Edge have run an interesting feature discussing the critical reaction to Yakuza 5 which was released in Japan on December 6th 2012:
“A massive game then, full of quirky and unique content, with a compelling tale tying it all together. As the current generation of consoles finally seems to be coming to its close, it’s a shame that even with such glowing praise in its native Japan, there haven’t been any plans announced to release in the west what what could be one of PS3′s last major Japanese exclusives. “In terms of volume and quality of content, this is the high point in the Yakuza series. A definite ‘buy’,” says Impress Watch. Would that we could.”
Yakuza 5 gameplay ahoy! SEGA of Japan are hyping the hell out of the new Yakuza game and it’s certainly looking good. Check out a new gameplay trailer below:
Yakuza 5 launches in Japan on December 6th 2012. Still no word on a Western release.
Siliconera have unearthed a whole heap of comparison shots from Yakuza 1 & 2 HD Edition. The screens show the PS2 originals and then the HD versions to show up the graphical upgrade.
According to Siliconera, the upcoming Yakuza 1 & 2 HD collection will include an “Easy + Heat Up Mode”. This mode makes the enemies easier to defeat and also helps you fill your heat gauge faster. Apparently the games’ original easy modes weren’t easy enough.
Yakuza 1&2 HD Edition comes out in Japan on November 15th. There is still no word on a Western release at this time.
2 new videos have appeared featuring more new gameplay from Yakuza 5. The first shows off Kiryu’s new taxi and racing gameplay which looks brilliantly realistic and over the top in equal measure:
The second takes a more serious tone and shows Saejima hunting wildlife in a snowy scenario. What this has to do with the story I’m not entirely sure:
Yakuza 5 is set for a Japanese release on December 6th 2012. No Western release has been announced at this time.
Weekly Famitsu have revealed that Japan are getting a HD collection of Yakuza 1 & 2 for PS3. The package will launch on November 1st but is Japan exclusive at this time.
According to Eurogamer, SEGA Europe have declined to comment on a Western version at this time.
The official unveiling of the game by SEGA of Japan is expected tomorrow so we should get a trailer as well as plenty of artwork and screenshots (fingers crossed).
Yakuza 5 will be releasing in Japan this December exclusively for Playstation 3. The engine running the game is completely new and built from the ground up specifically for this title.
Yakuza 5 is being built from the ground up with an entirely new engine. This means Yakuza: Dead Souls was the last game to use the engine that has powered the series since the Japanese exclusive Yakuza Kenzan! in 2008.
Yakuza 5 is reported to take place across five cities; Sapporo, Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka and Fukuoka. It will also feature five playable characters; Kazuma Kiryu, Taiga Saejima, Shun Akiyama, Haruka and newcomer Tatsuo Shinada who is a former baseball player who is banned from the sport after gambling his way into debt. The twist is he’s innocent. Here is a detailed coverage of the US market that one can get and more info on the very fun online gambling that many are into these days.
As for the other characters, Kiryu is now working as a taxi driver in Fukuoka, Saejima is locked up again for some reason, Akiyama has relocated to Osaka on a business trip, Haruka has left Okinama for Osaka to become a teen idol, but her talent agency is up to something behind the scenes.
The game is apparently 70% complete and is due for a Japanese release exclusively on Playstation 3 this December. No word from SEGA Europe or USA currently exists regarding a Western release for the game. Toshihiro Nagoshi returns as the game’s designer.
Binary Domain will be getting a PC release very soon. Digital copies will launch on April 27th while boxed copies will launch on May 18th.
Pre-order from Steam and you’ll also receive the Multiplayer Pack which includes a Ninja class , Outside High-rise map and extra sniper rifle and handgun weapon types. This will set you back £30.
Hopefully the game gets a second wind with this PC release as the console release failed to set the world alight even though it received positive reviews from most major game-sites.
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