The Yakuza Comes to America

Sega of America and Sega of Europe have announced today the planned release of the game Yakuza for the Playstation 2. The Japanese counterpart to the American version, already released in Japan as Ryu Ga Gotoku, has received high acclaim as an action-adventure title set amongst the backdrop of the underground night-world of Tokyo. The game takes the player into the world of the Japanese mafia where a former member of Yakuza struggles in his quest to unravel the mystery of a young girl and the missing amount of 10 billion yen. Matt Woodley, creative director at Sega Europe said, “We feel that the street brawling gameplay in particular will impress everyone. Getting this spot on in games has proven hard for some developers in the past, but the Yakuza team have pulled it off with great style. Add to that some of the most evocative locations seen in a game and we have a title SEGA are very excited to be releasing.” Sega™s official website said of the game, Freely explore Tokyo’s hidden urban nightlife from sprawling neon-lit streets and nightclubs to actual shops licensed specifically to deliver the authenticity of this enticing metropolis. Players can strategically increase [the main character™s] skills and attributes by accumulating weapons and items, engaging in numerous side missions, interrogating and bribing informants and even gambling. Yakuza is an all-encompassing, immersive chronicle that captures the full scope of the Yakuza by authentically recreating Tokyo’s underground nightlife, while unveiling the mystery surrounding the Yakuza’s traditional honor, respect, and loyalty system. So if you™re up for some mafia action, Japanese style, Yakuza may be the game for you. The title is scheduled for release this summer of 2006. No ESRB rating or retail price has been released for the game.