Once you save the Shinto Priest from the bandits, he will take you to the shrine and explain to you how to get Virtue in Like a Dragon: Ishin. You can earn it by playing the game almost however you want to, but there are certain things you can prioritise if you want to buy the upgrades in the Virtue shop quicker.
You can upgrade almost everything else in Like a Dragon: Ishin, other than combat, by using Virtue. You can upgrade your sprint, inventory, farming, and even fishing skills. It's well worth investing in, especially once you start to spend time with the side content.
For more on the game, make sure to check out our review for Like a Dragon: Ishin. We've also got a look at how to redeem DLC in the game, as well as a hub on the Like a Dragon 8 release date.
How to get Virtue in Like a Dragon: Ishin
You can get Virtue by doing pretty much anything in Like a Dragon: Ishin. Even if you avoid all of the mini-games and side content, you'll still earn Virtue from completing story quests, and even walking around the map.
Here are some examples of the different ways you can earn Virtue in Like a Dragon: Ishin.
Tips and tricks to gain Virtue fast in Like a Dragon: Ishin
There are a few things that you should invest in the early game, if you want to take full advantage of the Virtue system.
In the Virtue upgrades screen that you access through the shrines, there is a Virtue panel. There, you can upgrade your Virtue Cultivation a total of five different times. These boost your Virtue each time by 10%. So after the first upgrade, praying at shrines will give you +22, rather than +20. This may seem insignificant, but once you factor in the main stories and sub-stories that you'll be completing, it quickly becomes worth investing in early.
Secondly, there is a sub-story that's triggered outside the barracks a little way into the game. This features an interaction with an elderly couple and their dog. Once you've dealt with them, you'll receive a Double Pray Talisman. This boosts the Virtue you receive from praying by 400%. This means that you'll earn +100 Virtue, rather than +20.
You should also take advantage of praying at every shrine and statue that you come across, even if it means running a little out of your way to do so. These offer +20 Virtue at the base amount, but this adds up fast considering how many are across the city.
The Diligence Records
The Diligence Records are a list of overarching objectives that you can complete in order to get large amounts of Virtue. Most of these will be completed naturally, such as travelling 30km on foot, or talking to people 100 times. However, some of them will require you to focus a little more on your gameplay. For a full list of the Diligence Records, please find them below.
Adventure
Here is a list of all the ways you can earn Virtue through the Adventure tab.
Another Life
Here is a list of all the ways you can earn Virtue through the Another Life tab. Note, this won't be accessible to you until you complete the prerequisite quest.
Friendships (Shops)
Here is a list of all the ways you can earn Virtue by befriending different shopkeepers around the city. This is usually done by buying from their shop.
Friendships
Here is a list of all the ways you can earn Virtue by befriending different people and animals around the city.
Battle
Here is a list of all the ways you can earn Virtue by winning fights around the city.
That's everything you need to know about Virtues in Like a Dragon: Ishin! For more games like this, check out our picks of the best free RPG games you can play right now.