*Real* Yakuza 3 exclusive to PS3

[Nephlabobo]

From Joystiq:

Get ready to hit the seedier side of Tokyo and slug it out in HD – Yakuza 3 is coming. The "real" Yakuza 3. As first reported on 2chan (http://www.2chan.net/), the latest issue of Famitsu quotes Yakuza (http://www.joystiq.com/tag/yakuza) series director Toshihiro Nagoshi (http://www.joystiq.com/tag/toshihironagoshi) as stating that the game is a direct sequel to Yakuza 2 (http://www.joystiq.com/tag/yakuza2), and is in development exclusively for PS3.

Nagoshi states in the Famistu article that Ryu ga Gotoku Kenzan! – which is set in Edo-era Japan – is actually considered a spin-off from the "main" Ryu ga Gotoku series (Yakuza here in the West). No release date has been announced for the series' third (well, technically fourth) installment, but we'll keep you posted.

Coolness.
Isn't Yakuza 2 coming this fall?

[The Mana Knight]

Yeah, I heard the news this morning. Pretty cool.

[whoknows]

I hope it comes out sometime this year in the U.S.

[Nephlabobo]

I doubt it.

Yakuza 2 is coming out this September (just checked the date) and I can't see them putting out two titles at the same time.

They'll want to promote the hell out of Yakuza 2 first, since Yakuza 3 is apparently a continuation of the story.

[whoknows]

Yakuza 3 is a prequel. Doesn't have any of the same characters as the first two games.

[Strell]

Do these games sell well? This is an honest question. Both territories if someone knows would be appreciated (Japan, USA).

By the time it comes out I should have a PS3. Never played the first, but it came off like a GTA meets Shenmue title, aye? Then I remember seeing a trailer for the second with the guy kicking a tiger in the head, and really, games can't get more awesome than that.

[Chacrana]

As far as I know, the first game sold pretty poorly in the US, which was double bad after Sega spent all that money on "big name" VAs, but the series has sold well in Japan. VGChartz says the first two games sold around 750,000 each in Japan, which is nothing to scoff at.

[Nephlabobo]

By the time it comes out I should have a PS3. Never played the first, but it came off like a GTA meets Shenmue title, aye?

That seems like a pretty apt description actually.

I don't think it sold fantastically in North America, but the fact that they're willing to take a chance on the second one is enough for me to buy it as a Day One purchase to support it and to try and get the third one over here.

[Chacrana]

I'm just glad they're dropping the shitty dub and slapping subtitles on the second game... fits the setting better, costs them less, and the people who matter are happy.

[Nephlabobo]

Yakuza 3 is a prequel. Doesn't have any of the same characters as the first two games.

Nagoshi states in the Famistu article that Ryu ga Gotoku Kenzan! – which is set in Edo-era Japan – is actually considered a spin-off from the "main" Ryu ga Gotoku series (Yakuza here in the West).

[imascrub]

niiiiicceeee. I like seedy underground Japan lol.
I just hope they actually learned their lesson from the first Yakuza and follow up their subtitling work from Yakuza2 in both Kenzan and 3.

Where's MasterKyo? I expected him to be all over this lol

[probablysober]

I downloaded one of what I assume are two demos of it off of the japanese playstation store. Heavy in text and I can't read a word in Japanese. I gave up button smashing through text and didn't get a feel for the game. At least graphically it didn't "wow" me. Maybe it has a great story, but once again, can't read a word of japanese.

[imascrub]

the two demos there are for the spin-off game, Yakuza Kenzan.

[whoknows]

So Kenzan isn't considered Yakuza 3?

If not that's pretty cool. More Yakuza games is always good news.

[The Mana Knight]

So Kenzan isn't considered Yakuza 3?

If not that's pretty cool. More Yakuza games is always good news.I agree. I kind of like the idea of the spin-off.

My guess is we'll get the spin-off around Feb/March next year in the U.S., and Yakuza 3 by the end of the year.

[imascrub]

I dunno what they're going to call Kenzan here if/when they bring it, but don't think it'll be named 3. The article says that the game they're working on right now has the 3 in the title, and seeing as how it's a direct sequel to Yakuza 2 set two years later, I think it's proper that it's called 3.

