Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6443 in Computer & Video Games
• Brand: Sega
• Released on: 2006-09-15
• Rating: Suitable for 18 years and over
• Platform: PlayStation2
• Dimensions: 7.48" h x .79" w x 5.51" l,

Manufacturer's Description
YAKUZA invites the player to step into the shoes of the notorious Japanese underworld and experience the darker side of Tokyo like never before.  As Kazuma Kiryu, you fast get drawn into the dark and seedy underworld of the Yakuza facing brutal hand-to-hand combat with everyone that gets in your way.  Having been paroled after ten years for a crime you didn't commit, you return to find that your childhood friend, Yumi, is missing, your closest ally Nishikiyama has become your greatest enemy and the entire Japanese underworld is searching for 10 Billion yen which has mysteriously disappeared.

Caught between your search for Yumi, a young girl Haruka, who you feel honour-bound to protect, and the Yakuza's hunt for the key to a 10 billion payday, you quickly end up caught in a vast network of violence and mistrust as the entire Yakuza rises up against you∧ they will stop at nothing to find their mark.

Set in the fictional Kamura-cho, a spectacularly authentic, seedy neon district, you'll find yourself facing off against thugs, punks and rivals using a fully-fledged, and evolving battle system. For a touch of reality you will even find the popular Japanese Suntory beverages and retail stores that have been replicated even as far as in the in-store layout and accompanying background music.  The game offers a complex and extraordinary storyline which delivers richness and depth through cinematic cut-scenes as well as including gambling, batting practice, nightclubs and other mini games along the way. 

YAKUZA offers you the opportunity to fully experience the darkness of the Japanese underworld &in all its glorious brutality.

Customer Reviews

SEGA back on top form.
Forget all the commments you've heard about this being the Japanese Grand Theft Auto, or a successor to Shenmue.

There's elements of both those games, but think more Grand Theft Streets of Rage. Shenmue comparisons are easy. You do wander round a virtual world, there's a strong plot, some fierce brawling, the ability to level-up or increase your range of fighting skills and, yes, you can gamble and play mini-games rather than pursue the main game.

But, unlike Shenmue this game keeps the action up constantly, with fighters waiting to accost you on every street corner. The action is much more bloody and brutal too, with some truly grusome finishing moves at your disposal.

As befits the game's 18 certificate it's also a wonderfully sleazy affair, chock full of swearing, sex and sleaze. Characters spew profanity with wild abandon and the hostess bars can soak up hours of game time and all your character's Yen.

The whole game is highly polished and visually stunning. With almost no load-times as you patrol night-time Tokyo and a beautiful neon glow coating every surface.

It's taken a long while for the PS2 to truly mature, and this is a perfect example of why you shouldn't care that the PS3's release date has been put back, you get more time to enjoy wonderful games like this.

Japanese GTA?
The magazines have hyped this as the Japanese equivalent of GTA-but in my own opinion, morally, this is a million miles away from GTA (except for extreme use of language.)

The game focuses on a young man by the name of Kazuma, a member of the Yakuzas who takes the rap for the death of it's leader (when it was his brother) and goes to prison for ten years. Ten years later, he wants to know what has happened to his long standing girlfriend and what has happened to his brother. This is all revealed in the opening of the game, so hopefully it gives nothing away.
Graphically, I really like this game because of a number of reasons-the first are the people and their use of facial expressions. I know it's a petty thing, but I like the way you can easily identify with how they're feeling. Secondly, obviously are locations. It is clear a lot of effort went in to designing the city, the places you can go, the people walking up and down the street and of course the vehicles.
The gameplay is very mixed. Some of the game expects you to complete objectives by going to different places, and often times this will result in a fight. The fighting is excellent. The use of throws, punches, kicks and combos give this a genuine quality feel. What makes this even better is the chance to upgrade your attacks, your life, and your guarding abilities and this gives it an RPG feel to the game as well. Whilst this makes up the majority of the gameplay, the game also has a rather gentile side to it, when it expects you to feed dogs, look after children, and basically be a nice guy. I suppose this is the main distinction between Yakuza and GTA-the moral side.
A nice touch to this game are the shops and local "attractions" that are darted around. Unfortunately, this will make the game unsuitable for children-hence the 18 certificate.
So problems? What my fear for this game is that it won't go far enough for those who love the in-your-face no logic for violence, GTA. But for those who oppose that-this will go too far. My fear is that this is stuck in the middle and doomed to die. I plead you do not let this happen-get the game, you'll see how rewarding it is for yourself.

Enter the Dojima Dragon
When I heard that this was gonna be just another GTA clone I was'nt really that interested in this game, but when read a review say that it had similarities with Shenmue & Streets of Rage ( two of my favorite games ) then I had to buy it.
The first thing that hits you about this game is the graphics, which are some of the best on PS2. All of the characters, backgrounds etc look fantastic and really add to the experience. The same has to be said for the music and sound effects. For once in a Sega game the music is great and can really get adrenaline going, Especially during some the games awesome fight sequences.
Speaking of the fighting you get use your martial arts skills and all sorts of weaponry on anyone foolish enough to approach you looking for trouble. These random battle sections are like Final Fantasy but play like a remake of Streets of Rage ( c'mon sega you know you want to do a new SOR )!
However the main thing that keeps you playing Yakuza is the Story. Basically you start off as a young yakuza who wants to start his own family but after taking the blame for the murder of a yakuza godfather for his brother, Kazuma gets sent to jail for 10 years. After serving time he returns to find that his brother has started his own family by screwing Kazuma over. On top of that 10 billion yen gone missing and its up Kazuma to sort this mess out.
The game isn't without its faults though. Despite having an all star cast the voice acting isn't that great, and for a Yakuza Gangster Kazuma seems to be to much of an OK guy. The game could have done with a Knigts of the Old Republic style good/evil outcome. It also isn't as free roaming as Shenmue or a GTA title and sometimes its just a case of go here and do this. It just falls short of Shenmue/KOTOR greatness but if Sega can iron these few faults out for a sequel then it could have another classic series on its hand.