Yakuza

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Yakuza title.png

Yakuza
System(s): PlayStation 2
Publisher: Sega
Developer:
Genre: Action

















Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code
Sony PlayStation 2
JP 		¥6,800 (7,140)6,800 (7,140)[1] SLPM-66168
Sony PlayStation 2
JP
(The Best) 		¥1,800 (1,890)1,800 (1,890)[2] SLPM-74234
Sony PlayStation 2
JP
(The Best Red) 		¥1,800 (1,890)1,800 (1,890)[3] SLPM-74253
Sony PlayStation 2
JP
(The Best Red (Rerelease)) 		¥1,800 (1,890)1,800 (1,890)[4] SLPM-74269
Sony PlayStation 2
US 		$49.9949.99 SLUS-21348
Sony PlayStation 2
EU 		SLES-54171
Sony PlayStation 2
UK 		£39.9939.99 SLES-54171
Sony PlayStation 2
AU 		SLES-54171
Sony PlayStation 2
KR 		SLKA-25342
Sony PlayStation 2
KR
(BigHit)
CERO
Missing Parameter!

Yakuza, known as Ryu ga Gotoku (龍が如く) in Japan, is an open world action game developed by New Entertainment R&D Dept. #1 and published by Sega for the PlayStation 2 in 2005. It marks the start of the Yakuza series, a set of successful first party games centered around the world of Japanese organised crime.

Though not directly related, Yakuza is often seen as a spiritual successor (and lower budget alternative) to Shenmue. It was produced by Toshihiro Nagoshi of Super Monkey Ball and Sega AM2/Amusement Vision fame. During development the project was known as Project J.

Story

Taking place in 1995 in Kamoro-cho, a fictional district in Tokyo (which modelled after Shinjuku) story follows Kazuma Kiryu, a young Yakuza working under Dojima Family of Tojo Clan, a powerful Yakuza organization in the Kanto area of Japan. Kiryu's life changes irreversibly when one day his love interest Yumi is kidnapped by Dojima, leader of the family Kiryu is serving. His close friend Akira Nishikiyama attempts to save Yumi from Dojima and ends up killing him. Kiryu decides to take the blame for killing (Nishkiyama's sister is in deathbed) and spends 10 years in prison for murder.

In prison, Kiryu receives a letter of ex-communication and removed from Tojo Clan. Although he is visited by Shintaro Kazama, his adopter father who is also a Yakuza leader, he doesn't hear anything from either Yumi or Nishikiyama.

Eventually released in 2005, Kiryu attempts to bring his life together and find Yumi. On the way, he meets Haruka, a mysterious little girl. After being targeted by Yakuza families all around the Tokyo for "10 billion Yen" and realizing that Haruka could be the key to finding Yumi, Kiryu takes Haruka under his protection and resolves to solve the mystery.

History

Legacy

Much like Shenmue before it, Yakuza became a substantial success in Japan but failed to convince Western consumers upon release, despite a large marketing campaign and mostly positive reaction from gaming community. The Japanese version was re-released as part of the PlayStation 2 the Best budget range on 26 October 2006 for ¥1,800 (1,890 inc. tax), and has since been remastered as part of 2012's Ryu ga Gotoku 1&2 HD Edition for the PlayStation 3 (and later Wii U).

The game was initially dubbed into English for North American audiences, however criticism with the English voice acting prompted Sega to keep the Japanese voiceover in subsequent overseas releases.

Yakuza was followed by a range of sequels (starting with Yakuza 2 in 2006), as well as spin-offs and two live-action films. Lukewarm sales in Western regions led to Sega developing a steadily declining appetite for overseas Yakuza games - Yakuza 2 was delayed by two years, and 2008's spin-off, Ryu ga Gotoku Kenzan! was not released in Western regions at all.

A soundtrack album for the first two games, Ryu ga Gotoku & Ryu ga Gotoku 2 Original Sound Track, was released on 25 January 2007.

