Yakuza games are a huge franchise, since the early days of the Playstation 2, these crime simulators have been gathering a steady and dedicated following. The games are rather popular in Japan, but a lot of that success hasn’t often translated to sales success in the USA and beyond. Sega has attempted to bring the games to international audiences before, but usually in partnership with Sony.
Now, that will all change as Microsoft is hopping in to help distribute a collection of the games for the Xbox One, as revealed during X019. Sega announced that it will bring three Yakuza games to Xbox One and PC next year, as part of the Xbox Game Pass. Yakuza 0, Yakuza Kiwami and Yakuza Kiwami 2 are confirmed, with the possibility of more to come. Although nothing has been confirmed yet, fans remain hopeful. Some of these were already confirmed for PC, but never before has this fanchise landed on Xbox Game Pass.
A seventh game in the franchise was also recently announced, no word yet on if that will be released for Xbox One in the US in the future. In other X019 news, many other games have also been announced. Dontnod’s new IP Tell Me Why continues the trend of episodic adventures. Whereas Rare’s new IP Everwild offers a whimsical journey.
Here are quick descriptions for each title, if you need a refresher:
Yakuza 0– Set in Osaka during the 1980’s, this prequel has junior yakuza Kiryu and Majima traveling about town causing trouble, but also having fun with leisure activities like karaoke.
Yakuza Kiwami- Become Kazuma Kiryu, who ends up taking the wrap for a murder, but when he gets out he’s plotting for revenge.
Yakuza Kiwami 2- Kazuma Kiryu, the Dragon of Dojima, must face the ambitious Ryuji Goda, the Dragon of Kansai, as two rival Yakuza clans go to war over territory and money.
