Yakuza 4

[kupomogli]

Kindof cool that Yakuza 4 is coming out, but it's fucking bullshit we still haven't had Yakuza 3 localized and probably never will. Along with most likely never receiving this game either.

http://ryu-ga-gotoku.com/news/images/104_b.jpg

http://ryu-ga-gotoku.com/news/index.html#104

http://news.vgchartz.com/news.php?id=4493

[PapaStu]

Why is it BS? The games just didn't do well here. Sega isn't rolling in the money to go and release yet another game that isn't going to do them much good in the sales department. They like any other publisher are going to go with what works movie/cartoon licenses, milking of original IP's and the occasional new IP, which in Sega's case just have performed incredibly poorly. Mad World? Ert. Conduit? Ert. HotD, Eh. They gave Yakuza a shot (2 in fact) and they didn't get anywhere. I bought them both, (new even), but just enough others didn't.

Since the game will be PS3, just import it, problem solved.

[exit]

I still have hope that Yakuza 3 will be released here, at least by the end of this generation, if not by Sega then by somebody else.You never know, they could release the game on the PSN for the US release.

Keep the faith man.

[Aussie2B]

They gave Yakuza a shot (2 in fact) and they didn't get anywhere.

More like a shot in the foot. While maybe Americans are less appreciative of the authentic Japanese atmosphere of the games, the fault of the fate of those localizations falls squarely on Sega of America. First off, you have the first Yakuza, which they poured an inordinate amount of money into the localization, mostly to hire big-name actors, and the dubbing was still regarded as poor by most. Even with decent sales, they couldn't recoup that initial investment, which probably would've been more worthwhile to spend on more and better marketing, rather than trying to pass it off as "Japanese Grand Theft Auto!" doing injustice to both the game and the consumers. Then with the sequel, they decided to do a complete 180 and spend virtually nothing on its localization. They didn't so much as have a whimper of marketing, leaving even fans of the original surprised to learn that the sequel was already out in America.

Sega has a big opportunity to redeem themselves and so far they're squandering it. With the absolutely massive sales of Yakuza 3 in Japan, I can't honestly believe that the game would be a total flop in America if they only did a proper job of bringing it out. The graphics are great, the plot is captivating, and the fighting is beautiful, brutal, and immensely evolved compared to prior games. It's got all of the qualities of a hit, and all Sega has to do is give it some decent marketing, hire some no-name but adequate dubbers, and keep the original vocal cast for purists, and they'd be set.

[j_factor]

Yakuza 3 was localized in Korean. Korean! If they can translate it into Korean, there's no reason they can't translate it into English. Even if it's a much more popular franchise in Korea, there is no way that sales for all English-speaking markets combined would be lower.

[eskobar]

Yakuza 3 was localized in Korean. Korean! If they can translate it into Korean, there's no reason they can't translate it into English. Even if it's a much more popular franchise in Korea, there is no way that sales for all English-speaking markets combined would be lower.

Wanna bet ?

[kupomogli]

Can't very well make that bet if it never comes out.

[eskobar]

Can't very well make that bet if it never comes out.

:oops:

I still have my hopes high for a NA release, even if Yakuza 3 isn't released ... so that bet could be possible, hehehehe :P

The Korea market is quite strong and should be dismissed against the US or English market

[Mimi Nakamura]

Yakuza 3 was localized in Korean. Korean! If they can translate it into Korean, there's no reason they can't translate it into English. Even if it's a much more popular franchise in Korea, there is no way that sales for all English-speaking markets combined would be lower.

You forgot about the distribution, packaging, and advertising costs. Might sell more but the profit margin wouldn't be all that different.

Still, it's a shame the series has stopped being translated into English. Not that I've ever owned any of the games though!

[Kitsune Sniper]

Yakuza 3 was localized in Korean. Korean! If they can translate it into Korean, there's no reason they can't translate it into English. Even if it's a much more popular franchise in Korea, there is no way that sales for all English-speaking markets combined would be lower.

Don't Korean games have all Japanese audio removed or something? And they don't bother to hire new voice actors? A text-only translation would be much, much cheaper to produce. In fact, it should be an option if Yakuza 3 gets released stateside. Don't spend money on VAs, just translate the text and be done with it.

(I know someone here lives in Korea, get him to answer this!)

[j_factor]

I don't think the audio is removed, but it is just subtitled. So was the US release of Yakuza 2.

