Sega’s Daisuke Sato, Producer of the Yakuza series, has possibly teased a remake of the Japan-only Yakuza Kenzan and Ishin titles on the PlayStation 3 for modern systems. The statement came at an interview during the Taipei Games Show.
Personally, Yakuza: Kenzan is quite suitable to get a ‘Kiwami’ makeover. Kenzan was the first Yakuza game on the PlayStation 3, and only released in Japan. A lot of Western players mentioned that they want to play this game in English, and Asian players also want the game to release in Chinese. And because Kenzan was an early PS3 game, if it were to receive a simple HD remaster it would feel like it’s missing something, so in my opinion a ‘Kiwami’ version would be better. – Daisuke Sato
The Yakuza series has long enjoyed a rabid fanbase throughout its 14 year life. Starting with the first Yakuza game on the mighty PlayStation 2, the blend of far-east crime life and epic melee fights became a winning formula for Sega. For a long time, only PlayStation users were able to enjoy these unique and fresh games on the PS2 and PS3. Things changed with the PS4 however, when Sega announced to bring the series to the PC.
Last year then, the floodgates were opened and not one but three Yakuza titles made their debut on the PC. Yakuza 0, Yakuza Kiwami and Yakuza Kiwami 2 are all now available on the PC and the series immediately became a hit there. Whether it’s due to longtime fans wanting to replay the games in high-fidelity or an overlooked player base being thrilled by the unexpected ports, Sega is now firmly supporting the PC audience.
This renewed interest in the Yakuza franchise is now looking to continue with a possible remake of the PS3-exclusive Yakuza Kenzan and Yakuza Ishin titles. Both entries are spin-offs which take the characters and gameplay of the Yakuza games and teleport them in the feudal Japanese era. Sadly, neither game released in the West and as such fans have been clamoring the publisher to localize both titles ever since.
It looks like Sega higher ups are well aware of the fans demands and are actively investigating possibilities to bring the last-gen games to current systems. Yakuza series Producer Daisuke Sato has talked about the idea of not only porting the games but entirely remaking them in the same vein as the two Yakuza Kiwami remakes. We’re hoping it won’t take too long to play Kenzan and Ishin for the first time.
