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'PlayStation Game Music' service streams PS3 music from phones in Japan
This is so cool. Well, maybe "cool" isn't the right way to describe a service that lets you stream Final Fantasy music from anywhere, but we like the idea. In Japan, Sony just started a "PlayStation Game Music" service that allows subscribers to several mobile services to play music from first- and third-party PlayStation games. The official (again, Japan-only) launch is accompanied by music from Final Fantasy XIII-2, and the Monster Hunter, Dynasty Warriors, and Yakuza series. It would be dangerous for us to walk around Tokyo to the music from Yakuza -- we'd be liable to start throwing bicycle wheels at anyone we saw in a suit. And it's always dangerous for us to hear the FFXIII-2 Chocobo theme. Along with those, the service will also stream PS3 system sound effects. That "cool" label is looking really hasty now.
Yakuza's Kazuma enters the Binary Domain
You'd think the team behind the awkward Yakuza: Of the End (coming here as Yakuza: Dead Souls) might want to hide its shooting pedigree in trying to market Binary Domain -- but we suppose the selling power of the charismatic Kazuma Kiryu outweighs gameplay concerns. Fans who buy the first pressing of the Japanese version of Binary Domain will get the option to play as the Yakuza protagonist, who has somehow warped 100 years into the future to shoot robots. If you play on the government side, Kazuma will wear his flashy white suit; if you choose the resistance side, he'll don a guerrilla getup, complete with headband.
Yakuza 4 producer Yasuhiro Noguchi on re-localizing the series
Reading about Yakuza 4 is great, but you could also be playing it! And ... wearing it! We've got five copies of the game, and five t-shirts, to give away at the end of this interview. March is typically a big month for the Yakuza series. In 2010, Yakuza 3 came out in the West in March, and Yakuza 4 in Japan. This year, Yakuza 4 hit North America and Europe, and Yakuza: Of the End almost came out in Japan (but was delayed to June 9 due to the earthquake). On the occasion of 4's Western release, we spoke to producer Yasuhiro Noguchi about the changes made between the last two games, and the significant step forward Sega made in localization.
The very short list of Yakuza 4's localization changes
The more senstive among you are probably still fuming about the US localization of Yakuza 3, which excised chunks of the Japanese version, including a quiz on the country's history and hostess clubs. For the good of all your blood pressures, we're happy to report you'll have much less to get steamed about when Yakuza 4 comes stateside. Siliconera reports that, though the quiz game is still MIA (its text is in images, which can't be changed), the only other alteration is to the soundtrack for the intro video. So relax. Take a deep breath. And get ready to ogle some hostesses, you creepy double-creep creep-o.
Lost Planet 2, Yakuza demonstrated on NGP
Capcom's Jun Takeuchi took to the stage at today's PlayStation Meeting to show off Lost Planet 2 running on the NGP handheld -- as a demonstration only, as he said Capcom was not announcing new titles at tonight's event -- "but before long we will be able to announce new titles for NGP." According to Takeuchi, LP2 was running on MT Framework Mobile (which also powers Capcom's 3DS games) and this demo was put together in just two weeks. "I'm sure you've seen the PS3 version," he told the audience, "and the quality is just as good" on NGP. Takeuchi said the NGP could handle the "full specification." Next up, Sega's Toshihiro Nagoshi demonstrated assets from Yakuza: Of The End, to show that "everything can be transcribed [from PS3] onto NGP."
Meet the badasses in Yakuza 4 trailers
Sega is getting all the mileage it can out of its Yakuza 4 trailer narration guy, putting his gravelly delivery to use in a series of character-specific trailers, each introducing one character's motivation for random street fights. Three have been released so far; see them after the break.
Yakuza: Of the End begins in March
Despite the fact that Yakuza: Of the End violently breaks from series tradition, it's hewing pretty closely to the previous games' schedules. According to Siliconera, Famitsu magazine has revealed the Japanese release date for the gangland zombie shooter: March 17. The date follows tradition, apparently, as Yakuza 4 was released in Japan this past March (along with Yakuza 3 in North America and Europe), and Yakuza 3 debuted in Japan in late-February 2009. In addition to next March's release, Sega has a new Yakuza game coming this winter: a mobile social game called Yakuza Mobile for GREE, in which players raise and train Yakuza characters, earning weapons that can be transferred into Of the End.%Gallery-102455%
Yakuza 4 trailer sets the mood
The atmospheric English-language narration in this Yakuza 4 trailer is a bit too effective. Now, instead of the Japanese language track and English subtitles the game uses, we'll want some grizzled old guy calmly intoning nonstop about what tough guys we are and how dangerous it is in Tokyo.