[MonoTekETeA]

<3

Maybe in 20 years I will learn Japanese and fawn over this some more then. :P

[heybtbm]

I'm betting Yakuza 3 will see the light of day over here. Eventually. I still have to pick up 2, which has been in my Amazon cart for 7 or 8 months.

[eskobar]

I'm betting Yakuza 3 will see the light of day over here. Eventually. I still have to pick up 2, which has been in my Amazon cart for 7 or 8 months.

It will ... Yakuza 3 is so good that SEGA just couldn't afford to leave this AAA title in the bench.

It could take a few years to get it, but once the PS3 gains more momentum, we'll see it in the shelves. :guitar:

[kupomogli]

Why don't gaming sites have a contact page anymore? Capcom doesn't have one, Sega doesn't have one. I was just going to message "now that Yakuza 4 is being made, any chance of the US getting Yakuza 3?"

[Cryomancer]

I don't see why they spent so much cash on the dub of the first game either.

Hey, here's this game. Takes place in Japan. Stars Japanese guys. It's about the Yakuza, which is Japanese. It's got authentic Japanese stores and products and stuff. And now, thanks to a lot of money, the people all speak English! derp.

I realize that there are a lot of people who don't enjoy subtitles. But this is a video game, most of it is reading anyway. The people who are interested in the game are likely going to go set the Japanese voices first thing and never use the expensive dub. I know I always do. I don't enjoy games "hiding" where they were made, this isn't the NES days anymore. I enjoy the different flavors that come from American/European/Japanese development studios. I don't see how there is still a majority that cannot stand to hear another language in a game, and if there actually is, how are they ever going to get used to it for the future? arg.

[heybtbm]

I don't enjoy games "hiding" where they were made, this isn't the NES days anymore.

One of my favorite examples of publishers "hiding" where a game is from...

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/7699/suikodencover.jpg

...Just as bad as the NES days. Ugh.

[kupomogli]

One of my favorite examples of publishers "hiding" where a game is from...

Yeah. I've always hated the Suikoden cover. Ted, Tir, Cleo, Windy, Futch, and Barbaros don't even resemble their anime counterparts. Windy actually reminds me of a more female version of Chyna(WWF.) I don't get how they even though that was a good idea. Well. Blacky(dragon in the background) resembles a dragon and the one skeleton looking thing actually looks alot like the version in the game, though it's a random enemy you fight in Neclord's castle I think(not at the end of the game.)

Windy is the one in the black with the lightning
http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/7699/suikodencover.jpg

And this is Chyna. Not much of a difference is there? Aside from Windy not looking like so much of a man.
http://blog.newsok.com/gossip/files/2008/12/chyna-hospitalized.jpg

[j_factor]

It's weird that they did that, but kept the title. The name "Suikoden" is very Japanese-sounding. Most English speakers aren't sure how to pronounce it.

[Aussie2B]

I don't see why they spent so much cash on the dub of the first game either.

Hey, here's this game. Takes place in Japan. Stars Japanese guys. It's about the Yakuza, which is Japanese. It's got authentic Japanese stores and products and stuff. And now, thanks to a lot of money, the people all speak English! derp.

I realize that there are a lot of people who don't enjoy subtitles. But this is a video game, most of it is reading anyway. The people who are interested in the game are likely going to go set the Japanese voices first thing and never use the expensive dub. I know I always do. I don't enjoy games "hiding" where they were made, this isn't the NES days anymore. I enjoy the different flavors that come from American/European/Japanese development studios. I don't see how there is still a majority that cannot stand to hear another language in a game, and if there actually is, how are they ever going to get used to it for the future? arg.

I agree with you; that's another really boneheaded aspect of Sega's handling of the franchise in America. They totally ruined any sense of a smooth transition by making the first game English-only and the sequel Japanese-only. But it's a lose-lose situation because I don't think they should've approached the sequel in the same way as the original anyway. They obviously shouldn't have blown that kind of money, and I think Japanese was the proper choice in the first place, for the same reasons you expressed. If any Japanese-developed franchise is begging to be left in Japanese, surely it's Yakuza. At the very least, they should leave both as an option. And there certainly isn't anything wrong with the Japanese acting. I know a lot of seiyuu otaku hyped up Japanese voice actors as being some godly figures of talent, but I generally don't care for them much one way or the other. But in Yakuza, the performers they've hired have some legitimate serious acting chops. Personally, the original Yakuza is the one and only game I'm hoping will get an undub someday.