The game was later remade for PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 using the Yakuza 5 engine under the title Ryu ga Gotoku Kiwami. It was released on 21 January 2016 in Japan, it's unknown if the remake will get a release in western regions.

Magazine articles

Main article: Yakuza/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

  • Announcement press release

  • Celebrity cast press release

  • US print advert

Artwork

  • Yakuza logo.png
  • Yakuza date bust.jpg
  • Yakuza haruka bust.jpg
  • Yakuza kazama bust.jpg
  • Yakuza nishikiyama bust.jpg
  • Yakuza reina bust.jpg
  • Yakuza sera bust.jpg
  • Yakuza simano bust.jpg
  • Yakuza yumi bust.jpg
  • Yakuza yumi bust02.jpg
  • Yakuza haruka.jpg
  • Yakuza kiryu.jpg
  • Yakuza kiryu dragon.jpg
  • Yakuza nishiki koi.jpg
  • Yakuza nishikiyama.jpg
  • Yakuza yumi.jpg
  • Yakuza tattoo koi.jpg
  • Yakuza tattoo dragon.jpg

Physical scans

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
84
80 October 2006, p84
77 October 2006, p112
93 №887, [1]
84 GamePro
85 October 2006, p76
80 October 2006, p112
95 September 2006, p52
85 October 2006, p72
Sony PlayStation 2
 85
Based on
9 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
77
[6]
Famitsu (JP) NTSC-J
93
[7]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
84
[8]
Hyper (AU) PAL
86
[9]
Sony PlayStation 2
 85
Based on
4 reviews

Yakuza

PlayStation 2, US
Yakuza PS2 US Box.jpg
Cover
Yakuza PS2 US Disc.jpg
Disc
PlayStation 2, EU
Yakuza PS2 EU cover.jpg
Cover
PlayStation 2, UK
Yakuza PS2 UK cover.jpg
Cover
PlayStation 2, FR
Yakuza PS2 FR Box.jpg
Cover
PlayStation 2, DE
Yakuza PS2 DE Box.jpg
Cover
PlayStation 2, ES
Yakuza PS2 ES cover.jpg
Cover
PlayStation 2, JP
Yakuza PS2 JP cover.jpg
Cover
Yakuza ps2 jp disc.jpg
Disc
PlayStation 2, JP
"the Best" white
Yakuza PS2 JP thebest cover.jpg
Cover
Yakuza PS2 JP disc best1.jpg
Disc
Yakuza PS2 JP disc2 best1.jpg
Promotion DVD
PlayStation 2, JP
"the Best" red
Yakuza PS2 JP thebest2 cover.jpg
Cover
Yakuza PS2 JP disc best2.jpg
Disc
Yakuza PS2 JP disc2 best2.jpg
Promotion DVD
PlayStation 2, JP
"the Best" red (Rerelease)
Yakuza PS2 JP cover best3.jpg
Cover
Yakuza PS2 JP disc best3.jpg
Disc
PlayStation 2, AU
Yakuza PS2 AU cover.jpg
Cover
PlayStation 2, KR
Yakuza PS2 KR Box.jpg
Cover
PlayStation 2, KR (Big Hit)

PlayStation 2, RU
Yakuza PS2 RU Box.jpg
Cover

External links

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 http://www.jp.playstation.com/software/title/slpm66168.html (Wayback Machine: 2006-10-29 03:02)
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 http://www.jp.playstation.com/software/title/slpm74234.html (Wayback Machine: 2006-10-18 22:13)
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 http://www.jp.playstation.com/software/title/slpm74253.html (Wayback Machine: 2007-11-23 11:55)
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 http://www.jp.playstation.com/software/title/slpm74269.html (Wayback Machine: 2009-04-28 01:26)
  5. ↑ http://archive.is/opsB2
  6. ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "October 2006" (US; 2006-09-12), page 112
  7. ↑ Famitsu, "2005-12-16" (JP; 2005-12-02), page 1
  8. ↑ GamePro, "October 2006" (US; 2006-09-12), page 81
  9. ↑ Hyper, "September 2006" (AU; 2006-08-09), page 46



