You may remember we wrote about Yakuza Kiwami last year when the game was confirmed for a western release. Thanks to a press release from SEGA, we now know that the remake of the original Yakuza game will be gracing our shores on August 29th. The announcement comes along with the launch of the new Yakuza Experience website where you can check out an interactive timeline of the series, character info, and right now, a ten-page comic strip which marks the first in a series which will take readers all the way from the events of Yakuza 0 up to the upcoming Yakuza 6. The release date also comes with a new trailer that'll refresh you on the game's story, as well as showing off the remake's complete graphical overhaul.
The original Yakuza released back in 2005 on the PlayStation 2 and to ensure the title will stand up in the modern gaming landscape, the work that SEGA has put into Yakuza Kiwami goes far beyond HD upscaling. The developer says the game has been rebuilt from the ground up and as well as the new visuals the game features 30 minutes of new cutscenes, expanding the original story, and all the voice acting work has been rerecorded by the original cast. This comes along with the addition of new gameplay elements like the 'Majima Everywhere' system and, taking a cue from recent series prequel Yakuza 0, switchable combat stances.
Yakuza Kiwami will be released in both physical and digital editions for PlayStation 4, the rrp is $29.99/£29.99/€34.99 and pre-orders and limited day one copies will come packaged in a custom steelbook cover,
Yakuza Kiwami's story opens with series protagonist Kazuma Kiryu being imprisoned when he's framed for the murder of the Dojima family patriarch. When he returns ten years later, he's been kicked out of his family, his childhood sweetheart is missing, and his long time friend Nishiki is a changed man. After he meets the orphan girl Haruka he becomes embroiled in a struggle to save her, regain his honor, and deal with a rampaging Yakuza family with ¥10 Billion missing from their treasury. The game pioneered the Yakuza series' trademark gameplay, combining a melee brawler with exploration, mini-games, and slice of life interactions in the fictional Tokyo red-light district of Kamurocho. You can find more on the game over at SEGA's official website.
Will you be using Yakuza Kiwami as a jumping in point for the series, back where it all began? Are you a long time series fan and does this remake have your attention? Let us know down in the comments.