Following the tradition of nearly every game in the Japanese organized crime franchise, Yakuza 4 has been announced for a U.S. release after a long wait from the publisher and lots of hand-wringing from worried fans. [...]
Given all the things that come out of Japan, it’s remarkable and not a little bit bemusing how often it’s the quirky side of life that dominates any discourse on the country. Off the wall fetishes, cosplay kiddies, vacuous variety TV shows, manga, yakuza tales, ninja, games and gadgets are all top of mind as soon as any flutter of the Hinomaru is raised in conversation. [...]
In the eight months since its initial Japanese release, gamers have been clamoring for a US release for the open-world Japan-set crime sim Yakuza 3. Sega has finally catered to the fans’ wishes by confirming a March 2010 US release for PS3-exclusive Yakuza 3. Reports earlier in the year that emanated from an Examiner report had suggested that low sales of the previous Yakuza games would put the third game’s localization on ice. [...]
