Yakuza 4 Confirmed For Western Release In 2011
East meets West. In Japan, the open-world action series with RPG elements has always been insanely popular, but its fortunes in the west have always been indifferent. However, coming direct from the SEGA Europe blog, the latest installment – which came out in Japan back in March – has been confirmed for a European and United states release in early 2011.
The “4” in the title has a dual meaning – for the first time in the series, players will be able to control multiple characters. As well as series protagonist – Kazuma Kiryu – gamers will be able to play as 3 other characters. “Each of them with their own engaging backstory and a gripping interwoven plot.”
In further good news, following the heavy cuts that were made to Yakuza 3 for its Western release – in order to reduce translation costs and time – SEGA Europe representative ArchangelUK has stated in an update to the blog that the missing features from the previous installment, such as Hostess Clubs (Japanese for female escorts), will be reinstated. That is bound to satiate all of those fans who missed out on the opportunity to “groom” their female companions last time around.
SEGA had previously stated that the release of Yakuza 4 in the west depended upon sales figures for number 3. Considering that, according to predicted totals, Yakuza 3 has sold more units in the USA and Europe than the first two installments in the series combined, SEGA must have seen sense in continuing the series.
Get ready to curb-stomp street-punks once more in Spring 2011.
The protagonists of Yakuza 4
Robin Parker
If I'm not playing on a good Adventure Game - still longing for the long-past Golden Age of the genre, when Lucasarts and Sierra ruled supreme - you might find me searching for a local arcade, in the hopes that it still houses titles such as Sunset Riders or WindJammers.
