So, five cities and five playable characters, Akiyama, Kiryu, now a taxi driver, Saejima, in prison again, Tatsuo Hinada, an ex baseball player who got the boot for some shady stuff and apparently... Haruka?

I'm excited! Let's hope Sega pulls it together and releases it over here in a timely manner, unlike previous games.

http://andriasang.com/con13w/yakuza5_detailed/http://andriasang.com/con13k/yakuza_5_details/

EDIT: More screens: http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-05-24-yakuza-5-screenshots-show-off-city-characters

Story: http://kotaku.com/5912929/yakuza-5-plot-sounds-epic-but-there-will-still-be-porn-stars/gallery/1

Gallery

Why is this in the delete forum?

Haruka as a playable character? You have my attention. She better fight too.

@vidiot: The header of the Yakuza 5 database page says delete, i guess that's why. Just noticed after i'd posted the thread.

Is Haruka gonna have to slap a bitch? Can't wait!

Can't wait to play it - in March 2014 :(

Wait, Haruka? That's crazy. She's a little young to be kicking men in the face and neck.

Hopefully the story will be better than 4 was. 4 introduced good characters like Akiyama, but the story was unmemorable.

i loved 4 to death, cant wait for this one, hopefully we hear something regarding a us date at e3

@SaFt said:

Wait, why is this in the delete section? Did i screw up or was it moved here? I'm pretty sure i put it in the Yakuza 5 forum.

It is because some jackass decided this game should not be labeled Yakuza 5 in the wiki since we don't know if it is getting localized after Sega's recent financial troubles, despite the fact that anyone here who wants to get information on it or discuss the game is going to call it Yakuza 5 and not Ryu Ga Gotoku 5.

I really hope this makes it to the west, but with Sega's financial situation...I don't know.

wtf Haruka playable? oh shit.

sucks that Tanimura playable in this one, as he was my favorite character in Yakuza 4. Akiyama is equally as good, though. oh, and.. please make Kaoru return. pleasepleasepleaseplease.

All of Haruka's heat actions better end with her kicking dudes in the junk.

@Grissefar: Yeah, altough she looks quite a bit older in the scans than she did in 4. Who knows how many years have passed since then.

@TentPole: Well, that's stupid. Thanks for the heads up though.

@Soapy86: Yeah, if it won't make it i'll be incredibly dissapointed. Let's just hope that they'll be straight with us if that's the case and not let us wait for two years like they did with Yakuza 2.

Sounds awesome. I really hope it makes it over here.

@AjayRaz said:

wtf Haruka playable? oh shit.

sucks that Tanimura playable in this one, as he was my favorite character in Yakuza 4. Akiyama is equally as good, though. oh, and.. please make Kaoru return. pleasepleasepleaseplease.

Yakuza 2 had my favourite plot, one reason (amongst a number of reasons) was Kiryu and Kaoru. Its a shame we never ever hear about their relationship in the subsequent games.

@AjayRaz: Her return is entierly possible, Osaka is in the game after all.

@AjayRaz said:

sucks that Tanimura playable in this one, as he was my favorite character in Yakuza 4. Akiyama is equally as good, though.

Haruka would probably use a similar move set, making him kinda redundant. I do hope they give her some decent damage moves outside of heat actions though. Tanimura's weak attacks were just aggravating in the IF7-R fights, kept running out of time rather than health.

Haruka!! 5 cites!?!?! I have to go change my pants.

@AjayRaz said:

wtf Haruka playable? oh shit.

sucks that Tanimura playable in this one, as he was my favorite character in Yakuza 4. Akiyama is equally as good, though. oh, and.. please make Kaoru return. pleasepleasepleaseplease.

Yakuza 2 had my favourite plot, one reason (amongst a number of reasons) was Kiryu and Kaoru. Its a shame we never ever hear about their relationship in the subsequent games.

@Rapid said:

@AjayRaz said:

wtf Haruka playable? oh shit.

sucks that Tanimura playable in this one, as he was my favorite character in Yakuza 4. Akiyama is equally as good, though. oh, and.. please make Kaoru return. pleasepleasepleaseplease.

Yakuza 2 had my favourite plot, one reason (amongst a number of reasons) was Kiryu and Kaoru. Its a shame we never ever hear about their relationship in the subsequent games.

Yakuza 2 had my favorite plot in the entire series, too. Kaoru and Kiryu were absolutely wonderful in that game.

@SaFt said:

@AjayRaz: Her return is entierly possible, Osaka is in the game after all.

that's right! good point. i hope Kaoru being in the United States now doesn't prevent her from making an appearance.

