Yakuza-Kenzan
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Yakuza 3's intro is surprisingly epic
We didn't expect Yakuza 3 to take itself so seriously. A game that features so many quirky mini-games, UFOs, and a very Japanese sense of humor has a pretty heavy handed beginning. When Yakuza 3 launched in Japan, it was able to take the number one spot on the sales charts. Looking at this cinematic, do you want Sega to localize this title for the English speaking audience?
Sega's Yakuza 3 tops Japanese sales charts
While the game's setting has been flung back to the 17th century, Sega's latest Yakuza title has successfully found a place on a modern console, with the PlayStation 3 saga hitting the top position in the Japanese software sales charts last week. Gamasutra notes that Ryu ga Gotoku Kenzan! (Yakuza 3) sold approximately 181,000 copies during its debut, both in and outside of a special PlayStation 3 bundle. Those not entranced by old-fashioned violence ensured a second place spot for Super Smash Bros. Brawl, which shifted about 50,000 copies in its fifth week on sale. Fellow Wii title Wii Fit rounded out the top three, despite its documented opposition to all things round. Other Wii newcomers to the top ten were Metroid Prime 3: Corruption in fifth place and Minna no Joushiki Ryoku TV in tenth. The latter translates to "Everybody's General Knowledge Training TV," which either imparts useful trivia or advice on how to survive one of those insane Japanese game shows.
Yakuza 3 takes top spot in Japanese sales charts
The PS3's install base continues to grow in Japan and with it, its software sales. Sega's Yakuza 3 has taken the top spot in the Japanese software charts -- one of the few PS3 titles to claim such a lofty achievement so far. With 181,000 units sold, it managed to outsell the rest of the top five titles combined. Perhaps the use of clever marketing tools helped this title's sales? Or maybe it was the attractive Satin Silver PS3 bundle? Regardless, we're sure both Sony and Sega are quite pleased with these numbers. Hopefully, it won't be too long before more PS3 titles climb the software sales charts. For the rest of the bestsellers, check out Next Gen.
Only in Japan: Yakuza 3 concept bars & cafes
The above picture is Toshihiro Nagoshi, game producer and designer for SEGA, sitting in a Ryu ga Gotoku Kenzan! (Yakuza 3) concept bar & cafe situated in Tokyo's trendy Roppongi Hills district. The bar, one of many, dishes out the same kind service any other similar establishment would, but with one major difference -- they've got playable demo kiosks for the upcoming Yakuza 3. The idea may seem like a strange tactic, but its nonetheless one that's sure to get some attention. This isn't SEGA's first wacky promotional advertising for Yakuza 3 after all; you all remember about the samurai noodles, right? Now, if we could only have GTAIV demo kiosks out in our NYC bars...
Satin Silver PS3 bundled with Yakuza 3
After our initial wave of disappointment dissipated with the announcement that SCEA had no plans of bringing the Satin Silver PS3 stateside, we were actually starting to feel pretty good, that is until we saw the Satin Silver Yakuza 3 bundle. Now our feelings of woe have returned tenfold. Limited to only 1,000 units, the Yakuza 3 PS3 bundle will be released in Japan on March 6 (the same day as the regular Satin Silver PS3) for about $440 and will include some really neato dragon stickers. However, like the regular Satin Silver PS3, it won't come with a DualShock 3, but who needs that when you can come home with Yakuza 3, right? What makes this even worse for us is that Sega has yet to confirm a Western release of the game. Sega, can you please end our agony and just tell us when we can expect Yakuza 3? [Via Kotaku]
Sega to release Yakuza 3 samurai noodles
Although Yakuza 3 still doesn't have a Western release date, many gamers have already decided that they'll import it anyway. If that's the case, you can add one more item to the list as Sega will offer Yakuza 3 instant noodles next month – ya know, to feed that craving you get when slicing and dicing your opponents to a bloody pulp. We have to say, this is the best food product to promote a video game since the Pac-Man cereal. [Via Kotaku]
PS3 Fanboy hands-on: Yakuza 3
The Japanese PS Store currently offers not one, but two demos of Sega's upcoming Japanese adventure, Yakuza 3 (aka Ryu ga Gotoku Kenzan). At the very least, the two demos reassure us that there's a large number of things to do in this PS3 exclusive. However, as is typically the case with games of this nature, it seems the Jack of all Trades approach Yakuza 3 is taking means the game does many things well, but nothing stands out as particularly excellent. For example, the combat featured in the game is simplistic at best. Sword fighting can be reduced to simple button mashing. Unfortunately, we don't see the depth that other games offer in this genre. Even relatively simple fighting systems, like the one found in Assassin's Creed, offers combat with much more finesse. The boss that's included in the demo was easily exploited by simply mashing the Triangle button. This being an early demo reminds us that there's much more work to be done in the game. As it is now, battles aren't quite challenging or interesting enough.