[swlovinist]

Leave it to Sega to pass up on bringing a non bullshit franchise like this one to the US. Instead we get Sonic Ultra Milked Franchise Editions

[unwinddesign]

Yakuza had a great story, but oh my god was the combat terrible. And repetitive.

I liked the dub, it's just the translation was a bit weird. Lines like "where are you going with your wack ass face" (no, really) made me raise an eyebrow.

I'd buy Yakuza 3 for $60...once Sony gets BC back in the PS3. Then I'll buy a PS3, get Yakuza 2, which I've been dying to play, and all will be well. It's seriously the best game Sega's made since the Dreamcast days. Plays like Shenmue, but with more action. Can't really argue with that.

[exit]

Yakuza had a great story, but oh my god was the combat terrible. And repetitive.

The combat may have been clunky at times and maybe a little repetitive, but it was no where near terrible. Once you upgraded enough and got trained by the old man in the park, the fighting started to take a turn for the better. Yakuza 2 really improved on the combat system tho and things run a lot smoother as a result. From what I saw in the Yakuza 3 demo, the combat was improved even more and everything felt a lot more natural.

Sega better release this damn game here, or at least in Europe so it's in English and can be imported.

[Kitsune Sniper]

http://www.examiner.com/x-12218-Providence-Video-Game-Examiner~y2009m7d29-Yakuza-3-US-release-date-announced-Never

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[PapaStu]

From the above posted link.


The reason as to why they won’t be bringing the game over is simple: it won’t sell, he told me. They have a firm stance to believe that would be the case, too. Yakuza 2 has only sold around 40k copies in America on the PS2. The numbers for the original Yakuza aren’t much better.

I'm not normally a told ya so guy, but in this case. Told ya so.


@ Aussie2B Voiceovers sucking did not kill this game. Americans had plenty of other open ended mafia/gangster games that they liked better (GTA, Godfather, ect ect) and that 95% of the American gaming market doesn't care about outside cultures. They are much happier shootin stuff in NY, LA, Miami. Regardless of the quality of this game, good, bad or inbetween.

[CDiablo]

Damnit first Shenmue now Yakuza. I wush they would just do a text translation port and not waste money on voiceovers. It has got to sell at least enough to make a tiny profit that way.

[exit]

However, the statements made earlier are not official Sega statements.

There still might be a possibility that the game is released outside of Japan, its not a very good chance, but there's still some hope left. I don't care if they release it via download on PSN (it worked for Siren), I just want to play the damn game without having to use a guide. If Sega does come out and say that they aren't releasing the game here, well then I'm going to boycott them, not that they had much to offer lately anyway.

I'm surprised they didn't try to replace Kazuma with Sonic and make it some kind of wacky Sonic spinoff. They've driven every other franchise of theirs to the ground, why not one more.

[PapaStu]

I'm surprised they didn't try to replace Kazuma with Sonic and make it some kind of wacky Sonic spinoff. They've driven every other franchise of theirs to the ground, why not one more.


Didn't they do that already? Wasn't that game called Shadow the Hedgehog?

[kupomogli]

If Sega does come out and say that they aren't releasing the game here, well then I'm going to boycott them, not that they had much to offer lately anyway.

I would, but they announced Valkyria Chronicles for the PSP. I liked Valkyria Chronicles so a PSP version will be nice, especially since it's my favorite next gen system.

However. Valkyria Chronicles PSP may not get a release either since it sold poorly as well. Then again, the game sold about the same amount in the US as it sold in Japan, so I honestly didn't expect another game(and we may just see it over here.)

[CDiablo]

I would, but they announced Valkyria Chronicles for the PSP. I liked Valkyria Chronicles so a PSP version will be nice, especially since it's my favorite next gen system.

However. Valkyria Chronicles PSP may not get a release either since it sold poorly as well. Then again, the game sold about the same amount in the US as it sold in Japan, so I honestly didn't expect another game(and we may just see it over here.)

I am confident VC PSP will come over. Dev costs are probably 1/6 of what a PS3 version is. So a port should come over and I will most likely buy it. A PS3 game....obviously has to be worth the cost of porting. I havent seen Yakuza 3 screens but the first 2 looked really nice(capturing the whole Japan setting) and I've always felt an HD version would be gorgeous.

