Posts tagged Famitsu
Japanese reviewers are positively gushing about Yakuza 5
Jan 13th
The localization of Anarchy Reigns is a marked victory for western Sega fans, but as one battle fades into memory, another still rages strong. I’m talking of course about Yakuza 5, the latest and most ambitious iteration of one of Sega’s best ongoing IPs.
While it looks less and less likely that the massive and undoubtedly expensive gangster epic will be making its way stateside, hope survives with the news that the game has not only sold well out east, but is garnering substantial critical acclaim as well. Iconic Japanese gaming mag Famitsu gave Yakuza 5 the much coveted perfect score of 40 out of 40, while the folks at Impress Watch have also been singing its praises from the mountains.
Hit the jump to see some of what Impress Watch had to say.
[Source: Edge]
Sega’s new reveal is 7th Dragon 2020-II for the PSP
Nov 21st
As was speculated earlier in the week, the new game that Sega has been mysteriously teasing is indeed the next entry into the Japan-only 7th Dragon series. This is not however the recently trademarked 7th Dragon 2020 3rd Encount. This sequel to last year’s 7th Dragon 2020 will be set in 2021, and will feature a new Idol job class, as well as 40 voices for character creation.
The new PSP game, which is once again likely to remain out east, is slated to be released in spring, 2013. Let’s recap: a game called 2020-II, set in 2021, and being released in 2013. My simple, number-hating brain is spinning already.
[Source: Siliconera]
Sega to reveal a new game later this week
Nov 19th
A new Sega Japanese teaser site with URL ‘http://tokyo.sega.jp‘ and titled ‘A.D.2021 TOKYO’ has appeared depicting a city over run with giant flowers and winged creatures. The only hint being the message shown in the image above.
The message strongly suggests a reveal of some sort to be published in Japanese magazine Famitsu this Thursday, Nov 22nd. Judging from the imagery, one may speculate a link to Sega’s trademarking of the game title ‘7th Dragon 2020: 3rd Encounter‘ and logo, which would be a new game in the Japanese exclusive, Sega published series, 7th Dragon. Any further speculation is welcome in the comments section below!
[Source: CVG]
Famitsu reveals Shining Ark for PSP
Oct 18th
We haven’t seen the franchise for a while in the Western parts of the world, but that doesn’t stop the Shining Force series being hugely popular in it’s homeland. This is apparent by the fact that the newly revealed Shining Ark for PSP is set to be the 21st game in the series.
Shining Ark‘s announcement was made this week in Japanese based gaming publication Famitsu. As well as the Japanese (and probably only) release window of Winter, Famitsu also revealed that the games development is to be handled by the same people who made this years Shining Blade. Unfortunately for us there’s still no sign of this series returning to the West, but at the very least we always have imports which is nothing to scoff at. And who knows, maybe some day Sega will try giving the series a revival over here! Well a man can dream can’t he?
[Source: Polygon]
Yakuza 1 and 2 HD confirmed by Famitsu
Jul 18th
Before you say it–hell, before you even think it–no, this is not the official “major announcement” from Yakuza’s official website. The Japanese gaming mag Famitsu is reported to reveal the HD re-release of the first two Yakuzas in their newest issue, along with a Japanese release date of November 1st and a price of ¥5,290 (which would be approximately $67 in the US).
This new edition will boast reduced load times, and a more convenient item management system that allows you to manage your inventory at the phone booth/save room. Pre-orders will also come with special packaging that updates classic games’ original package in the PS3 style.
While this news still isn’t 100% official, it is very likely to be the major announcement we should be hearing about in the near future. Unfortunately, no word yet on whether we’ll be seeing this in the US, but even if that does happen, I’m really concerned about that price tag. If we do ever see these on US shores, asking for that kind of green for two PS2 games would be nothing short of insanity.
[Source: Andriasang]
Anarchy Reigns beats the snot out of all competitors in Famitsu Magazine
Jun 27th
You dare doubt the deadly-double-chainsaw?
