On this episode of SEGA Talk we look at Yakuza 2 and its remake Kiwami 2 as we look at the highly rated sequel to one of SEGA’s longest running franchises. What did the sequel do different? What did the remake add and what did it remove? Find out this and more on SEGA … TALK!!
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It seems that the ESRB is good at two things: Putting logos in front of boxes and leaking games early. Good for us because now we know Yakuza: Kiwami 2 will be coming to PC very soon considering its already been rated by the ESRB.
It is sort of weird that there hasn’t been something on Yakuza 6, since that game came out first on PlayStation 4 then it was Yakuza: Kiwami 2. Plus both these games run on the new ‘Dragon Engine’. Let’s hope its not a Epic Game Store exclusive. Should be interesting. Hit the jump for ESRB’s description:
SEGA has just launched its 10.01 gigabyte demo (better than Yakuza 6‘s 36GB demo) for Yakuza: Kiwami 2, which can be downloaded on both America and European PSN stores.
The demo lets you play as our baby boy Kazuma Kiryu, where we can explore the city and retrace the steps of The Grand, Goro Majima’s old place and aid people in their daily struggles. So typical Yakuza-ism. The demo also allows you to try play spots such as darts, karaoke, golf and more.
SEGA has also put up digital pre-orders for Yakuza: Kiwami 2, if you pre-order early you get to unlock an exclusive PlayStation 4 theme. There is also a ‘Special digital edition’ that is available for a limited time that comes with a special item pack that contains a Demonfire Blade weapon, Hostess Ono Michiyo, Sotaro Komaki R Clan Card, Jo Amon R Clan Card, The Comedian suit outfit, and 1 million yen to spend. You can pick up Yakuza: Kiwami 2 on PlayStation 4 this upcoming August 28!
[Via: Gematsu]
The demo for SEGA’s upcoming remake of Yakuza 2, being called Yakuza Kiwami 2, is now available for you to download via the Japanese PSN store. The demo will weigh in at 9.89 gigabytes and allow users to play through some of the main game’s story. SEGA has confirmed that Yakuza Kiwami 2 demo saves will not transfer over to the full version of the game.
If you never made a Japanese PSN account, I suggest giving some YouTube guides a quick look, it isn’t hard to do. I would say its worth it just to try out some upcoming Japanese game demos. Its free, nothing to lose. Yakuza: Kiwami 2 hits Japan on December 7, no western release date has been announced as of posting. But don’t be surprised if we get an announcement sometime next year.
SEGA was set to have a big stadium announcement this Saturday, that was going to be live streamed world wide to announce several new games by the Yakuza studio. It seems that one of their surprises has been leaked early via the Taiwanese PSN store. The listing says the game will release on December 7th, 2017 in Japan.
Going through the rough English translation of the PSN store page description, it seems that they might have went back and recorded all the voice acting, much like the the first Yakuza Kiwami. But they are also teasing this one being on the new ‘Human Dragon Engine’ which means it could be using the new engine that powered the gorgeousYakuza 6! You already know I’m excited for Yakuza Kiwami 2, but are you?
[Via: Wario64]
SEGA had a pretty good start this year releasing the widely acclaimed titlesYakuza 0 which saw a brand new audience in the west and Persona 5, which happens to be the best selling entry in the franchise. One thing both these titles share is that they are Sony exclusive titles, so if you don’t own a Sony PlayStation 3 or 4, you won’t be able to experience the goodness that is Yakuza 0 or Persona 5. Seeing that SEGA Europe has been very kind to their SEGA PC ports list in the last few months, by having Platinum Games port over both Bayonetta and Vanquish to PC platforms. The guys over at PC gamer asked SEGA Europe’s senior vice president of commercial publishing, John Clark, what they are looking into porting over to the good old steam store:
“If I asked you to write me a list of ten games you want Sega to bring out on PC, it probably isn’t any different from the list [we have], I could ask anyone at Sega: write me a list. And what motivates it? I think there’s a certain catalogue that people just have an affinity with. If you send [your] list over I’ll tell you which ones we can tick, which ones are on our list, which ones are possibilities, which ones are not possibilities, which ones we’ve talked about, which ones we’re talking about, which ones we’re working on, you know, they’ll be on that list.”
Since Mr. Clark didn’t go into specifics, PC Gamer pressed him and asked if a franchise like Yakuza would fit their type of list.
Did you want to pick up the first two Yakuza titles on the PlayStation 2, brand new and at a decent price? You are in luck as rare Yakuza titles get reprinted thanks to Amazon seller JADD ENTERTAINMENT. Yakuza 2, before the reprinted offer, was over a hundred bucks used, so having it for $50 dollars brand new is a great deal. I first assumed these were actually ‘newly found stock’, but according to producer at Atlus USA, Sam Mullen, these are ‘reorders’. I would totally pick up Yakuza and Yakuza 2 on the PlayStation 2, those are the rarest titles.
There is also a ebay seller, by the name of vgp_videogameplus that is selling these same titles with free shipping option. If you want to save as much as possible.