[Aussie2B]

Voiceovers sucking did not kill this game. Americans had plenty of other open ended mafia/gangster games that they liked better (GTA, Godfather, ect ect) and that 95% of the American gaming market doesn't care about outside cultures. They are much happier shootin stuff in NY, LA, Miami. Regardless of the quality of this game, good, bad or inbetween.

I'm not saying that the quality of the dubbing doomed Yakuza, but rather the investment they made in it. Not every game has to be a huge hit to be profitable, but to recover their investment, that's what Sega was banking on. They tried to correct the mistake with the sequel, but then they were asking "Why is no one buying it?" when they slipped it entirely under the radar. There is a happy middle ground and a good use of their localization money if they only show some competency in their marketing.

And, again, it's a complete mistake to compare Yakuza to GTA and the ilk, and that really hurt the series too. The people who would've been into it, like those who enjoy Shenmue, were probably turned off by the GTA image it was given, and those that bought into that BS were certainly severely disappointed which only resulted in snowballing bad press. Sure, Yakuza and GTA both have gangsters, but that's cosmetic and hardly makes them the same kind of games. Yakuza is a story-driven series. You can't go anywhere, attack anyone, and do whatever you please like you can in GTA.

[kupomogli]

Everyone purchase Yakuza 3 first day so we can get Yakuza 4. Watch this trailer for Yakuza 4 also. It's like O_O.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31rmg3bO07U

[Aussie2B]

I will, but I'm really disappointed that a Sega representative has now admitted that portions of the game have been cut out. They cut out a quiz about Japanese history, so okay, that's probably for the best, but then they also cut out the hostess clubs stating that this aspect of the game won't "resonate" with the players and that they didn't have the time to translate that dialogue. Nevermind the fact that it's a staple of the series that's been in both of the previous US-released games and quite well-liked by the fan base or the fact that they sat with their thumbs up their asses for a long time just making the decision to localize the game so they had plenty of time (and if they delayed it a month, it's not like it would hurt it any, especially when it's going up against freakin' FFXIII). All signs point to the massage mini-game being cut too.

And the weird thing is they claim that you can still date the hostess girls, and nobody can figure out how that makes any sense. I mean, do they call you out of nowhere and ask you on a date even though you've never met them before?

But still, we're very fortunate to be getting the game at all, so I hope people don't pass on buying the game because of the cuts. We need to send Sega the message that we want US releases of these games, and then hopefully in the future they won't make any unnecessary cuts.

[Damaramu]

All signs point to the massage mini-game being cut too.

No Mari Yaguchi for the North American release of Yakuza 4?

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/6951/fuuuuuuuuu.jpg

[exit]

But still, we're very fortunate to be getting the game at all, so I hope people don't pass on buying the game because of the cuts. We need to send Sega the message that we want US releases of these games, and then hopefully in the future they won't make any unnecessary cuts.

People are going crazy on the Gamefaqs board and are canceling their pre-orders, vowing the do a boycott on the game as if it will make things better. I honestly don't see what the big deal is about the hostess clubs, I've only been in them twice, both times by accident and they weren't very appealing to me.

Oh well, I'm still buying the game because I'm more concerned about the core game and not the useless dating simulator.

[Aussie2B]

They aren't a big deal, but they are fun, immersive little side quests. You're missing out on a lot of hilarious dialogue if you don't bother with them. And dating sims can be really fun. It may not be as significant to the overall game experience, but it's kind of like taking the dating elements out of Harvest Moon (which they did do with the old Game Boy games and most players felt that element was sorely missing).

Going off of the trophies list, it seems like shogi and mahjong may be cut too, and they were also in Yakuza 2. And if they got rid of those, I'm guessing Hanafuda as well.

[kupomogli]

Having Shogi and Mahjong being removed really doesn't bother me. Neither does the Answer x Answer game(if that's the one that was removed.)

When talking about the hostess club, maybe you mean the club management in Yakuza 3 is getting removed? I haven't heard anything about the hostess clubs. It would honestly be retarded if those got removed anyways. Probably a third of all the items in the game would become completely useless.

Now if Sega kept the club management and then removed the hostess stuff. I wouldn't mind so much, but if they removed both that's kind of going to piss me off. They make us wait so long, we don't get English dubbed audio, the box art sucks, then half of the game gets cut out so they can cut corners with a cheap translation.

I'm picking it up regardless because even with that stuff it's not anything really major. For us getting screwed over so badly, Sega better be good with Yakuza 4 and give us a game with no cuts at all.

*edit*

Nevermind. So the hostess clubs are actually being removed and most likely club management is removed as well? This is bullshit if you ask me.

