Joystiq

Yakuza: Dead Souls emerging Mar. 16 in EU, Mar. 13 in NA

Xav de Matos — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:30:00 EST

In mid-January, Sega locked down a North American release date for Yakuza: Dead Souls, and now Europe's date with Tokyo-based zombies has finally been scheduled.

Yakuza: Dead Souls will arrive in Europe on March 16, according to Eurogamer. The PlayStation 3-exclusive is coming to North America on March 13, which is plenty of time for seasoned zombie killers to prepare for the impending attack. Already released in Japan under the name Yakuza: Of the End, the sixth game in the cult-hit series throws players into the "infamous red light district of Tokyo" during a zombie outbreak.

Don't fret, Yakuza fans, because zombies aren't the only enemy you'll be facing. Yakuza: Dead Souls will also throw hordes of "merciless" mutants in your path, along with all of those seedy characters from the Japanese underworld. As for possible zombie-infected Hostesses? We're keen on letting the brain-chomping ladies sit this one out.

Gallery: Yakuza: Dead Souls (PS3)

Yakuza: Dead Souls emerging Mar. 16 in EU, Mar. 13 in NA originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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'PlayStation Game Music' service streams PS3 music from phones in Japan

JC Fletcher — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 12:45:00 EST

This is so cool. Well, maybe "cool" isn't the right way to describe a service that lets you stream Final Fantasy music from anywhere, but we like the idea. In Japan, Sony just started a "PlayStation Game Music" service that allows subscribers to several mobile services to play music from first- and third-party PlayStation games.

The official (again, Japan-only) launch is accompanied by music from Final Fantasy XIII-2, and the Monster Hunter, Dynasty Warriors, and Yakuza series. It would be dangerous for us to walk around Tokyo to the music from Yakuza -- we'd be liable to start throwing bicycle wheels at anyone we saw in a suit. And it's always dangerous for us to hear the FFXIII-2 Chocobo theme.

Along with those, the service will also stream PS3 system sound effects. That "cool" label is looking really hasty now.

'PlayStation Game Music' service streams PS3 music from phones in Japan originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 14 Dec 2011 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Yakuza's Kazuma enters the Binary Domain

JC Fletcher — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 00:00:00 EST

You'd think the team behind the awkward Yakuza: Of the End (coming here as Yakuza: Dead Souls) might want to hide its shooting pedigree in trying to market Binary Domain -- but we suppose the selling power of the charismatic Kazuma Kiryu outweighs gameplay concerns.

Fans who buy the first pressing of the Japanese version of Binary Domain will get the option to play as the Yakuza protagonist, who has somehow warped 100 years into the future to shoot robots. If you play on the government side, Kazuma will wear his flashy white suit; if you choose the resistance side, he'll don a guerrilla getup, complete with headband.

Yakuza's Kazuma enters the Binary Domain originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 11 Nov 2011 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Yakuza 4 producer Yasuhiro Noguchi on re-localizing the series

JC Fletcher — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 18:00:00 EST

Reading about Yakuza 4 is great, but you could also be playing it! And ... wearing it! We've got five copies of the game, and five t-shirts, to give away at the end of this interview.

March is typically a big month for the Yakuza series. In 2010, Yakuza 3 came out in the West in March, and Yakuza 4 in Japan. This year, Yakuza 4 hit North America and Europe, and Yakuza: Of the End almost came out in Japan (but was delayed to June 9 due to the earthquake). On the occasion of 4's Western release, we spoke to producer Yasuhiro Noguchi about the changes made between the last two games, and the significant step forward Sega made in localization.

Continue reading Yakuza 4 producer Yasuhiro Noguchi on re-localizing the series

Yakuza 4 producer Yasuhiro Noguchi on re-localizing the series originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 13 Apr 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The very short list of Yakuza 4's localization changes

Justin McElroy — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 22:30:00 EST

The more senstive among you are probably still fuming about the US localization of Yakuza 3, which excised chunks of the Japanese version, including a quiz on the country's history and hostess clubs. For the good of all your blood pressures, we're happy to report you'll have much less to get steamed about when Yakuza 4 comes stateside.

Siliconera reports that, though the quiz game is still MIA (its text is in images, which can't be changed), the only other alteration is to the soundtrack for the intro video. So relax. Take a deep breath. And get ready to ogle some hostesses, you creepy double-creep creep-o.

The very short list of Yakuza 4's localization changes originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 04 Mar 2011 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lost Planet 2, Yakuza demonstrated on NGP

JC Fletcher — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 02:23:00 EST

Capcom's Jun Takeuchi took to the stage at today's PlayStation Meeting to show off Lost Planet 2 running on the NGP handheld -- as a demonstration only, as he said Capcom was not announcing new titles at tonight's event -- "but before long we will be able to announce new titles for NGP." According to Takeuchi, LP2 was running on MT Framework Mobile (which also powers Capcom's 3DS games) and this demo was put together in just two weeks.