Good thing they didn't decide to set the Kenzan title as Yakuza 3 in the US, else we'd have another Tales of Destiny II/2 on our hands lol.

[Nephlabobo]

So Kenzan isn't considered Yakuza 3?

If not that's pretty cool. More Yakuza games is always good news.

Nagoshi states in the Famistu article that Ryu ga Gotoku Kenzan! – which is set in Edo-era Japan – is actually considered a spin-off from the "main" Ryu ga Gotoku series (Yakuza here in the West).

[whoknows]

I dunno what they're going to call Kenzan here if/when they bring it, but don't think it'll be named 3. The article says that the game they're working on right now has the 3 in the title, and seeing as how it's a direct sequel to Yakuza 2 set two years later, I think it's proper that it's called 3.

Good thing they didn't decide to set the Kenzan title as Yakuza 3 in the US, else we'd have another Tales of Destiny II/2 on our hands lol.

So...how old will Kazuma be in 3 then? He can't kick ass if he's an old man.

[Thomas96]

I guess I should crack open the first Yakuza, I forgot I bought it.

[Nephlabobo]

So...how old will Kazuma be in 3 then? He can't kick ass if he's an old man.

Can't be that much older if the story is a direct sequel to Yakuza 2.

[Psykodelik]

I STILL need to beat part one after owning it for so long. I know I'm near the end too. Either way I know I'll be getting part 2, 3 and the "spin off". Had fun playing both demos for Kenzan!

[imascrub]

So...how old will Kazuma be in 3 then? He can't kick ass if he's an old man.

He'll only be three years older than he was in Yakuza 1.

[Nephlabobo]

Story details! (From Kotaku)

While we already know the game will be an immediate sequel to the second, featuring the same characters and the same storyline, what we didn't know was that the game's going to be taking a pleasant break from the streets of faux-Tokyo. While the game will still be based around Kamurocho, it'll be adding a "second city": island getaway Okinawa (or, at least, a fictional take on Okinawa). Toshihiro "Brown Man" Nagoshi (http://kotaku.com/tag/nagoshi/) talks up the addition, saying the addition of the island's resort lifestyle and touristy atmosphere - coupled with its "darker side" - will stand in stark contrast to the gritty, urban atmosphere of Kamurocho, and as far as the story goes "fits the bill perfectly". No doubt the location testing will also fit Nagoshi's sun-bathing bill perfectly, so it's a win-win situation for all involved.

[The Mana Knight]

Here are images in HD:
http://www.pro-gamers.fr/index.php/News/Les-premieres-images-de-Yakusa-3-HD.html

[imascrub]

I think I prefer the PS2 look to the characters more than the PS3 iterations lol

[Methadon]

I think I prefer the PS2 look to the characters more than the PS3 iterations lol

Surely, you jest.

[Paint Drinker]

Who here bought Yakuza 2? If not run out and buy 2 copies, now! You need to support that shit otherwise we will never see Kenzan or Yakuza 3 in English. *sob*
I love this series its so different from mainstream games, which is why I like it, it is a shame that they did a less than terrible job with the localization and voice acting of the first. It was embarrassing if you tried to take it seriously. I hope they didn't actually pay Madsen for that job, it sucked anus. Hamil wasn't that bad though, could have been better.

I don't see what is so hard about translating Kenzan and not dubbing it, we don't want English VA anyway so don't waste money on it SEGA.
Btw, at TGS Yakuza 3 will be unveiled so there might be a Kenzan announcement for Western shores, heres hoping.

[Masterkyo]

niiiiicceeee. I like seedy underground Japan lol.
I just hope they actually learned their lesson from the first Yakuza and follow up their subtitling work from Yakuza2 in both Kenzan and 3.

Where's MasterKyo? I expected him to be all over this lol


Yeah, masterkyo is here. I can't wait to get them all ;)

[imascrub]

Surely, you jest.

Why no sir, I do not.

by the look I don't mean in terms of graphics. I mean facial shape, structure, features, etc.