@Totori said:

@AjayRaz: I'm hoping this will be Kazuma's game, and it would be cool if he ended up with kaoru.

well, Akiyama is the one that's going to be in Osaka but who knows? maybe it'll be like Yakuza 4 where all the stories come together in the end.

that is, if she even shows up in Osaka.

@Totori said:

@AjayRaz: I'm hoping this will be Kazuma's game, and it would be cool if he ended up with kaoru.

well, Akiyama is the one that's going to be in Osaka but who knows? maybe it'll be like Yakuza 4 where all the stories come together in the end.

@Totori: Agreed, As much as I Iiked the other character in Yakuza 4 I felt as though it should have been grounded by a main character. I still havent completed 4 because when it comes to Yakuza I try to scour the city in search of any and all sidequests/collectibles and that became more of a chore when your progress is seemingly reset every time a new playable character enters the picture.

I will complete it eventually, but the fact that they're increasing the playable characters scares me. (As awesome as it sounds to kick some arse as Haruka) I'd rather they just refine the fighting mechanics and make them more complex, instead of adding characters that all play the same aside from a few minor differences.

All that being said it sounds awesome, and i'm glad Sega keeps making these games. They need something to keep them in buisness afterall.

I am so pumped for this. Pretty sure it'll make it over here, no worries.

wtf Haruka playable? oh shit.

sucks that Tanimura playable in this one, as he was my favorite character in Yakuza 4. 

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-05-24-yakuza-5-screenshots-show-off-city-characters

Actual screenshots!

This looks awesome, Yakuza game I have been waiting for since 4. Didn't play dead souls because it was a spin off and didn't hear great things about even from Yakuza fans. Hope Yakuza 5 actually comes out here, it is in doubt with Sega's current financial situation. I was reading that the game could be out at the end of this year in Japan

I'm going to laugh pretty hard if little old ladies refuse to pay Kazuma's taxi fare and go as far as abusing him.

That said I've enjoyed every game that's been localised, though admittedly I haven't played as much of Dead Souls as I would have liked to. Still, I'd be pretty disappointed if I didn't get the chance to play future Yakuza games, I've really liked each and every one.

Thank god that Kazuma is not wearing that gaudy looking Yakuza suit.

I love the whole "jumping forward" concept, I have so many questions like; why Kazuma is a Cab driver now and not running Sunshine Orphanage anymore. Also, more Akiyama is always a good thing, Nagoshi is really starting to add different directing elements to his games with this concept of using multiple protagonists to complete a whole story (it has been done in film by several directors but new to games.). It is gonna be great to visit five different locations with different protagonists. I am glad this is something Sega is utilizing during their financial struggle, hopefully this sells well.

Also it is great that they will return to Fukoka Nagasugai, I wonder if the Omi Alliance will play a part.

@cannonballBAM: I read a bit about the story, and i want to remember that the Omi will be a central part. I'll edit if i find it again.

"2010. The feud between the two yakuza clans, the Tojo Clan and the Ueno Seiwa Clan came to a close with the unexpected revelation of a conspiracy by the police force. Afterwards, under the orders of the 6th chairman of the Tojo Clan, Daigo Dojima, a major reconfiguration of the yakuza organization was executed and a truce was made with the Omi Alliance.

Until…

December, 2012. The 7th chairman of the Omi Alliance is on his deathbed. The death of the 7th chairman. It would mean the end of peace between the Tojo Clan and the Omi Alliance and an all-out war between the East and West clans. In order to prepare for the potential upheaval of the Japanese crime underworld, the Tojo Clan is forced to do the forbidden in order to strengthen their organization.

Hokkaido, Nagoya, Fukuoka… Reaching out to the old clans based in the larger cities, they seek to do what has never been done before and join forces to create a new organization to rival the Omi Alliance.

A risky new alliance that would breach the old barriers of Clan territories. But in order to avoid a potential war between the East and West, Daigo Dojima swallows his pride and heads to Fukuoka… But already the wheels had been set in motion.

A plan that would envelop all the Clans in Japan in a massive war. The curtain now slowly rises. Starting with the death of one man… As the mountain that is the Tojo Clan begins to move, one by one, the "sleeping players" begin to awaken. Fukuoka, Sapporo, Osaka, and Nagoya.

For what they believe in, and for the 'dream' of one girl, those who had parted ways to walk their own paths are once again thrust into the whirlwind of conflict.

One, to give up a 'dream.'

One, to realize a 'dream.'

