Yakuza
News, coverage and analysis tracking Yakuza across the outlets.
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Stranger Than Heaven's regional price creep on Steam is one more reason I'm feeling wary
The article discusses the increasing regional price creep of games on Steam, using Stranger Than Heaven and Persona 4 Revival as examples of titles with higher UK prices compared to their US counterparts. It highlights Geoff Keighley's comments on the success of affordable indie games and contrasts these with the rising costs of new releases, also touching on the controversial inclusion of Tupac Shakur in Stranger Than Heaven.
Virtua Fighter: Crossroads Focuses On Its Reinvention, But The 1v1 Legacy Lives On
Sega's Virtua Fighter Crossroads, developed by RGG Studio, is a reinvention of the classic fighting game series, incorporating action-adventure elements and a story-driven presentation. Producer Riichiro Yamada stated that while the game aims to appeal to a broader audience and stand out in a niche genre, it will retain its core one-on-one Virtua Fighter mechanics and include rollback netcode for a better online experience.
Tupac Shakur, who has been dead since 1996, will appear in the next Yakuza game
Sega has announced that the likeness of the late rapper Tupac Shakur will appear in the upcoming Yakuza prequel, Stranger Than Heaven, set to release on January 15, 2027. The character, named Amaru, is being developed with permission from and in close collaboration with Tupac's estate, Amaru Entertainment, and RGG Studio, without the use of AI. Rapper Snoop Dogg, who also appears in the game, discussed the creative decision, stating it felt connected to the game's themes.
Yakuza Needs to Let Players Scrap with Women, Too
This opinion piece argues that the Yakuza series, despite attempts at portraying strong female characters, ultimately perpetuates misogynistic tropes by preventing players from fighting women. The article criticizes how female characters are often deified or treated as plot devices, highlighting instances in Yakuza Kiwami 3 and Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth as examples of this problematic trend. It calls for the series to take women seriously as opponents, allowing for true gender equality in its narrative and gameplay.
Sonic co-creator Yuji Naka is "the most miserable person I have ever worked with," says former Sega VP
Former Sega vice president Mike Fischer described Sonic co-creator Yuji Naka as "the most miserable person" he has ever worked with, citing instances of Naka's volatile reactions to game naming and marketing decisions. Fischer also contrasted Naka's difficult personality with the kindness of Sonic's other co-creator, Naoto Ōshima, and mentioned Naka's past insider trading conviction.
Game Reviews
This article provides reviews for several games, including benchmarks for Directive 8020's path tracing, ray tracing, and DLSS 4 performance. It also features a review of Mixtape, described as an earnest and misunderstood teen video game, and briefly mentions the Yakuza series.
Animate Will Sell Sega Games Merchandise Worldwide in 2026
Sega, Atlus, and Animate are collaborating to release merchandise for eight popular game franchises worldwide starting in June 2026. The collaboration will span over 140 Animate locations globally, offering goods, game demos, displays, and cafe collaborations. The featured franchises include Sonic the Hedgehog, Persona series, Like a Dragon, and Metaphor: ReFantazio, among others.
Sega downsizes free-to-play division after "weak performance" from Sonic Rumble Party, moving over 100 devs onto "full game" releases in "mainstay IPs"
Sega is downsizing its free-to-play division due to weak performance from titles like Sonic Rumble Party and a lack of economic value from its partnership with Rovio. Over 100 developers are being moved to full-game development for mainstay IPs. The company also announced the cancellation of its upcoming "Super Game" project.
Devil May Cry showrunner thinks most video game movie announcements "won't come to fruition" or will be…
The showrunner for the Devil May Cry series believes that many announced video game movie and TV adaptations will not be completed or will fall short of expectations. He notes that while there's a surge in announcements, the actual production faces corporate hurdles and the risk of becoming mere brand extensions rather than quality content.
Next Sega Labbies Plush Teddy Bear Is Goro Majima from Yakuza
Sega is releasing a new Labbies teddy bear plush toy featuring Goro Majima from the Yakuza and Like a Dragon series. The plush will be available in two sizes and will debut on May 14, 2026, exclusively at Sega Store locations in Tokyo and Shanghai. This follows previous Labbies releases based on characters like Kazuma Kiryu, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Persona 5 Joker.