"I'm sure you've seen the PS3 version," he told the audience, "and the quality is just as good" on NGP. Takeuchi said the NGP could handle the "full specification."

Next up, Sega's Toshihiro Nagoshi demonstrated assets from Yakuza: Of The End, to show that "everything can be transcribed [from PS3] onto NGP."

Lost Planet 2, Yakuza demonstrated on NGP originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 27 Jan 2011 02:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Meet the badasses in Yakuza 4 trailers

JC Fletcher — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 19:00:00 EST

Sega is getting all the mileage it can out of its Yakuza 4 trailer narration guy, putting his gravelly delivery to use in a series of character-specific trailers, each introducing one character's motivation for random street fights. Three have been released so far; see them after the break.

Continue reading Meet the badasses in Yakuza 4 trailers

Meet the badasses in Yakuza 4 trailers originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 16 Dec 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Yakuza: Of the End begins in March

JC Fletcher — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 23:00:00 EST

Despite the fact that Yakuza: Of the End violently breaks from series tradition, it's hewing pretty closely to the previous games' schedules. According to Siliconera, Famitsu magazine has revealed the Japanese release date for the gangland zombie shooter: March 17. The date follows tradition, apparently, as Yakuza 4 was released in Japan this past March (along with Yakuza 3 in North America and Europe), and Yakuza 3 debuted in Japan in late-February 2009.

In addition to next March's release, Sega has a new Yakuza game coming this winter: a mobile social game called Yakuza Mobile for GREE, in which players raise and train Yakuza characters, earning weapons that can be transferred into Of the End.

Gallery: Ryu ga Gotoku Of the End (Yakuza 5) -- First in-game screens

Yakuza: Of the End begins in March originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Dec 2010 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Yakuza 4 trailer sets the mood

JC Fletcher — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 13:35:00 EST

The atmospheric English-language narration in this Yakuza 4 trailer is a bit too effective. Now, instead of the Japanese language track and English subtitles the game uses, we'll want some grizzled old guy calmly intoning nonstop about what tough guys we are and how dangerous it is in Tokyo.

Continue reading Yakuza 4 trailer sets the mood

Yakuza 4 trailer sets the mood originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 24 Nov 2010 13:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Yakuza: Of the End video proves the game still holds surprises

JC Fletcher — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Okay, after watching this eight-minute Yakuza: Of the End gameplay trailer, we can now think of the game in a different way. Our bemusement is reduced and our interest increased. Instead of a really strange Yakuza game, we now look at it as a cheesy zombie game with great production values -- like Onechanbara, but less embarrassing and with a better budget. Kamurocho is still a great setting for games, and now it's a setting for a zombie game!

Well, maybe it's just marginally less embarrassing. For some reason, the dating, hostess club, table tennis, and mahjong minigames are still present -- and for some reason, Goro Majima finds an opportunity to sing. With backup dancers.

Continue reading Yakuza: Of the End video proves the game still holds surprises

Yakuza: Of the End video proves the game still holds surprises originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 18 Oct 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Yakuza: Of the End screens introduce cast and ... this thing

JC Fletcher — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 20:40:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Sega continues to work on the zombie shooting spinoff Yakuza: Of The End, releasing more screenshots as proof that it really is following through on this insane idea. The new screens feature Kamurocho pre- and post-zombies, as well as the four protagonists (and Chiaki Kuriyama) firing weapons at the undead. Also, one screen (above) reveals the presence of at least one non-zombie monster, which is totally disgusting.

The accompanying news post rounds up all the voice talent behind the cast, and explains how each of the main characters ended up in the middle of a ruined Kamurocho. Kazuma Kiryu returns to rescue his adopted daughter Haruka; Yakuza 4's Shun Akiyama is in town to collect on a debt when the zombie thing happens; Yakuza 2 final boss Ryuji Goda has been wandering aimlessly, selling takoyaki on the street (to pay for maintenance of his awesome cybernetic arm, possibly); and Goro Majima is chasing Goda when he finds a city full of zombies. Apparently, the crazed Majima is enjoying himself.

Yakuza: Of the End screens introduce cast and ... this thing originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 13 Oct 2010 20:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Yakuza 4 producer gives us a new view of Kamurocho

JC Fletcher — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 13:30:00 EST

The Yakuza series may be exploring left field with the fanciful zombie-attack game Yakuza: Of the End, but American audiences still have one good old jaunt around Kamurocho to look forward to: this spring's Yakuza 4, whose major innovation of four playable characters seems comfy in comparison.

