By Brian Ashcraft
The first Yakuza game debuted on the PlayStation 2. Last fall, an HD version of the game hit the PlayStation 3. This summer, it's coming to the Wii U. How does it stack up?
Today, the first screenshots for Yakuza 1 & 2 HD Edition for Wii U hit the internet. Via 4Gamer, there were two images: One of the in-game world and another one of a map. Here's the game image:
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Yakuza is a great action RPG series. I'd love to see Sega bring Yakuza 0 to the West and actually GIVE IT SOME HYPE!
I actually think they just need to put it on PSN, subtitles and call it a day. They don't need to spend money marketing it. The series is well known by gamers, it has many, many, many entries. I don't believe Sega should market it much if at all in the west and they will be fine. That money should be saved.
I'm at the point where I don't really even think that the game will sell more based on being shown more, its already a niche series here in the west . That money might be better used to just port over other Yakuza games vs marketing one game.
I would actually want to see them bring over Kenzan too! Even if it was just digital and with subtitles.
I have a slightly differing opinion. I actually think this series could be a flagship for Sega, or at the very least it could post closer to the cult-hit numbers that a game like Bloodborne does if they actually did put some sort of marketing together for it and planned out the release dates a little better.
Looking back, Sega hasn't really put much together in terms of marketing a Yakuza title in the west since Yakuza 3, and even then their efforts weren't very substantial. Yakuza 1 is the only one of the group that has had any decent amount of marketing, and that's when Sega and the publications they worked with ran with calling it a "Japanese GTA", even though that is a horribly inaccurate description of the game and created a lot of misconception about what it was.
Although the worst part about their approach has been their release timings. Yakuza 2 released in the west in late 2008, almost 2 years later than the Japanese release date, by which time many had already moved on to the PS3/360 consoles. Yakuza 3 released on the same day as Final Fantasy XIII, which was also within a week or so of God of War 3, Heavy Rain about 2 weeks prior, and a couple other heavy releases right around then. Yakuza 4 released with no real marketing except some Youtube promotional videos, and releasing nearby or on the same day as Dragon Age 2, Ar Tonelico, Homefront, Crysis 2, and the 3DS's launch. You get the general idea.
I think that with a little better planning, and some actual marketing, they could easily be posting double their numbers. I am and always have been a tremendous fan of Yakuza, and if a digital only future for the titles with a quick set of subtitles is what it takes to get localized, I'll take it. I think most Yakuza fans are desperate enough at this point that we'll take whatever they can muster. But as a Yakuza fan, I ideally want more. I'd like others to experience the franchise, and for Nagoshi's series to be the same kind of hit in the west that many others (like Tales, Souls, etc.) have been received.
But I really don't understand what Sega are thinking for each of the Yakuza releases. It's like they've wanted to see bad numbers. And they keep ignoring opportunities for good release times and situations. Heck, they passed up a tremendous opportunity early this generation to get Yakuza: Ishin localized while there was still a bit of a games drought. That would have sold solely based on people looking for new games to play. I can only hope that they and/or Sony (since they are now directly involved through Gio Corsi and the third party group) have a really solid plan for Yakuza 5's release and any possible movements beyond that.
Bloodborne is very much the exception and not the rule. Japanese titles rarely get the numbers on both sides of the world. Yakuza 3 did about 500k in the USA which isn't really bad.
What makes Bloodborne doe well in sales is due to the known team, also the souls IP, Demon and Dark Souls are known games that did pretty good prior to Bloodborne. I don't think its merely due to marketing, its just a very, very unique game and I can't say marketing had much to do with it. Demon Souls is legit a great example of sleeper hit.
"easily be posting double their numbers" that is an easy hell no. I really, really doubt that. Gaming has shown over the years that regardless of "hype" or "marketing" if a game isn't good...it isn't going to sell. Not that Yakuza isn't good, merely that marketing won't push such numbers.
Mind you, the marketing budget would be to not only market Yakuza...but to rebrand it as its already known...so they much use more money to get in new gamers that already know about Yakuza, but haven't bought.
Mind you...no guarantee is it that it will double sales. Japanese niche games don't just do numbers like that.
"But I really don't understand what Sega are thinking for each of the Yakuza releases"
That think is why we still have a Sega and Yakuza has many, many entries. Its only on 1 or 2 systems, many times...only in Japan and when for the West....its subtitled and now only on PSN.
