Yakuza 0 Launches Exclusively on PS4 January 24, 2017 in the West - News
by William D'Angelo , posted on 27 July 2016 / 11,196 Views
Sega announced Yakuza 0 launches exclusively on the PlayStation 4 in North America and Europe on January 24th, 2017.
Scott Strichart, the localization producer on the game, in a post on the PlayStation Blog discussed the changes with the localized version of the game.
"I’ll start with saying that, for the first time since Yakuza 2 back on PS2, we’re actually putting all the chapter titles, character introductions, opponent names, and on-screen directions in English, instead of just subtitling the kanji," said Strichart. "This might seem like a pretty small change, but I think when you get to play the game, you’ll really feel the difference!
"Secondly, and this is sometimes controversial, but hear me out — we’re maintaining general-use honorifics in the English script. We’re leaving the original Japanese voices intact for the authenticity that only a Japanese voice actor could bring to a yakuza experience, so we took the opportunity to bring the subtitles you’re reading closer to what you’re actually hearing the characters say. Beyond just marrying the subtitles to the spoken word, the honorifics actually play a pretty important role in understanding the respect (or lack thereof) characters have for each other. I think you’ll really see how much more this adds to the story when you get to play it!
"Lastly, with this game rewinding to the origins of the series, this was also a chance for us to hit the reset button on the way we refer to the yakuza ranks. Yakuza 0 is going to show you how a power struggle inside a criminal organization looks, and I’ll tell right now, it ain’t pretty.
"Of course, whenever you need a break from all this heavy stuff, Yakuza 0 — like the rest of the games before it — delivers plenty of diversions. You can race pocket cars, manage your side businesses, hit the dance floor or the pool hall, go get a drink, chat up girls on the telephone, and much, much more."
A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel dedicated to gaming Let's Plays and tutorials. You can contact the author at wdangelo@vgchartz.com or on Twitter @TrunksWD.
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Wow 2017 is going to have a beautiful and diverse line up like we are having in 2016!
I've now gotten yakuza 4 and 5 free with ps plus. Nice of them to release zero next year.
Omfg yakuza 5 free next month!? Ps plus game of this year
I'm actually looking forward to 0, and I haven't played any Yakuza games in the series. Why? There is a catfight mini game that was in the original Japanese release. I hope it stays intact when it comes stateside.
more games! daaaaammmnnn. I'm going to be broke 2017
Release in NA...YES!!!!!!!!...Physical copy...YES!!!!!!!!!!...just so much YES!!!!!!!!!
Very cool. It's weird though. I loved Yakuza 3 and 4. But the massive delay in getting Yakuza 5 to the west, as well as it being digital-only, has led to me not buying it. I have a massive backlog, of PS3, PS4, and Vita games, and am focusing on the new games on PS4 and Vita. And my PS3 hard drive is full. I don't really want to delete a ton of stuff just for the privilage of buying Yakuza 5. What really compounds it is with the PS3, you need DOUBLE the file size of the game freed up because of the terrible way the PS3 handles downloads. would need to clear 44gb. Sorry for the rant. :)