Because I am a masochist and Anarchy Reigns is only causing pain to fans like myself with its delays, and confusion, I have to post this story. Famitsu magazine posted its scores for some recently released games. Among those games was Anarchy Reigns, which received straight 9′s from all four of Famitsu’s reviewers. Comparing Anarchy’s score to the rest of the board, you can see that it scored the absolute best out of the crowd. This begs the question: WHY CAN’T I PLAY IT YET?!
What is also interesting to note is that the game ranked higher than Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Future Soldier. I mention this only because it amazes me how different of a world it is in Japan compared to the US, where I’m located. Only in Japan can a shooter rank lower than an action-brawler game, whereas in the US I doubt anyone who has played Ghost Recon even knows that Anarchy Reigns exists.
Who else is anxious to if Anarchy Reigns is as awesome as Famitsu says? Tell us in the comments!
[Source: Andriasang]
Yakuza 5′s full Japanese title revealed
May 22nd
Yakuza 4+1
With Dead Souls and Binary Domain out of the way, Team Yakuza is once again fueling up the ol’ Yakuza hype train for the next installment in everybody’s favorite Japanese crime life epic.
Hot on the heels of the tantalizing website teaser, Team Yakuza has revealed a handful of intriguing new details to Famitsu. First off, Yakuza 5 will be told from the perspective of five different characters in five different cities, following in the footsteps of the previous chapter’s four-character narrative. As previously announced, these cities will include Sapporo, Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, and Fukuoka.
The game’s full Japanese title has also been revealed as “Ryo go Gotoku 5: Yume Kanaeshi Mono,” which roughly translates to “Yakuza 5: Person Who Fulfills Dreams.” Sounds inspiring.
I suppose the five character campaign was to be expected after Yakuza 4′s interwoven plot, but I am absolutely perplexed by that vague title. Sounds like the header of a corny college application essay. Ugh. Obviously, this a very rough translation, and the Western title would likely be markedly different… I hope.
[Source: Andriasang]
Next month’s Famitsu to have Sakura Wars announcement
Aug 20th
At a recent Sakura Wars event in Japan, series creator Ohji Hiroi announced that the next issue of Famitsu would reveal “something interesting” about the series. It might be too optimistic to think this may be the announcement of a Sakura Wars 6, especially after the big Bayonetta announcement.
Unfortunately, whether its a new Sakura Wars game or not there’s a very slim chance we’d ever see it in the West. Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love didn’t seem to take the Western world by storm and attempts to bring the first and second game to the PSP were denied.
[Source: Siliconera]
Vanquish slated for October 21 in Japan
Jul 7th
Famitsu has revealed in their latest issue that both the PS3 and the XBox 360 versions of Platinum Games’ Vanquish will be released in Japan on October 21st.
Unfortunately, this info doesn’t come packaged with any specifics for the western release (“winter” is all we get), but VG247 did manage to glean from a Sega rep that the company should have something give us soon.
I can’t wait. The game looks insane, and as a diehard fan of Shinji Mikami, any bit of news that brings me closer to this release is a very good thing.
[Source: VG247]
Goro Majima to be playable in next PS3 Yakuza
Jun 30th
Yakuza fans, rejoice! In a recent interview with Famitsu, Sega mastermind and Yakuza producer Toshihiro Nagoshi mentioned that the PSP’s Black Panther isn’t the only game coming soon in the series. As one would hope, the next installment in the primary storyline is being developed, and like Yakuza 3 and 4, will be on the PS3.
He also delivered the interesting prospect that the series may be heading in a bit of a new direction this time around, with a development summed up by the word “deconstruction”. While the basic thematic foundations of the series will remain in place, he says, they will be “taking a scalpel to the fundamentals of the game systems.”
What could be even more interesting is that Goro Majima, a popular character and unique personality in the series, will be a playable character in this new installment. Nagoshi admitted his affinity for the character’s potential, and the opportunity to delve deeper into his back-story.
Now, I’m embarrassed to admit that I’ve never been privy to Yakuza’s charms. Who here’s psyched to hear about the change in direction for the series? How stupid am I for never picking it up?
[Source: Destructoid, andriasang]
