GamesRadar - News

The stars behind gaming's voices (Yakuza)

Sep 18, 2007

September 18, 2007 What do Bender from Futurama, Marcus Fenix from Gears of War and Wakka from Final Fantasy X all have in common? Amazingly, they're all voiced by the same guy - John DiMaggio. In fact, once you get looking around, it's amazing how many stars do games voiceovers for a bit of extra cash. Of course, in some circumstances, getting professional actors in is essential - just look at Heavenly Sword's excellent cutscenes for proof of that. We decided to find out who's done what - and ...

Yakuza attacks in new screens (Yakuza)

Jul 25, 2006

Sega has decided to kick out another massive load of Yakuza screens, showing more details of the hard-up criminal that we're most excited to play as this fall. The game, which follows the tale of a Japanese gangster struggling to make his way up the ranks and take revenge on those who put him in jail in his youth, is the grittiest and most mature adventure to ever come out of Japan - blending GTA-style drama and violence with the punch, kick and explore action that Japanese developers are best ...

Yakuza fights dirty (Yakuza)

Jun 28, 2006

When it hits in September, Yakuza promises deep gameplay, a complex story written by an award-winning novelist and a realistic look at the life of a Japanese gangster. All we've really seen of the game so far, however, is a whole lot of fighting. But a new batch of screenshots released today reveal… well, more fighting. On the upside, the new screens offer a look at a slightly different kind of fighting. While most of what we've seen up to this point has involved protagonist Kiryu ...

New Yakuza pics (Yakuza)

May 16, 2006

Tuesday 16 May 2006 Sega's released a bunch of new shots of its forthcoming gangster action game Yakuza, which will be released later this year for PS2. The game centres on the exploits of Kiryu Kazuma who has just been released from a 10 year jail sentence and is attempting to piece his life together. Unfortunately for him he's soon drawn back into Tokyo's underworld and must use his fists and wits to survive. Yakuza's fighting system has been built from the ground up in order to provide a ...

Pre-E3 06: Yakuza (Yakuza)

May 8, 2006

There's certainly no shortage of crime games, especially on the PS2 - so why the hell should you care about yet another "out of jail and suddenly caught up in a whirlwind of gang activity" outing? Because Yakuza will totally immerse you in the seedy life of Kiryu Kazuma, a former gang member who's still workin' the Gucci suits and alligator shoes. As you freely explore the garbage-strewn, neon-lit streets of this virtual Tokyo district, you'll instantly notice how much detail has been poured ...

Yakuza trailer blazes to life (Yakuza)

May 4, 2006

The Yakuza publicity machine is starting to stir as E3 approaches, and we've gotten our hands on the first US trailer of the game. While what we've seen of Yakuza thus far has shown us a world of urban wandering and random beatings, the trailer promises a much more action-heavy experience, all swordfights and gun battles and explosions. Click the Movies tab above and check out footage of Yakuza's anti-hero, Kiryu Kazuma, waging a one-man battle against his rivals in Tokyo's criminal ...

Yakuza images muscle in (Yakuza)

Apr 26, 2006

Wednesday 26 April 2006 Sega has dispatched a delightful selection of suited and booted images from its upcoming gang-based street brawler, Yakuza, which is going to be busting heads on PS2 this autumn. A free-roaming gangster epic from Super Monkey Ball creator Toshihiro Nagoshi, players will stomp around Tokyo's red light districts as Kiryu Kazuma, a former yakuza soldier returning to a life of crime after 10 years in the ...

The new face of crime (Yakuza)

Apr 25, 2006

The US games market has been getting a little top-heavy with urban-crime games lately, but urban-crime games set in another country? Now you've got our attention. In Yakuza, a free-roaming gangster epic from Sega, players will stomp around Tokyo's red-light districts as Kiryu Kazuma, a former yakuza soldier returning to a life of crime after 10 years in the slammer. The actual gameplay seems to revolve around close-up fighting (so far, we haven't seen a single gun or a carjacking). Yakuza has ...

Sega bringing the Yakuza to the UK (Yakuza)

Feb 25, 2006

Sega is bringing Yakuza, its free roaming PS2 scrapper to the UK this summer. Released in Japan last year as Ryuu ga Gotoku, the game lets you loose on the streets of Tokyo in control of Kiryu Kazuma, a sharp suited Yakuza member recently released after spending 10 years inside for murder. Unfortunately Kiryu is only allowed to savour a few moments of freedom before he's embroiled in a mystery involving 10 billion missing Yen and the disappearance of a girl called Haruka. He must use his ...