We spoke to producer Masayoshi Kikuchi, mostly about how Yakuza 4 has changed and improved on previous games in the series. Of course, we couldn't resist asking about Of the End, because seriously, what?

Joystiq: Yakuza 3 got a lot of complaints from American gamers for the content that was removed. Will Yakuza 4 have a more complete localization?

Masayoshi Kikuchi, Sega: One of the things that happened on Yakuza 3 was that the Yakuza team worked with the folks at Sega West to see how we can improve the product in terms of being able to be understood by users and broaden the user base, and one of the things that is part of the Yakuza franchise -- you have very Japanese parts of the game. They wanted to make the game easier to play. One of the decisions that was the result of that was that we decided to simplify the game by cutting sections of the game. Of course, based on the reaction that we received -- we heard the voices of our fans loud and clear -- and we will be doing as much as possible to bring the whole experience of Yakuza to the West in terms of the content, in terms of its Japaneseness.

Continue reading Yakuza 4 producer gives us a new view of Kamurocho

Yakuza 4 producer gives us a new view of Kamurocho originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 22 Sep 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Details begin to appear for Yakuza: Of the End

JC Fletcher — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 18:30:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Andriasang has rounded up all of the details announced about Yakuza: Of the End so far, giving us a bit more info than "it's got zombies in it and it's really weird." Of the End takes place in a Kamurocho that is quickly becoming infested with zombies, causing Japan's Self Defense Force to close the district off and leave the remaining survivors for dead. Four gangsters from previous Yakuza games, including series hero Kazuma Kiryu, decide to take up arms and clean out the town rather than allow themselves to be eaten. Also, complicating matters, Kazuma's adopted daughter Haruka has been kidnapped.

The "Heat Action" finishing moves from the series have been replaced by "Heat Snipe" moves, which grant increased accuracy with guns when launched. Each character has a different weapon with which they are most proficient: calm Kazuma is a rifle expert, while nutjob Goro Majima is best with shotguns. In addition to these four characters, you'll be able to pick up partner characters -- including hostesses from hostess clubs -- all of whom can be trained at "Gary's Boot Camp."

Perhaps strangest of all, the usual Yakuza distractions will be back. In the midst of a zombie invasion, you can play some arcade games in Club Sega, hang out in batting cages, or even perform karaoke. Don't worry, those booths are soundproof, so the groaning undead outside won't bother you when you're concentrating on your song.

Details begin to appear for Yakuza: Of the End originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 20 Sep 2010 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Yakuza: Of The End designed to bring shooter fans to Yakuza

JC Fletcher — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 12:20:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Yakuza: Of The End was ... unexpected. Not in that it's another Yakuza sequel -- we can pretty much count on those being at least annual -- but in that it's a zombie shooting game. Why would Sega take a series built around realistic criminal organizations, known for its accurate (if fictionalized) representation of Tokyo, and fill its latest entry with zombies? Where do people even find all those guns in Japan?

At TGS, we asked producer Masayoshi Kikuchi about this seemingly inexplicable decision. "We want to essentially use the Yakuza universe to try our hand at different genres of games," he said. "In that effort, one of the games that hasn't been released [outside of Japan] yet, but that we've done, is a samurai-based game called Kenzan. That is our foray into utilizing the mythology and universe of Yakuza to branch out into different gameplay. The other one, obviously, is Of The End."

"For us, it's a way to hopefully attract more fans to the Yakuza franchise by widening the gameplay styles that we create," Kikuchi added. In other words, Of The End hopes to attract people who love zombie shooters, and who might then discover there are other Yakuza games; albeit ones about punching street punks and running orphanages. But what about the people who already love Yakuza? Are they to simply stare at this spinoff in disbelief?

"From my point of view," Kikuchi told us, "I feel that -- if you have 100 Yakuza fans, it's not going to be the case where all 100 of them will be receptive to the new direction. But however, we feel that by making something that is very enjoyable, we will be able to capture as many of the existing fan base who enjoy the games we create."

[Pictured: Yakuza: Of The End TGS booth models]

Yakuza: Of The End designed to bring shooter fans to Yakuza originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 17 Sep 2010 12:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Next Yakuza revealed as 'Ryu ga Gotoku Of the End'

Ben Gilbert — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 13:05:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Though still not announced for US launch, the next PlayStation 3 installment in the Yakuza series was just unveiled by Sega of Japan (via Andriasang). The Japanese version of the game's official website is up, introducing the title as "Ryu ga Gotoku Of the End," and showing little more than the logo.

