GOONL!NE

So, the Western Yakuza 3 release is finally real. No more denials. It’s happening.

The game will release on the PlayStation 3 in March 2010 in Europe, although a specific date is to be confirmed. To celebrate the news, Sega’s released, quite frankly, the biggest load of media we’ve seen.

PR, fact sheet, screens, trailer. Thats what you shall get.

Go get. After the break.

Press Release:

SEGA BRINGS YAKUZA 3 TO THE WEST IN RECOGNITION OF FERVANT FANS
Toshihiro-Nagoshi’s Best-Selling Japanese Title Set to Impress Western Gaming Aficionados

LONDON & SAN FRANCISCO (9th December, 2009) – SEGA Europe Ltd. and SEGA® of America, Inc. today announced that the Japanese smash hit Ryu ga Gotoku™ 3 will be officially localised for the west under the title Yakuza™ 3. Selling over half-a-million copies in Japan, the game has established an ardent fan base in its native land whilst achieving cult status with videogame connoisseurs in the west. SEGA’s decision to bring the game to its western territories was heavily influenced by the recognition of Yakuza’s enthusiastic fan base throughout Europe, Australia and the U.S. Yakuza 3 will be available exclusively on the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system in March 2010.

The Yakuza series is the brainchild of Toshihiro Nagoshi, one of SEGA’s most prolific and successful internal developers. Along with the Yakuza saga, Nagoshi is the father of the beloved Super Monkey Ball series and has worked on other popular SEGA games such as Daytona USA, F-Zero GX and Spikeout. In his current role as Head of Research and Development, Nagoshi oversees SEGA’s internal development teams and imbues his creative flair across their portfolio of titles.

“Yakuza 3 was one of the most requested titles for localisation by our European SEGA community, so we are delighted to be able to fulfil their wishes with this announcement.” said Gary Knight, European Marketing Director, SEGA Europe Ltd. “As well as delving even further into the rich narrative of the Yakuza universe, the development team have pushed the PlayStation 3 hardware to the limits to produce a beautiful and startlingly realistic depiction of the Japanese underworld.”
Yakuza 3 will feature full English subtitling, whilst retaining the outstanding voice acting from the original Japanese version of the game to create an authentic and immersive experience. The transition to the PlayStation 3 has allowed SEGA of Japan’s CS1 team to add an unprecedented level of environmental detail and realism to the game – a hallmark of the series that fans have come to expect. In this action-adventure sequel, players will take on the role of Kiryu Kazuma to explore rich and realistic environments, take part in a multitude of unique mini-games and experience the deepest combat experience yet. In addition to the familiar Tokyo haunts from the first two games, fans will also discover a completely new setting in the tropical island of Okinawa where, accompanied by his adoptive daughter Haruka, Kazuma is running an orphanage. However, he is allowed no respite in this idyllic retreat and before long he is once again forced to deal with his sordid past.

Fact Sheet:

Developer: SEGA of Japan

Platforms: PlayStation 3 exclusive

PEGI/BBFC/USK: 18

COB: MA 15+

Genre: Action

Ship date: March 2010

Kazuma and Haruka, having severed their ties to the Yakuza world, have left Kamurocho to seek a new life in Okinawa where they manage an orphanage for children. However, their peaceful life is soon interrupted when a series of events unfold pulling Kazuma back into the shadowy past he thought he had left behind, in order to protect those he loves.

Making its first appearance exclusively on the PlayStation 3 platform, the rich story and vibrant world of Yakuza 3 lets players engage in intense brutal clashes within the streets of Okinawa, and the vibrant and often dangerous city of Tokyo where only the strongest will survive.

Partial Feature List:

• Storied franchise enjoys a hardcore following with true video-game enthusiasts.
• Tokyo and Okinawa are rendered with stunning accuracy.
• Play a variety of mini-games including billiards, karaoke or even take in a game of golf.
• Engage in a variety of real-life activities from buying items in licensed shops & businesses to eating in restaurants you can find on actual streets of Tokyo.
• Seamlessly transition into intense fights more brutal than ever before.
• Gain fighting experience by training with teachers, getting “heavenly inspiration” or by remembering new moves from previous battles

Screens:

Trailer: