This thread led me to look at some Yakuza videos, and the wealth of content devoted to those they cast as the hostesses is quite staggering. You'd think that they spent more time developing that section of the game than any other...
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Yakuza 5 screens
- Thread starter SolidSnakex
- Start date
This thread led me to look at some Yakuza videos, and the wealth of content devoted to those they cast as the hostesses is quite staggering. You'd think that they spent more time developing that section of the game than any other...
I think this is one of those cultural difference we won't quite get. I mean, in the games, you can run around and learn stuff to talk about with the hostesses, you can buy expensive accessories for yourself and for the hostesses, you can spend millions of game dollars on the hostess stuff alone. I pop in to the hostess places like once or twice per game, as a 'look, kazuma is surrounded by ladies while drinking' kind of thing, but I would always buy the cheapest things and never went out of my way to do anything else.
VeryGooster
Banned
importing it confirmed
I hope the installation screen is as cool as it was in Yakuza 4. :lol
I hope the installation screen is as cool as it was in Yakuza 4. :lol
Acquiescence
Member
Yeah really, the hostess mini-games are embarrassing and putrid anyway. I was thrilled to bits when they were cut from Yakuza 3, because it meant I didn't have to play through them in order to get the platinum. The whole concept of hostess bars is creepy as hell anyway; there is nothing normal about paying money to have an attractive young lady talk to you and pretend she's interested in what you're saying. Sega should just drop those segments completely and focus on other areas of the game.
(caps button doesn't work)
i really wish that sega would approach sony for some help with marketing the game. yakuza series has remained faithful to sony systems and i'm sure makes them a lot of money in japan. it would be nice if sony would be willing to give the game some exposure just to help bring up western sales.
a small segment at e3 would be ideal, outlining all the great things in the yakuza series (similar to what nintendo did with dq9 at e3 2011), but i'm sure that would never happen
just some more exposure, or help with localization would be fantastic.
*sighs*
oh and maybe it's worth adding: 'info update', to the thread title?
I agree. The Yakuza series is probably my favorite PS3 exclusive overall. It's a giant feather in the PS3's cap, and Sony really isn't doing anything to play it up. I think this series would be massive in the US with the correct marketing push (ie. ads featuring the more ridiculous heat finishers. dat curb stomp never gets old) It's one of those games that people don't realize how awesome they are until they play it/see it themselves.
The less said about Dead Souls, the better though.
I liked the hostess sections. It was like playing dress up! You buy them outfits, fix their hair, and see how much money they make you. I can see how it would get annoying if you were trying to get the trophy, but they were fun as a break from all the curb stomping.
Yep, it's always been kind of weird they don't flaunt one of the few exclusive 3rd party franchises this gen of any system. Pretty sure there is plenty of western appeal in smashing people's faces in with one of the most satisfying beat-em-up combat systems in a long time. Spoiler part is certainly true as well, though it was still enjoyable for story and characters.
corporate cheerleader
Member
Hostess shit was lame besides the occasional funny quips of Kiryu (that almost seem out of character, making it more hilarious) but they should not be mandatory like in Yak 4. Holy shit that was infuriating. I understand it's a culture thing and Sega would piss fans off if they deleted it, but if they want to make small parts mandatory they should at least streamline it so that it isn't tedious anymore.
I don't mind its inclusion, but the coverage it gets, especially in relation to the rest of the game is just mind boggling to me.
Then again, it's probably the safest image they can market with a game like this.
VeryGooster
Banned
I'm amused by the hostess stuff more than anything, although I didn't really play it that much in the series until I played as Tanimura and took the one hostess I was seeing often to the spa (and lost at table tennis). I cracked up when she asked what her best/worst feature was and you had to zoom in first person to a body part. It helped having some special belt or accessory that made the character more "charming."
I was completely terrible at the "number one hostess" minigame though. I didn't quite get how to correlate customer comments to choosing accessories and outfits for the hostess.
I was completely terrible at the "number one hostess" minigame though. I didn't quite get how to correlate customer comments to choosing accessories and outfits for the hostess.
east of eastside
Banned
It's time for more technical depth in the fighting engine. I know that's not the direction they are going for given they are trying to get the broadest appeal possible.