Rare Yakuza titles get reprinted, but do you think its worth the price? Thankfully, if you aren’t happy with your copy, Amazon has a good refund policy even on 3rd party sellers. Supplies are limited, so be warned that they can disappear at anytime. What Yakuza title are you picking up? Let us know in the comments below.
Seems that Yakuza: Kiwami was a success for SEGA, if you didn’t know Yakuza: Kiwami is a remake of the first entry of the franchise. Sadly the title has only been released in Japan and Asia, but it did so well in that region for SEGA that there might be more remakes hitting the PlayStation 4.
Producer and SEGAbits tan icon Toshihiro Nagoshi during a livestream mentioned how popular Yakuza Kiwami was, so much so that sold half a million units in Japan and Asia that its making SEGA consider various ways to remake Yakuza 2, 3, 4, and even 5 for the PlayStation 4. Yakuza 2 is seriously the crown jewel, story wise, in the franchise and I hope they do remake it (and release it west). I also hope if they do remake it, they don’t destroy the overall serious tone the game had.
In the stream Toshihiro Nagoshi stated that even though Yakuza 6 will have playable characters from previous titles in the series the game is all about Kazuma Kiryu, who is the only real playable hero. No word if SEGA plans on releasing these remakes outside of Japan or Asia. But if Yakuza 0 does well in January 24, who knows.
[Via: DualShockers]
It’s weird that SEGA has decided to port over Yakuza 1&2 HD to the Wii U. Maybe this is their first step in planning on bringing over the other Yakuza titles. Regardless, these two Yakuza titles (especially the second one) are the best Yakuza titles ever made. So if you never played a Yakuza game and they bring this over to America, do yourself a huge favor and pick it up.
Here we have screenshots. I know it isn’t fancy graphics, but they look rather nice for what they are; HD ports of Playstation 2 games. Hit the jump to see the rest of the screens.
We posted the rumor, now it’s confirmed. SEGA is planning on releasing Yakuza 1&2 HD for the Playstation 3. The issue states that both HD remakes are set to release on November 1st, with a price of ¥5,290 (about $67 dollars). November 1st date is a month earlier than what SEGA had in their release schedule, but can’t complain about getting games early, right?
This screen above was from SEGA Japan’s calendar, which now has been taken down. It shows that the company is planning on bringing Yakuza 1 & 2 HD to the Playstation 3. Could it have been a mistake? I think this rumor will come out to be true for one reason. Yakuza makes money. Not to mention SEGA wants to do more digital releases.
Think about it this way, what will sell more? This or those SEGA AGES re-releases?
We are bringing you this week’s round table early, to celebrate the closing of Yakuza week. This time we are talking about one thing we love about the Yakuza series… while Cube_b3 lists everything he hates. What a negative Nancy.
If you guys liked what we did for Yakuza week, tell SEGA about it. I’m sure we can do this for more games if there’s positive feedback.
Maybe it’s because I view video games each as “experiences” as opposed to just looking at them as “games,” but I’m definitely judgemental of sequels when they’re announced.
Let me try to put this into perspective. If I’m enjoying a game, I dig everything about journeying from its intro all the way to the final save screen after the end credits. Gameplay is definitely an important aspect of what makes me consider a great game *great* but it’s not the only aspect. For me the sense of discovery that a new experience brings is another major reason I love playing video games, and it’s the reason I often don’t care about sequels. I just find it a rarity that a sequel that’s not at least five years away from the original (or on new hardware) has the capability to replicate that same sense of discovery for me.
Then there are times when I’m surprised.
There have been many SEGA sequels over the years that have been able to break through the barriers that usually prevent me from enjoying sequels as much as the originals. I’m looking at my top 5 in this week’s SEGA Sequel Saturdays, Episode 7.
The main villain from Yakuza 2 will now be the fourth playable character in the upcoming Yakuza game. The game has not received a name as of yet, but its safe to assume it will be titled Yakuza 5.
“The fourth main character for the next Yakuza game is Ryuji Goda, in his first appearance since Yakuza 2. There has been much demand for his reappearance. This character, who was born as a rival character who gives off a powerful aura, is at last appearing as a main character. Of course, the manly, brawny appeal of Ryuji will be in place. We’ll also be telling a after story for Yakuza 2.” – Toshihiro Nagoshi
I assume you play him in a flash back or the character has flash backs during the game? Makes sense I guess. The other 3 characters that have been announced are Goro Majima, Kiryu Kazuma and Shun Akiyama. More information should come to light at TGS next month.
[Source: AndriaSang]
So you bought a PS3 and never got to play the amazing Yakuza original and the sequel. Sony is now asking if you would purchase a HD collection with both the originals for the Playstation 3. This screen above was caught in a recent Sony survey.
God of War Collection, which Sony released recently, had HD picture (720p), anti-aliased graphics, two sets of trophies (one for each game), and was locked at 60fps. If SEGA can do both of this for the collection, plus cut down on the loading in the first game to match the second, that would be awesome.
[Source: Kotaku]