SEGA has now released the latest entry into their ground up remakes of the Yakuza series, this one being Yakuza Kiwami 2. Unlike the first title, this one is created from the ground up for the PlayStation 4 using the same incredible engine that Yakuza 6 used. So is Yakuza Kiwami 2 worth your money? Let’s find out
During the SEGA-Nama stream earlier today, Toshihiro Nagoshi talked about finally revealing more information about Yakuza Online then said that September bring an announcement of a new IP by the Yakuza Studio. He said that this game will be very different and that he had the idea for the game in various stages for over three years. He suggested that he had been hinting at the game for as long and I can see what he means in our past stories.
But it seems that the wait will soon be over since the game will be a big part of SEGA’s Tokyo Game Show 2018 stage show which will start on September 19 through the 23rd. Expect a announcement before the show and more information during it. The last non-Yakuza IP the studio released was Binary Domain back in 2012! Yeah, I think its about time they did another one.
[Source: GameTalk]
If you guys missed the official SEGA Survey for Yakuza: Kiwami 2, you should probably give it a spin because it suggests that the company is considering Yakuza remasters of its Samurai spin-off games Yakuza Ishin and Yakuza Kenzan.
As you know SEGA already announced that they are porting or ‘remastering’ Yakuza 3 through 5 on the PlayStation 4. We already know that Yakuza 3 just released and it topped the sales charts in Japan. The latest spin-off on here, Yakuza: Ishin! came out in 2014 while Yakuza Kenzan came out way back in 2008.
Here are the questions from the survey:
It is hard to believe that the last Streets of Rage game came out way back in 1994, but we are finally getting a Streets of Rage 4. That’s right, not Streets of Rage Mania or a remake of the older games. A brand new title built from the ground up and on this episode of the SEGA News Bits we discuss the released trailer, the information we know and give you our thoughts on the announcement.
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Wait, didn’t Shenmue I & II Remasters just come out? That isn’t stopping hard working fans from improving upon the release, at least on PC. If you didn’t know, the Shenmue I & II Remasters came out with the original textures from the Dreamcast, which I feel are fine but if you wanted updated textures then modder ‘Dragean’ has you covered! He is working on a HD Texture Pack for Shenmue I & II and the first version has been released!
The HD Texture Pack is set to recreate HD textures for environments and not just upscale the existing textures. The mod isn’t even close to being complete, I mean the Resident Evil 4 HD pack mod has been going on for years, so it could take quite awhile before this mod is completed.So far he has tweaked existing Yamanose textures, added street textures in Dobuita, added Yamanose tree leaves/shrubs/bush sprites, reworked road signs/grass textures, and added some patchy dirt/brick wall textures. The HD Texture Pack requires Kaldien’s Special K mod (download), Ryo’s clothes HD textures from here, and HD texture pack for walls/doors (by hope3090) can be found here. Check out some of the screenshots to see the differences, see live comparisons over here!
[Via: DSOGaming]
Seems that SEGA is listening to its fan base, since a lot of people complained that SEGA changed the Japanese cover for the US release of Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise. If you didn’t know, the Japanese cover for the game was original artwork made by the Fist of the North Star mangaka Tesuo Hara.Now if you pre-order the game and get the launch edition you will get the ‘Destiny Tailisman Set’ bonus DLC, Deathcry decals and a reversible cover featuring the awesome Japanese box art, but extended. Wow, did we luck out and get the best release of this game? I think so!
To celebrate yesterday’s release of Shenmue I & II, SEGA of America has released a free dynamic theme for North America for use on the PlayStation 4. The theme, seen above, features music, the Dragon and Phoenix Mirrors, falling sakura blossoms, renders and concept art and menu icons presented with a brown paper scroll texture. Download the theme for yourself here!
[Source: Push Square]
Just in time for the start of Gamescom 2018 and the release day of Shenmue I & II comes a new trailer for the upcoming Shenmue III. The big news is that we have a release date! The game is set to release to the PlayStation 4 and PC on August 27, 2019. What more, the announcement trailer gives us a look at the game and it looks much improved from previous videos, with facial animations and the reveal that Lan Di will appear in the game! While most probably assumed he would appear, it’s great to get confirmation and from the look of things he won’t have a helicopter to escape on this time. Also spotted is Ryo’s buddy Wuying Ren from Shenmue II.
What do you think of the new trailer and release date? Sound off in the comments below!
Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom has come a long way! Back in early 2016 we interviewed Fabien Demeulenaere, Director of Game Atelier, on our Swingin’ Report Show Podcast, and now the game has seen a huge overhaul with enhanced graphics, animated cinematics and more! The latest news is a release date, with the game set to launch on the PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and Xbox One on November 6th, 2018. The physical launch edition of the game will include a full color 24 page instruction booklet and two sticker sheets. Those attending Gamescom can play the Switch version at the Nintendo booth in Hall 9.1.
Pre-Order the Launch Edition of Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom:
Nintendo Switch | PlayStation 4 | Xbox One
It looks like Team Chaotix couldn’t afford more than one entry fee! The newest team to be revealed for the upcoming Team Sonic Racing is a surprise to be sure, while we were guessing Team Chaotix were a shoo-in it looks like SEGA is taking a u-turn and are featuring Vector the Crocodile, Blaze the Cat and Silver the Hedgehog in Team Vector. If you want to play with the new racers for yourself, you can check them out at Gamescom 2018 in Cologne, Germany from August 21-25.
After the break, check out a big gallery of screens.
Pre-order Team Sonic Racing today!
PlayStation 4 | Xbox One | Nintendo Switch
While a lot of gamers are waiting for Yakuza 3, 4 and 5 to hit PlayStation 4 in the West, the first of these ports has already come out in Japan. I would say its a hit in terms that it topped the Media Create chart this week. Yakuza 3 came out in Japan on August 9th, the charts are accounting for only three days of sales which came into a grand total of 26,047 units. Okami HD came out on the PlayStation 4 the same day as Yakuza 3, that one charted number 11 selling only 14,089 units. A good start for this port.
The real reason these then PlayStation 3 exclusive Yakuza games are heading to PlayStation 4 is mostly due to demand in the west considering a lot of new Yakuza fans never got the chance to try out these titles when they came out. We shall see how they do here in the west, for the full media create sales hit the jump:
[Source: Gematsu]
SEGA has released pre-order details for the upcoming Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise, set to release in the Americas and Europe on October 2 for the PlayStation 4. physical pre-orders will include two free deathcry decal stickers that you are encouraged to stick to your console, controller or wherever. Digital pre-orders will include the Destiny Talisman Pack, which add useful abilities to the player. Also included is a theme and avatar set. After the break, check out the new trailer released today which focuses on the game’s combat.
SEGA has released the second part in their “What is Shenmue?” video series, this time focusing on the characters of both games and their place in the story. Ryo, Shenhua, Lan Di and many others are highlighted. We suspect Goro Mihashi was not mentioned because SEGA wants to keep him a surprise. Narrated by Ryo’s english voice actor Corey Marshall, the video series is a nice introduction to the series for new players, and a reminder for those who played the Dreamcast originals years ago. You can see the second part above, and the first part can be seen here. Shenmue I & II releases August 21st on PC, PS4 and Xbox One.
Pre-Order Shenmue I & II:
PlayStation 4 | Xbox One | PC
Valkyria Chronicles 4 is due out September 25 on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and Steam. In anticipation of the game’s release, SEGA dropped a ton of new info about the demo and digital pre-order bonuses. Digital pre-orders are available now for all platforms, and included is a bonus add-on mission ‘A Captainless Squad’ in which a group of Squad E soldiers find themselves on an impromptu reconnaissance operation after the squad’s beloved medic dog, Ragnarok, goes missing. The add-on mission will also be available for $4.99 in late October. Pre-ordering Valkyria Chronicles 4 through the PlayStation Store will get you an exclusive theme and avatar set.
Also available today is the Valkyria Chronicles 4 demo which is free to download from the PlayStation Store, Microsoft Store and Nintendo eShop. Players will be treated to the prologue and first two chapters of the game, as well as a bonus mission created just for the demo. Save data will carry over to the full game, and importing data will unlock an exclusive accessory for use in the full game.
Pre-order the Valkyria Chronicles 4 “Memoirs from Battle” Premium Edition
PlayStation 4 | Xbox One | Nintendo Switch
SEGA has revealed the cover art for the upcoming Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise. Releasing October 2, 2018, the game will retail for $59.99 and at the time of this article will release as a standard edition. But knowing SEGA, there is probably a special edition or a steelbook or some fancy box lined up. In the meantime, you can pre-order a copy for yourself at Amazon.