The game was first teased back in March with a shot of the Kamurocho district from previous Yakuza titles (now seen more clearly in the gallery below). More recently, Japanese audiences were treated to a teaser ad highlighting a possibly wrecked Tokyo as the game's setting.

For those of you who can read Japanese, the site offers a short blurb about the game alongside computer wallpapers and a set of folder icons for both Windows and Mac. Nope, no screenshots or videos yet, just stuff with which to dress up your computer. We're hoping to see the game in action at Tokyo Game Show next week.

Gallery: Ryu ga Gotoku Of the End (Yakuza 5)

Next Yakuza revealed as 'Ryu ga Gotoku Of the End' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 13:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Japanese Yakuza PSP demo available now

JC Fletcher — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

4Gamer has posted a downloadable demo for the PSP's Black Panther: New Yakuza Chapter, allowing those interested in the dramatic tale of one teenager beating up a bunch of dudes to check out the game with ease. You won't need to load up the Japanese PlayStation Store or anything fancy like that -- just go to this site and click the pink box in the middle of the page.

Andriasang reports that you'll receive a password following the completion of the demo, which will unlock unspecified content in the full game. This game features customizable multiplayer (and hostess) avatars, so we're guessing you'll get some kind of exclusive clothing item.

Japanese Yakuza PSP demo available now originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 30 Aug 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Yakuza PSP crosses over into TV and manga

JC Fletcher — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 20:30:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Sega wants you to believe these three guys are tough. That's sort of a requirement for accepting them as protagonists of a new Yakuza TV series, based on the PSP's Black Panther: New Yakuza Chapter and bearing the same title. Japan's TBS and MBS stations will begin showing the live action adaptation, featuring an original story, every Tuesday night starting October 5. Later, the episodes will be available for rental on Japan's PlayStation Store.

In addition to the TV series, a Yakuza manga will be released, also starring the PSP game's protagonist, Tatsuya Ukyo. It'll be serialized in Weekly Young magazine. That's ... a lot of Yakuza. And that's not even taking the other upcoming Yakuza game into consideration.

Yakuza PSP crosses over into TV and manga originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 27 Aug 2010 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Yakuza ad hints at a violently renovated Tokyo

JC Fletcher — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 09:59:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

An ad for the new, untitled PS3 Yakuza game suggests that some big changes are in store for the game and its Kamurocho locale. The ad, in this week's Famitsu, shows the main entrance to the Kabukicho-like district totally wrecked -- with street lights bent out of shape, cars smashed up in the middle of the street, and a fire raging. "The End" hangs over the scene.

Should the game's setting change from a thriving, realistic Tokyo to a post-earthquake disaster area, the game would be almost entirely unlike anything else in the series. It would seem inappropriate for punks to hang out on the street and try to shake us down here. It would also seem inappropriate for us to hang out at the batting cages for a couple of hours. And dating is right out.

Yakuza ad hints at a violently renovated Tokyo originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 25 Aug 2010 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Buy Yakuza PSP, get ... a razor

JC Fletcher — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 12:45:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

You've heard of this old marketing technique: give away the razor for free with copies of Black Panther: New Yakuza Chapter, then sell the blades. Wait, what?

Continue reading Buy Yakuza PSP, get ... a razor

Buy Yakuza PSP, get ... a razor originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 Aug 2010 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Real yakuza evaluate Yakuza 3

JC Fletcher — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 10:50:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Is Sega's Yakuza series a realistic depiction of life inside Japanese organized crime, or is it a total fantasy based on something the Japanese public would recognize? Tokyo Vice author and reporter Jake Adelstein asked several actual yakuza to play and review Yakuza 3.

"Midoriyama" (a pseudonym) found the power-ups true-to-life. "I like the fact that you power up by eating real food," he said. "Shio ramen gives you a lot of power - CC Lemon, not as much. It all makes sense." "Kuroishi" knew of a yakuza who had run an orphanage like the game's protagonist, Kazuma, once did. "Sure it was a tax shelter but he ran it like a legitimate thing. You know."

The gangsters were less impressed with the fighting. "No yakuza is going to run around getting into fistfights like that," Kuroishi said. "Especially not an executive type. He'll wind up in jail or in the hospital or dead, maybe even whacked by his own people for being a troublemaker." They were even less impressed with Kazuma's red shirt. "He's supposed to be a former boss of the Inagawakai," Midoriyama notes, "and he dresses like a chinpira (low level yakuza punk). He's a yakuza, not a host."

Finally, "Shirokawa" offered his opinion of the changes made in localization: "I feel sorry for the people who bought the American version. SEGA USA sucks."

