It is looking increasingly likely that PlayStation fans will have to settle for just a current-gen version when Yakuza: Like a Dragon launches in the west this holiday season. The game has been confirmed for PlayStation 4, PC, Xbox One, and the next-gen Xbox Series X, but a PlayStation 5 version is nowhere in sight. The reason for that remains unclear -- we're yet to receive a response from SEGA on the subject -- and now even more evidence that this hopeful edition of the eighth entry in the mainline Yakuza franchise simply doesn't exist has now surfaced.
As spotted by Gematsu on Twitter, the debut of protagonist Ichiban Kasuga has been rated in the west by both the ESRB and PEGI for PS4, PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X. Of course, the PS5 is missing in that line-up of consoles. Those who purchase Sony's next platform on launch will be able to play Yakuza: Like a Dragon through backwards compatibility, but the odds of a native version sporting graphical enhancements now appear to be at an all-time low. Microsoft has already confirmed that the game will be an Xbox Series X launch title, so the likelihood of it releasing in close proximity to the PS5 is very high.
Are you happy to settle for playing Yakuza: Like a Dragon through backwards compatibility, or are you still pinning your hopes on a native next-gen version for Sony's upcoming console? Debate away in the comments below.
[source twitter.com]
Comments 24
I had to read that headline 4 times to try and make sense of it.
All I can say is "NANI"
That's a snub right there. It's okay SEGA, I still love you.
Edit: I am half-waiting for the Yakuza memes. Playstation players doing their own version of Bakamitai.
That's a new one, not full exclusive, not console exclusive, not timed exclusive, not dlc exclusive, buat an exclusively patch
Absolutely bizarre if true. Sony was the only publisher that looked at Yakuza. It was pitched to both microsoft and nintendo first and they wern't interested. So i am very unimpressed with this news.
I just hope it isn’t a sign of Sega doing exclusive stuff on Xbox Sex because it’s the only scenario where I can see myself forced to buy it...
Xbox version it is then. Can always cancel the preorder if news change.
That pic of a luchador in a go-kart is so very very Yakuza.
This is pretty strange. Can only assume SEGA never planned to support the next-gen consoles but Microsoft paid them to do a patch. 🤷🏻♀️
Could also be another "silent" exclusive patch ala Witcher 3 getting the XBX treatment & ps4 getting the dodgy leftovers ages later....though I thought Gamer Phil regards 3rd party exclusives as anti-gamer?! Shocked Pikachu face, say it ain't so Phil!
Surely all the game needs will be a Playstation 5 upgrade rather than a full release. Are the Xbox, PC versions going to be any different from the PS4 version? Do you really need a new version for just a cosmetic touch-up?
Why is Microsoft interested in making an exclusive patch to a PS4 game that is already a year old and I personally hate it due to the fact they changed the combat system ( I could not throw anyone at Wild Jackson's anymore ) and the most uninspired Yakuza protagonist ever ( Ichiban clearly lacks the character depth that Kiryu and Majima has ) IMO they should end the series with the Song of Life
Well, that's strange. But at least I can add it to my collection of ps4 Yakuza games, I quess.
BTW for what I have seen from the gameplay videos it doesn't need any graphical upgrade - it looks pretty enough already. Unless Xbox will have any missions not on the PS4 it is all a fuss about nothing. Will still buy the PS4 version.
You’ve got to give Microsoft credit for how easy they’ve made it to produce next gen games. It’s a scalable platform so all you have to do is crank up resolution or frame rate and then you can put your optimised for series X sticker on and sell your disc for two platforms. PS4 and PS5 are separate generations with separate disk and separate products so releasing across both significantly increases costs.
Of course cross buy is possible. But that doesn’t remove the barriers to entry are producing a PlayStation five version. It’s logical to just release the PlayStation four version as that’s the platform with the large install base and backwards compatibility means PlayStation five owners can play it as well.
If true, that sucks
OH NO PHIL SPENCER LOCKING PS4 GAMERS OUT....
Why would there be a ps5 version? Yakuza games are kinda niche and there's a new one every year. 7 is almost a year old already in japan.
If its confirmed?... This is like the Tomb Raider scenario all over again. This is why I tend to dislike MS as a business. Yakuza, like Tomb Raider was hand in hand with PlayStation... I can only assume that MS threw buckets of money at the Yakuza team and have it as a trimmed exclusive...
Ridiculous.... and it's far from fair business. Yakuza built up a western user base because Sony gave it the chance...
Phil spencer would never do something like this, he is for ALL gamers!
please bring Kazuma Kiryu to PS5, no matter remaster or remake, whatever.
I'll be reading Phil Spence the riot act if he locks any third party games away from PlayStation cos it will show his true intentions.
No loss to me personally. If I was going to get around to it later on, I'd be buying the best version anyway. The PC one.
I love yakuza series and i don't mind any version of it. I just hope for next yakuza they move back to brawller style combat instead of the turn based
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