Yakuza 3

By Christian Donlan Published 15 February, 2010

Even more like a dragon.

I was about two hours into the opening chapters of Yakuza 3 when I started to realise I was going to have to play a few rounds of golf if I wanted to get any further.

Up until this point, things had been a little too straightforward: I'd wandered around in Tokyo a bit, I'd watched a lot of cut-scenes, had plenty of conversations to page through, and I'd even had a fight with a charming idiot on top of a floodlit skyscraper. Suddenly I found myself tasked with earning the confidence of a local sports-mad councilman, and then there I was at the golf course, selecting putters, taking into account the wind shear and trying to perfect my swing.

In between the three or four holes SEGA wants you to play, there's a little bit of plot to unfold, as reformed Yakuza Kiryu Kazuma chats with the councillor about young people today and how they play too many videogames, while obliquely discussing a land deal that threatens his way of life. In between the plot unfolding, however, there's quite a bit of a fairly serious golf game to play as you calculate the lay of the green, get to grips with the power meter, and try to stay out of the rough.

It's not going to win any awards - unless there's a category for "best golf game unexpectedly inserted into a violent RPG" included in end of the year round-ups - but it's slick stuff, and in the quirky wholeheartedness with which SEGA's underworld adventure throws itself into capturing the feel of Tiger Woods, you can see why people often refer to this series as the spiritual successor to Shenmue.

'Yakuza 3' Screenshot 1

New Chase Battles vary the pace somewhat as you pursue enemies through crowded streets.

Golfing aside, the opening of Yakuza 3 is a slow burn, and a deeply enjoyable one. There's a lot of story to get through in the largely non-interactive first 45 minutes, and a lot of back-story to catch up on if you missed the first two games or are recovering from amnesia (luckily, there are stylish précis of the previous titles tucked away on a menu somewhere). Even once you're properly back in control of things, there's still a lot of chatting to be done with almost everyone you encounter.

But the long and the short of it is actually pretty simple. Kazuma has left the world of crime largely behind him, and he and sweet little Haruka have started a new life in Okinawa - which, with its radiant sands, green grass and dipping palms, looks a lot like the Greenhill Zone following a chequer-endectomy.

Kazuma and Haruka are running an orphanage, and, as is the way with such things, the orphanage is threatened with closure by a corrupt land deal. I don't want to get too far into the realm of spoilers, but if you're buying Yakuza 3 because you think it's going to be a great orphanage management game, you're probably going to be disappointed.

Except that, for the first few hours, before the action leans back towards the Tokyo streets the series is famous for, it is an orphanage management game. And it is, by and large, a pretty great one. Kazuma, decked out in a Hawaiian shirt and some truly ill-considered white slacks, spends his days chopping onions for dinner, lecturing the children on the meaning of family and the basics of good manners (you might want to take notes - his stuff on conflict resolution is particularly good). Only occasionally does he head off into the nearby city to smash people around the head with bicycles.

SEGA's establishing a delicate pace with these opening scenes - somewhat more insistent than the studious plod of the Persona games, perhaps - and there's a real sense of a slice of life, albeit a fairly saccharine one, being expertly shaped for the world of videogames.

In between local rumblings of violent wrongdoings in town, you really will have to get into the rhythm of the kids' days, helping them out with poignant childhood problems like stolen money, bullying, and whether or not to beat a stray dog (do it, naturally), and it's strangely addictive stuff. One quest has so much backtracking in the space of two minutes that it's almost a parody of the form, but for the most part Yakuza 3 keeps you on your toes, and proves itself as comfortable with domestic duties as it is with the brawling.

Cor, it's still brilliant at the brawling though, and once the game returns to a more familiar pace you're left to enjoy the old-school pleasures of punching, kicking and kneeing people into shop windows. The lock-on might be wobbly and combos may start off in a fairly simplistic manner, but there's plenty of opportunity for showboating as street crowds gather to cheer you on, strikes connect with a screen-shaking intensity, and blood splatters all over the sidewalk.

'Yakuza 3' Screenshot 2

Weapons can be equipped to the d-pad and upgraded over time.

At heart, these are random battles - even if in Yakuza 3 you don't even have to dip into a separate instance anymore - but they feel like events in a way random battles rarely do. They're rowdy, brutal and stylish: once you start levelling up and unlocking different heat actions, you can pull off some truly horrific finishers, and even before that there's a unique delight to be found in shattering a restaurant menu hording over somebody's shoulders while, nearby, a granny gives you a thumbs-up.

And when the story finally gets cooking, it unfolds with the low-key style of the first two games. The framing of cut-scenes is understated but cool, the threat of nasty violence hangs in the air at every moment, and everyone you meet is either a badass or a pathetic snivelling fraud about to get shown up for pretending to be a badass.

With its ebb and flow of dialogue, exploration and punching people in the nuts, three games in, the central premise of Yakuza still seems like such a good idea. An RPG with a modern setting, and a nice brawler wedged in the middle: decent characters, a dizzying plot, and endless mini-game distractions.

'Yakuza 3' Screenshot 3

Kazuma's sideburns have benefited from the mighty Cell processor.

It remains a Japanophile's dream, too. Just wandering around Kazuma's orphanage with its sliding doors, tatami mats and odd light fixtures, and a kitchen filled with brightly-coloured plastic utensils, feels like the best kind of cultural nosing around, while the bright banners and shuttered storefronts of downtown Okinawa and Tokyo convey a sense of place every bit as exciting as Hyrule.