Real yakuza evaluate Yakuza 3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 Aug 2010 10:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Yakuza PSP trailer features new art and fighting styles

JC Fletcher — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 11:45:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Sega's latest trailer for Black Panther: New Yakuza Chapter reveals something that may come as a shock to longtime Yakuza fans: this one's actually a bit different! Sure, you're still punching people in the streets of Kamurocho, but there's new stuff to be seen.

Continue reading Yakuza PSP trailer features new art and fighting styles

Yakuza PSP trailer features new art and fighting styles originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 13 Jul 2010 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Yakuza PSP limited edition is for Toshihiro Nagoshi fans

JC Fletcher — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Sega is planning a special edition of Black Leopard: Yakuza New Chapter, its PSP Yakuza spinoff. Actually, perhaps it's more accurate to say that Toshihiro Nagoshi is planning the special edition. The "Toshihiro Nagoshi Produce Premium Box" bears the producer's signature in gold on the front of the package, suggesting who the real star of the Yakuza games is.

Inside the Nagoshi-approved packaging is a crocodile skin (patterned) PSP case, a cleaning cloth, and a UMD of the theme song, "Muppet" by Rize. It'll be out in Japan, along with the normal disc and PSN releases, on September 22.

Yakuza PSP limited edition is for Toshihiro Nagoshi fans originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 06 Jul 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sega already at work on another PS3 Yakuza

JC Fletcher — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 12:10:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

At some point, even die-hard Yakuza fans are going to grow weary of the series, and Sega is doing its best to determine exactly when that will happen. The latest Famitsu brings word from Toshihiro Nagoshi that, as development on Black Leopard: New Yakuza Chapter for PSP continues, the team is simultaneously working on another Yakuza game for PS3. This will be the seventh game in the series.

Even among those suffering from Yakuza fatigue, Nagoshi's announcement that this game would feature the eyepatch-clad Goro Majima as a playable character is likely to ignite some frothing demand. Majima, the "Madman of the Shimano Family" is notable mostly for being kind of crazy, and obsessed with fighting Kazuma Kiryu. Inhabiting his life will be pretty different from following the comparatively virtuous Kazuma.

"While I can't give a release time frame yet," Nagoshi said, "we're working to deliver it at a time Yakuza series fans will want." Whether he means the fans clamoring for an uninterrupted supply of Yakuza, or regular sensible people who think there should be some time between sequels, is unknown.

Sega already at work on another PS3 Yakuza originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 30 Jun 2010 12:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Yakuza 4 headed to North America and Europe in spring 2011

JC Fletcher — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 12:25:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

We didn't believe Sega would ever localize Yakuza 3. We also didn't believe Yakuza 3 would sell enough to justify a localization of Yakuza 4. We were wrong on both counts! Today, Sega announced that it's bringing the PS3's Yakuza 4 to North America and Europe in spring 2011, to the delight of everyone who likes beating up gangsters so severely that they feel compelled to apologize and offer money.

Rather than focusing entirely on the exploits of ex-crime boss/family man Kazuma Kiryu, Yakuza 4 splits the story between four different characters, including a homeless man, a detective, an ex-con, and Kazuma. If you don't mind paging through a bunch of Japanese text, you can try it out right now, thanks to a demo on Japan's PlayStation Store.

Gallery: Yakuza 4 (PS3)

Yakuza 4 headed to North America and Europe in spring 2011 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 Jun 2010 12:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Yakuza PSP spinoff 'Project K' named, dated for Japan

JC Fletcher — Wed, 12 May 2010 13:45:00 EST

When Toshihiro Nagoshi revealed the PSP Yakuza spinoff "Project K," he suggested that it was so different from the main console series that it may not even bear the "Ryu ga Gotoku" name (the Japanese title of the series). Nagoshi, apparently remembering how nice it is to make money, has revealed that the PSP game will feature the series name after all.

The spinoff has been named Kurohyou: Ryu ga Gotoku Shinshou ("Black Leopard: New Yakuza Chapter"). A Famitsu article about the game (summarized by 1UP) also announces a September 22 Japanese release date for Kurohyou, which stars a new, younger character who isn't a gangster.

Yakuza PSP spinoff 'Project K' named, dated for Japan originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 12 May 2010 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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'Project K' screenshots surface, look too good

Andrew Yoon — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 14:15:00 EST

This isn't a screenshot from Yakuza 3 or 4. Nope, this is "Project K," an upcoming Yakuza spinoff for the PSP. Famitsu has the first screenshots of the game in action, and we have to admit, that they look a bit too good to be true. At first glance, it's easy to mistake this screen for a photograph of a Japanese city.