Yakuza 3 demo may arrive on PSN this month
Rumors have surfaced regarding Sega's upcoming PS3 exclusive title, Yakuza 3. The game, whose prior two incarnations dealt with more modern-style gangster brawls, takes you back to the time when swords and skill were pretty accurate measures of your ability to earn respect. We'd love to know how it plays and that's where the rumor kicks in -- Sega may be releasing a demo on the Japanese PlayStation Store sometime this month. Sega hasn't said anything officially, but according to some random source over at Gamefront, it's coming. We'll find out, we guess. [via CVG]
Yakuza 3 gets a commercial
Despite the fact that Yakuza 3 appears to have little to do with the series' previous installments, we're more excited than ever at the thought of finally being able to play it. And with the game's release getting closer by the day, Sega has released its first commercial for the popular franchise. While it doesn't showcase the massive amounts of blood and limb chopping that other videos have, it appears to introduce its audience to the game's cast, which we guess is okay. Yakuza 3 is set to hit Japan in March, and we expect an announcement to confirm the game is coming our way in the coming months.
A new year, a new Yakuza 3 TV spot
We don't know exactly how the Yakuza continuity is going to quantum leap from modern day back to feudal Japan for the third game in the series, but this trailer just does a little more to confirm for us that whatever the circumstances are of the time jump, we are definitely on board. While watching it, we have to give a thumbs up to the heavy presence of samurai (if you're not up on your history, samurai are classier, less sneaky ninjas). There's one slight problem, though: We hope we're able to get past it, put when we watch Yakuza 3 stuff it's hard to put Onimusha and (more troubling) Genjii out of our minds. Anybody else?
Sex, swords and violence: a new Yakuza 3 trailer
We love the new Yakuza 3 (aka Ryu ga Gotoku KENZAN trailer. Why? Well, not only does it have awesome J-rap background music, it shows a lot of potentially fun gameplay. Yes, swordfights are good in any language. But, there's so much more than mindless killing. It appears that there are a number of traditional minigames for you to take part in. There's also a hilarious Leisure Suit Larry-esque romance aspect to the game as well. There's so much to seemingly do and see in the game -- this really is the Japanese equivalent of GTA. And unlike Rockstar's new effort, this one is exclusively ours. Nice! PS3 owners that have access to the Japanese PS Store are highly encouraged to download the HD version from the Store. For everyone else, check this trailer out now.
A lot people die in new Yakuza videos
Who doesn't want to be part of the Yakuza? Sega's PS3 exclusive Yakuza 3 looks to continue the series' legacy of brutal sword fights. Jeux-France has more than a handful of videos and new screenshots to peruse through. Watch out for some of the later pictures, though. The barely-clothed women may be considered NSFW for some.
Yakuza 3 fights display enemy 'strategy'
If you've ever wondered what it would be like to get into a swordfight with ancient samurai Yakuza, you'd probably imagine yourself in the middle of a crowd of bad guys who then back into buildings, then try to walk in a circle around you as you dispatch their comrades, right? Right? No? Well, the latest video of Yakuza 3 shows basically that level of enemy intellect, which is slightly discouraging. However, the game's still fairly early in production so they'll doubtlessly add some more artificial intelligence, but for now, we don't see much challenge in the game. We'll keep our fingers crossed for some improvement, though!
There, in the distance, is a Yakuza 3 trailer
How long will it be until you get to play Yakuza 3? Well, let's see, when did Yakuza 2 come out here? ... Oh, that's right. It hasn't. So, you're at least one game away from getting your hands on Yakuza 3. Until this new trailer from TGS, that didn't seem like that big of a deal. Like rocket sneakers, we knew it was on the way, but it was so far off that we weren't troubled. Now, to continue the analogy, our rich neighbor just imported a pair. Maybe it's just us, be we love games with samurais and old men stopping swords with two fingers. So to say that we're intrigued by this trailer would be putting in mildly. Also, why is Yakuza in feudal Japan? The last time we checked it was about urban gangsters. If Yakuza 2 features some sort of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III time travel hi-jinx we just got even angrier that we haven't played it.
