Concept:
The third game in the Yakuza series featuring Japanese mobsters with drama issues.
Keep:
The subtitles. Like Yakuza 2, there will be no English voice acting, but the game will have Japanese dialogue with English subtitles. Besides the degree of authenticity, subtitles only lowers the cost of production and is probably the only reason we're getting Yakuza 3. Sony has been resistant in the past to allow publishers to release games with subtitles so SEGA must have called in some favors to get Yakuza 3 a domestic release with subtitles.
The original setting. The first two Yakuza games showcased the urban nightlife of Japan, but Yakuza 3 will take a divergent path and also show off a different locale in the Ryukyu Islands in Okinawa. Don't worry, you'll also get the chance to punch out thugs in dark alleyways.
Correct:
The marketing. Yakuza is a series that has gotten lost in the shuffle. Initially touted as SEGA's answer to Grand Theft Auto and featuring a star-studded cast, Yakuza failed to make a mark with its initial two installments. SEGA needs to step up their game, not portray the game as anything it's not and show off why the series deserves some domestic love.
Cut:
The fluff. Yakuza has always had a split focus with mini-games and optional side missions overpowering the main story. If that gets pulled back a bit, Yakuza 3 could shine a bit more.
Conclusion:
Yakuza 3 will be just over a year old when it makes its March 2010 U.S. debut. The game isn't the flashiest of games; its textures aren't state of the art, it's not sporting some new fangled tech engine, but it is a fine looking game that deserves some notice.
SEGA Assistant Community Manager Aaron Webber demoed the title at the PlayStation "Present and Future" event last week in Nolita, NYC. Webber said he had been waiting to show the game off after internal decisions were made several months ago for the title to be released in America. When asked about releasing DLC with the game or any changes that might occur with the U.S. version, Webber said he couldn't comment and that information would be coming later in regards to additional information about the game. He was also coy when asked about a release of the 2005 Takashi Miike Yakazu short films.
If SEGA can market this thing the way it needs to be marketed and can put some dollars behind it, the series could finally get the love it deserves.