Assuming these screens haven't been touched up in any way, we're glad to see the PSP is still being pushed technologically by developers. Even if you aren't particularly interested in the Yakuza franchise, these images are worth checking out.

'Project K' screenshots surface, look too good originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 23 Apr 2010 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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'Project K' is a Yakuza spinoff for PSP

JC Fletcher — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 13:30:00 EST

The mysterious Yakuza-related "Project K" isn't just another sequel after all. In an article in the latest Famitsu, summarized by Andriasang, director Toshihiro Nagoshi revealed it to be spinoff for PSP, taking place in the game's customary "Kamurocho" location but not starring series protagonist Kazuma Kiryu.

In fact, the hero of this spinoff isn't a gangster at all, but an 18-year-old "delinquent" named Tatsuya Ukyou. The new perspective is indicative of Nagoshi's interest in reaching younger audiences with this game, to deliver a message encouraging kids to be more aggressive (which, we're sure, is more about being assertive than being violent). The gameplay will also be presented differently, with a "more in-your-face feel" to the combat and gameplay elements that Nagoshi thinks are expected of handheld games. Does that mean it's going to be Yakuza Monster Hunter, with groups of four teenagers taking down giant loan sharks?

'Project K' is a Yakuza spinoff for PSP originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 21 Apr 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sega teases yet another Yakuza game

JC Fletcher — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 09:39:00 EST

[Famitsu]

Now that Yakuza 3 has been out in North America for a whole week and Yakuza 4 ia due to hit Japan in two days, it's definitely time for Sega to announce another one. At least, that's what Sega seems to think. At a Yakuza 4 event in Tokyo, Sega showed a teaser trailer for a new game in the series, with concept art depicting the familiar Kamurocho district of the other games. As usual, the next iteration will be produced by series creator Toshihiro Nagoshi.

Codenamed "Project K," the new game appears to star a young man who "knew the graveness of the crimes he continued to commit," luckily, "fighting is his destiny," even if he "doesn't know the cruel fate that awaits." Powerful stuff!

The teasers calls this new project, "A new challenge for Ryu ga Gotoku [Yakuza]," suggesting that the next game could be different in some way. Perhaps this forthcoming Yakuza will leave the story of Kazuma Kiryu behind entirely in favor of a new character. Or perhaps it'll be made for a platform other than PlayStation 3.

Sega teases yet another Yakuza game originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 16 Mar 2010 09:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Metareview: Yakuza 3

JC Fletcher — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 22:00:00 EST

Plenty of attention has been lavished on one nontraditional Japanese RPG this week -- but Sega sneaked out another one alongside Final Fantasy XIII. Luckily, enough reviewers remembered that Yakuza 3 exists to provide a decent swath of reviews.

While it's certain to be the best game this week about playing fictional arcade shooters, singing karaoke with dates from hostess clubs and hitting gangsters with street signs, how did Kazuma Kiryu's latest saga fare under more common rubrics?

IGN (8.5/10): "You're getting this intense story about Japan's seedy underbelly that's set in an open world where you can take all sorts of side quests, but as you do so, random battles are popping up, you're earning experience points so you can level up your moves, and you can take stuff from your extensive inventory list and craft new weapons and armor. There are no cars or chocobos, but you see where I'm going with this -- one minute you're slamming a crowbar into a guy's face or tearing off a fingernail with pliers, and the next minute, you're taking photos to blog about or on a fetch quest to find a certain fish."
GameSpot (8/10): "While the pace and events of the story are enough to propel you towards its conclusion, the non-story peripheral content gives Yakuza 3 a welcome sense of diversity. There are more than a hundred side and hitman quests that allow you to do everything from carrying ice cream for a father who has overpurchased, to playing UFO Catcher claw machines in the arcade, to chasing down a bag snatcher, to offering financial advice to a man deep in debt and precariously perched on the edge of a bridge."
Eurogamer (8/10): "From the publisher that brought us Streets of Rage, Virtua Fighter and Shenmue, Yakuza is essentially a mashup of all three, which is hardly surprising but does mean it's the stuff of Segaphile fantasies. Liberally sprinkled with their genius, it's the grateful beneficiary of some of their most satisfying elements, in a context which delivers a uniquely Japanese -- and uniquely Sega -- flavour."

Gallery: Yakuza 3 (PS3)

Metareview: Yakuza 3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 12 Mar 2010 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Yakuza 3 trailer looks back

JC Fletcher — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 14:30:00 EST

The latest trailer for Yakuza 3 (embedded after the break) is all about Kazuma Kiryu's memories of his life before the events of the current game. In other words, you'll see clips from Yakuza 1 and 2 interspersed with footage of Kazuma kicking people. A one-minute trailer is hardly enough to bring you up to speed on the story if you haven't played either of the PS2 games, but it does help demonstrate the visual upgrade the franchise has received as it makes the jump to PS3. (Just imagine how good Yakuza 4 will look!)