[Kitsune Sniper]

Can you say DLC? :P

[kupomogli]

After reading Sega's Yakuza forums, either Sega is going to push the release date back and put everything back in, or we're never going to see Yakuza 4. Four pages of nearly everyone saying they're canceling their preorder. Kotaku messages have more, and Gamefaqs has multiple threads about it.

This is making me think on picking it up or not now. I might just might hold off on my preorder and wait a week to see how the sales are before I pick it up. No sense in throwing $60 on it if it's going to be $30 in a month and we're not going to receive Yakuza 4 either way.

Sega really fucked up, but it pisses me off those stupid fucking fanboys are probably going to ruin our chances on Yakuza 4.

[Aussie2B]

Yeah, the logic of these fans is really astounding. They think they're "sending a message" to Sega by boycotting the game. Yeah, the message they're getting is "Great, now we don't have to bother localizing a series we were never gung ho about bringing to the US in the first place." These fans are only screwing themselves twice over by denying themselves the experience of playing Yakuza 3, even if it is cut, and reducing the chances of any future titles coming out. If Yakuza 3 was actually successful, then they'd probably put more money behind Yakuza 4, giving it dual audio, and if the fans made their complaints heard in addition to their purchases, then Sega would be more inclined to do a quality, uncut localization with future games. I mean, Devil Summoner sold pretty well due to the MegaTen association, but lots of players complained about it. Since the sales were good, Atlus localized the second, but they also made sure to address all the previous complaints and let it be known that it was an improvement. Granted, those were complaints with the game itself rather than a localization, but I think it's still fairly appropriate.

Although if all the complaining and canceled pre-orders get Sega to delay the game and put the cut content back in, that would be wonderful.

[Kitsune Sniper]

Although if all the complaining and canceled pre-orders get Sega to delay the game and put the cut content back in, that would be wonderful.

Unless of course this means having to repress new manuals or discs.

Frankly, if Sega adds this back, they should make it day one DLC and then print new copies with the content back in.

[Julio III]

I'm hugely dissapointed they cut these out of the game and I will buy it anyway to support the series. I wonder what else has been cut. I'm currently playing Yakuza 2 and loving the club management and "being a host" sidequests. If these are in the 3rd game I want them localised. I also heard there was kareoke in the 3rd game and hope that made it across.

[Mimi Nakamura]

Having Shogi and Mahjong being removed really doesn't bother me. Neither does the Answer x Answer game(if that's the one that was removed.)

When talking about the hostess club, maybe you mean the club management in Yakuza 3 is getting removed? I haven't heard anything about the hostess clubs. It would honestly be retarded if those got removed anyways. Probably a third of all the items in the game would become completely useless.

Now if Sega kept the club management and then removed the hostess stuff. I wouldn't mind so much, but if they removed both that's kind of going to piss me off. They make us wait so long, we don't get English dubbed audio, the box art sucks, then half of the game gets cut out so they can cut corners with a cheap translation.

I'm picking it up regardless because even with that stuff it's not anything really major. For us getting screwed over so badly, Sega better be good with Yakuza 4 and give us a game with no cuts at all.

*edit*

Nevermind. So the hostess clubs are actually being removed and most likely club management is removed as well? This is bullshit if you ask me.

Are you always this dramatic?

Why are the hostess clubs so important to you? It's hardly a key part of the game, it's nothing more than a light bonus.

If this was a major part of the attraction to this game, then I would suggest buying a dating sim instead, as you'll probably be disappointed with the other 95% of the game.

[Aussie2B]

If this was a major part of the attraction to this game, then I would suggest buying a dating sim instead, as you'll probably be disappointed with the other 95% of the game.

That kind of logic doesn't make any sense. I mean, what are you suggesting, that people who like dating sims are weirdos that can't also appreciate high quality action and storytelling typical of more commonplace games? Why can't people have their cake and eat it too?

The bottom line is that it was boneheaded to cut things out, especially for BS reasons like "we don't think it will resonate with the players"? How about leaving it in so we can decide if it "resonates" with us or not? Given that it's not required to beat the game, we should have the option of if we want to do it or not. Heck, I think even the quiz should've been kept, but maybe alter some of the questions if they're way too foreign to Americans.

It doesn't matter how big or small the cut is; it's the issue that there are cuts at all - cuts that didn't need to happen. Especially in a game that costs the same full price of other non-budget PS3 titles. If they want to cut corners and cut content, then cut the price too.