Yakuza: Of the End video proves the game still holds surprises
Okay, after watching this eight-minute Yakuza: Of the End gameplay trailer, we can now think of the game in a different way. Our bemusement is reduced and our interest increased. Instead of a really strange Yakuza game, we now look at it as a cheesy zombie game with great production values -- like Onechanbara, but less embarrassing and with a better budget. Kamurocho is still a great setting for games, and now it's a setting for a zombie game! Well, maybe it's just marginally less embarrassing. For some reason, the dating, hostess club, table tennis, and mahjong minigames are still present -- and for some reason, Goro Majima finds an opportunity to sing. With backup dancers.
Yakuza: Of the End screens introduce cast and ... this thing
Sega continues to work on the zombie shooting spinoff Yakuza: Of The End, releasing more screenshots as proof that it really is following through on this insane idea. The new screens feature Kamurocho pre- and post-zombies, as well as the four protagonists (and Chiaki Kuriyama) firing weapons at the undead. Also, one screen (above) reveals the presence of at least one non-zombie monster, which is totally disgusting. The accompanying news post rounds up all the voice talent behind the cast, and explains how each of the main characters ended up in the middle of a ruined Kamurocho. Kazuma Kiryu returns to rescue his adopted daughter Haruka; Yakuza 4's Shun Akiyama is in town to collect on a debt when the zombie thing happens; Yakuza 2 final boss Ryuji Goda has been wandering aimlessly, selling takoyaki on the street (to pay for maintenance of his awesome cybernetic arm, possibly); and Goro Majima is chasing Goda when he finds a city full of zombies. Apparently, the crazed Majima is enjoying himself.
Yakuza 4 producer gives us a new view of Kamurocho
The Yakuza series may be exploring left field with the fanciful zombie-attack game Yakuza: Of the End, but American audiences still have one good old jaunt around Kamurocho to look forward to: this spring's Yakuza 4, whose major innovation of four playable characters seems comfy in comparison. We spoke to producer Masayoshi Kikuchi, mostly about how Yakuza 4 has changed and improved on previous games in the series. Of course, we couldn't resist asking about Of the End, because seriously, what? Joystiq: Yakuza 3 got a lot of complaints from American gamers for the content that was removed. Will Yakuza 4 have a more complete localization? Masayoshi Kikuchi, Sega: One of the things that happened on Yakuza 3 was that the Yakuza team worked with the folks at Sega West to see how we can improve the product in terms of being able to be understood by users and broaden the user base, and one of the things that is part of the Yakuza franchise -- you have very Japanese parts of the game. They wanted to make the game easier to play. One of the decisions that was the result of that was that we decided to simplify the game by cutting sections of the game. Of course, based on the reaction that we received -- we heard the voices of our fans loud and clear -- and we will be doing as much as possible to bring the whole experience of Yakuza to the West in terms of the content, in terms of its Japaneseness.
Details begin to appear for Yakuza: Of the End
Andriasang has rounded up all of the details announced about Yakuza: Of the End so far, giving us a bit more info than "it's got zombies in it and it's really weird." Of the End takes place in a Kamurocho that is quickly becoming infested with zombies, causing Japan's Self Defense Force to close the district off and leave the remaining survivors for dead. Four gangsters from previous Yakuza games, including series hero Kazuma Kiryu, decide to take up arms and clean out the town rather than allow themselves to be eaten. Also, complicating matters, Kazuma's adopted daughter Haruka has been kidnapped. The "Heat Action" finishing moves from the series have been replaced by "Heat Snipe" moves, which grant increased accuracy with guns when launched. Each character has a different weapon with which they are most proficient: calm Kazuma is a rifle expert, while nutjob Goro Majima is best with shotguns. In addition to these four characters, you'll be able to pick up partner characters -- including hostesses from hostess clubs -- all of whom can be trained at "Gary's Boot Camp." Perhaps strangest of all, the usual Yakuza distractions will be back. In the midst of a zombie invasion, you can play some arcade games in Club Sega, hang out in batting cages, or even perform karaoke. Don't worry, those booths are soundproof, so the groaning undead outside won't bother you when you're concentrating on your song.