That sounds like smart, risk free business to me. Marketing a game HUGE doesn't always mean success, that is like thinking a HUGE team will equal big success, yet look at Square with Tomb Raider and look at Capcom with RE6. They got in a lot of hot water for trying to do such a thing and on Capcom's side, the actually were open to selling IPs it was that bad.
Sega knows they make Japanese games, they know the west doesn't always take too well to those type of titles, but they are basically treating the Yakuza fans in the west with the best respects they can really give without wasting too much money. Its still made with integrity, its never been made to be a "GTA" game, its Japanese dubs have remained part of the game etc.
The Yakuza games have lots and lots of text, its not cheap to localize games and on Sega's end, they don't want to keep wasting money assuming the whole WORLD wants the title. This is a situation where business wise...I back Sega, as a gamer of course I want Kenzan, Zero etc though. I do think Sony should at least pay for part of that localization at least to help out Sega in the west and get the fan base growing like it is in Japan, but I don't fault Sega for not wanting to just bring every entry over.
and btw I LOVE the plan they have with Yakuza 5 too! That cuts soooo much cost for them and allows fans to get the series even though they don't have a hard copy, they would have never gotten the game otherwise.
I feel Sega's moves as of last gen have been extremely smart business wise and its really starting to show a lot this gen. Buying Relic, buying Creative Assembly, buying Atlus and the numerous Yakuza games, jrpgs etc. Not only that, but not rushing to bring EVERYTHING to the west is what really helped them in the long run, they choose to save money on certain titles and not bring over and other titles they brought over. Though as a gamer...I want all games they make lol, but as a business man...I understand that is likely why Sega even had the money to even buy Atlus.
Finally i've played a game from the series with Yakuza 4, and it was a wonderful surprise, great game with a lot of things to do, great side-quests as well.
Just waiting now for Yakuza 5 and 0
I'm really happy Sony gave Yakuza 4 in PS+, that gave me the chance to become fan.... Yakuza 5 is now my most anticipated game
Sony Computer Entertainment Japan Asia has a solid lineup of PlayStation Plus games for Japan this December. In addition to early access to the Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn trial and a Danganronpa 1 & 2 Reload demo, there are games like Yakuza 1 & 2 HD Edition for PlayStation 3 on the list.
WOW! That is a great lineup! Very unusual for Japan! I would love to get Killzone instead of Injustice because I'm not into fighting games. This is the very first time I actually want the PS+ Japan games :D
eh..I thought Yakuza 1&2 HD was already offered months ago. I got mine early this year through PS+. so I guess it was only for Asia besides Japan.
You never know, maybe we'll get a look at these over the next month or so.
But damn, this is great for Japan. I have a feeling we're going to see a marked increase in install base in Japan, what with this and the games coming in early 2015. I know the market is tough now, but how could any gamer resist?!
With KillZone now being a PS+ freebee I guess we will see it for other territories somewhere in the next year. Just wait and don't get persuaded by any sale :D
Now that Valkyria Chronicles has been such a huge success, Rice Digital looks at which other Japanese Sega games need the Steam treatment.
Yeah, just port over Vanquish and Bayonetta. Jet Set Radio Future would be nice as well.
Yakuza, Vanquish, Resonance of Fate would all be just lovely, really. I'd also like to see some Virtua Fighter. Every other fighting game is making the jump, I don't see why VF couldn't.
Yazuka Series, Vanquish, and JSRF would be awesome. They wouldn't even have to localize the non-translated Yakuza games too much, just translate all the text and give us English subs with the original voices and we're golden.
Thats because outside of Nintendo 1st party games they are just ports that aren't optimize for the system, maybe with the exception of ZombiU.
Core gamers aren't stupid, they understand a substandard port when they play it. Lego City is amazing, but there is no reason for those horrific load times other than a poorly optimized game.
The Yakuza game is clearly just a port of the ps3 HD version, maybe they will do something more to optimize it but only time will tell.
seriously, what's new?
I call BS.
There's no way that Nintendo would release a console that can't even handle PS2 ports as well as the PS3.
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The Wii U version offers no pause touch weapons switching and that for me adds more than it having a little more spit and polish on a 3DS upscaled port. Also the map on the gamepad. So I will be picking up the Wii U version over the PS3 version.
Huh, expected the wii u version to be better seeing as its abit more powerful than the PS3. Although, like the author noted, Sega has time to polish so jaggies are to be expected in early builds. Guess we'll have to wait and see.