GANG OF DRAGON: Everything We Know

A little drama: Toshihiro Nagoshi, the creative man behind Judgment (2018), Lost Judgment (2021), and Yakuza: Like a Dragon (2020), left SEGA after a whole 30 years of working for the company. He went on to found Nagoshi Studio, under NetEase, in late 2021, and now, we have his new, upcoming game, GANG OF DRAGON. Apparently, the reason for his shocking departure is so that he could seek more creative freedom and start a new franchise, with a better story, built on his Yakuza/Like a Dragon experience.

A background like Nagoshi’s is going to grab many gamers’ attention and interest in his next project. Lots of speculation was going around over the direction Nagoshi might take. But after the trailer reveal for his new game, it seems he decided to stick closer to home. The former SEGA chief creative officer and director is making a game pretty similar to the Yakuza series, and, funny as it is, I’m not mad at it. Find out why in our GANG OF DRAGON: Everything We Know article below. 

What is GANG OF DRAGON?

GANG OF DRAGON is an upcoming action-adventure that will take place in an entertainment district called Kabukicho, which is known for a feisty nightlife experience in the larger Shinjuku, Tokyo. It’s likely this will be the first of many entries to come, a possible hot, new franchise rivaling the Yakuza/Like a Dragon series, given the similarities in art direction and combat. 

Like Toshihiro Nagoshi’s tantalizing past with SEGA, we might be looking at a new, riveting “Who did it better?” scenario between Yakuza/Like a Dragon and GANG OF DRAGON. But not to get ahead of myself here, let’s break down the finer details of the story and gameplay.

Story

GANG OF DRAGON’s protagonist may not be who you expected. He’s called Shin Ji-seong, portrayed by South Korean actor Ma Dong-seok, also known as Don Lee (Eternals and Train to Busan). The setting is in Shinjuku’s Kabukicho, starkly familiar to Yakuza’s Kamurocho, Tokyo. It makes sense given that Kamurocho is a fictionalized entertainment district of the real-life Kabukicho. You know, Asia’s biggest “red-light” entertainment district, dotted with neon lights, clubs, bustling streets, and the iconic Godzilla head.

Anyway, Shin Ji-seong, the protagonist, is a badass mob boss and high-ranking leader of a Korean crime syndicate. Interestingly, the syndicate runs operations in Kabukicho in Japan, which leads to conflict brewing with the criminal underworld of Shinjuku. While Shin Ji-seong builds strong bonds with some NPCs, others prove hostile and test his understanding of his purpose. 

While not exploring Shinjuku, you find yourself at odds with gangs, spurring violence that impacts both your physical and mental state of mind. And that’s just about all we know about GANG OF DRAGON so far. 

Gameplay

As mentioned, GANG OF DRAGON will be an action-adventure game, which, from its Steam page, seems to only allow for single-player campaigns and missions. You’ll explore the world and fight enemies in the third-person perspective. GANG OF DRAGON is a buff, heavyweight guy. So, you can rest assured he’ll be throwing some heavy punches and kicks. The combat is expected to lean heavily on hand-to-hand fights and brawls, much like the Yakuza franchise. It’ll certainly be intense and brutal, showing no mercy to disrespect. 

Apparently, Shin Ji-seong’s physical power will be enhanced, unlike that of the average human. And I suppose you can further upgrade your punches. But you can also opt for weapons; anything from guns to swords. Your blade will be sharp, cutting through flesh with speed and precision. Guns, as well, will pack a punch, switching between different varieties.

But also exciting is the vehicle system. Get this: there’s a button that a single press on it will summon your car. And it’s a stylish car, with the freedom to upgrade its performance, appearance, and even mount its hood with weapons. Repairs and refueling will all be a part of your car management system, which points toward similarities with Grand Theft Auto. 

While vehicles help you navigate the world and chip in during combat, there are plenty more gameplay systems you’ll be tweaking around. Things like healing buffs, explosives, ammunition, and gauges that track your weapons and health. 

Development

As you prepare to carve out your own story and path in the upcoming GANG OF DRAGON, you can keep an eye on Nagoshi Studio’s activities. They are both the developer and publisher of the upcoming game. So, all communication will be coming from their website and socials. Briefly, the studio is based in Ebisu, Tokyo, with a talented staff led by Nagoshi himself.

Trailer

But you won’t get any better idea of what’s to come than by watching the GANG OF DRAGON premiere trailer, revealed at The Game Awards 2025 event. Here, you get even more details about the art direction, story, and gameplay. Not much, though, but some scenes definitely take your breath away. The way Shin Ji-seong grabs onto the edge of the knife being pushed into his insides. And his strength isn’t any more vivid, going on to thrive in brutal melee combat. The world looks pretty breathtaking as well, with its gritty, open-world take on Tokyo’s Kabukicho district.

And the screenshots on Steam further feature still images of the bustling streets you’ll explore, the heavy punches that draw blood, the machine gun that lights up when fired, and the impressive car management system. Although the quality isn’t as polished as I hoped it would be, I’m sure more marketing material will help clear any doubts over the design.

Release Date, Platforms, & Editions

Unfortunately, the release date for GANG OF DRAGON has not been announced yet. While it’s worrisome, all we can do is wait for further updates. Yes, even for the platforms and editions, if any. Your best bet is checking in with the official Nagoshi Studio website and keeping your ears to the ground about any chatter on X and Facebook. Adding the game to your Steam wishlist is also a good idea for staying up to date.