Sickboy007
Member
You really can't have a game about the yakuza without the hostess bars. It might be creepy to us but it's a central component of the lifestyle (and a major income source) over there. Think about it as the equivalent of the drug wars in the gta portable games if you want.
Plus, it's extremely marketable in Japan with the casting of known idols/porn actresses.
BlazingDarkness
Member
23 hours into Yakuza 3, and my copy of Yakuza 4 has just arrived
\o/
\o/
http://gematsu.com/2012/05/famitsu-no-1225-yakuza-5-producer-interview
Lots of juicy details.
This is seriously my most wanted game now.
Lots of juicy details.
This is seriously my most wanted game now.
Everyone got his own city?
" Just talking about it has us excited." So true!
interesting, I made a joke before about Haruka bribing Kiryu with candy to beat people up for her but it actually sounds like it might be something like that
I should be doing hw
Member
Nowhere did it remotely sound like that was possibility. Unless you count nothing as evidence. What would really be the overall point of her playability if she was merely just glorified a bookend for more Kazuma combat. I hope they could've come up with something better than that.
BlazingDarkness
Member
Completed Yakuza 3 last night, at 25 hours. What a great game!
There's definitely a patched together kinda quality about the whole thing, and a certain degree of jank, so there could be some more refined aspects of it, but it's one of those greater than the sum of it's parts affairs, for sure
I did miss a lot of sidequests, and barely dabbled with the minigames at all (karaoke was fun though!)s so there was a lot I didn't experience, but I was enjoying the story (cutscene presentation is great) I just wanted to continue from there. I've made a second save so I can always go back and enjoy the side stories another time
For now though, it's onto Yakuza 4!
edit: And I've totally just received Yakuza 2 and Dead Souls in the post. Awyeahhh
There's definitely a patched together kinda quality about the whole thing, and a certain degree of jank, so there could be some more refined aspects of it, but it's one of those greater than the sum of it's parts affairs, for sure
I did miss a lot of sidequests, and barely dabbled with the minigames at all (karaoke was fun though!)s so there was a lot I didn't experience, but I was enjoying the story (cutscene presentation is great) I just wanted to continue from there. I've made a second save so I can always go back and enjoy the side stories another time
For now though, it's onto Yakuza 4!
edit: And I've totally just received Yakuza 2 and Dead Souls in the post. Awyeahhh
I should be doing hw
Member
4 retains most of the jank, but that's really my only criticism of it; if you enjoyed 3 you'll enjoy 4. The extra characters reduce the potential from being burned out on the formula too.
Sounds like all the characters will come together to help Haruka realise her dream of becoming a pop idol.
I wonder if this will be shown at E3, Yakuza series needs a big event like E3 to spread awareness. Even better if Sony shows it off in their event, they need to start realising Yakuza is better than most of their first party titles like KZ, Resistance, Socom, Move games.
I wonder if this will be shown at E3, Yakuza series needs a big event like E3 to spread awareness. Even better if Sony shows it off in their event, they need to start realising Yakuza is better than most of their first party titles like KZ, Resistance, Socom, Move games.
Not a chance, TGS is a safer bet I think.
XiaNaphryz
LATIN, MATRIPEDICABUS, DO YOU SPEAK IT
I demand another Mari Yaguchi cameo, but in a proper idol capacity.
Enjoy Yakuza 4. I think Yakuza 3's the weakest in the series, but Yakuza 4's nothing but awesome.
keltickennedy
Member
No way jose! Dat finale.....OMFG. Kaz walking into that building and kicking total ass floor by floor. OOOOOOOOHHHHHH SO GOOD!!!
Yakuza 4 is awesome too. Just saying, 3....weakest in the series....really?
boutrosinit
Street Fighter IV World Champion
THIS.
I have no idea how they'll top Yakuza 4, but I'd like to get this and find out.
Don't you kick ass floor by floor in every Yakuza game? Lol, it always brings you to the finale battle on top of a tall building.
I liked the walking into the building and kicking total ass floor by floor in 4 better.
Picking up mannequins and purses felt so good, and I loved how parts of the building were still being constructed and the snow was making its way in.
