new installment in the Virtua Fighter franchise.
Amidst this whirlwind of announcements, Project Century has emerged as a gritty open-world title set in 1915 Japan. Utilizing the familiar third-person view characteristic of Like a Dragon games, the trailer provides a glimpse into a harsh and industrialized Japan, where the protagonist navigates perilous streets. This intriguing setting raises questions about the game’s narrative direction, suggesting a departure from the typical isekai themes present in the franchise’s recent offerings.
A key element that differentiates Project Century is its intense and visceral gameplay. Unlike the often lighthearted and stylized combat of recent JRPGs in the Like a Dragon series, the trailer showcases brutal, gore-filled action, featuring a protagonist who wields weapons and his surroundings to eliminate foes. This significant shift in tone leads fans to ponder whether Project Century might function as a spin-off rather than a direct continuation of the main series.
Project Century’s Vision Extends Beyond Like a Dragon
Previously, spin-off titles such as Ishin have explored historical narratives, including the Feudal Japan era, while the Judgment series hinted at darker themes, albeit with less graphic violence than what is depicted in Project Century. Such diversions have enriched the overarching Like a Dragon storyline, suggesting that Project Century could narrate the origins of the powerful Omi Alliance, established around the game’s historical backdrop. Notably, fans have drawn parallels between Project Century’s lead character and Takayuki Yagami from the Judgment series, speculating a possible alternate-history connection similar to what Ishin provided for Yakuza’s original characters.
Given the absence of explicit links to the Like a Dragon franchise within the trailer, it seems improbable that Project Century will play a paramount role in the series’ main narrative arc. Instead, its distinctive setting and the protagonist’s morally ambiguous actions suggest that Project Century could serve as an independent experience, offering gamers a fresh perspective while distancing itself from the existing lore of the Like a Dragon universe.
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