IrishNinja
Member
Original announcement thread
Title: Yakuza 4
Japanese Title: 龍が如く4 伝説を継ぐもの, "Ryū ga Gotoku 4: Densetsu o Tsugumono"
Release Date: 3/15/2011 (NA). 3/18/2011 (EU). 3/18/2009 (Japan). 3/24/2011 (AU).
Genre: Action-Adventure / Kazuma Kiryu Simulator / Beat-em-up with RPG-like tendencies
Platform: PlayStation 3
Publisher: SEGA
Developer: Amusement Vision / CS1 Team
Official Websites: US
Wiki Page: EN
Price: $59.95 USD at most retailers
Rating: M
Boxarts: look above, son
Did you just jack this format from the part 3 thread: yes stop snitching
Story
wiki says:
As with the original game, most of the action takes place in Kamurocho (a.k.a. Kamuro City), a fictionalized yet realistic recreation of Shinjuku's red-light district, Kabukichō.
Three new locations have been added since Yakuza 3 - a rooftop area, which stretches across a large area of the town; the back streets of Kamurocho, known as "Rojiura" (路地裏?); and a third area called the underground (or "chika" (地下?)), which includes the city's sewers, parking lot and shopping arcades. The underground area is also known as "Kamuchika" (カムチカ?), short for "Kamuro Chika" or "Kamuro Underground".
basically: if you can dig some mafia/kung-fu flick troupes with your beat-em-ups, you'll prolly enjoy this. if tradition holds, expect SERIOUS BUSINESS level drama in the final hour, but by then you'll handle it with
Trophies
way easier to plat than 3 was - here's a great guide
Reviews
what is wrong with you
Famitsu - 38/40
EuroGamer - 8/10
Trailers
(generic youtube link)
Demo
Is on PSN, even for us non-PSN+ scrubs. 1.78GB i wanna say, and i'm told it's just fight sequences.
Pre-order bonuses
Sega, Gamestop and others are doing the "free hostess bar dynamic theme" if you're into that kind've thing; if you're in AU (sorry), JB is doing 3 + 4 LE for $109. That probably strikes you as a good price, for having been fucked so long on this sort've thing. again, sorry.
EU:
Yakuza 4 SteelBook Edition Includes:
Us civilized folk seem to be getting in-game costume DLC, mostly, rather than sexy boxes. Thanks, Sega.
*note: CheapAssGamer has a US Kmart deal for part 3 free with 4, plus a $10 coupon!
Promo material
wallpapers & such here, thanks to Ruby for the link.
F.A.Q. for no-one
Q: I've never played a Yakuza title, can I just jump into this one?
A: You totally can. Like every chapter before it, 4 has an excellent video recap of each prior title. Like any franchise, you won't be as emotionally invested in the plight of certain characters, but it's your call - having recently played through 1 and 2, i can tell you: 1 is often called the weakest of the series, and 2 was fantastic/superior on every level; if you get a chance, you should totally give it a go. On that note, reviews have said this one is up there with 2 as the series' finest, so that's good too.
Q: Are we losing content like last time?
A: Short answer is no, with a few caveats:
but that's it; Sega has assured us the hostess bars are indeed back. Also, Ruby pointed out that the extended fight arena DLC stuff on the japanese version is totally on the disc/accessible already, woo hoo!
Q: is this the zombies
i hurrd the zombies
A: You're thinking of Yakuza of the End, a spin-off premiering in Japan right around when we get this one. Demo's still up on the JPN PSN too.
and before you ask: no, no official word on localization, but I tend to think chances are good since it looks like Left 4 Yakuza anyway.
Q: Are there any bonus materials forthcoming?
A: So far, all we know of is a dynamic theme for PSN+ users in mid-april (not to be confused with the hostess theme brought with certain preorders). Additionally, there's an avatar pack on PSN with the main cast.
Q: Hey so when are they localizing Kensan!, anyway?
A: When they find a way to bring a niche samurai title here (and patch in trophies, etc) and make a buck. Signs point to the first of never, but anything can happen. Me, i just grabbed it on the buy/sell thread for about $30, Segata swears the excellent gamefaqs guide + Youtbue channel with subtitles for all major CGs should suffice, and i trust the dude.
Q: Where should I buy this title?
A: I'm glad you asked this! US residents, don't forget that a reliable source at CheapAssGamer says on the 15th (next tuesday!), Kmart's doing a promo: buy Yakuza 4, get part 3 for free and $10 in reward points for your next purchase (don't forget to sign up for a reward card as well). I researched it a bit, apparently the idea is they'll be shipping copies of 3 with 4, so hopefully this'll go smoothly - it's a fantastic way to jump into the series and have a ton of gameplay ahead of you too.
Q: Sup with all these yakuzas, wheres mah Shenmue 3 nahmeans
A: ayo for real, fuck youse guys. You can enjoy both these series/they're not mutually exclusive/why don't you go ask Off Topic about how much to tip Christina Hendricks for circumcision after you cheat on her or some shit.
These questions are horrible.
Q: Hey so where's Segata these days anyway?
A: Ya'll fucked up. blame Donkey Kong, or god.
A: Ya'll fucked up. blame Donkey Kong, or god.
related - special announcement from a mysterious yet unquestionably superior poster:
shoutouts to RubyEclipse for spreading info/sega-love all over the net with this title, and Bebpo for giving me the courage to make my first OT with his legendary work on the Kenzan one!
