Yakuza 6 Releases March 2018 in the West
Kiryu’s story finally draws to a close in the west. Yakuza 6 releases in the west 20th March 2018. This comes after its December 2016 release in Japan, as we continue to play mad catch up over here on Yakuza games that didn’t have release parity. After Yakuza Kiwami comes out this week, and this comes in 2018, we’ll be all caught up (for now).
Yakuza 6: The Song of Life is the first Yakuza game to be developed ground up for the PlayStation 4 (0 and Kiwami release on Playstation 3 in Japan), using the “Dragon Engine”. It’ll be releasing both physically and digitally in the Americas and Europe.
It will also release with a special collector’s edition to see the Dragon of Dojima off. The “After Hours” Edition will include:
– Hardcover Art Book – The intense human drama and magnetic world of Yakuza 6 will be on display in this stunning art book. We’ll have more details on what will fill the pages at a later date.
– 2 Bar Glasses (280ml) – Designed with Kiryu’s ferocious dragon tattoo, these bar glasses are the perfect receptacles for your beverage of choice.
– 2 Ice Stones – Cool down your drinks with a pair of heat action branded ice stones! One features the flame heat action icon, while the other has the Japanese “kiwami” heat action icon. Chilling has never been so… extreme.
– 2 Coasters – A true yakuza knows how to relax with class, so coasters are a must have when lounging after hours. Protect table surfaces with style by placing your glasses on top of official Tojo Clan branded coasters. Plus, you won’t need to play the “is this my drink?” game because of their inverted colors!
– An Outer Box – All of these essential tools will be housed within a collectable outer box.
(If indulging in libations isn’t up your alley, you can pre-order or grab the limited launch edition of the game which contains a sleek hardcover art book that also doubles as the disc holder!)
It’s a great edition that seems to perfectly compliment Yakuza’s fascination with Japanese night life — in particular bars. The series is known for including detailed information on different alcohol Kiryu can drink, usually including very hefty selections of whiskey.
But, oops, as we mentioned, it’s been out in Japan since 2016. As we have some Japanese speakers on staff, we’ve already reviewed Yakuza 6 (and really liked it). So, if you want to read about it, check out our Yakuza 6 review already. Being international feels good. We enjoyed the conclusion to Kiryu’s story, but felt that mechanically it didn’t really match up to 0 and Kiwami, a result of building a new engine, it seems.
The story takes place in both Kamurocho, and the seaside town of Onomichi. It continues on from the events of Yakuza 6, and Kiryu must once again learn about events he missed, only this time he must tie up loose ends in his life once and for all.
Enter the “Dragon Engine” – Explore the world of Yakuza like never before. Yakuza 6 is the first current-gen Yakuza title that was developed from the ground up for the PS4, introducing the seedy Japanese underworld with detailed visuals, lifelike animations, a new physics engine, interactive storefronts, seamless transitions and more. That’s right! Fights can start on the streets and end in a pile of shattered glass, scattered snacks, and bruised bodies on the floor of the nearest Poppo convenience store.
Explore Kamurocho Reborn and the Scenic Views of Onomichi – Speaking of Dragon Engine, the hypnotic lights, opportunistic inhabitants, and hedonistic distractions of Kamurocho look better than ever. Revamped minigames like karaoke, batting cages, darts, hostesses, and the SEGA arcade have been streamlined for maximum pleasure, and new additions like the RIZAP Gym, Cat Café, and Clan Creator are the purrfect distractions after a long night of bashing heads! But it’s also time to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life to play tourist in beautiful Onomichi. This tranquil coastal community is home to plenty of local activities like bar mingling, spearfishing (think action-packed rail shooter … with fish), and more!
Let the Bodies Hit the Floor – Yakuza 6 Kiryu is a 100% certified thugfed OG, so that means he’s a battle-hardened veteran when it comes to the art of street fighting. Although he utilizes one fighting style this time around, you best believe Kiryu hits like a truck. Devastating combos and bone-breaking Heat Actions make a return, but now the Dragon of Dojima can fill up a meter to engage Extreme Heat Mode. When activated, Kiryu glows blue and unleashes heavy-damage combos with his fists or any “tool” that’s close at hand. Painting painful masterpieces has never felt so good.
Fully Voiced Japanese Audio – For the first time in series history, every line and piece of dialogue is fully voiced in Japanese. Let the dramatic story and absurd humor of the series unfold like an interactive foreign film experience.
Yakuza 6: The Song of Life releases 20th March 2018 on PlayStation 4 in the Americas and Europe.