Stranger Than Heaven Launches ‘This Winter’
Sega's upcoming game, Stranger Than Heaven, formerly Project Century, is set to launch this winter, potentially in late 2026 or early 2027. The game will feature connections to the Yakuza and Like a Dragon series, with a story following Makoto Daito's journey across Japan from 1915 to 1965. It will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC, and its theme song is performed by Ado, Satoshi Fujihara, Snoop Dogg, and Tori Kelly.
RGG's Stranger Than Heaven game arrives this winter
Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, the creators of the Yakuza series, announced that their new game, Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin, will be released this winter. The game will focus on the founder of the Tojo clan.
Stranger Than Heaven's new combat system sounds pretty complicated, but looks absolutely amazing
Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio's upcoming game, Stranger Than Heaven, will feature a new, complex combat system where players control the protagonist's left and right sides independently for an unprecedented level of control. The game, set across five different eras of modern Japanese history, also includes a variety of weapons and context-sensitive attacks. Stranger Than Heaven is set to launch this Winter for Xbox Series X/S, PC, and PlayStation 5.
Stranger Than Heaven sure looks like a Yakuza series prequel in its first 30-minute deep dive, oh and Snoop Dogg is here
RGG Studio has revealed Stranger Than Heaven, an action game that appears to be a prequel to the Yakuza series. Executive director Masayoshi Yokoyama showcased the game, which spans five cities across five decades and features a more brutal combat system with a focus on weapons. The game is set to launch in Winter 2026.
Stranger Than Heaven Xbox Presents Confirms It's a Yakuza Prequel, Reveals Star-Studded Cast, Release
Stranger Than Heaven has been confirmed as a prequel to the Yakuza (Like a Dragon) series, detailing the rise of the Tojo Clan with new characters. Developed by Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, the game will launch in Winter 2026 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC. The presentation revealed a star-studded cast including Yu Shirota, Snoop Dogg, and Cordell Broadus, and showcased gameplay mechanics focused on music composition and timing-based combat.
Stranger Than Heaven Is A Yakuza Prequel With A Star-Studded Cast
Stranger Than Heaven, a prequel to the Yakuza/Like A Dragon series, was revealed with a new presentation showcasing its gameplay and story. The game follows Makoto Daito across 50 years and five distinct periods in Japan's history, featuring a star-studded cast including Yu Shirota, Snoop Dogg, and Tori Kelly. It will be available on Xbox Game Pass this winter.
Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds reveals Arle release date
SEGA has announced that Arle from Puyo Puyo will be available as free DLC for Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds on May 27, 2026. Arle is the final free character addition, following Red from Angry Birds and Captain Majima from Yakuza. The game will also receive paid DLC featuring Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem and Avatar Legends.
Stranger Than Heaven First Look Details Announced, Airing May 6th | Console Creatures
RGG Studio has announced full details for an upcoming 30-minute presentation titled "Xbox Presents: A Special Look At Stranger Than Heaven." The special will air on May 6th at 7 pm EST, showcasing the story, world, characters, and gameplay of their new title, which spans five eras in Japan. The presentation will be available on Xbox's social channels, including YouTube and Twitch.
How to Sign Up for PC Game Pass in the Philippines (2026) — Too Much Gaming | Video Games Reviews, News, & Guides
This guide explains how to sign up for PC Game Pass in the Philippines, detailing the process of creating a Microsoft account, setting your region to the Philippines, and subscribing through the Xbox app. New users can get a 14-day trial for PHP 59, with the monthly price reduced to PHP 225 in April 2026. The service offers access to a vast library of games, including titles from Bethesda and EA.
ULTRAKILL Act 2: Imperfect Hatred 3xLP Vinyl Soundtrack Now Available for Pre-Order
iam8bit has opened pre-orders for the ULTRAKILL Act 2: Imperfect Hatred 3xLP Vinyl Soundtrack, featuring 26 tracks and artwork by Francis Xie, with shipments expected in Q3 2026. The article also briefly mentions other game releases and updates, including DRAGON QUEST Smash/Grow, BALL x PIT, Battlestar Galactica: Scattered Hopes, HellSlave II: Judgement of the Archon, and Goro Majima's addition to Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds.