And another to regain a 'dream…'

When the 'dreams' of 4 men and 1 girl cross paths, the truth that spans 5 cities is revealed…"

Hey, it's war.

http://kotaku.com/5912929/yakuza-5-plot-sounds-epic-but-there-will-still-be-porn-stars/gallery/1

@SaFt: I wonder if they are gonna take the concept of Goda Ryuji being a survivor as canon from Dead Souls or if they use his death in 2 as means of continuing the feud. The series is a rooted but an ever expanding crime story, I love it.

@cannonballBAM: As much as i liked Ryuji, it would be kind of strange to have him back since he died. I haven't played Dead souls, which probably isn't canon any way. so i wouldn't know if they gave some explanation for him returning or if he just kind of just showed up out of the blue.

@SaFt: Yeah I agree. Either way it is great to see we are getting another Yakuza.

@sub_o: What?! Gaudy? Now you've offended me and my buddies! How are you gonna make it up to us, huh?

*sidles up in exagerrated fashion*

It's ok though, we'll forget about it if you give us all your money!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Slryv7DRJ7Q

Love this, now I have to finish the fourth one (I think I stopped around the final). Also glad to see them using a new engine, looking forward to see what they can do with it.

@TentPole said:

@SaFt said:

Wait, why is this in the delete section? Did i screw up or was it moved here? I'm pretty sure i put it in the Yakuza 5 forum.

It is because some jackass decided this game should not be labeled Yakuza 5 in the wiki since we don't know if it is getting localized after Sega's recent financial troubles, despite the fact that anyone here who wants to get information on it or discuss the game is going to call it Yakuza 5 and not Ryu Ga Gotoku 5.

I made a request to the mods to make Yakuza 5 an alias for Ryu Ga Gotoku 5, and until this game is announced for localization (which it very well might not be due to Sega's current financial troubles) there's no reason for it to be labeled as such, and making it an alias will still let people find it by typing in Yakuza 5. Thanks for calling me a jackass.

@Taku128: That is something that has been plaguing me recently, more so since Sega dissolved the release date for Anarchy Reigns in US/Europe. I know Ryu Ga Gotoku/Yakuza is a flagship for Sega recently, mainly considering that they have so few internal development teams. I imagine it is why they have been kicking out classic collections and dreamcast ports, just to keep the lights on. I hope they can make it through this tough time, I would even be open to purchase the game digitally if it meant it would cut production costs.

@cannonballBAM said:

@Taku128: That is something that has been plaguing me recently, more so since Sega dissolved the release date for Anarchy Reigns in US/Europe. I know Ryu Ga Gotoku/Yakuza is a flagship for Sega recently, mainly considering that they have so few internal development teams. I imagine it is why they have been kicking out classic collections and dreamcast ports, just to keep the lights on. I hope they can make it through this tough time, I would even be open to purchase the game digitally if it meant it would cut production costs.

I really hope things turn around for them too, publishing Platinum's games alone gives me more goodwill towards them than any other Japanese publisher save Nintendo, and they generally do a good job with porting their older stuff to XBLA and PSN.

I always love these games for the sense of place that they provide. I live in a city that's about 20 minutes away from Osaka by train and if you walked up to me and asked me to take you to the spots in Osaka shown in the screenshots (in this case, the one with the giant crab on the store sign and the river shot after that), I could bring you to the exact spot where they would get that sort of viewing angle. Granted, those spots and a lot of the other areas showcased in the Yakuza games are pretty famous areas in general, so I'm not pretending that I'm the only person ever with that sort of insight, but it's always a bit of an eerie delight to see just how elaborate the development team will go towards making a recognizable Japanese city the way a Japanese resident would know one. If money's not an issue, I might import it for kicks since I'll be away in the States on business during that time and wouldn't mind checking out how they've rendered some old haunts again.

Also Haruka and Akiyama.

@Taku128: Yeah I totally agree. They have started to just publish games more than internally develop. But I love the Yakuza series and even Binary Domain, I think Toshihiro Nagoshi has been a solid talent ever since Yu Suzuki left. They just need to cut back on the Sonic stuff like they have been. I wanted them to sign another contract with Platinum Games and wish they would acquire other third party developers like Grasshopper Manufacture and Comcept.

@Taku128 said:

@TentPole said:

@SaFt said:

Wait, why is this in the delete section? Did i screw up or was it moved here? I'm pretty sure i put it in the Yakuza 5 forum.

It is because some jackass decided this game should not be labeled Yakuza 5 in the wiki since we don't know if it is getting localized after Sega's recent financial troubles, despite the fact that anyone here who wants to get information on it or discuss the game is going to call it Yakuza 5 and not Ryu Ga Gotoku 5.