Yakuza/Ryu ga Gotoku series of games
Yakuza (Kiwami) (2005) | Yakuza 2 (Kiwami 2) (2006) | Yakuza 3 (2009) | Yakuza 4 (2010) | Yakuza 5 (2012) | Yakuza 0 (2015) | Yakuza 6: The Song of Life (2016) | Yakuza: Like a Dragon (2020) | Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth (2024)
Spin-offs
Ryu ga Gotoku Kenzan! (2008) | Kurohyou: Ryu ga Gotoku Shinshou (2010) | CR Ryu ga Gotoku Kenzan! (2011) | Yakuza: Dead Souls (2011) | Kurohyou 2: Ryu ga Gotoku Ashura Hen (2012) | Ryu ga Gotoku: Ishin! (2014) | CR Ryu ga Gotoku Kenzan! Tenshou Gion-hen (2015) | Pachislot Ryu ga Gotoku of the End (2015) | Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise (2018) | Judgment (2018) | Ryu ga Gotoku Online (2018) | Streets Of Kamurocho (2020) | Lost Judgment (2021) | Like a Dragon: Ishin! (2023) | Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name (2023)
Compilations
Ryu ga Gotoku 1&2 HD Edition (2012) | Yakuza 6: The Song of Life and Yakuza 0 Digital Bundle (2018) | The Yakuza Remastered Collection (2020)
Yakuza/Ryu ga Gotoku related media
Music
 Ryu ga Gotoku 4 Densetsu wo Tsugumono Original Soundtrack Vol.1 (2010) | Ryu ga Gotoku 4 Densetsu wo Tsugumono Original Soundtrack Vol.2 (2010) | Kurohyou: Ryu ga Gotoku Shinshou Original Soundtrack (2010) | Ryu ga Gotoku of the End Original Soundtrack Vol.1 (2011) | Ryu ga Gotoku of the End Original Soundtrack Vol.2 (2011) | Majima no MajiROCK (2012) | Entenka / Shonan no Kaze (2012) | Ryu ga Gotoku 5 Yume, Kanaeshi Mono Original Soundtrack Vol.1 (2012) | Ryu ga Gotoku 5 Yume, Kanaeshi Mono Featured Songs (2012) | Ryu ga Gotoku 5 Yume, Kanaeshi Mono Original Soundtrack Vol.2 (2012) | Ryu ga Gotoku Ishin! Original Soundtrack Vol.1 (2014) | Ryu ga Gotoku Ishin! Original Soundtrack Vol.2 (2014) | Ryu ga Gotoku 0: Chikai no Basho Original Soundtrack Side A (2015) | Ryu ga Gotoku 0: Chikai no Basho Original Soundtrack Side B (2015) | Ryu ga Gotoku Kiwami Original Soundtrack (2016)
Music
 Ryu ga Gotoku & Ryu ga Gotoku 2 Original Sound Track (2007) | Ryu ga Gotoku Kenzan! Original Soundtrack (2008) | Loser (2009) | Ryu ga Gotoku 3 Original Soundtrack (2009) | Ryu Uta: Ryu ga Gotoku Karaoke Best Selection (2011) | Ryu ga Gotoku The Best Original Sound Track (2011) | Kurohyou 2: Ryu ga Gotoku Ashura Hen Original Soundtrack (2012) | Ryu Uta: Ryu ga Gotoku 5 The Best Songs Collection (2012) | Ryu ga Gotoku Series Best Soundtrack (2014) | Ryu ga Gotoku 0: Chikai no Basho - 80's Hits! Collection (2015) | CR Ryu ga Gotoku Kenzan! Tenshou Gion-hen Original Sound Track (2016) | Ryu ga Gotoku 6: Inochi no Uta Original Soundtrack (2017) | Majima Best: Ryu ga Gotoku Goro Majima Karaoke All Time Best Collection (2017) | Judge Eyes: Shinigami no Yuigon Original Soundtrack (2018) | Lost Judgment: Sabaka Rezaru Kioku Original Soundtrack (2021) | Yakuza 0 (2021) | Yakuza: Like a Dragon (2023) | Ryu ga Gotoku 7 Gaiden Na wo Keshita Otoko Original Sound Track (2023)
