SEGA has just released a trailer for the upcoming PlayStation 4 game Yakuza Kiwami, an HD remake of the original Yakuza for the PS2. The game is set to release on August 29, 2017.
Pre-order Yakuza Kiwami today for the PlayStation 4, available in both Steelbook and Standard editions.
The Yakuza franchise has been the longest running new franchise launched by SEGA since going 3rd party, with the first one being released in Japan back on December 8, 2005. The franchise has received seven main entries, one remake, a bunch of spin-offs, and even a full featured length film. SEGA has made a huge deal about the franchise coming to an end, in the past, but seem to have continued churning out games. Yakuza 6 promises to be the end of Kazuma Kiryu’s story while at the same time SEGA has promised that the franchise would continue after Yakuza 6. On this week’s Round Table we ask should the Yakuza franchise end after Yakuza 6?
Was there any doubt that Yakuza was ending? Well, Yakuza 6 has long been labeled as “the final chapter of Kazuma Kiryu”, so some have speculated that the series would take a break and the team would work on something else. During the Famitsu Awards, however, series general director Toshihiro Nagoshi confirmed that another Yakuza title is happening.
While not many specifics were given, it was said that he will not be walking back on the promise of the latest game being Kazuma Kiryu’s final chapter. Nagoshi made it clear that he wants to make a new Yakuza and that he did not want to narrow it to a single title, we could be seeing multiple games. The Yakuza 6 engine, dubbed the Dragon Engine, was said to be completed with the development of a second or third title. The timeframe for the reveal of the next game was given as “the not too distant future” and that there will be an opportunity to talk about the game early in its development.
What do you think about more Yakuza games? Would you want another prequel title, a true Yakuza 7 with a new main character, or perhaps a reboot focusing on a totally different cast?
[Source: Gematsu]
For those that have been waiting for Yakuza Kiwami information since its western announcement, we finally know when it will release and for what price! For a limited time, people can order a special Steelbook Edition for the game, at a surprisingly low price of $30. The game will be released on August 29th, 2017 in both American and European countries, and is readily available for pre-order on Amazon.
For those that are not informed, Yakuza Kiwami is a remake of Yakuza originally released in 2005 in Japan and 2006 in other regions for the Playstation 2. This remake was built from the ground up, containing the base game but with updates such as having 1080p and 60FPS support and a reworked script, along with a new “Majima Everywhere” system. If you haven’t picked up Yakuza 0, then Yakuza Kiwami is also another fine point to start out with the Yakuza series.
[Source: SEGA]
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.
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!
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.
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”.
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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.
Have 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]
[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]
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.
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.
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.
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!