Sega has released a bunch of Yakuza 5 screenshots, giving us a look at the English version of the game, along with character descriptions of the game’s five main characters. You can find the images and character info below!
Yakuza 5 is scheduled to be released on PS3 later this year, probably in November, as a digital download on Sony’s PlayStation Network. The game is currently available for preorder on the US PlayStation Network, but not yet on the EU PlayStation Network.
YakuzaFan recently posted an entry featuring Masayoshi Yokoyama (Yakuza series producer) and a prototype Kiryu figma. This past summer we saw the announcement of a Goro Majima figma too, so it looks we’ll probably be seeing both of their figmas sometime next year, ideally in the earlier part of the year (although Kiryu’s figma will definitely be ready first.)
The above is Max Factory’s test model and it is still subject to any sort of change in the future. However, production seems to be moving along smoothly and Sega’s Japanese Yakuza Twitter account definitely seems on board with the project. It’ll be cool to see how this turns out!
It’s been a while since we’ve heard updates on Yakuza 5‘s localization. Sega of America recently took to their blog to offer some words on its progress. It turns out that the localization team encountered a particularly strange type of text replacement issue with the game’s script, forcing them to pore through the game’s source code. Having since rectified the issue, the localization is back on track.
When the blog entry was initially posted, it mentioned a possible release window of mid-November (hoping to avoid the release date of December 31st suggested on some preorder venues) and was reported on such outlets as Gematsu. That suggestion has since been removed from the Sega blog post, which now reflects a promise to share more details as they become available.
Sega fansite Sega Nerds contacted Sega to ask for a comment on why the release schedule had been removed. We’ve reproduced the comments from Sega Nerds’ writeup below:
However, soon after it was published, the post was edited, removing any mention of the mid-November release window. We reached out to SEGA and received some clarification for why it was removed.
SEGA PR rep John Hardin explained that the release date was removed because SEGA was worried people would take the language too specifically and that it would be able to release Yakuza 5 in that time frame if everything goes to plan.
He reiterated that SEGA still hopes to release the game in mid-November but is non-committal on the date.
So at the moment, it appears there isn’t much else to say about the release window for Yakuza 5. We should find out more in the future.
Credit goes to the above-mentioned Gematsu article for reference of the previously-existing release window comment, and to the above-mentioned Sega Nerds article for the words provided on the changing of the Sega blog entry.
The 2nd PV that Monolith Soft had been teasing for Project X Zone 2 was unleashed on the world earlier today. A large portion of it is dedicated to showing off the attacks of various Solo Units and Pair Units. The recently revealed characters Ryo Hazuki from Shenmue (Solo) and Ranmaru from Sakura Wars V/Sakura Wars: So Long My Love (Enemy) were also featured in the trailer. Some other cool tidbits featured include what appear to be stage hazards and the game’s shop system.
There’s been some concern among fans about this trailer suggesting that the known roster is the complete roster. Once the full roster of playable characters had been revealed for Project X Zone, a similar type of trailer showcasing attacks of each Pair Unit was developed and published. In addition, we can see segments of the opening cinematic (though not in its entirety) in this trailer – and particularly, a wide shot of the known cast of characters. That being said, I would caution against assuming it applies here. An official PXZ2 development team blog post released in conjunction with the uploading of PV #2 teases more surprises – while this wording is obviously ambiguous in what it’s referencing, it would at least mean that we don’t know everything about Project X Zone 2 that there is to know.
This trailer is being used by Bandai Namco Entertainement to promote the game at New York Comic Con 2015. They’ve actually been fairly supportive of Project X Zone and Project X Zone 2 at English gaming conventions, perhaps owing due to the English fans that have shown their support for these crossover titles.
The opening theme “All the World’s a Stage” by marina is also showcased in the trailer. Listen and watch after the break! And if you have any other characters that you might want to see, let us know!