[Mimi Nakamura]

That kind of logic doesn't make any sense. I mean, what are you suggesting, that people who like dating sims are weirdos that can't also appreciate high quality action and storytelling typical of more commonplace games? Why can't people have their cake and eat it too?

The bottom line is that it was boneheaded to cut things out, especially for BS reasons like "we don't think it will resonate with the players"? How about leaving it in so we can decide if it "resonates" with us or not? Given that it's not required to beat the game, we should have the option of if we want to do it or not. Heck, I think even the quiz should've been kept, but maybe alter some of the questions if they're way too foreign to Americans.

It doesn't matter how big or small the cut is; it's the issue that there are cuts at all - cuts that didn't need to happen. Especially in a game that costs the same full price of other non-budget PS3 titles. If they want to cut corners and cut content, then cut the price too.

Of course I don't really think he can't enjoy the game, I was just trying to put some perspective on his melodramatic hysteria.

Sega have a lot of experience on what does and doesn't sell, in most recent years a lot of experience with the latter! Ryuu ga Gotoku 3 was a game designed and developed specifically for the Japanese market. It has lots of references to weird parts of Japanese culture, things that people in mainstream European / American society know little or nothing about. Of course hardcore gamers would enjoy these features, but the mainstream audience who make up the vast majority of the sales, will not be attracted, or even turned off, by them.

The An x An quiz game is actually based upon a very popular game centre game, with many questions referring to Japanese culture, it would take a huge effort, and also a lot of time, to create a new set of questions of the same level. The game wouldn't be the same.

People should appreciate that arguably the best game on the PS3 is getting a worldwide release. Seriously, the omission of a couple of weird minor parts won't affect how great the game is. Take it from someone who finished the game months ago! Anyone who decides not to buy the game because of such minor subjects is going to miss out....

[Aussie2B]

I'm sure Sega realizes that this is a niche series in the US. The game is wholly centered on Japan and most people buying it would have at least some interest in the country and/or the yakuza, so trying to neuter the Japanese out of it not only wouldn't work but would also defeat the purpose of it. If they really wanted to do it, anyway, they'd dub the game. I'm not convinced that cutting out content is going to improve sales or even that mainstream gamers who normally play Grand Theft Auto and Halo are going to buy it (and if they do, it would be out of a lack of information and they'd probably return it after a half hour of playing, if only for the subtitles alone). Then there's the fact that none of this stuff is required, so players are smart enough to come to their own conclusions of if they want to bother with these extra quests. And the fact that this content was all present in the US versions of the previous games. It's just plain inconsiderate to the consumer if they give them the opportunity to enjoy this stuff in previous games and then deny them this in Y3.

But I don't doubt that the game is awesome regardless, and I agree with you that a cut English release is better than no English release at all. It's just a shame that they had to pull this and even more inconsiderate to wait to the last minute to inform the fans that content had been cut (although other companies have done worse, like NIS America and Rhapsody on DS).

[kupomogli]

Of course I don't really think he can't enjoy the game, I was just trying to put some perspective on his melodramatic hysteria.

I'm going to purchase the game regardles, just sad that stuff is getting cut. The reason I stated that I may not get it meant as a first day release. If you go over to the Yakuza forums at Sega and look at all the people bitching that "I cancelled my preorder, fuck you Sega, etc, etc" or many many other different sites you'll see the same thing, then you'll see why I might not pick it up on the first day.

The game was released for an extremely small fanbase, so if they don't pick it up, it could be a month or two and we'll already see a price drop. Would you like to pick up a game for $55(if you preordered it earlier,) only for the game to drop in price in a month or two? I sure as hell wouldn't. I don't care if it's the greatest game of all time in my opinion, if it's possibly going to get an early price drop then I don't mind waiting a couple months. This is why I'm going to check the first week sales. Depending on what I see is whether or not I cancel my preorder and wait.

[Aussie2B]

The game was released for an extremely small fanbase, so if they don't pick it up, it could be a month or two and we'll already see a price drop. Would you like to pick up a game for $55(if you preordered it earlier,) only for the game to drop in price in a month or two? I sure as hell wouldn't. I don't care if it's the greatest game of all time in my opinion, if it's possibly going to get an early price drop then I don't mind waiting a couple months. This is why I'm going to check the first week sales. Depending on what I see is whether or not I cancel my preorder and wait.