I still love Yakuza 3, but I love the stories in the series, and 3's felt so incredibly rushed, and I hate the post-credits scene.
It's not a Yakuza game unless shirtless men fight over money on top a large building.
I still think the first game holds up decently today, but 3 and 4 (4 especially) are probably better jumping on points, unless you have the time and patience to go through four, rather similar games in a short time span. All of the sequels contain videos that recount the events of the previous games, so whichever you choose, you won't be lost.
1>2>3>4
This order.
SolidSnakex
Member
Callibretto
Member
announcing Yakuza 1+2 HD collection hopefully, continued with Yakuza 5 english release...
east of eastside
Banned
Yakuza 3's boss battles are waaaaay better than Yakuza 4, as are any of the fighting challenges and overall difficulty and challenge.
Do you just get into the story w/ less concern for the gameplay?
announcing Yakuza 1+2 HD collection hopefully, continued with Yakuza 5 english release...
Yes. I tried to sell Aaron Webber on the idea of a Yakuza 1/2 HD remake a while back ago. He just said that it "sounded interesting".
Frankly, I find the games almost unplayable today in regards to load times, the frame rate and camera angle suck too compared to today's series standards. So, HD remakes are completely warranted.
GrayFoxPL
Member
Yeah in terms of Kiryu gameplay Y3>>>>>Y4.
Y4 feels very short because it's divided by 4 short episodes, when you just get along with one character his episode ends.
Y4 is awesome because of Tanimura but overall the game's are on equal level, though 3 has better story.
east of eastside
Banned
slaughterking
Member
He probably wants to investigate why nobody bought Binary Domain.
It's okay to start with 3, but 1&2 are still great games. Although I remember them having quite annoying loading times. 2 is definitely my and many other people's favourite.
I played them all in order and it is really fun to see all the crazy situations that the characters get into. It is really rewarding to go through all of the series, but I wouldn't want to play them all back to back. They are all kind of similiar.
east of eastside
Banned
I consider the story in Yakuza 3 better as well. To me it's more "gamey". Yakuza 4 felt like the point the series crossed over to where it was taking its story too seriously. It felt like it was going more for a Japanese, mainstream tv crime drama, however with a few inappropriately cheap plot elements.
I'll take Rikiya as a character any day over over Akiyama. Don't know why so many people have a mancrush on him, unless..
Kanda and Mine (Tamashiro too) are also way better boss characters than what Yakuza 4 has
VeryGooster
Banned
Yakuza 1 and 2 should at least go up in the PS2 Classics section of the PSN Store if anything.
SpikedGunner
Member
announcing Yakuza 1+2 HD collection hopefully, continued with Yakuza 5 english release...
He'll just be there to announce that Kiryu will be in All-Stars Racing Transformed.
east of eastside
Banned
My hope is that Nagoshi goes to E3 and witnesses then outright love for Jet Set Radio convincing the egomaniac to free some of the original Smilebit members to bring back the franchise.
Callibretto
Member
I like Yakuza 4 story, but my major problem against it is the pacing, rather than forcing 4 big chapter on different character in a row, they should just have lots of smaller chapter where you jump around character as you play through the story
immortal-joe
Member
I've got the "will they or won't they localize Yakuza syndrome" disease. I'm smoking a lot, cursing at random, and picking up random people on the street and bashing them against the wall.
GrayFoxPL
Member
That's a good point, Y4 indeed felt like a TV drama compared to Y1,2,3.
I "get" the TV drama vibe from Yakuza 4, but I like it because of that. I think they all have that soap opera feel to them though, to some extent. Personally, that vibe or feel or whatever you want to call it really does it for me, hah!
Angelus Errare
Banned
I liked the hostess mini games . The constant load times annoyed the fuck outta me though. Especially for Saejima's mini game...which I spent WAAAAAYY too much time on.
. The constant load times annoyed the fuck outta me though. Especially for Saejima's mini game...which I spent WAAAAAYY too much time on.announcing Yakuza 1+2 HD collection hopefully, continued with Yakuza 5 english release...
If they do this I'd be happy I have 3 and 4 in my backlog and have been kind of waiting for the first two games to show up on the PSN or a HD collection.