During a Niconico live stream earlier today, SEGA has revealed the first actual footage of Yakuza 6 on the PS4. The short video shows the in-game rendition of renowned actor and director Takeshi Kitano (also known as “Beat” Takeshi), who will be playing one of the game’s characters. You can view the Youtube video below, uploaded by Youtube user Nammo P. Yakuza 6 is scheduled to be released exclusively on the PS4 in 2016 in Japan.
Bandai Namco’s TGS stream showed off a new trailer for Project X Zone 2. A decent amount of the footage is recycled, but we do see some new things like Hibana and Leanne’s cut-ins for their Solo attacks. And, there is Segata Sanshiro, love him or hate him (the second option isn’t allowed, though.)
Check it out after the break. The latter portion of the trailer after the logo cut-in shows off limited edition goods that are currently only announced for Japan at this time. However, the roster is certainly not completely announced yet – check out the franchise list and the “and more…” message at the trailer’s end.
The Sony Computer Entertaiment Japan-Asia Conference has just concluded. It was a time for figures representing Sony and third-parties including Bandai Namco, Capcom, Square-Enix, Spike Chunsoft, and Koei-Tecmo to take to the stage and show off some of their future plans.
Relatively early into the conference, Sega’s Toshihiro Nagoshi came on stage to discuss some special Yakuza-related news. First, he played the trailer for Yakuza Kiwami, a remake of Yakuza 1. This remake will be an expanded version of the first game, featuring new side content and additional scenario offerings. Nagoshi mentioned that development of the first game on Playstation 2 was quite difficult, and after having released the game didn’t feel that he completed everything he wanted to do with Yakuza 1. That chance to make things right has arrived with Yakuza Kiwami!
The trailer that was played can be found after the break. Yakuza Kiwami, in keeping with Yakuza tradition thus far, will be coming out on both Playstation 3 and Playstation 4. An early promotional website is already live, and details pricing and release schedule too: ¥6,490, and January 21, 2016.
Additionally, Nagoshi went further and confirmed the development of the next mainline entry in the Yakuza series: Yakuza 6. While no additional details or media were shown during his speaking time slot at the SCEJA conference, he mentioned that more would be revealed when Tokyo Game Show 2015 opens.
Yakuza 6 will in fact be exclusive to Playstation 4 this time, deviating from Yakuza tradition thus far. It’s expected to release sometime in the fall of 2016 for Japan.
Sega’s Tokyo Game Show 2015 plans are becoming clearer as the big weekend approaches. The official Yakuza portal has a curious image at the top of the page, the one we’ve chosen as this article’s featured image. It’s certainly a teaser for a new Yakuza title, set to be revealed at Tokyo Game Show 2015. So much for my prediction….anyway, congratulations Yakuza fans! September 15 is also the day of the Sony Japan’s press conference, so we can probably expect a full reveal of new title there.
Sega had also gone live with an update to their website detailing this year’s TGS offerings from itself, Atlus, and its partners for this year (Warner Bros., Nippon Ichi Software, Mages). The officially announced list featuring Atlus and Sega (and including their status as playable and/or stage presence only) is as follows:
The official Playstation blog has been updated with an article detailing Yakuza 5’s digital launch on the Playstation Network in North America. While the release dates have yet to be announced, you can pre-order the digital copy by visiting its PSN page here. The game’s price is regularly $39.99, but is currently discounted 15% which brings it down to $33.99. If you do decide on buying it early, you will receive a free static PS3 theme featuring the main characters of the game.
During a NicoNico Live stream, Toshihiro Nagoshi (the man behind Daytona USA and more recently the Yakuza games) said that he’s anxious for the upcoming Tokyo Game Show where Sega will be announcing a new title. While Nagoshi didn’t reveal details about the title, it’s expected that this will be an original game from the same team that developed the Yakuza titles. Nagoshi also mentioned that he thinks that “Sega’s live showing at Tokyo Game Show will be the most exciting one we’ve seen in a while”. We’ll find out soon enough if that’s the case, as the Tokyo Game Show starts in a few weeks from now, on September 17!
What do you think it will be?
Source: Hachima, via Siliconera