But is a price drop worth contributing to the likelihood of the US not getting any additional Yakuza titles in the future? I don't think so, and that's my number 1 reason for buying this game at launch. It may be for naught anyway, but if I'm going to complain about it at a later point in time, I want to at least know that I wasn't part of the problem. :P

[kupomogli]

But is a price drop worth contributing to the likelihood of the US not getting any additional Yakuza titles in the future? I don't think so, and that's my number 1 reason for buying this game at launch. It may be for naught anyway, but if I'm going to complain about it at a later point in time, I want to at least know that I wasn't part of the problem. :P

If there's a price drop in a month regardless, that means we won't get future titles regardless. That's why I'm going to wait a week and see how it sells. If it gets atleast 15,000 sales, then yeah, I'll buy it. But if we get in the range of under 10,000 sales, that's an obvious clue that the game is going to drop quick.

So first week I really hope it atleast hits 15,000. Low number, but high enough to where I'll give it a chance without thinking twice.

[kupomogli]

Yakuza 4 is coming to the US in Spring 2011! That's a year away so gives them enough time to get everything localized.

http://www.siliconera.com/2010/06/08/yakuza-4-leaving-japan-arriving-here-in-spring-2011/

[exit]

It's nice to see Yakuza finally become a success outside of Japan and that we don't have to spend 2 years begging Sega localize the damn games. Looks like their bold move on releasing Yakuza 3 the same time as Final Fantasy 13 worked out.

[Aussie2B]

Nice to see it getting a US release, although I still wish Yakuza 3 was the one to get the better localization, assuming this one won't be sliced and diced as well.

In other news, a PSP game is coming out in Japan as well, but I think it's supposed to be a fair bit different with a younger demographic. Who knows if they'll bother localizing that one.

[kupomogli]

Nice to see it getting a US release, although I still wish Yakuza 3 was the one to get the better localization, assuming this one won't be sliced and diced as well.

In other news, a PSP game is coming out in Japan as well, but I think it's supposed to be a fair bit different with a younger demographic. Who knows if they'll bother localizing that one.

It's with a different main character. Still in Kamurocho. I hope they localize it because what Yakuza fan wouldn't want a portable Yakuza game? Also from the screen shots the graphics look amazing. High quality prerenderings with really good looking 3d character models.

[Cryomancer]

kupomogil, you might wanna look into Kenka Bancho on the PSP, it has some similar themes and concepts going on to Yakuza. Would be nice if we got more of that series too, as that one is pretty rad.

[otaku]

this reminds me I haven't bought a yakuza game since I enjoyed the original (very much) I need to do so. I wish shenmue had this sort of success or that they would finally release more shenmue because of this series success!

[exit]

So Yakuza 4 finally hit store shelves this week, in limited quantities at that and has proven to be difficult for some people to find. I was able to get a copy at a local Best Buy, others haven't been soo lucky. Not sure if the $40 price tag they have influenced a few blind purchases, but it seems that most stores have only been getting about 4 copies, so good luck to those who haven't gotten the game yet. The only other retailer that seems to be carrying the game is in stores is K-Mart, who is also offering a copy of Yakuza 3 for free with purchase, which is a rather odd offer if I say so myself.

Anyway, I've played the first few chapters of the game and they've yet again managed to improve the hell out of the combat system. Gone is the rather bland leveling system they've had since the original game, now it's a little more updated Soul Points system where you simply just spend those points on what skills you want to gain. And for those who were upset with the localization of Yakuza 3, there has been virtually nothing cut from Yakzua 4 other than the title music (due to copyright issues) and a quiz game that's no big loss at all.

I'm pretty satisfied with the game already and am ready to sink yet another 30+ hours into the world of the Yakuza.

[LaughingMAN.S9]

no one on this forum will sell me yakuza 2, RAGGGGGGEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!




......






on a sunnier note, looks like im gonna have to drop by k mart this week & take advantage of this deal, THANKS GUY ABOVE ME!

[LiquidPolicenaut]

I also managed to pick up my copy in Best Buy if only for being $20 cheaper than Gamestop....and Gamestop STILL hasn't called me to say it's in stock (I have it preordered but will cancel today). Nothing more to say except I am loving the game so far in every aspect. Go get it. Now...go!

[kupomogli]

I haven't received it from Amazon yet, should arrive tomorrow.

