Yakuza

[Updated] Yakuza 0 releases today to the Playstation 4 in the Americas and Europe

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2017 is a big year for SEGA games, as evidenced by the fact that Yakuza and Puyo Puyo are making their return to the west as full-fledged franchises, Valkyria Chronicles is set to return by way of a spin-off, and the company mascot Sonic the Hedgehog will debut two hotly anticipated games.

But I’m getting ahead of myself. Today the prequel to the long running Yakuza franchise, Yakuza 0, releases to the Playstation 4 in the Americas and Europe. If you have not ordered the game, do so today via this handy link. Those who order now in America will receive The Business Edition, which includes a dragon branded business card holder and reproductions of business cards carried by the game’s protagonists Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima.

Now is the time to jump into the series, as Yakuza 0 takes place before the first game which has a remake due out later this year to the Playstation 4 followed by a localization of Yakuza 6 in 2018. If you have already ordered the game, share your thoughts in our dedicated forum topic or on the SEGAbits Discord chat. Still on the fence? Read or watch our review of the game!

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Official English Yakuza and Puyo Puyo accounts for social media live

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Well this is a surprise! SEGA has made a lot of announcements and we’re expecting releases of games like Puyo Puyo Tetris and Yakuza 0. But are you worried that you might get lost in the sudden torrent of announcements? SEGA has got your back, as now there are official social media accounts for Puyo Puyo and Yakuza. Not only are these designed to promote upcoming games like the aforementioned Puyo Puyo Tetris and Yakuza 0, but also the respective franchises in general, possibly for future announcements.

If you want to show your support, please follow these accounts to stay updated with both franchises, and maybe for the occasional fan engagement.

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SEGA News Bits: Yakuza 0 First Impressions

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SEGAbits received an advance review copy of Yakuza 0 for the Playstation 4, and in anticipation of the game’s release Barry grills George on what he thinks of the game so far. Being a prequel and the first game in the franchise to hit the PS4 in the west, Yakuza 0 will undoubtably be the first time many players experience the franchise. How does it play? How does it compare to past games in the series and past SEGA titles like Shenmue? Watch and find out!

Yakuza 0 releases January 24th, pre-order today to get the “The Business Edition”.

If you enjoy our SEGA News Bits segments and want to support us, give us a sub. If you are already subscribed you can always like the video.

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SEGA News Bits: Yakuza Kiwami and Yakuza 6 Are Coming West Reaction

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SEGA punched us square in the jaw with a reveal at the Playstation Experience event that both Yakuza Kiwami and Yakuza 6 will be coming in the summer of 2017 and early 2018 respectively to the Playstation 4. Combined with the fact that Yakuza 0 is due out just next month, we think it is safe to say that Yakuza is back, baby! On this SEGA News Bits, George and Barry react to the news and share their thoughts on both the past and the future of the series. New to Yakuza? Learn just where to start and what games to check out. In the comments below, tell us your thoughts on the news!

If you enjoy our SEGA News Bits segments and want to support us. Give us a sub, if you are already subscribed you can always like the video.

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SEGA survey results reveal what franchise fans want to see return

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Sonic___SEGA_All-Stars_Racing-PCArtwork4539Sonic_Racing_GroupHave you been looking forward to the SEGA survey results for the brand Japanese consumers want to see revived? If you guys didn’t know about the SEGA survey, we did a post about it earlier this week. SEGA has revealed not only what franchise fans want to see revived, but also what brand their most invested in and their favorite characters. Get ready for some unexpected results!

So hit the jump to see all the answers, including how many people voted for each brand, after the jump.

[Via: NeoGAF]

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SEGA announces live action Yakuza TV show

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original[Note: Image is not from the announced live action Yakuza TV show]

SEGA has announced a new live action drama Yakuza TV show, based obviously on SEGA’s series of games. This isn’t the first time that SEGA made a live action drama series, they did one for Yakuza: Black Panther that promoted the PSP game. While that happen with a spin off game, this if the first time the main series enjoyed a TV show release. The Yakuza main series did get live action prologue shorts directed by Takashi Miike , who would later go on to direct a full length film loosely based on the first game.

Sadly not much information for the Yakuza TV show has been announced, all we know is that SEGA is working on one and that they will show more at Sega Fes 2016. Sega Fes 2016 will run two days on November 19th and 20th, so expect more Yakuza TV show news soon.

[Source: NicheGamer]

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Yakuza 6 website updates, first look at Puyo Puyo, Virtua Fighter 5, other activities

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As previously reported by Famitsu, the latest installment in the Yakuza franchiseYakuza 6 will have Puyo Puyo and Virtua Fighter 5 included as among the variety of minigames and SEGA arcade games included. However, the official Yakuza 6 website has updated with a first look at both games, plus the varies other activities you can play, including karaoke, darts, and mahjong.

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CEDEC 2016 highlights the technology behind Yakuza 6’s special effects

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Yakuza 6 is the latest installment in the Yakuza franchise for the PS4, set for a December 8th, 2016 release in Japan. However while you’re waiting for another trip into the brutal life of a yakuza member, we’re given a behind the scenes look as to how several special effects are handled courtesy of the CEDEC (Computer Entertainment Developers Conference) 2016 stream on NicoNico. These videos highlight specific effects throughout Yakuza 6, including how water is rendered and handles floating objects, how the game renders clouds, and the “dust particle” effects during combat.