I made a request to the mods to make Yakuza 5 an alias for Ryu Ga Gotoku 5, and until this game is announced for localization (which it very well might not be due to Sega's current financial troubles) there's no reason for it to be labeled as such, and making it an alias will still let people find it by typing in Yakuza 5. Thanks for calling me a jackass.

Yet this thread was originally under a game called delete because @SaFt could not find it.

It is less user friendly and an idiotic way to handle things. Even if it never is released in the west people round here are still going to call it Yakuza 5.

And I was referring to the mods who made the rule not you.

@TentPole said:

@Taku128 said:

@TentPole said:

@SaFt said:

Wait, why is this in the delete section? Did i screw up or was it moved here? I'm pretty sure i put it in the Yakuza 5 forum.

It is because some jackass decided this game should not be labeled Yakuza 5 in the wiki since we don't know if it is getting localized after Sega's recent financial troubles, despite the fact that anyone here who wants to get information on it or discuss the game is going to call it Yakuza 5 and not Ryu Ga Gotoku 5.

I made a request to the mods to make Yakuza 5 an alias for Ryu Ga Gotoku 5, and until this game is announced for localization (which it very well might not be due to Sega's current financial troubles) there's no reason for it to be labeled as such, and making it an alias will still let people find it by typing in Yakuza 5. Thanks for calling me a jackass.

Yet this thread was originally under a game called delete because @SaFt could not find it.

It is less user friendly and an idiotic way to handle things. Even if it never is released in the west people round here are still going to call it Yakuza 5.

And I was referring to the mods who made the rule not you.

That doesn't change the fact that that's not the game's name. Now that the Yakuza 5 page is actually deleted, and Yakuza 5 is an alias for Ryu Ga Gotoku 5, anyone searching for Yakuza 5 will find this page.

@Taku128 said:

@TentPole said:

@Taku128 said:

@TentPole said:

@SaFt said:

Wait, why is this in the delete section? Did i screw up or was it moved here? I'm pretty sure i put it in the Yakuza 5 forum.

It is because some jackass decided this game should not be labeled Yakuza 5 in the wiki since we don't know if it is getting localized after Sega's recent financial troubles, despite the fact that anyone here who wants to get information on it or discuss the game is going to call it Yakuza 5 and not Ryu Ga Gotoku 5.

I made a request to the mods to make Yakuza 5 an alias for Ryu Ga Gotoku 5, and until this game is announced for localization (which it very well might not be due to Sega's current financial troubles) there's no reason for it to be labeled as such, and making it an alias will still let people find it by typing in Yakuza 5. Thanks for calling me a jackass.

Yet this thread was originally under a game called delete because @SaFt could not find it.

It is less user friendly and an idiotic way to handle things. Even if it never is released in the west people round here are still going to call it Yakuza 5.

And I was referring to the mods who made the rule not you.

That doesn't change the fact that that's not the game's name. Now that the Yakuza 5 page is actually deleted, and Yakuza 5 is an alias for Ryu Ga Gotoku 5, anyone searching for Yakuza 5 will find this page.

In the west it is, released of not.

I still think Yakuza 2 is the best in the series, but 4 was pretty good. 3 was kind of disappointing. Looking forward to 5.

I'm so looking forward to this and being able to play as Haruka is very interesting. I wonder how they will pull that off. In one of the pictures it looked like she was practising Karate or some Judo mumbo jumbo. Still, can't wait!!

Here's a translated interview from Famitsu with Nagoshi and the scriptwriter Yokoyama for anyone interested.

@SaFt: Interesting. I am a bit worried about the rumors that Haruka won't get to fight, which seems kinda dumb to me. That interview didn't exactly clear things up.

Can't believe I missed all of this! And while I was left cold with the series after that pile of rat shit Dead Souls--and even Yakuza 4 I had some issues with--I still can't help but find myself getting super excited for another Yakuza game.

Kind of a shame to see Tanimura getting the cut, though, he was always my favourite to play as and easily had the best fighting style. And while I'd ordinarily be sighing my arse off at the continued inclusion of Kiryu, seeing him driving a taxi just... man, I have to see more of this. Really glad to hear there's going to be some a lot more environmental variety, too. Sticking to Kamurocho in Yakuza 4 was one such complaint I had when even in Yakuza 3 before it there were two distinctive cities to leisure about in. And with all of this talk of smoother transitions between the adventure & battle modes, playable Haruka, new baseball guy, and again, Kazuma Kiryu as a taxi driver... really looking forward to finding out more.