Yakuza 2 Ships for the Playstation 2 (Yakuza 2)

Sep 9, 2008

SEGA of America, Inc. today announced that Yakuza 2 the thrilling action-adventure game for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system is shipping to retailers across North America. From the creative minds that brought the critically acclaimed Yakuza, famed producer Toshihiro Nagoshi and award-winning novelist Seishu Hase join forces again to draw players deeper into the notorious Japanese underground organization where honor and respect are regarded above all else.

Yakuza 2 Invades North America on September 9 (Yakuza 2)

Aug 15, 2008

Shacknews reports:
Publisher Sega of America has announced that Amusement Vision's free-roaming crime title Yakuza 2 (PS2) will arrive at North American retailers on September 9.

Yakuza 2 Website Launched (Yakuza 2)

Aug 10, 2008

The official website of Yakuza 2 is now live, offering new details about this upcoming sequel developed for PS2 and due to hit the store shelves on September 9th.

Yakuza 2 to feature Japanese audio with English subtitles (Yakuza 2)

Jun 18, 2008

Yakuza 2 will have English subtitles, allaying the fears of fans who complained about some awful English voice acting in the first installment.

Yakuza 2 Takes Another Baby Step Towards American Release (Yakuza 2)

Jun 3, 2008

While the Japanese continue to enjoy Yakuza 3, Americans are stuck with Yakuza 1. Don't even have Yakuza 2. Which came out in December 2006. But, hey, don't be so slum, chum. The ESRB have gone and classified it, which means it'll at least be out sometime. In the future. Which could be in six months, it could be while you toil the rest of your life away in an alien salt mine, who knows. The point is you can cross "if" off your speculation whiteboard, and circle "when" a little more furiously.

Yakuza 2 for European release (Yakuza 2)

Mar 25, 2008

VG247 is reporting that Sega is to release Yakuza 2 for PS2 in Europe.

New releases for upcoming week in Japan (12/2 - 12/8) (Yakuza 2)

Dec 3, 2007

VG Chartz has a list of the upcoming releases in Japan for the Wii, DS, PS3, PS3, PSP, and Xbox 360. Not all games are listed - only major releases are listed. The list includes release dates.

Source: Sinobi (Japanese)

Yakuza 2 heading to US (Yakuza 2)

Sep 24, 2007

SEGA has confirmed that Yakuza 2 will make its Western debut in the US next year. However, there's still no news of a possible European release.

The news came as the third game in the series was unveiled at the Tokyo Game Show. Unlike the previous two, this one will be set in the past - 400 years ago, to be precise, when Japan was all feudal.

Yakuza 2 heading to the PS2 in 2008 (Yakuza 2)

Sep 21, 2007

Sept 21, 2007 We were excited as hell when we first heard about Yakuza 3, and when Yakuza 2 released in Japan last year, we eagerly waited for news of a US version. Fortunately, fans can finally look forward to seeing more of tough guy, Kiryu Kazuma as Sega has just announced that Yakuza 2 will be heading to the PS2 in 2008, and we imagine that a UK release cant be far behind. Yakuza 2 takes place one year after the events of the original, and continues to follow the story of Kiryu Kazuma. As ...

Yakuza sequel revealed (Yakuza 2)

Sep 1, 2006

A sequel to Sega's PS2 game Yakuza, the Tokyo-set adventure fighter, has been announced, along with plans to make the goon-bashing series into a feature film. Yakuza 2 is again set in Japan, taking place in the city of Osaka, and will boast improved visuals over the original and a bundle of new real-world advertising to lend even more atmosphere to the neon-streaked street roaming action. The sequel will also boost the original's cabaret club gameplay - where you can visit clubs and attempt ...

SEGA on Yakuza 3 Western Release: "No comment" (Yakuza 3)

Oct 20, 2009

GOONL!NE: SEGA Europe has given GOONL!NE a "no comment" on whenever a Western release of Yakuza 3 will happen.

It comes as last week, a NeoGAFer said the publisher will finally release the game in the West, despite saying previously there were no plans to do so.