SEGA certainly kept us waiting on this one but it’s finally official, Yakuza 5 is hitting European and American Playstation 3’s for 2015. Partnering with Sony and part of the #buildingthelist hashtag, Yakuza 5 was one of the most requested titles and the dream is finally real. Talking about the announcement, series creator and software division head Toshihiro Nagoshi had this to say;
“After receiving so many requests from fans of the series, we have decided to bring Yakuza 5 to the US and Europe. This title was enjoyed by over one million gamers in Japan. I’m looking forward to seeing how Yakuza 5 will be received by the gamers in the U.S. and Europe.”
So far the only information we have is that the title will be available digitally via Playstation Network but that wasn’t all, also announced was Yakuza 4 and Yakuza: Dead Souls will also be released on Playstation Network.
Ad:SEGA AND SONY ENTERTAINMENT PARTNER TO LAUNCH
YAKUZA 5 IN THE WESTLong Awaited Entry in Critically Acclaimed Series Releasing in Europe and North America in 2015
SAN FRANCISCO & LONDON – December 6, 2014 – Today during its keynote address at the PlayStation Experience community event in Las Vegas, Sony Computer Entertainment America announced a partnership with SEGA® of America, Inc. and SEGA® Europe Ltd. to release Yakuza 5™, the much awaited fifth installment in the critically acclaimed main Yakuza™ series, on PlayStation®Network for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system in 2015. Yakuza 5 will make its Western debut as one of the most requested titles from the #Buildingthelist campaign, Gio Corsi, Director of Third Party Production at SCEA, announced at the event. Both companies also revealed that Yakuza™ 4 and Yakuza™: Dead Souls are available on PlayStation®Network today.
A direct sequel to Yakuza 4™, the game continues the epic story of Kazuma Kiryualongside four other protagonists, following their struggles and conflicts in the seedy underbelly of Japan’s Yakuza underworld. Featuring a new graphics engine versus its predecessor, Yakuza 5 takes players to five major Japanese cities to venture through a life of crime and power.
Yakuza 5 features more mini-games than previous titles, a modified battle system as well as enhanced customizations and interactions in the signature hostess bars of the franchise. In addition to these features, Yakuza 5 also introduces “Another Drama” which is a series of side stories that focus on each protagonist in-depth and are separate from the main story of the game.
“The world of the Yakuza series has fascinated gamers in Japan and the West for many years,” said John Cheng, COO and President of SEGA of America. “We know fans have been eagerly awaiting a release of Yakuza 5 here and we are thrilled to finally launch this spectacular entry in the series in North America and Europe.”
Yakuza 5 will launch in 2015 on PlayStation®Network for PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system. For more information about the game, please visit www.yakuza.sega.com; to download SEGA game assets, please visit www.sega-press.com.
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SEGA announces Yakuza 5 release date for Americas and Europe: Tuesday, December 8th
Good news for current Yakuza fans.
However, digital only and on PS3 as opposed to PS4 will not evolve the fanbase.
Let’s hope it sells enough to publish the other games, although I am skeptical.
Seriously? That’s fantastic news! And gives me hope for Yakuza Zero in the future.
This is clearly Not Shenmue…
nor does this resemble Shenmue 1&2 hd…
im so very dissapointed that playstations event just exclusivley bought street fighter… BIG BIG dissapointment… tomorrow is a new day, please sony just dont upset gamers like ms does. ive seen enough of what money buys to hinder gamers. spend money and ENABLE GAMERS…
Great news, can’t wait.
I have to say that this is probably the biggest surprise Sega’s done this year, at least to me, I never ever would have dreamed they would ever have released this in the West, especially on a last gen console when all the latest gen system came out in late ’13 and Ryu Ga Gotoku 5 (Yakuza 5) came out in late ’12, after the end of ’13, I gave up hope this would ever make it west as it was a whole entire year without any confirmation, and the next gen was kicking off, it seemed very unlikely Sega would bother as it made no real business sense to do so, and if not for the constant enthusiasm from the loyal fans, it’s pretty certain Sega would never have done this on it’s own judgement, as they’d have released it by now if they had planned to by their own accord, it just goes to show that the peoples/fans collective voice does hold weight to sway a decision they otherwise would not have taken. Hopefully this does quite well sales-wise and gives promise to Yakuza Zero on the next gen systems for the west.
It might just do well enough, Hatsuni Miki Project Diva f – which got a PSN digital only release did better than anticipated, and more recently, Valhyria Chronicles on Steam – which was far better than expected also.
Hey look, imma try and keep this real… my heart truely goes out to you ff7 fans. watching the build up to this announcement, i felt your enthusiasm, as well felt your elation, as this titld was being announced… i saw the astonishing remake footage for ps3. I was so happy when sony said the title was coming to ps4. i felt your joy… i thought we were going to get a dream, that was used to sell thr ps3. alas it was nothing at all… a simple port, nbd… i really feel you fans got the rub…
i was holding out for a shenmue announcement. it has been reported that its just s matter of time before something is revealed. i continue like a dumbass believing ghe rumors. at least i didnt get a slap in the fn face on a title that i adore. im truely empathetic to your woes. my emotions were not toyed with…
which leads me to all you yakuza fans… im so happy you are getting what you have been waiting years to hear… its awesome!!! hell imma pick it up. but spare me your comparison of Yakuza to Shen. yakuza is not remotley shenmue. Shenmue is Shenmue, yakuza is yakuza, less is not more, more is more, and Yakuza is NOT shenmue… at least the title i have been waiting for, and wishing everyday for 10+ years wasnt just announced for some bs reason. ff fans your raw deal was hurtful in nature… i just got screwed till the next event that will sting, when no new info is givin, and sega just wastes more years not releasing a wonderful series in light of a series that is not shenmue… and btw, a streetfighter exclusive is bs. i feel you slighted fans of a mediocre fighting game, that do many love… psx experirence did live up to my expectation, and i wish to express my empathy to xboxers that handed a shaft, for money…
btw ps rules… just not wat i was hoping to come out of their mouths at this event….
Digital ports are a great way of keeping us happy without risking much. PSO2 for ps4 would be a money maker.
I’M SOOOOOOOOO HAPPY!!!!!!!!!!! Here i was about to import the Japanese version! LOL
THANK YOU SOOOOOO SOOOOOOOO MUCH Sega! Yakuza is an AWESOME series! Kazuma Kiryu is such an interesting person, his life, and the people around him are all interesting!
Yeah, but when it does?
I want to play!