The Evolution of the “Yakuza” Series: A Fresh Perspective on the Gameplay and Impact
The renowned game designer Masayoshi Yokoyama believes that the “Yakuza” series should not be compared to “Grand Theft Auto” (GTA). While GTA allows players to directly attack people, “Yakuza” has a different approach. In “Yakuza,” fights always start with provocation from the opponent, and the main character never hits women. It’s a rule that is never broken. The game offers a unique gameplay experience, distinct from GTA.
The “Yakuza” series, which combines beat ’em up elements with RPG mechanics, has been captivating players since 2005. It tells the stories of tattooed yakuza members who confront small-time thugs, ruthless bosses, and, most importantly, their own past. The fifteen previous games were predominantly set in Kamurocho, a fictional part of Tokyo strongly reminiscent of Kabukicho, the notorious red-light district in the Japanese metropolis.
The latest installment, titled “Dragon: Infinite Wealth,” will venture beyond Japan for the first time, taking players to the sunny setting of Hawaii. Yokoyama explains that the original games were targeted at the Japanese audience, allowing them to virtually experience a meticulously recreated world they are familiar with. They wanted players to say, “Yes, it really looks like this!”
The differences between “Yakuza” and GTA are evident in the gameplay as well. GTA offers a vast open world for players to freely roam, while “Yakuza” takes place in tight, densely-packed environments that allow players to immerse themselves in the storyline. In this case, the narrative takes precedence.
Masayoshi Yokoyama, in his current role as executive producer, also ponders the impact of video games on society. He particularly highlights cases of mass shootings, where it is later discovered that the perpetrator was an avid gamer. He believes that video games have the potential to influence players since they offer engaging stories. As a result, he emphasizes the importance of considering the consequences that games featuring violence or yakuza stories can have on players.
Although “Yakuza” was initially a niche series in Western markets, it has seen a surge in popularity, with 70% of its sales now occurring outside of Japan, amounting to 21 million copies sold. In Japan, the series has never been officially named “Yakuza,” and even the international title for the latest installment, “Dragon: Infinite Wealth,” breaks away from the word.
Yokoyama points out that the game narratives are progressively moving away from purely yakuza themes and focusing more on societal issues. Consequently, the name “Yakuza” has become unnecessary in English titles, as it hindered sales in Japan. Japanese society is increasingly becoming averse to yakuza, and the word itself has become taboo.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about the “Yakuza” game series:
1. How does “Yakuza” differ from “Grand Theft Auto”?
The “Yakuza” series differs from “Grand Theft Auto” in several ways. In “Yakuza,” players cannot directly attack people, and fights always start with provocation from the opponent. The main character never hits women, which is a steadfast rule in the game. Therefore, the gameplay approach is entirely different from GTA.
2. Since when has the “Yakuza” series been around?
The beat ’em up RPG series “Yakuza” has been around since 2005.
3. What is the storyline of the “Yakuza” games?
The “Yakuza” game series tells the stories of tattooed yakuza members who confront small-time thugs, ruthless bosses, and, most importantly, their own past. The games are predominantly set in a fictional part of Tokyo resembling the Kabukicho red-light district in the Japanese metropolis.
4. Where will the latest installment take place?
The latest installment, titled “Dragon: Infinite Wealth,” will take the action beyond Japan for the first time, specifically to Hawaii.
5. What are the differences in gameplay between “Yakuza” and “Grand Theft Auto”?
“GTA” offers a massive open world for players to freely explore, whereas “Yakuza” is set in compact, dense environments that focus more on the storyline. In “Yakuza,” the narrative is of utmost importance.
6. What is Masayoshi Yokoyama’s stance on the impact of video games on society?
Masayoshi Yokoyama ponders the influence that video games have on society. He believes that video games can affect players due to their engaging stories. Therefore, when creating games involving violence or yakuza themes, it is essential to consider the potential consequences they may have on players.
7. How well do the “Yakuza” games sell?
With 21 million copies sold, 70% of the “Yakuza” series’ sales occur outside of Japan. The series, which was initially niche in Western markets, has gained popularity.
8. Why did the English titles no longer include the word “Yakuza”?
The inclusion of the word “Yakuza” in English titles proved detrimental to sales in Japan. Japanese society is increasingly averse to the yakuza, and the word itself has become taboo.
For more information, please visit the following main domain links:
– Sega’s official website: www.sega.com
– “Yakuza” game series homepage: yakuza.sega.com
The source of the article is from the blog yanoticias.es