Project Century: Everything We Know

RGG Studio, the developer behind the Yakuza series, including Like a Dragon, is back with a new game. The studio already has other projects underway, such as Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii (launching February 21, 2025) and Virtua Fighter 6. Known for handling intense release schedules, RGG Studio continues to deliver. Here’s everything we know about their latest project, Project Century, so you’re ready when it launches.

What is Project Century?

Project Century is an upcoming real-time action game. It seems to go back to the Yakuza combat roots, focusing on real-time action rather than turn-based. We say it seems because there’s very little information we know about the upcoming game. 

All we have to go by is the trailer, which delves relatively deep into the gameplay but not so much into the story or setting. It’s totally unsurprising, as Project Century is in its pre-Alpha phase. It’s still very early in the development process, and so, possibly, future updates will be coming sometime later. 

So, for now, we’ll be speculating based on the trailer and past projects. At the very least, though, we’re confident that Like a Dragon fans will be very pleased with the new game, given it seems to only alter the setting alongside a new protagonist, foundationally, of course. 

Story

Based on the trailer, Project Century’s story seems to feature a new, unique setting, which we can only assume is in Japan. We don’t know where exactly, and we might be dealing with an alternate history theme. We can ascertain, though, that the story takes us back in time to the mid-19th century. More precisely, 1915 Japan. Other than that, the setting itself seems to look stunning, if not leaning more on the gory side.

This new title will definitely be bloodier than any of the previous titles RGG has worked on. Also, the world is very much cramped and dirty, perhaps a portrayal of the social and political times. The time period is the peak of Japan’s industrial revolution, which may tie into the plot. 

We’ll also be controlling and most probably following the story of a new protagonist. And, that’s about all we can pinpoint, but we’ll definitely keep our eyes peeled for any new information and let you know as we find out more.

Gameplay

The gameplay is where we have the most information. Most notably, we’ll be going back to the classic Yakuza gameplay style. It’s likely the game is a third-person real-time combat action entry where the combat style seems similar to the classic Yakuza games. 

The newer Like a Dragon games have also been using real-time combat. Further, you’ll use bare fists to fight enemies, as well as string together combos. You’ll also use blocks, parries, and dodges to avoid incoming attacks. Meanwhile, you’ll be able to use your environment to your advantage. 

We presume there’ll be an in-depth progression system and story elements that tie into your gameplay. You can also presume to enjoy consistent updates, though all of these remain officially unconfirmed. 

Development

Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio is behind the wheel of Project Century, the driving force that will bring the upcoming game to market. It’s only recently that the studio announced they were working on Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, the follow-up to Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth. 

Notably, in the last five years, RGG has launched a whopping 12 games, all pretty great in their own right. So, as we wait for Virtua Fighter 6 and now, the new title code-named Project Century, we send all the best wishes on a soon-if-possible launch and delivering the best action experience yet.

Trailer

Check out Project Century’s world premiere trailer aired at The Game Awards 2024. It’s a quick teaser that delves more into the setting and gameplay. You follow an unknown protagonist as he walks around a cramped city in Japan. He smacks enemies’ heads in with his fists and uses various weapons, too. 

You’ll tap into dodge, parry, and grab skills to destroy enemies. All along, your screen will be bloodsoaked with your foes as every critical hit brutally dismantles them. As the trailer portrays, the agenda here is single-mindedly beating people up, and I’m certain I absolutely won’t mind it. The tough guy in the video uses brutal force and objects like crowbars and glass to fight, and we’ll be here for all of it.

Release Date, Platforms, & Editions

Project Century was announced with no release date or even a release window. So, we have no clue when we might be getting our hands on it. Granted, it’s still very much in its pre-Alpha development phase, where RGG Studio must still be working out the broader before getting to the finer details. 

If we’re to speculate, though, we could possibly get the game in 2026, given that RGG Studio is very proficient at juggling the development of multiple titles and keeping up with a tight release window. Or we might get the game in 2027, too. 

The platforms as well, are currently unknown. We don’t have any Steam page out yet. All we have is the trailer. However, there’s a high chance that the game will launch on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. 

We’ll also have to wait out announcements on editions and preorders. Project Century is only a code name for the upcoming game. It’s possible the name will change as well as future updates. For now, be sure to follow the official social handle here to stay on top of any new announcements. 

So, what’s your take? Will you be grabbing a copy of Project Century when it drops? Let us know over on our socials here.