Aside the fact that I really wanted Yakuza 4 and I didn't know a deal would pop up in a week is why I preordered it. But this right here is the reason I rarely preorder games even if I'm interested in them anymore, because a month later they'll just have some amazing sale where you can get it for half the price. There are two Best Buy stores near me, both are 45 minutes away, so between gas money and taxes, I wouldn't be saving much.

[Julio III]

Recieved my Yakuza 4 - pre-ordered the Steelbook edition from Game which is in a very nice case. As per when Yakuza 3 came out, I still haven't finished the previous game. Just loaded up my Y3 file and I'm 7 hours in and just about to start chapter 5. Seems I'll have a long way to go if I want to play this first before the 4th one.

Also, its sad to see Of The End get cancelled but its not that unexpected. I heard even the demo got pulled off the Japanese PSN.

[exit]

Also, its sad to see Of The End get cancelled but its not that unexpected. I heard even the demo got pulled off the Japanese PSN.

From what I understand the game wasn't canceled, it's just being put on hold for the time being. It was Zettai Zetsumei Toshi 4 (Otherwise known/mislabeled as "Disaster Report 4") that was canceled, which is a shame because I was looking forward to that one, but it's understandable why they made the decision.

[LiquidPolicenaut]

Also, its sad to see Of The End get cancelled but its not that unexpected. I heard even the demo got pulled off the Japanese PSN.

As was already stated, the game has just been delayed for now but in no way canceled. Some places in China actually kept the shipments of the game that they were supposed to send back to Sega and, thus, some people actually have the game in hand. As for the demo, it's the same like the Yakuza 4 demo. It was only up for a short time so, if you missed it, it's gone. The one thing I like about the PSN Store is that, even if you started a download, stopped it for whatever reason but now that download is gone from the store altogether, you can still download it anyway (which is what happened when I originally downloaded the Yakuza 4 demo)...

P.S. - The demo for "Of The End" is pretty good actually :)

[kupomogli]

Started playing Yakuza 4 today at about 1am and have already put five hours into it(and yes it's just about 7am right now.) The game is amazing.

Like Exit said, the new leveling system is much better than the prior games systems. Kind of like X Men Origins Wolverine or Star Wars the Force Unleashed, you get a certain amount of points each level and use these points to choose what you want to learn although some stuff you're required to learn before others. It's the same gameplay though, even if the characters play somewhat different so if you hated the the other games gameplay you probably won't change your mind about it.

The only mini games I've went and done in the game are in Club Sega. I played Boxcellios 2 quite a few times and then Boxcellios after I unlocked it. Right now I'm ranked four on the Boxcellios 2 online ranking and after only two plays I'm ranked 10 in Boxcellios. I actually got to level 98 on both games which makes both mastered. I also did some UFO Catcher, which is more enjoyable than it is on Yakuza 3, but maybe because it's easier.

The only thing I don't like is the new collections system. If you go to mini games on the collections setting rather than like Yakuza 3 which you could just scroll down to what you're interested in, you have to just page through them all until you get what you're looking for. This is the same thing with Yakuza 3 with the other lists, but the mini game option was in a list and made it easier to look at.

Great game and worth getting on day one even if you're only remotely interested.

[LaughingMAN.S9]

kinda unrelated but im trying to work my way through all the yakuzas in order, i've only beaten 1 and ordered yakuza 2 on gamestop which should arrive in a few days,

whats the general consensus on which is the best game in the series so far?

[kupomogli]

whats the general consensus on which is the best game in the series so far?

I'm going to go with Yakuza 4 as the combination of gameplay and storyline make me think it's the best at the current time. However if you were to go by story, it'd be 1, 2, 4, then 3.

[exit]

I'm going to go with Yakuza 4 as the combination of gameplay and storyline make me think it's the best at the current time. However if you were to go by story, it'd be 1, 2, 4, then 3.

I concur. So far I've enjoyed this game far more than Yakuza 1-3 and I've racked up about 18 hours of game play and I've just now finished Part 1 of the storyline. If this pattern continues I'll probably be racking up around 70 hours of game play, which is around the same amount of time I played the first 3 games combined. I'd probably rank the games as 4,1,3,2, but 3 is generally ranked the lowest because of the first part of the game involving the orphanage, although I personally enjoyed seeing the softer side of Kazuma.

[kupomogli]

With a score of 22,218,490, I am ranked first on Boxcelios 2.

Also, I've just got to Tanimura's chapter and just finished chapter 2. Tanimura's my favorite character to play as, even over Kazuma. Saejima is my least favorite to play as.