Western Yakuza fans have been hounding SEGA to localise historical spinoff titles Yakuza Kenzan and Yakuza Ishin for years now. The two games repurpose the characters and gameplay of the Yakuza series for a samurai era setting, but they've never been released outside of Japan and other Asian territories.
Given that the Yakuza series has finally established a strong foothold here in the West, requests for Kenzan and Ishin are at an all-time high. But is it ever going to happen? Well, based on recent comments made by Yakuza producer Daisuke Sato, we wouldn't count it out completely.
Earlier this year, Sato stated that he'd like to bring Kenzan and Ishin West as remakes, and now, Sato says that this might be an "opportune time" to do it — primarily thanks to the success of fellow samurai title Ghost of Tsushima.
In an interview with GameBlog, Sato explains: "Even long before Ghost of Tsushima, I did want to release “samurai” games like Kenzan and Ishin in the West. Unfortunately, after Yakuza 0, we were very busy with remastering the numbering Yakuza titles for the PS4, so we missed the opportunity to work on some of these other games. However, if anything, Ghost of Tsushima has helped Western gamers become more interested in samurai, so I should think of it as now is a more opportune time to release these titles."
Indeed, Ghost of Tsushima has been a huge hit for Sony. Just the other day, news broke that the PlayStation 4 exclusive has sold over 6.5 million copies; a staggering amount, especially for a new property.
We can only hope, then, that Ghost of Tsushima has helped pave the way for Kenzan and Ishin. Would you be interested in these Yakuza spinoffs? Ask SEGA nicely in the comments section below.
[source gameblog.fr, via tojodojo.com]
Comments 18
Would love to play these, though I get the feeling they wouldn't be coming to PS4 (at least not a translated version of Ishin).
Could be the excuse to finally buy a PS5, depending on where and when this releases (and what consoles I have at the time).
Please make this happen! Remasters would be great.
I hope we get them. cannot get enough Yakuza. All i've got left is 6, Like a Dragon, Judgement and Dead Souls!
Kenzan and Ishin double pack remasters, DO IT SEGAAAA!
@MS7000 I can see these coming cross-gen like latest Yakuza game
Man, I really happened to start this franchise at the best time. All of the main games available in one console, Ichiban's game was released, and now there's increasing comments on Kenzan/Ishin ports right after I completed Kiryu's saga.
If Ghost of Tsushima finally convinces RGG Studio to bring Kenzan and Ishin over here to the west then I'm even more grateful to Sucker Punch.
Been asking for these for years, so i would be there day 1 if priced correctly. A double pack a la the Yakuza remastered collection would work best
It's funny, because I think he doesn't realize how much westerners actually are interested in Samurai media, both old and new.
Hopefully this also convinces whoever has the tenchu ip to make a new game
oh yes please i have played yakuza 0 , 1 , mid way through 2 ( i drop it and pick it up off and on just leveling up the character) and judgement , i love the Japanese manga and themed games and movies very interesting stuff more please! thank you.
👻 ghost of tshushima success to be key to onimusha also.tenchu.even ninja gaiden is getting a collection.word up son
I'm a big fan of games in any Feudal/Mythical Japan setting and I would love to play this Samurai Yakuza game. Not just Ghost of Tsushima, Nioh and Sekiro are also good games that gained positive reception and are additional reason for this Yakuza game to be localized. Hopefully, we see some future installments for Tenchu and Onimusha as well.
@Talon_Zanarkand thank you for reminding me. Some how I always forget it. It's on the list!
@playstation1995 Tenchu! Now were talking, son.
@KonkeyDong64 i agree man. Ive recently had a bit of a samurai blitz. Yojimbo, Hara-kiri, 7 samurai, 13 assassins, Last samurai etc. Love me some samurai. Would love a new Tenchu game and am looking forward to the Ninja gaiden release.
Ok, that alone is worth GoT!
@Kidfunkadelic83. Whats going big time.yeah man a tenchu game will definitely be amazing.especially on ps5.word up son
@playstation1995 whats good brother! Yeah a Tenchu game now days has massive po"tenchu"al. I fired up 2 the other day and it hasnt aged well in the controls department. Word 🤜🤛
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