Book
 Ryu ga Gotoku Kouryaku Shinan no Sho (2005) | Ryu ga Gotoku Kanzen Kouryaku Kyoku no Sho (2006) | Yakuza Official Strategy Guide (2006) | Ryu ga Gotoku 2 Kouryaku Shinan no Sho (2006) | Ryu ga Gotoku 2 Kanzen Kouryaku Kyoku no Sho (2007) | Ryu ga Gotoku Kenzan! Kouryaku Shinan no Sho (2008) | Ryu ga Gotoku Kenzan! Kanzen Kouryaku Kyoku no Sho (2008) | Ryu ga Gotoku 3 Kouryaku Shinan no Sho (2009) | Ryu ga Gotoku 3 Kanzen Kouryaku Kyoku no Sho (2009) | Ryu ga Gotoku 4: Densetsu o Tsugumono Kouryaku Shinan no Sho (2010) | Ryu ga Gotoku 4: Densetsu o Tsugumono Kanzen Kouryaku Kyoku no Sho (2010) | Kurohyou: Ryu ga Gotoku Shinshou Kouryaku Shinan no Sho (2010) | Ryu ga Gotoku Thank You no Sho (2010) | Kurohyou: Ryu ga Gotoku Shinshou Kanzen Kouryaku Kyoku no Sho (2010) | Kurohyou: Ryu ga Gotoku Shinshou (2010) | Ryu ga Gotoku of the End Kouryaku Shinan no Sho (2011) | Ryu ga Gotoku of the End Kanzen Kouryaku Kyoku no Sho (2011) | Kurohyou 2: Ryu ga Gotoku Ashura Hen Kouryaku Shinan no Sho (2012) | Kurohyou 2: Ryu ga Gotoku Ashura Hen Kanzen Kouryaku Kyoku no Sho (2012) | Ryu ga Gotoku 5: Yume, Kanaeshi Mono Kouryaku Shinan no Sho (2012) | Ryu ga Gotoku 5: Yume, Kanaeshi Mono Kanzen Kouryaku Kyoku no Sho (2013) | Ryu ga Gotoku Ishin! Kouryaku Shinan no Sho (2014) | Ryu ga Gotoku Ishin! Kanzen Kouryaku Kyoku no Sho (2014) | Ryu ga Gotoku 0: Chikai no Basho Kouryaku Shinan no Sho (2015) | Ryu ga Gotoku 0: Chikai no Basho Kanzen Kouryaku Kyoku no Sho (2015) | Ryu ga Gotoku Series 10 Shuunen Kinen Hon Ryuu Taizen (2016) | Ryu ga Gotoku 6: Inochi no Uta Kouryaku Shinan no Sho (2017) | Ryu ga Gotoku 6: Inochi no Uta Kanzen Kouryaku Kyoku no Sho (2017) | Hokuto ga Gotoku Tenha no Sho (2018) | Judge Eyes: Shinigami no Yuigon Perfect Report (2019) | Ryu ga Gotoku 7: Hikari to Yami no Yukue: Kasuga Ichiban Tabidachi no Sho (2020) | Ryu ga Gotoku 7: Hikari to Yami no Yukue Kanzen Kouryaku Kyoku no Sho (2020) | Lost Judgment: Sabakarezaru Kioku Perfect Report (2021) | Ryu ga Gotoku 7 Gaiden Na wo Keshita Otoko Kanzen Kouryaku Kyoku no Sho (2023) | Ryu ga Gotoku 8 Kanzen Kouryaku Kyoku no Sho (2024)
Film
 Ryu ga Gotoku: Joshou (2006) | Like a Dragon (2007)
Other List of Yakuza merchandise
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