{"id":126573,"date":"2020-11-22T06:03:45","date_gmt":"2020-11-22T06:03:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gamerant.com\/yakuza-next-new-game\/"},"modified":"2020-11-22T06:03:45","modified_gmt":"2020-11-22T06:03:45","slug":"whats-next-for-the-yakuza-game-series-after-like-a-dragon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/itteacheritfreelance.hk\/wordpress\/index.php\/2020\/11\/22\/whats-next-for-the-yakuza-game-series-after-like-a-dragon\/","title":{"rendered":"What’s Next For the Yakuza Game Series After Like a Dragon"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

<\/figure>\n

The Yakuza<\/strong><\/em> series has been running for fifteen years now, originating way back on the PlayStation 2 in 2005. With the anniversary of the first game’s release rapidly approaching, the team has announced a 15th anniversary Yakuza<\/em> stream<\/a> that will celebrate the\u00a0series’ path over the years, as well as announcing what’s coming next.<\/p>\n

While nothing has been set in stone just yet, for Yakuza<\/em><\/a> fans who are desperate to know what might be revealed during the stream, here’s a look at the most likely possibilities.<\/p>\n

RELATED:\u00a0Yakuza: Like a Dragon Review<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

For newcomers to the series, there may be some confusion as to what the Yakuza Kiwami<\/em> games are. Simply put, Yakuza Kiwami 1<\/em> and 2<\/em> are remakes of the first two games of the series, which were originally launched on the PS2. While the Kiwami<\/em> versions take some creative liberties and expand upon the original plots somewhat, they’re ultimately faithful renditions of the titles\u00a0with new sparkling graphics appropriate for the PS4 era of video games<\/a>.<\/p>\n

<\/figure>\n

With that in mind, Yakuza Kiwami 3<\/em><\/a> may very well be next on the list for the Yakuza<\/em> team to announce. The original Yakuza<\/em> 3 released for the PS3, which means that it was two game console generations ago, just like the PS2 to PS4 remakes of Kiwami 1<\/em> and 2<\/em>. While the PS3 offered up pretty impressive graphics for its time, there’s no denying that even the Yakuza 3<\/em> remaster has aged considerably, and could use a total overhaul in order to appeal to newcomers to the series.<\/p>\n

Since the latest game, Yakuza: Like a Dragon<\/em>, acts as a possible entry point to the franchise for newcomers, many players who\u00a0discover a newfound interest\u00a0in the series may choose to look back to its origins after finishing up the RPG. While Yakuza 0<\/em>, Kiwami<\/em>, and Kiwami 2<\/em> will provide players with a fairly impressive visual experience and modernized gameplay, turning on Yakuza 3<\/em> could come as a bit of a shock, especially for those who may have already become accustomed to next-gen visuals and mechanics.<\/p>\n

<\/figure>\n

Previously, rumors of a Yakuza Kiwami 3<\/em> swirled around the Tokyo Game Show of 2020<\/a>, with hints from a host that the game would be announced there. However, ultimately nothing came to pass regarding the game or any other Yakuza<\/em> series reveals, for that matter. If it\u00a0is in development, it’s possible that the COVID-19 pandemic may have resulted in a delay for the title, or perhaps the development team decided it didn’t want to announce something new\u00a0while\u00a0Yakuza: Like a Dragon<\/em> was still due for release in English-speaking territories.<\/p>\n

While some consider Yakuza: Like a Dragon<\/em> to be a spin-off due to its change to a new protagonist, RPG mechanics, and for having a subtitle rather than being a numbered entry, its original title in Japan is Yakuza 7<\/em>, meaning it’s\u00a0technically a main\u00a0Yakuza<\/em> series entry<\/a>. With that in mind, the series is overdue for a new spin-off game.<\/p>\n

Yakuza<\/em> as a whole is no stranger to spin-off titles. The series has seen the release of a zombie game in the form of Yakuza: Dead Souls<\/em> for the PS3, as well as two Samurai spin-offs and a mobile game, Yakuza Online<\/em>,\u00a0though neither of which have yet to make their way to the west. However, it’s unlikely that any announcements about bringing the latter games to the west will be made, as the stream will be in Japanese and primarily intended for Japanese audiences.<\/p>\n

<\/figure>\n

While the wait for a new main game entry has stretched anywhere from a year to four between releases, the overall series rarely goes stagnant for long, often peppering the years in-between with side games and spin-offs. With the exception of the free retro-styled mini-game Streets<\/em> of Kamurocho<\/em><\/a>, the latest major spin-off to release was Judgment<\/em> in 2018 (in Japan), a detective investigation game set in Kamurocho.<\/p>\n

The idea of a new side-game releasing three years after the last one, in 2021, makes a lot of sense. However, if this turns out to be the case, it remains to be seen what the subject matter may be, as the Yakuza<\/em> spin-off games<\/a> often surprise fans at how far off the beaten path they go from the\u00a0main games.<\/p>\n

Some fans may have heard that Yakuza: Like an Ashura<\/em>, a prequel game looking at the origins of one of the Omi clan’s leaders, is being teased by the Yakuza<\/em> series’ producer. However, these claims have now proven to be false. The rumor originally started due to what was claimed to be a screenshot of a tweet from series producer Masa Yokoyama, who\u00a0allegedly shared a render of a young man and the title ‘Yakuza: Like an Ashura<\/em>‘ alongside the mysterious text “Very well. Continue to the next chapter.”<\/p>\n