Preview: Yakuza 3

Developer: Amusement Vision

Publisher: SEGA

Platforms: PS3

Release: March 2010

Yakuza is Japan’s GTA but with brawler sequences instead of shoot-outs.  The third title in the series follows Kazuma and his adopted daughter who fled Kamurochoto to seek a new life in Okinawa where they manage an orphanage for children.  But much like a familiar Coppola story; everytime you think you’re out – they pull you back in.

Looking to be “just what the doctor ordered” for open-world genre fans, I can’t wait to jump back into the under-world of Yakuza.

The feature, feature:

• Storied franchise enjoys a hardcore following with true video-game enthusiasts.
• Tokyo and Okinawa are rendered with stunning accuracy.
• Play a variety of mini-games including billiards, karaoke or even take in a game of golf.
• Engage in a variety of real-life activities from buying items in licensed shops & businesses to eating in restaurants you can find on actual streets of Tokyo.
• Seamlessly transition into intense fights more brutal than ever before.
• Gain fighting experience by training with teachers, getting “heavenly inspiration” or by remembering new moves from previous battles

If you’re a PS3 owner and a fan of Rockstar’s GTA series, then you should really consider playing Yakuza 3.  For more info, visit http://www.sega.com/yakuza3 and keep it here @ RJG for a video review when it drops in March 2010.