The impending western release of "Yakuza 5" exclusively to PlayStation 3 through the PlayStation Network may stop those who are thinking of upgrading their gaming consoles to PlayStation 4. Gaming giant SEGA announced that the upcoming "Yakuza 5" will be released in the U.S. and the U.K. next year.
The U.S. and U.K. release of "Yakuza 5" follows the requests of many PlayStation players. The game title tops the list of Sony's #BuildingTheList campaign led by Gio Corsi of Sony Computer Entertainment.
"After receiving so many requests from fans of the series, we have decided to bring Yakuza 5 to the US and Europe. This title was enjoyed by over one million gamers in Japan. I'm looking forward to seeing how Yakuza 5 will be received by the gamers in the U.S. and Europe," "Yakuza" executive director and general producer Toshihiro Nagoshi said.
According to the game's producer Masayoshi Yokoyama, the forthcoming "Yakuza 5" will be the biggest game in the series. Moreover, the game will feature more than a Yakuza's way of life, it will also feature Japanese culture, lifestyle, social issues and trends. Gamers will play five different characters in varying demographics who will play out their life stories and experiences.
"Yakuza 5" follows the story of Kazuma Kiryu and four other characters and their struggles in terms of money, power and fame in Japan's crime underworld in five unspecified major cities in Japan. The new game will feature stellar graphics, a lot of mini games, altered battle systems, and improved customizations and interactions in the famous hostess bar in the series. Lastly, "Yakuza 5" will also feature "Another Drama," which will explore the side stories of each character in-depth. Thus, the main story branches out.
Meanwhile, "Yakuza 4" and "Yakuza: Dead Souls" are now available on PlayStation Network. There is no word from Sony and Sega whether "Yakuza: Ishin" will be released outside of Japan. The last "Yakuza" game to be released outside of Japan was "Yakuza 4" in 2011.