Yakuza 3 ain't your ordinary sequel
It's known that Yakuza sold like rotten bread outside of Japan which is why the second title didn't even make it overseas. However, in Japan, the two Yakuza titles by Sega have sold well, so we're glad to see a third iteration see daylight and hopefully, outside of Japan also. The funky thing is, this game takes place 400 years prior to the first one (so, that's 1605) and covers the journey of Kazumanosuke Kiryu, a bodyguard who takes any job for the right price. Wouldn't you know it, but he's approached by a girl named Haruka who asks him to kill Musashi Miyamoto, who is actually Kiryu's other self outside of the city. His past! His even darker half! Sega is employing an all-star voice-acting cast for the Japanese track (Japan has a lot more pride in their voice-acting). In addition to that, many upgrades are being made to the game. You'll have a huge, detailed city to explore and four different fighting styles to make use of (fist, blade, dual blade, broad sword). You no longer have to train with a master to gain moves -- you still can, but you'll also learn moves by observing events, like a dog jumping to catch a bone. There will be over 100 subquests and multiple minigames, also. It seems Sega is really pulling out the stops with this, so we'll keep you posted how it looks at the Tokyo Game Show!
Yakuza 3 trailer drops jaws, kimonos
It's looking awesome. That's really all we can say about this Yakuza 3 trailer, containing more samurai action you can shake your bamboo sword at. Our inability to understand Japanese is becoming more of an issue with all these excellent game announcements, but fear not, as we're hard at work taking some lessons so we can sound slightly more impressive. The announcement for this game was very, very recent, so already having this amount of footage means Sega has probably been hard at work for a while and we can expect something new at TGS next week.
Yakuza 3 revealed for PlayStation 3
Though the report in the latest issue of Famitsu (which brought us this Eternal Sonata exclusivity nugget as well) doesn't specifically mention the Xbox 360, and even though IGN claims that Yakuza 3 will be a PS3 exclusive, we're not quite ready to call it an exclusive just yet. Regardless of its status on that other console or its availability in a place that isn't Japan, Famitsu reveals that Yakuza 3 is indeed coming to the PlayStation 3 in Japan in the spring of 2008. And while they were at it, they thought you might be interested in knowing that it no longer takes place in the modern day, but rather in 1605 Edo period Japan. Don't live in Japan or own a PlayStation 3 but really want to play Yakuza 3? Don't know what to tell ya bub, we just work here. [Via PS3 Fanboy]
Yakuza 3 info revealed in latest Famitsu
As well as confirming our Eternal Sonata suspicions the latest issue of Famitsu contains a lot of information regarding Yakuza 3. The game will be a PlayStation 3 exclusive and will be set in 1605, as opposed to modern day as the previous games have been. Famitsu contains lots of pretty pictures of the characters and the real-life celebrities that they are based off. One naughty NeoGAFer has scanned in the pages showing all the info and images. We're excited about this game, even though we haven't played any of the previous ones. From the looks of things though, it promises to be Onimusha without the demons. Which is fine with us!
Rumor: Sega may be counting down to new Yakuza
A lot of Sega fanboys would cry out for Shenmue 3 at this point, but we don't think that's what's getting announced at the Tokyo Game Show in a matter of weeks. If you check out the official Japanese website for Yakuza 2, at least what we assume is Yakuza 2, a strange thing happens -- a knife stabs a piece of paper and a number, written in Japanese, pops up. It's the number 8, and it's apparently been counting down for a while. What's in eight days? According to IGN, the first Tokyo Game Show briefing. Will Sega announce a new entry into the surprisingly decent Yakuza franchise for the PS3? Rumors about that the game is supposed to move players beyond anything felt in recent games. Sega's most successful game to move players is arguably Shenmue. People weren't as excited over Shenmue 2, regardless, a third entry into the series has been desired by fans for years. But why would it be advertised on a Yakuza site? They are remotely related -- they've got similar gameplay and storytelling aspects. Whatever the ultimate result, we'll bring it to you on the 14th! [via IGN]
