Toshihiro Nagoshi has returned to the streets of Kabukicho. The creator responsible for establishing Sega’s Like a Dragon (formerly Yakuza) franchise as a global juggernaut has revealed his first major project since departing to form his own company. Today, Nagoshi Studio announced Gang of Dragon, an action-adventure title starring the celebrated Korean actor Ma Dong-seok (also known as Don Lee).
Unveiled during The Game Awards 2025, the announcement confirms that Nagoshi is sticking to the noir-tinged, urban crime genre that defined his career. However, Ma Dong-seok’s involvement, known for his imposing physical presence in films like Train to Busan and The Roundup, suggests a shift in emphasis toward weight and brutality in the combat systems.
The game is set in Kabukicho, Shinjuku—the real-life district that inspired the Yakuza series’ Kamurocho. Players will control Shin Ji-seong, a high-ranking member of a Korean crime syndicate. The choice of protagonist and setting implies a narrative focused on transnational organised crime, a theme Nagoshi has explored previously but rarely with a non-Japanese lead.
While the trailer showcases the visceral hand-to-hand combat fans might expect, leveraging Ma‘s background in boxing and power-based roles, Nagoshi Studio has confirmed the game will also feature firearms, swordplay, and, notably, high-speed car chases. The latter is a distinct departure from the pedestrian-focused gameplay of Nagoshi‘s previous works, perhaps harking back to his earlier history with Daytona USA.
Toshihiro Nagoshi, President at Nagoshi Studio, said in a statement:
I’m both relieved and deeply focused as we finally reach the day to unveil GANG OF DRAGON. This project depicts, with unwavering honesty, the lives of outlaws who inhabit the real streets of Kabukicho. Through gameplay, my team and I are committed to delivering a powerful new human drama born from this world. What is shown in this teaser represents only a small part of what G.O.D. truly has in store, and we look forward to sharing much more with you in the future.”
This announcement marks the first fruit of Nagoshi Studio since its establishment in November 2021. Based in Ebisu, Tokyo, the studio was formed with backing from NetEase Games, allowing Nagoshi to recruit a team of veteran developers familiar with his directorial style.
Currently, the title is listed on Steam. While pre-orders are not yet live, PC gamers looking to secure the title upon release often monitor retailers like Green Man Gaming or CDKeys for launch window discounts.
For fans of Ma Dong-seok, seeing his likeness rendered in a high-fidelity game engine is likely a draw in itself. For long-time followers of Nagoshi, the question remains: how will Gang of Dragon differentiate itself from the series he left behind, especially when the names are so strikingly similar?
The release date has not yet been confirmed.
