RSS Feeds
game design
Yakuza 3's Sexy Rubdown Lady
Posted by Brian Ashcraft at 1:00 AM on October 10, 2008
Ante upped! SEGA's yakuza title Ryu Ga Gotoku: KENZAN! had deep turtle racing play and historically accurate bikini-wear, PS3 exclusive Ryu Ga Gotoku 3 (the fourth in the Ryu Ga Gotoku/Yakua) series features fashion model Ayana Tsubaki as an oil massage therapist. Working at in-game parlor Lionheart, her gentle hands revive and heal players. Says Tsubaki, "Appearing in game is a strange feeling." Yup! But hey, she's got good company as she'll be joining real life models from Japanese magazine Koakuma Ageha in the game's cast of characters.
Another pic of Ayana after the jump.
If buying Ryu Ga Gotoku 3 (Yakuza 3) isn't enough of a commitment, how about the Ryu Ga Gotoku cell phone? Japanese cell phone carrier Softbank is rolling out a Yakuza phone, SoftBank815T model, in three colours: red, black and white. The tastefully decorated clamshell is packed with game-themed icons, wallpaper and ringtones. Buy the phone and get goodies like a Ryu Ga Gotoku notebook and cell phone charm strap. At least the design is tastefully understated.
In the latest issue of Famitsu, it was announced that SEGA's toasted Toshihiro Nagoshi has been working on Ryu ga Gotoku 3 (Yakuza 3). This isn't to be confused with Edo-era PS3 exclusive Ryu ga Gotoku Kenzan!, which is actually the third Yakuza game in the franchise, but not actually Yakuza 3. Confused? According to the article, Kenzan! was a spin-off, and this newly announced game is actually the third one in the series, m'kay. Work began on the game commenced after development on Kenzan! finished, and the story picks up where Yakuza 2 left off. Well, that makes sense at least.
Phew! Sure seems like Sega listens to fans. After the first Yakuza game was released with an English language dub, erasing the brilliant original Japanese one, people complained. Why not, you know, release the game with subtitles? It is called Yakuza and English dubbing, no matter how good, kills the mood! Well, that is, unless you're one of those can't-see-foreign-movies-with-subtitles people. For the PS2 sequel, Sega points out on the game's official site:
Now typically, if we post nerdy figurines, that means one thing. No, it means two things: jubblies. This too! SEGA Toys is releasing a topless Kiryu Kazuma from Ryu ga Gotoku/Yakuza figure. Kiryu stands on a lit pedestal, holding a bat and sports yakuza-style back tattoos. No plans to release this outside Japan, but it's available for pre-order for $US 68.90. Kiryu and his male nipples are slated to ship this July.
Super Monkey Ball. Yakuza. Brown awesomeness. Those are three things that SEGA game designer and fashion plate Toshihiro Nagoshi is best known for. His latest game Ryu Ga Gotoku KENZAN! (aka Yakuza 3) was released today in Japan. Commenter Bellamy sends this good ol' fashioned Kotaku Stalku:
We don't like Toshihiro Nagoshi's games quite as much as we like the man. Sure, Super Monkey Ball and Yakuza (aka Ryu Ga Gotoku) are fantastic Sega franchises, but we're far more impressed with Nagoshi's transition from run of the mill developer to a bronze god bedecked in nothing but gleaming white and leopard print. He's an awesome god.
With the announcement of Yakuza 3 last week, gamers across the U.S. had one question on their minds: "Where's Yakuza 2 for the PS2?" Well Sega's got your Yakuza 2 coming, announcing it and two new DS titles slated for stateside release in 2008. The second game, released in Japan last December, picks up where the first left off, continuing the story of Kazuma as he fights to prevent a war between two rival clans. In addition to Yakuza 2, Sega also announced Dinosaur King and Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer for the Nintendo DS. Dinosaur King somehow involves digging for fossils plus special moves, which sounds... nice? Meanwhile Shiren is a remake on an SNES game using the Mystery Dungeon engine you either love or hate with every fiber of your being, with me firmly in the latter camp. Still, Yakuza 2!
Ryu Ga Gotoku arrived on Western shores as the dubbed Yakuza. PS2 title Ryu Ga Gotoku 2 didn't. Now with the third Ryu Ga Gotoku, a period game, is slated for PS3s next Spring, the question remains: Will North America and PAL territories see a release? Will it get a PS2 or PSP release? Says Sega fashion plate-slash-game producer Toshihiro Nagoshi:
Big day for announcements! The latest issue of Famitsu contains one about Yakuza. Specifically, that Yakuza 3 is coming, it's coming for the PS3 and should be out in Japan sometime around Spring next year. No pics or further info just yet, but hey, this news is brand new. Give it time to settle, let it catch its breath before demanding things like screens. They won't be too far away.
