Joystiq hands-on: Yakuza 3 demo
Japan's next big game is coming out exclusively for PS3. Yakuza 3 launches in the territory next week and to get people psyched, Sega has released a demo on the PlayStation Network.
The importance of the Yakuza series is, for the most part, lost to non-Japanese gamers. The first two PS2 games didn't exactly garner much fanfare when localized versions were released in the US. The series has always been uniquely Japanese, from its setting to its story to the gameplay. Although it may be Japan's interpretation of the Grand Theft Auto series, playing the demo reveals how antiquated the series still is. While Western developers have refined gameplay and storytelling, Yakuza 3 feels decidedly dated.
For example, the visuals are inconsistent, repeating a technique Japanese developers loved employing during the PS2 era. The cutscenes look fantastic, with detailed character models, animations and voice acting. Switching to gameplay immediately reveals a significantly watered down look that's missing all the details featured in the non-interactive sequences. The disparity between playable and non-playable visuals is rather immense. Scrolling through lines of text instead of hearing more of the (very solid) voice acting reinforces the feeling that corners were cut to finish the game.
It's disheartening that Sega couldn't take advantage of the Blu-ray disc a bit more and fully voice all the dialogue in the game. Perhaps that's demanding too much -- Grand Theft Auto IV does set the bar very high. However, what Yakuza 3 lacks in technical merit, it makes up for in its attention to detail. This is easily the most accurate recreation of Tokyo urban life we've seen in a video game. The crowded streets and the various fast food shops, convenience stores and -- you guessed it, hostess clubs -- all accurately capture nightlife in Shinjuku. Those that have wanted to absorb themselves in Japanese urban life can skip the flight and jump into Yakuza 3. The menu at the in-game burger shop is incredibly authentic (right down to the prices!); the vending machines that scatter the environment are ripped straight from the real world.
Perhaps Yakuza 3's greatest strength will come from its ability to immerse players into an authentic recreation of Japanese life. The core gameplay is rather weak, but there are so many ancillary activities to partake in that players will find something to be entertained by. For example, the Sega Club arcade features a few playable games that mimic the feel of current Japanese arcade games. Who knows how many mini-games Sega will be able to include in the full retail game? The dating sim-inspired hostess club sequence in the demo is rather charming, as players must carefully watch their wallets while trying to woo these attractive-in-Japan ladies. The PSN demo already offers so much to do, but the full game promises fishing, karaoke, mahjong, and more.
The actual gameplay itself is rather mindless, a staple of the game's aging design. Players have weak and strong attacks, and a grab action. At least from what we see in the demo, this is nothing but a simple beat-em-up. Combos can be strung together, but the enemy AI doesn't really encourage much thought. Button mashing seems rather effective, and simply running away from an enemy attack allows you to perform an easy counter. The combat is shallow, but it's also accessible to casual gamers. On the plus side, there are some satisfyingly brutal finishers you can pull off.
The demo ends with a very easy battle against someone that looks almost identical to Liquid Ocelot from Metal Gear Solid. This gun-totin' gaijin doesn't put up much of a fight, though. Just grab a garbage can and beat the piss out of him -- like any yakuza thug would do. It's a rather simple, and ultimately anticlimatic affair.
The Yakuza 3 demo left us with mixed impressions of the game. While the presentation and gameplay are noticeably dated, Yakuza 3 is still surprisingly fun. It presents the most accurate representation of modern Japanese urban life we've seen in a game so far, an accomplishment that certainly deserves praise. With the inclusion of so many mini-games and a massive environment to explore (the player will also visit the very different Okinawa), we're confident Yakuza 3 will offer players an overwhelming amount of stuff to do. In spite of its flaws, we eagerly await Sega of America to announce a localized version.
