Like a Dragon: Ishinwill feature Trooper Cards with the likenesses of AEW pro wrestler Kenny Omega, actor Rahul Kohli, and others. While neither Omega nor Kohli will actually be characters inLike a Dragon: Ishin, the Trooper Cards will allow the player to use powerful thematic abilities based on each person in combat. Similar cameos are a longstanding tradition in theYakuza/Like a Dragonfranchise.
Rumors of a Kenny Omega cameo in a futureLike a Dragon gamehave been swirling for some time. The team at Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio is known to be huge fans of professional wrestling, and has featured wrestlers including Kazuchika Okada and Hiroshi Tanahashi in priorYakuzagames. In a semi-recent trip to Japan,AEW star Kenny Omegashared photos on Twitter showing him being 3D scanned at Sega’s studios. It seemed like he was next in line for a cameo.
RELATED:Like a Dragon: Ishin Remake Trailer Shows Off Mini-game Variety
Announced on Twitter, Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio has now announced a special collaboration with Kenny Omega and other celebrities. A free DLC pack offered for the launch ofLike a Dragon: Ishinwill include Trooper Cards based on Kenny Omega andRahul Kohli, with others to be confirmed later. As the name implies, these are simply cards. There will be no in-game character based on Kenny Omega or Rahul Kohli. Both cards do feature art turning the celebrities into time-period-accurate characters, however.
The Trooper Cards can be used in combat to cast unique and powerful abilities. Kenny Omega’s ability, Essence of One-Winged Angel, is based on hisFinal Fantasy 7-inspired finishing moveand does a spin attack leaving bright blue feathers floating through the air. Omega’s catchphrase, “Goodbye, mwah! And goodnight - Bang!” also flashes on-screen. Kohli’s card is named the Essence of Firestorm and shoots flame in a massive frontal cone. Fitting Kohli’s humor, the quote, “Rob them of their dignity!” flashes on-screen.
As noted, theLike a Dragon: IshinElite Generals Trooper Card Bundle will be available for free as part of the action game’s upcoming launch. It’s DLC, so players will have to download it separately after they’ve purchased the game. Six cards in total, with Omega and Kohli being the first two, will be included.
Celebrity cameos will hopefully draw some extra attention toLike a Dragon: Ishinahead of its quickly-approaching launch. TheLike a Dragonfranchiseis growing in popularity, especially since the release of bothYakuza 0andYakuza: Like a Dragon. Embracing its strangeness, featuring cameos from pro wrestlers and comedians, is one exciting way to draw new eyes to the franchise.
Like a Dragon: Ishinreleases February 21 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
MORE:Like a Dragon Should Explore Other Parts of History After Ishin
