Following the reveal of the seventh Yakuza game, SEGA has released a trailer for western fans of the series reconfirming a 2020 release date and revealing that the western title will simply be Yakuza: Like a Dragon.
SEGA has announced the official name for the new Yakuza game titled “Yakuza 7: Whereabouts of Light and Darkness” during the game’s press conference today in Japan with series creator, Toshihiro Nagoshi taking center stage. Yakuza 7 is said to be aimed to be a “watershed” moment for the Yakuza series.
Yakuza 7 will take place in Yokohama with Ichiban Kasuga as the main protagonist who was sent to jail in 2002. Eighteen years later, waiting for him in Kamurocho is Masumi Arakawa (CB: Kiichi Nakai), who Kasuga owes his life to. He manages to make his way to Yokohama. Saved by Nanba (Ken Yasuda), this story will be the rise of Kasuga. He’s also a fan of Dragon Quest. Sega managed to make a deal with Yuji Horii to mention Dragon Quest in the game.
The gameplay for Yakuza 7 will be vastly different from other Yakuza titles as the game will feature an all-new turn-based action command battle system, which was shown as an April Fools joke. It will include returning elements such as using your environment and objects to fight and incorporates real-time physics. The game will be playable at TGS 2019 from September 12th to September 15th and will officially launch in Japan on January 16th 2020 and in North America and Europe in 2020 for Playstation 4.
What are your thoughts on the new entry to Yakuza and the gameplay change? Be sure to leave a comment below and hit the break for embedded tweets of Yakuza 7 info from Famitsu.
Information has leaked from a GameStop conference which revealed that Disney plans to release an Aladdin and The Lion King collection featuring various versions of the games including the SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive titles from Virgin Interactive. The full collection includes Aladdin‘s Sega Genesis, Game Boy, and Super Game Boy versions and The Lion King‘s Sega Genesis, Super NES, Game Boy, and Super Game Boy versions. For those keeping track, this means the Capcom Aladdin is not being included. Other versions include what is being called a new “final cut” of Aladdin and a 1993 trade show version of the game.
M2, in collaboration with SEGA, has been doing a great job with the SEGA AGES series of arcade and Genesis ports. Despite being rereleases, there are quite a few new options and features not found in the original releases of games. Add in the portability factor, and you have an attractive new way to play classic SEGA titles. This latest release for the SEGA AGES series sees a never localized port of Puyo Puyo from the arcade will take some puzzle lovers by surprise.
SEGA has been on a roll lately with their releases of past arcade titles on the Switch. What is unique about these rereleases however is that they come with a variety of different and new options never been done on original release or as a port. And with both TV and portability uses to be had, some might pick up a few if not all the titles available, as they enhance the game play in wonderful fashion. That’s why it is easy for me to say that this port of Space Harrier is the best version of the game.
On the recent Sakura Wars Imperial Theater Propaganda Department Report stream, SEGA revealed a lot of information regarding the upcoming game. As the stream began, they have demonstrated another look at game play by showcasing two Flower Division members, Hatsuho Shinome and Clarice Snowflake, with their own battle mode features and a tutorial session for beginners who are new to the game. Next, the staff introduced a new package art for the game and merchandise to be sold at Tokyo Game Show 2019. They have also revealed that Shin Sakura Taisen will be receiving a manga adaptation by Koyuri Noguchi and will be serialized at Weekly Young Jump on September 12th.
Then the staff shown off a new character, Gekizou, a machine doll designed by Ken Sugimori (known for his artwork behind Pulseman and the Pokemon series) and will serve promoting the Imperial Theater with Seijuro making sure that it doesn’t go down under. At last, another set of characters are revealed to appear in Shin Sakura Taisen with introduction of the London Assault Force who pilot the Spirit Particle Fighters named the Prywen. The London Assault Force is made of Lancelot and her captain Arthur with “BunBun“, illustrator of the Sword Art Online light novels as their character designer.
The new team then challenges Sakura and Seijuro in a battle. The London Assault Force also has another team member that has yet to be revealed as producer, Katano, wanted to show more about Arthur and Lancelot but anymore scenes with them will contain big spoilers. As the stream was about to end, the staff announced that the next set of streams will be held each day at Tokyo Game Show 2019 from September 12 to September 15th. Shin Sakura Taisen is set for release in Japan on December 12th with western release set for Spring 2020.
What are your thoughts on the latest info on Shin Sakura Taisen and what do you expect from Tokyo Game Show? Let us know in the comment below.
Another SEGA AGES title is coming soon to your Nintendo Switch, this time being the frantic minigame collection Puzzle & Action Ichidant-R. Puzzle & Action Ichidant-R is the second game in the Puzzle & Action series of games, featuring the thieves/detectives Robo and Mobo from Bonanza Bros., this time wearing knight costumes and participating in a stage play. Similar to it’s predecessor Puzzle & Action Tant-R, the player is tasked with beating a series of minigames, for a total of 4 rounds. There are 20 minigames in total, ranging from sharping pencils, hitting baseballs, guiding trains, stacking pots, stabbing dumplings, and more.
