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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For all the wonderful writing that is in the Yakuza and Judgment franchise, it isn’t hard to notice that it comes straight from a Japanese company, mainly for a Japanese audience. And sometimes the transition is rocky when providing it for different languages. The team of RGG’s English localization team doesn’t give enough credit for the way they provide and translate the stories, characters, and events of the games and Scott Strichart (senior localization producer) has stepped down.
SEGA has announced that Yakuza Kiwami 2 will be releasing to Xbox One and Windows 10 through the Xbox Game Pass service on July 30, 2020. The game joins Yakuza 0 and Yakuza Kiwami which are already on the digital service. Like Yakuza Kiwami, Yakuza Kiwami 2 is an HD remake, this time of Yakuza 2. Yakuza Kiwami 2 is the first Xbox One and Windows 10 game in the series to utilize Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio’s powerful Dragon Engine.
What are your thoughts on Yakuza venturing out to other platforms? What Yakuza game would you like to see next on the Game Pass service? Sound off in the comments below!
SEGA has just announced at X019 in London that SEGA America and Ryu Ga Gotoku studio will be bringing three Yakuza games not just to Xbox One and Xbox One X, but also the Xbox One Game Pass. If you don’t know what Game Pass is, its basically Microsoft’s SEGA Channel or Netflix service where you pay monthly to play all the games you want in a revolving number of titles.
This is huge news, now if only SEGA could port these games on the Nintendo Switch, then everyone will be happy!
After the ESRB leaking it’s rating and SEGA themselves teasing it on Steam, SEGA has officially revealed that Yakuza Kiwami 2 will arrive on PC in May 9th, for the asking price of $29.99. The game is available for pre-purchase on it’s Steam page, with the promise of unlocked framerates, 4K support, customizable controls, and extensive graphics options. In addition, for those that pre-order Yakuza Kiwami 2, they will receive the Clan Creator Bundle for free, which contains exclusive weapons, outfits, items, and rare Leader Cards.
Yakuza Kiwami 2 on PC is also notable for technically having a Virtual-On game appear on PC for the first time, and also having the new “Dragon Engine” introduced in Yakuza 6 be utilized on PC for the first time. So if you have the spare money, join in on one of the finest games in the Yakuza series this May.
Last month we shared the news that the ESRB had rated Yakuza Kiwami 2 for PC, and now it seems SEGA is ramping up their marketing for a reveal of the release. The official SEGA Steam account has updated their profile picture to Goro Majima’s eyepatch, which is right in line with past PC reveals by the company. As discussed on SEGA News Bits Extra, we think Yakuza Kiwami 2 coming to PC before Yakuza 6 is a wise move as the prequel Yakuza 0 and the first Yakuza Kiwami have previously released to PC. With the next chapter in the story soon to be released on the platform, it sets SEGA up nicely for a release of Yakuza 3-5 for PlayStation 4 and PC in the west, followed by Yakuza 6.
We’ll share more as we hear it, but expect Yakuza Kiwami 2 for PC news very very soon.
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:
The Japanese only PlayStation Awards have announced all the winners, a few included SEGA made/owned IPs like Persona 5 and Yakuza: Kiwami 2. Persona 5 was one of the only two recently released titles in Japan to sell over a million copies earning it the Platinum Prize. To get this award you have to ship over a million units, which could include digital sales. The only other game to get the Platinum Prize was The Last of Use Remastered! On the other hand Monster Hunter: World got the ‘Quadruple Platinum Prize’ which means it sold over 4 million units! That’s Japan and Asia only, which is freaking insane.
To show you how big this is for the Persona franchise, we found out that God of War, Gran Turismo Sport, Marvel’s Spider-Man, and Call of Duty: WWII all managed to get the Gold Prize, which means they sold just over 500,000 units (under a million of course). Those are all big titles. As for Yakuza: Kiwami 2, it was part of the top ten titles voted by Japan and Asian users (games released from October 1, 2017 through September 30, 2018). My only issue is that games that didn’t come out in this time period (Assassin’s Creed Odyssey) got into the top ten user voted list. You can check out all the awards given over at Gematsu.
It seems that SEGA has a announcement for the upcoming Kinda Funny Games Showcase that is taking place over on Twitch this upcoming September 10 AM PT, what it could be is just a guess.
So what do I think it is? Most likely the announcement for the Dragon Engine Yakuza games coming to PC which includes Yakuza Kiwami 2 and Yakuza 6. I wouldn’t expect a new game announcement or anything, just because Ryu Ga Gotoku Studios announces new games in Japan, not Western shows like Kinda Funny Showcase. It could also be the release dates for Yakuza 3, 4 and 5 in the West, which would make sense since Kinda Funny Games is ran by Greg ‘I love PlayStation’ Miller (not making a sly remark, the man loves PlayStation). It would also be nice to get a Western finalized name for Project JUDGE. What are your thoughts?
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
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]
On the fence about buying Yakuza Kiwami 2 (what the hell is wrong with you?) or just can’t wait to play the game? The Yakuza Kiwami 2 demo has landed on the PlayStation Store! Pre-orders have also opened for the digital version on PSN, with an exclusive “Dragons” theme and the “Special Item Pack” which includes: Demonfire Blade weapon, Hostess Ono Michiyo, Sotaro Komaki R Clan Card, Jo Amon R Clan Card, The Comedian Suit Outfit, and 1 Million Yen.
Login today and check out the demo and digital pre-order content!
SEGA is really promoting Yakuza games now and it feels great from the standpoint of a long time fan. If you’ve been on here over the years, you are well aware of how I push this series all the time.Now we get a E3 2018 trailer showing off whats new in Yakuza: Kiwami 2!
“One of the most beloved storylines in the franchise’s history has returned in full HD in the Dragon Engine for PlayStation 4. Yakuza: Kiwami 2 features the return of mini games like Cabaret, a revamped clan creator and the original arcade release of Virtual-On, Kazuma Kiryu will have plenty of leisure activities when he isn’t taking on his fierce rival, the Dragon of Kansai, Ryuji Goda.”
SEGA and ATLUS have officially revealed what to expect at this year’s E3! Creative Assembly will be providing a first look at Total War: Three Kingdoms via gameplay presentations throughout the show. Playable on the show floor will be demos of Valkyria Chronicles 4, Yakuza Kiwami 2, Shining Resonance Refrain, and Team Sonic Racing featuring never-before-seen content.
ATLUS will be debuting new footage of Catherine: Full Body and two new ATLUS titles which will be revealed tomorrow!
Read the full press release after the break.
SEGA has released another announcement trailer, this one being a bit longer. The first announcement trailer was just over a minute in length, this one is almost two minutes. If you didn’t know, Yakuza Kiwami 2 came out in Japan on December 7, 2017 and we will be getting the game in America and Europe on August 28, 2018. This means that Yakuza Kiwami 2 is the fastest localized version of a Yakuza game ever. Very well done by the translation team!
Like always Yakuza Kiwami 2 comes out this August 28, only on PlayStation 4. You can pre-order the steelbook edition now on Amazon.