Speaking of memories, Sega is right to release a bunch of trailers for this game -- the publisher needs to do everything it possibly can to remind people that Yakuza 3 is coming out, in the hope that a few people might pick it up when they go to buy Final Fantasy XIII or God of War III this month.

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Yakuza 3 trailer looks back originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 05 Mar 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Yakuza 3 trailer takes you on a trip

JC Fletcher — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 02:00:00 EST

One of the best things about the Yakuza series is its detailed reconstruction of Tokyo. The exact details might be fictionalized, but Yakuza's Kabukicho still feels like taking a walk in the genuine article. Yakuza 3 is an even more convincing replica of Tokyo (and also Okinawa!) thanks to the increased detail capable in the PlayStation 3.

Soak in the atmosphere in this new trailer, set to a stirring karaoke performance by protagonist Kazuma Kiryu. Yakuza 3 will be available March 9, at which point you'll be able to explore virtual Tokyo for yourself -- except for the hostess clubs.

Gallery: Yakuza 3 (02-25-10)

Yakuza 3 trailer takes you on a trip originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 26 Feb 2010 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Yakuza 3 loses hostess clubs, quiz game in Western release

JC Fletcher — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 10:47:00 EST

[GAME Watch]

There's a good chance that many of you were going to play through Yakuza 3 without messing with the hostess club segments or the Answer x Answer arcade quiz game. Now, it's a certainty.

"The content between Yakuza 3 US/UK and Yakuza JP is a little different in that we took out certain bits in order to bring the game to the west in the time alloted for us to do so," a Sega rep told IGN. "The parts we ended up taking out were parts that we felt wouldn't make sense (like a Japanese history quiz game) or wouldn't resonate as much (such as the concept of a hostess club)."

You may have gone on a karaoke date with Rina in the demo. In the original game, you meet her in a hostess club, and have to buy her gifts and learn about her in conversations. Now, we suppose, she'll just randomly call you like she did in the demo. Somehow, the dating won't be affected, as the Sega rep assured IGN that "the story experience was the same as the Japanese version."

Who can blame Sega for cutting some of the more culturally Japanese elements from this role-playing game about modern Japanese culture? After all, it must have been in a rush to release on the same day as Final Fantasy XIII.

Yakuza 3 loses hostess clubs, quiz game in Western release originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 24 Feb 2010 10:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Meet the yakuza in new Yakuza 3 trailer

JC Fletcher — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 14:28:00 EST

The latest trailer for Yakuza 3 (after the break) purportedly introduces the characters in the upcoming PS3 crime drama, but unless you're already familiar with the series, it's going to be a bunch of incomprehensible Japanese names, listed by affiliation with incomprehensibly-named crime families. However, if you take it as a few minutes of badasses glowering (and taking care of children) and slapping dudes, it's pretty entertaining.

If you're in Europe, you can step into Kazuma Kiryu's shoes right now with the demo. With any luck, North America will be able to join you in those increasingly crowded shoes later today.

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Meet the yakuza in new Yakuza 3 trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 18 Feb 2010 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Yakuza 3's Toshihiro Nagoshi discusses Japanese cinematic inspiration

Andrew Yoon — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 14:28:00 EST

Sega's Toshihiro Nagoshi isn't just known for his bright orange tan. He's produced a number of titles for Sega, including Shenmue and, most recently, the Yakuza franchise. Although Nagoshi is already working on Yakuza 4 for Japan, the producer talked about some of his influences for the game's first English-language dev diary.

Yakuza 3 is unabashedly Japanese, so much so that mainstream Western audiences may be unlikely to relate. Nagoshi explains in the video that as a fan of Japanese cinema, he intended on "using a Japanese style to express [human drama]" in the game. "It might feel new to the Western market, but to the Japanese market it's something we grew up on, so we're used to it."

No wonder the Yakuza franchise has earned its cult status in the West. While its use of Japanese camp may be confusing to many, that's precisely what English-speaking fans love about the franchise. Thankfully, it won't be too much longer until everyone will be able to play Yakuza 3 ... and understand what's going on.

Yakuza 3's Toshihiro Nagoshi discusses Japanese cinematic inspiration originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 15 Feb 2010 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Yakuza 3 pitched with pre-order DLC

JC Fletcher — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 22:00:00 EST

If you're willing to commit to purchasing Yakuza 3 next month, despite the fact that your pre-order bill already includes God of War III and Final Fantasy XIII, you'll be rewarded with extra content. In North America, a pre-order comes with four DLC bonuses, including a "Battle for Survival" boss-rush mode, two tournament modes and a "Haruka's Request" set of missions. Pre-ordering from GameStop will add an additional Challenge Pack, containing alternate costumes and two-player pool, bowling, darts, and golf minigames.

