Yakuza 5 Hitting North America in 2015

[Sarah LeBoeuf]

Yakuza 5 Hitting North America in 2015


The latest game in the core Yakuza series will make its Western debut three years after its Japanese launch.

Yakuza is one of those series that's traditionally done well in Japan but struggled to find an audience in Western markets. The most recent game in the core series launched in 2012 overseas, but last year Sega stated it had "no plans" [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/128254-Yakuza-5-Devs-Have-No-Plans-For-Western-Release] for a Western release of Yakuza 5. Apparently, plans change: Yakuza 5 is coming to North American PS3 systems in 2015.

The news was announced at the PlayStation Experience keynote earlier today. The last Yakuza game to get a North American release was Yakuza 4, which came out for PS3 in 2011. The announcement trailer gives a brief look at Japan's criminal underworld, around which the series revolves.

Though I've never played a Yakuza game, it's always good to see titles fans have been clamoring for become more readily available. And if Yakuza 5 is coming to North America, who knows? Maybe Valkyria Chronicles III [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/113605-Sega-Says-No-Valkyria-Chronicles-III-For-Western-Gamers] could be next.



Permalink

 

[Roofstone]

YES! WOOOH! Fucking a!

...Achem, I mean.. How lovely! I've always enjoyed this series and was sorely disappointed when it was not to come out.

 

[Fsyco]

Woohoo! I'm amazed they're even bothering to release it here as a PS3 exclusive, what with the PS4 being the new console. I remember when Capcom said they wouldn't localize Ace Attorney Investigations 2 since the 3DS was already out, and I was pretty sure that would happen with Yakuza 5. Glad it didn't, though.

 

[wooty]

.......and Europe. Please come to Europe too. Bring your friends Valkyria Chronicles 3 and Dengeki Bunko: Fighting Climax as well, we can have a big sleepover.

 

[Roxas1359]

.......and Europe. Please come to Europe too. Bring your friends Valkyria Chronicles 3 and Dengeki Bunko: Fighting Climax as well, we can have a big sleepover.

If what MC1980 is saying is true, you'll have to ask Sony's Europe branch to do it since apparently they are the ones localizing Yakuza 5 in the first place. Sometimes companies just hate money it seems...

 

[Rozalia1]

So it's just NA or not? The article seems to imply the former, but I can't find anything clarifying it.

Also might wanna include that it's a digital only release with the translation being done by Sony Computer Entertaintment America, so Sega certianly isn't the one deserving of praise here.

Sony is doing it and not Sega? Got to give a very large thanks to Sony than as I've been waiting for an English (text) version for a long time.

.......and Europe. Please come to Europe too. Bring your friends Valkyria Chronicles 3 and Dengeki Bunko: Fighting Climax as well, we can have a big sleepover.

I believe creating an American account and buying it there should allow you to play it on your European account so it doesn't come to Europe than you can still get it by jumping a couple of hoops.

 

[wooty]

.......and Europe. Please come to Europe too. Bring your friends Valkyria Chronicles 3 and Dengeki Bunko: Fighting Climax as well, we can have a big sleepover.

I believe creating an American account and buying it there should allow you to play it on your European account so it doesn't come to Europe than you can still get it by jumping a couple of hoops.

I never thought of that. Thanks for advice, I'll look into that tomorrow

 

[Roxas1359]

I believe creating an American account and buying it there should allow you to play it on your European account so it doesn't come to Europe than you can still get it by jumping a couple of hoops.

Yeah, that will work. The only thing is I believe the download times are a lot longer since you're not connecting to domestic servers. But I've done that with my Vita to get Japanese games on my Vita since they won't be localized here.

 

[BX3]

Pat from Two Best Friends just happied in his pants.

Good news from Sega. Kinda fuzzy on why it took so long though.

 

[fhmy]

Holy fuck, I was one of those people who thought this would never get localised. TAKE BACK THE DREAM.
Unfortunately, I'm not as hype as I should be (beat the game already with the external Chinese guidebook). Still hype though and definite day 1 purchase.

 

[TristanBelmont]

I know one ginger who'll be happy to hear this news.

 

[Oly J]

FUCK YEAH!! ALL OF MY EXCITEMENT!! I HAVE WAITED SO LONG FOR THIS NEWS!!!