The emphasis on water in particular makes sense, since one of the major locations in the game takes place in a real-world town called Onomichi in Hiroshima, which is a fishing town, and it does look impressive all things considered.

[Source: NicoNico / Dual Shockers]

To see these tech demos in action, click below. Be warned however, as they were hastily recorded from a NicoNico stream so have noticeably low quality.

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Yakuza 0 set to hit the Americas and Europe on January 24, 2017 – pre-order now!

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A press statement from SEGA has just released, detailing the release information for the upcoming western localization of Yakuza 0. The prequel game to the longtime running franchise is set to hit the Americas and Europe on January 24th, 2017 on the Playstation 4  both physically and digitally, and will be priced at $59.99. Show your support for localized games and physical release by pre-ordering Yakuza 0 today! If you’re an Amazon Prime member, you get 20% off the game, which is a pretty sweet deal.

After the break, check out the full press release as well as some new screens.

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First 4 Figures tease Yakuza Kazuma Kiryu statue and pre-order information

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Video game statue maker First 4 Figures, who have already produced several SEGA and Sonic the Hedgehog premium collectable statues, have announced a new SEGA character and franchise that they will be adding to their ever expanding SEGA All-Stars collection; Yakuza‘s Kazuma Kiryu.

Teased on their Facebook page, First 4 Figures announced that pre-orders start March 8th, 2016 and featured a peek at Kazuma’s face. Thus far, fan reaction has been mixed. It is cool to see Yakuza joining the ranks of Shenmue and Skies of Arcadia, but they really didn’t nail Kazuma’s likeness. As is, he sort of looks like a cosplayer attempting a Kazuma Kiryu look. In the past, First 4 Figures have taken fan feedback very seriously and have altered character’s faces to better match the source.

We’ll share more details once pre-orders go live on March 8th!

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Yakuza 6 demo playthrough now available in HD

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SEGA have added Monday’s presentation for Yakuza 6 on their official Ryu Ga Gotoku Channel which just shows how much better the graphics are looking for the latest entry. If this you’re first time viewing the video then you’re in luck, the actual segment for Yakuza 6 starts on the 11:15 mark, prior to that Nagoshi and his co-hostess are discussing and playing Yakuza Kiwami.

Tell us what you think of this PlayStation 4 exclusive, does it make use of the new hardware’s power?

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Yakuza: Kiwami has shipped over 200,000 copies in Asia

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The remake for Yakuza 1 is already off to a great start with SEGA confirming that Yakuza: Kiwami has received orders of 200,000 copies in “Asia” (China, Taiwan and Hong Kong) and in the same report they also confirmed Yakuza 0 has sold through over 100,000 units. It’s an impressive result for the game and shows why SEGA were so convinced to try and grow the series in mainland Asia. Yakuza: Kiwami is the first time the series has received a simultaneous Japanese and Asian release which should help offset declining Japanese software sales with increasing Asian sales.

Come back tomorrow to find out how Yakuza: Kiwami will be doing in it’s home territory of Japan when the latest Media Create charts are released.

[Source: GNN.Gamer]

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New Yakuza remake trailer details new “Majima Anywhere” system

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SEGA Japan’s upcoming Yakuza remake for Playstation 4 (due out January 21st, 2016) isn’t just some ho-hum rerelease of the original game in HD, it is a full-on remake with new modes and visuals that fall in line with the franchise’s latest releases. SEGA’s recent trailer, seen above, showcases how shiny and new the classic game looks and details a new “Majima Anywhere” system. “Majima Anywhere” is pretty much what it sounds like, as fan favorite character Goro Majima will emerge from just about anywhere to randomly attack Kazuma Kiryu. The developer’s reasoning for these attacks are because Goro wants “to awaken Kiryu’s intuition” after his ten year prison stint and because he wants “to enjoy more fights.” Also revealed, Goro will have four fighting styles to choose from: “Dancer” (rapid hitting), “Fight Master” (balanced), “Slugger” (hard hitting), and “the Mad Dog of the Shimano.”

Randomly fighting Goro is said to be the only way to unleash Kazuma’s “the Dragon of the Dojima” fighting style and if players clear certain conditions they’ll be able to use some of Goro’s moves as “Heat Actions.”

[Source: Tinfinite]

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SEGA says they’re in a ‘difficult place for something like’ a new Panzer Dragoon to sell

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SEGA’s Panzer Dragoon is one of those rail shooters with fantastic art style that blew lots of fans’ imaginations and many consider the franchise as being one of the most underrated SEGA games of all time. The Dengeki Playstation magazine decided to ask some SEGA developers some direct questions about the future of some SEGA entries, one being Panzer Dragoon. Satoshi Sakai (Producer Phantasy Star Online 2) was asked if the company would ever make a new Panzer Dragoon type game and he answered:

I would like to make it, but I’m sorry to say we’re in a difficult place for something like that to sell.

The other person that was asked a few questions for the magazine was Toshihiro Nagoshi (Daytona USA, Super Monkey Ball, Yakuza series) who was asked about making a new IP which he said is being considered, even though his team was making it seem like Yakuza franchise can’t last forever a few months ago.

As for Panzer Dragoon not ‘selling enough’ for a new entry, its hard to tell. There hasn’t been a new entry since 2002’s Panzer Dragoon Orta which sold 122,170 units in America alone. Its not a bad number (for being a early Xbox game) and its sad that SEGA never capitalized on it.

[Source: Gematsu]

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