Yakuza: Of The End designed to bring shooter fans to Yakuza
Yakuza: Of The End was ... unexpected. Not in that it's another Yakuza sequel -- we can pretty much count on those being at least annual -- but in that it's a zombie shooting game. Why would Sega take a series built around realistic criminal organizations, known for its accurate (if fictionalized) representation of Tokyo, and fill its latest entry with zombies? Where do people even find all those guns in Japan? At TGS, we asked producer Masayoshi Kikuchi about this seemingly inexplicable decision. "We want to essentially use the Yakuza universe to try our hand at different genres of games," he said. "In that effort, one of the games that hasn't been released [outside of Japan] yet, but that we've done, is a samurai-based game called Kenzan. That is our foray into utilizing the mythology and universe of Yakuza to branch out into different gameplay. The other one, obviously, is Of The End." "For us, it's a way to hopefully attract more fans to the Yakuza franchise by widening the gameplay styles that we create," Kikuchi added. In other words, Of The End hopes to attract people who love zombie shooters, and who might then discover there are other Yakuza games; albeit ones about punching street punks and running orphanages. But what about the people who already love Yakuza? Are they to simply stare at this spinoff in disbelief? "From my point of view," Kikuchi told us, "I feel that -- if you have 100 Yakuza fans, it's not going to be the case where all 100 of them will be receptive to the new direction. But however, we feel that by making something that is very enjoyable, we will be able to capture as many of the existing fan base who enjoy the games we create." [Pictured: Yakuza: Of The End TGS booth models]
Next Yakuza revealed as 'Ryu ga Gotoku Of the End'
Though still not announced for US launch, the next PlayStation 3 installment in the Yakuza series was just unveiled by Sega of Japan (via Andriasang). The Japanese version of the game's official website is up, introducing the title as "Ryu ga Gotoku Of the End," and showing little more than the logo. The game was first teased back in March with a shot of the Kamurocho district from previous Yakuza titles (now seen more clearly in the gallery below). More recently, Japanese audiences were treated to a teaser ad highlighting a possibly wrecked Tokyo as the game's setting. For those of you who can read Japanese, the site offers a short blurb about the game alongside computer wallpapers and a set of folder icons for both Windows and Mac. Nope, no screenshots or videos yet, just stuff with which to dress up your computer. We're hoping to see the game in action at Tokyo Game Show next week.%Gallery-101814%
Japanese Yakuza PSP demo available now
4Gamer has posted a downloadable demo for the PSP's Black Panther: New Yakuza Chapter, allowing those interested in the dramatic tale of one teenager beating up a bunch of dudes to check out the game with ease. You won't need to load up the Japanese PlayStation Store or anything fancy like that -- just go to this site and click the pink box in the middle of the page. Andriasang reports that you'll receive a password following the completion of the demo, which will unlock unspecified content in the full game. This game features customizable multiplayer (and hostess) avatars, so we're guessing you'll get some kind of exclusive clothing item.
Yakuza PSP crosses over into TV and manga
Sega wants you to believe these three guys are tough. That's sort of a requirement for accepting them as protagonists of a new Yakuza TV series, based on the PSP's Black Panther: New Yakuza Chapter and bearing the same title. Japan's TBS and MBS stations will begin showing the live action adaptation, featuring an original story, every Tuesday night starting October 5. Later, the episodes will be available for rental on Japan's PlayStation Store. In addition to the TV series, a Yakuza manga will be released, also starring the PSP game's protagonist, Tatsuya Ukyo. It'll be serialized in Weekly Young magazine. That's ... a lot of Yakuza. And that's not even taking the other upcoming Yakuza game into consideration.
Yakuza ad hints at a violently renovated Tokyo
An ad for the new, untitled PS3 Yakuza game suggests that some big changes are in store for the game and its Kamurocho locale. The ad, in this week's Famitsu, shows the main entrance to the Kabukicho-like district totally wrecked -- with street lights bent out of shape, cars smashed up in the middle of the street, and a fire raging. "The End" hangs over the scene. Should the game's setting change from a thriving, realistic Tokyo to a post-earthquake disaster area, the game would be almost entirely unlike anything else in the series. It would seem inappropriate for punks to hang out on the street and try to shake us down here. It would also seem inappropriate for us to hang out at the batting cages for a couple of hours. And dating is right out.
Buy Yakuza PSP, get ... a razor
You've heard of this old marketing technique: give away the razor for free with copies of Black Panther: New Yakuza Chapter, then sell the blades. Wait, what?
Real yakuza evaluate Yakuza 3
Is Sega's Yakuza series a realistic depiction of life inside Japanese organized crime, or is it a total fantasy based on something the Japanese public would recognize? Tokyo Vice author and reporter Jake Adelstein asked several actual yakuza to play and review Yakuza 3. "Midoriyama" (a pseudonym) found the power-ups true-to-life. "I like the fact that you power up by eating real food," he said. "Shio ramen gives you a lot of power - CC Lemon, not as much. It all makes sense." "Kuroishi" knew of a yakuza who had run an orphanage like the game's protagonist, Kazuma, once did. "Sure it was a tax shelter but he ran it like a legitimate thing. You know." The gangsters were less impressed with the fighting. "No yakuza is going to run around getting into fistfights like that," Kuroishi said. "Especially not an executive type. He'll wind up in jail or in the hospital or dead, maybe even whacked by his own people for being a troublemaker." They were even less impressed with Kazuma's red shirt. "He's supposed to be a former boss of the Inagawakai," Midoriyama notes, "and he dresses like a chinpira (low level yakuza punk). He's a yakuza, not a host." Finally, "Shirokawa" offered his opinion of the changes made in localization: "I feel sorry for the people who bought the American version. SEGA USA sucks."
Yakuza PSP trailer features new art and fighting styles
Sega's latest trailer for Black Panther: New Yakuza Chapter reveals something that may come as a shock to longtime Yakuza fans: this one's actually a bit different! Sure, you're still punching people in the streets of Kamurocho, but there's new stuff to be seen.
