One of the producers of Yakuza 4 this week for the first time shared details of the game with audiences outside of Japan dealing with its setting and gameplay.
Joystiq had a chat with Masayoshi Kikuchi which they published as a Q&A today on how Yakuza 4 will be better than the last game, which barely made it out of Japan in the first place. People who already imported and played the Japanese version – Ryu Ga Gotoku 4, probably already know these details, but this is the first time someone who worked on the original release is talking directly about the western release. The fourth main installment in an annual series, Yakuza 4 still manages to find ways to stay fresh.
The first and arguably most pertinent subject Kikuchi brought up dealt with side content that Sega cut from the American and European versions of Yakuza 3.  Sega confirmed upon Yakuza 4’s western announcement that the hostess bars, which Sega felt might be too alien to western audiences in Yakuza 3, will be fully intact in this next game. “We heard the voices of our fans loud and clear — and we will be doing as much as possible to bring the whole experience of Yakuza to the West in terms of the content, in terms of its Japaneseness,†said Kikuchi.
However, one thing that Sega will still leave out is the arcade trivia minigames because answering them requires knowledge of Japanese history. “It’s not the type of game where you can understand the gameplay rules and then be able to figure things out,†Kikuchi said. “It’s more rooted in Japanese history and very specific Japanese culture, so people would have a difficult time understanding and appreciating it.†Another small thing is QR Codes – images that cell phones can scan. “That doesn’t work in the United States in the way that it’s supposed to work in Japan.â€
The next subject Kikuchi touched on was Yakuza’s gameworld itself. All of the franchise’s main games at least partly take place in Kamurocho – closely based on the real Tokyo district Kabuki-Cho. Yakuza 2 and 3 take place in a largely unchanged Kamurocho, plus another location. Yakuza 4 only takes place in Kamurocho again like the first game.
What Sega has done however, according to Kikuchi, is add more depth to that city with things such as accessible roofs and underground places like sewers and Tokyo’s underground parking lots. “Kamurocho, in previous installments of Yakuza, has been relatively flat, in that you have streets and alleyways, so you can go around the city,†Kikuchi said. “But there’s no change in terms of the vertical dimensions of the area in which you’re experiencing the adventure.â€
Lastly concerning Yakuza 4, Kikuchi talked about how the game’s four playable characters will add variety. One obvious change is that instead of one storyline, Yakuza 4 will tell four full, threaded storylines. Each character however will also fight differently.
Tanimura – a cop, may end up being the most unique of the characters. “Tanimura, in contrast, is more of a defensive character. He’s a detective, so he doesn’t just beat people to a pulp.â€Â He will actually have a takedown move in combat where he can arrest an enemy.
Series mainstay Kazuma Kiriyu will be an all-around fighter. Akiyama will be a faster character, focusing on kicks. Saejima – a heavy character, will be able to lift objects the others can’t like motorcycles and use them as weapons.
Yakuza 4is set for a Spring 2011 release which will be about a year after the Japanese version’s release.