In Europe, the Challenge Pack is the lone pre-order bonus, as Yakuza 3 will be released in "Premium Edition" format, which includes the other DLC mentioned above, a 31-track soundtrack and a "Yakuza Who's Who" guide to the characters -- useful for distinguishing the good gangsters from the bad gangsters!

Yakuza 3 pitched with pre-order DLC originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 10 Feb 2010 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Yakuza 3 DLC becomes a GameStop pre-order bonus

Andrew Yoon — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 13:45:00 EST

In Japan, Sega gave away eight weeks worth of free DLC following the launch of Yakuza 3. However, it looks like Sega has something different planned for its upcoming US release. A new GameStop listing spotted by VG247 promotes an exclusive "Challenge Pack." According to the retailer, this Pack adds a variety of two player mini-games, including pool, darts, bowling and golf. In addition, there are special outfits for Haruka, Kazuma and Rikiya to wear -- all content that was originally released for free in Japan.

We're hoping this GameStop exclusive DLC won't stay exclusive for too long. inFamous' Gigawatt Blades also started as a GameStop exclusive, only to appear on the PlayStation Store for free a few months later. However, for those looking for the "complete" Yakuza 3 experience as soon as possible, it seems a trip to GameStop is necessary. At least the store is offering a $5 discount on the game.

Yakuza 3 DLC becomes a GameStop pre-order bonus originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 Jan 2010 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Yakuza 3 gangs up on Europe March 12, new screens

Richard Mitchell — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 18:30:00 EST

click to get even closer

After announcing a March release window for Yakuza 3, Sega has now confirmed that the Japanese crime game will invade European shores on March 12. As previously announced, the game will feature the original Japanese voice cast and English subtitles. Eurogamer also points out that Yakuza 4 will see its Japanese release this March. The new sequel is based on the same engine as Yakuza 3, hence the quick development turnaround.

Check out some new screens in the gallery below.

Gallery: Yakuza 3 (01-21-10)

Yakuza 3 gangs up on Europe March 12, new screens originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 21 Jan 2010 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Yakuza 3 box art localized for the US

Andrew Yoon — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 14:15:00 EST

When we saw this box art for Yakuza 3 on GameFly, we sighed in relief. Thankfully, Sega has followed the time-honored legacy of making spectacularly terrible box art for the West. Amazingly, this new art manages to say even less about the game than its Japanese counterpart, neglecting to show any of the Japanese cityscape that made the game so compelling to its fanbase. More ridiculously, Kazuma Kiryu appears to have grown a goatee comprised exclusively of an ESRB rating.

Of course, if you're seriously offended by the box art, you can simply import the original Japanese version. Just don't expect any of the bonus English subtitles included in Sega's upcoming release.

[Via VG247]

Yakuza 3 box art localized for the US originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 20 Jan 2010 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Yakuza 3 screenshots are sweet, serpentine

Griffin McElroy — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 18:00:00 EST

Click to Yakuza-size

Though the number of images displaying dudes brawling in the gallery below may lead you to believe that the pictures therein are of a new Street Fighter game, we assure you, they're just images from soon-to-be-localized Japanese crime drama, Yakuza 3. Don't believe us? Just check out the first image in that gallery. See that? That's a back tattoo, which members of the Yakuza are like, contractually obligated to get. This guy's back tattoo is of a snake, which means that his skin gets dry in the winter. Also, it means he likes to swallow whole, completely uncooked eggs. Weird, right?

Gallery: Yakuza 3 (01-18-10)

New Yakuza 3 screenshots are sweet, serpentine originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 18 Jan 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Yakuza 4 heads East in March 2010

JC Fletcher — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 19:15:00 EST

It may seem like just yesterday that we learned the release date for Yakuza 3, but that's only because it was. Just one day after Sega finally announced a Western release for Kazuma Kiryu's third adventure, the Japanese side of the company demonstrated just how far in the future it lives, by announcing a release date for the fourth game. And both release dates are in the same month.

Specifically, Yakuza 4 arrives in Japan on March 18. That means, if you don't mind reading Japanese, you can be exactly one Yakuza game better than everyone else. A whole new group of hostesses awaits! As do some new playable characters. In addition to Kazuma, this game features three other playable mobsters, each with a separate storyline.

Yakuza 4 heads East in March 2010 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 09 Dec 2009 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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