SEGA AGES Puzzle & Action Ichidant-R includes the arcade version, but also incorporates a “Mega Drive mode” that includes all of the modes included from the Mega Drive version. The most notable addition is the RPG mode, where players are tasked with trying to rescue the princess by collecting the Philosopher’s Stones. In addition, there will also be a Competition Mode and Free Mode. In Competition Mode, up to 4 players participate on a square board in the style of sugoroku (a Japanese board game comparable to backgammon), while in Free Mode up to 4 players compete to see who reaches the specified point threshold first. SEGA AGES Puzzle & Action Ichidant-R will also come with online play, allowing players around the globe to participate in the original arcade game.
SEGA AGES Puzzle & Action Ichidant-R is priced at ¥925 (roughly $8.70), though with no definitive release date.
[Source: Official Website]
Several pieces of news have dropped for Panzer Dragoon over the last few hours including some footage of the first stage in the up and coming remake on the Nintendo Switch. Thanks to attendees at the event, we’ve also found out several things regarding the remake that fans of the series can look forward to.
There’s a few more pieces of information related to the game that you can read about after the break.
People have wanted to see more Shenmue footage for a while and we’re treated to a new trailer from Gamescom albeit offcam. In it Ryo wanders through the night market of Bailu before coming across a couple of arcade games that seem to be inspired by classic SEGA arcade titles Drivemobile and Dodgem Crazy. The trailer gives a decent look at a few new NPCs and another look at the battle system with Ryo taking on multiple assilants before finishing off with a bout with a familiar foe from the past. Shenmue 3 is due out on 19th November 2019 for Playstation 4 and PC.
With Gamescom in full swing, we’ve been getting more media for the up and coming Mario & Sonic game and Nintendo showed off close to 30 minutes worth of gameplay on their stream showing rock climbing, archery and karate. But for the second half of the video we’re shown how the 2D events work where players can take control of Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Eggman, Mario, Luigi, Peach and Bowser competing against each other in Long Jump and Diving, amongst other events. Hit the break to see the trailer SEGA prepared to show off the mode.
Yakuza 3 remastered for PlayStation 4 is available to download digitally and play… today! SEGA has announced that The Yakuza Remastered Collection will be hitting PS4 digitally today for $59.99, with the third game available now, Yakuza 4 unlocking October 29, 2019 and Yakuza 5 unlocking February 11, 2020.
For those who prefer physical, all three games will be released in a handsome two disc case with the third and fourth games sharing a disc and the fifth game on a disc of its own. What’s really cool, and proof SEGA of America totally gets their fans, the package will also contain a Yakuza 5 PS3 case (no PS3 disc will be included). The reason for this is Yakuza 5 released digitally in 2015, leaving a hole in fan’s physical collections. Now, at least, a PS3 case can fill that gap while a PS4 remastered disc can be in hand.
Pre-Order the physical The Yakuza Remastered Collection
After the break, read the full press release!
It looks like SEGA has another reveal ready for Gamescom 2019. Various Twitter users have spotted The Yakuza Remastered Collection on PSN, leading fans to believe that SEGA will be announcing Yakuza 3, 4 and 5 remasters for the west. The three PS3 titles were brought to the PS4 in Japan via individual releases, and it looks like the west will be getting all three assembled into one. More info as we hear it!
The mysterious “HUMANKIND” has finally been properly unveiled, after several days of SEGA’s official Twitter account teasing the announcement. HUMANKIND is a brand new strategy/god game developed by Amplitude Studios and published by SEGA. Comparable to games such as the Populous or Civilization, you’re tasked with trying to evolve the human race from the stone age to the modern age, while also boasting about the freedom to choose how you evolve humanity. The wording also implies that there will be multiplayer elements, allowing players to pit against each other. The official website promises the following:
HUMANKIND is currently slated for a TBA 2020 release date, with the game planned for a release on Steam.
According to a Twitter post by James Mielke, creative director at Tigertron and founder of BitSummit, Takashi Iwade, known for his work on the Panzar Dragoon series as a designer as an ex-Andromeda team member and SEGA, had recently passed away last week due to an illness.
One of his notable roles in the Panzar Dragoon series was character model production, title logo designer, and art director at SEGA for over 25 years. He had also worked on many other SEGA franchises such as Jet Set Radio and Yakuza. May we pay respect for his hard work on the iconic gaming franchise that debuted on the SEGA Saturn since 1995.
A new trailer for the upcoming Streets of Rage 4 has hit in time for Gamescom 2019, revealing a new playable character: Cherry Hunter. The daughter of Adam Hunter from the first game, Cherry chose the life of playing in a electro progressive rock band over becoming a cop. Also announced, Streets of Rage 4 is confirmed to be releasing to Nintendo Switch, as well as PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC.
Check out the trailer for yourself, and in the comments below let us know your thoughts on Cherry!