And, ultimately, we're lucky to be getting it, given the generally limp sales of the original games. The days of big-name voice-overs may be gone, and the next-gen polish may be limited to nice skin textures and subtle animation tweaks, but Yakuza 3 still feels like an event release. It's not going to trouble Final Fantasy XIII too much in the sales stakes, but as a serious RPG that blazes its own trail, it's likely to acquit itself with honour - on and off the links.

Yakuza 3 is due out exclusively for PS3 on 12th March.

Picture of Christian.

About Christian Donlan

Chris Donlan writes about games for Eurogamer and some magazines. His heroes include Eugene Jarvis, Errol Morris, and Linus Van Pelt.

Read more articles from Christian by visiting the Christian Donlan archive page.

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Comments (54) Latest comment 2 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Velios #1 2 years ago

    Never played the first two games, but maybe this will be good! The first two missed my radar completely.
    Edited by 1 at 15/02/10 @ 00:14

  • uiruki #2 2 years ago

    It's more than 'subtle animation tweaks' - this and Kenzan have some of the best facial animation around.

  • Felwyn #3 2 years ago

    where did you get your radar?

  • Retroid #4 2 years ago

    DO WANT

    /Loved Yakuza 2

  • SleepyMagpie #5 2 years ago

    Now this is the PS3 game for me this spring. Going to pass on Heavy Rain and FFXIII.

    Anything that remotely resembles Shenmue will pique my interest. Bring on orphanage management and Okinawan sunshine!

  • karooo #6 2 years ago

    I thought Heavy Rain would be like shenmue :| @ sleepymagpie

  • VibratingDonkey #7 2 years ago

    Truly this is the age of dragons.

  • Telepathic.Geometry #8 2 years ago

    Actually, I can honestly say that I've never had any interest in the Yakuza games, for whatever reason. Now my interest has genuinely been piqued. Chris should get himself a job in PR. ;)

  • Charlie_Miso #9 2 years ago

    Look pretty pretty pretty good

  • FabricatedLunatic #10 2 years ago

    Well, if that doesn't shift a few copies to on-the-fence Eurogamers, nothing will. Nice article, Christian.

  • the_dudefather #11 2 years ago

    sounds great!

    Liked what I played of Yakuza 1 (ps3 emualtion problems hindered progress though), so might pick this up

  • ZuluHero #12 2 years ago

    Isn't it a bit pointless to give a "hands on" when you've already reviewed it? Can't wait for March, although my wallet is already looking at me with puppy eyes...

  • Mortified_Penguin #13 2 years ago

    Really pleased it's getting released at long last. Look forward to buying it.

    Quick question, is it Japanese with subtitles like Yakuza 2 (I hope so)?

  • Machetazo #14 2 years ago

    Zulu, the article here presented was worthwhile, because for one, that import review is far from front page prominence, and for two, this is a far more useful primer for understanding the kind of game that will be released in a month's time.

    Yes, penguin, Yakuza 3 is Japanese audio, with subs.
    Edited by 1 at 15/02/10 @ 09:48

  • UncleLou #15 2 years ago

    As someone who has never played any of the games, and is utterly confused by the trailers: it's a brawler at its core, right? If yes, how complex is it? I suck at games like Street Fighter, for example. :)

  • Machetazo #16 2 years ago

    @Lou: I'd describe Yakuza as an adventure game, but the battles usually play out like a brawler. :) To explain, say you're heading somewhere, you might notice a guy running after you in the street (in Y1) if he catches you, there'll be an intro screen and you start an enclosed street brawl as onlookers cheer for one or the other fighter. But, there are minigames, missions and a great atmosphere that you don't really get in other games, to discover, too; all while playing kazuma's story.

  • FabricatedLunatic #17 2 years ago

    Yes, it's basically a scrolling brawler with some RPG elements and a ton of other distractions. The combat is not terribly complex (though you do unlock plenty of new moves and counters as you progress through the game) but hugely satisfying. It's more Streets of Rage than Street Fighter.

  • Pulsar_t #18 2 years ago

    Hopefully this sells better than its predecessors. At least Sega has made this a profitable franchise in Japan.

  • iago71 #19 2 years ago

    Got the Japanese Demo from JP PSN. Its great. Im looking forward to this massively.

  • the_exile #20 2 years ago

    These games are made with the logic that Shenmue failed because it didn't have enough mindless violence and not because sega abandoned the platform on which it was released. "Outside sonic, let's stick to criminal ulltraviolence henceforth" sega reasoned.

    The club, Madworld, Yakuza - all commercial failures - and they still don't get it.

    Honestly. Yakuza runs an orphanage! A deeply dishonest attempt to make the controversial protagonist more acceptable. Perhaps they can do an English version where the kray twins volunteer for the good Samaritans.

  • Nazo #21 2 years ago

    Really hope this does well. I enjoyed the first 2 but never finished them but I loved Kenzan and played it right through, the improved technology really made a big difference from the slightly stuttery PS2 incarnations. I will definitely be picking this one up at some point.

  • X201 #22 2 years ago

    @farticusmaximus

    Its Japanese dialogue with subtitles.
    Having Japanese characters with English voices ruins the atmosphere.

  • X201 #23 2 years ago

    @farticusmaximus Yeah, the menu's and stuff will be in English.



  • Zidargh #24 2 years ago

    Fuckinghell. I have to play through: - the end of AC2; both Uncharteds; start Tropico 3; somehow start AND finish Dragon Age; all in time for this!?

    I really cannot wait for this, and I think Ill get Battlefield purely for when Im in the mood for something a bit faster.
    Edited by 1 at 15/02/10 @ 10:50

  • FabricatedLunatic #25 2 years ago

    The club, Madworld, Yakuza - all commercial failures - and they still don't get it.

    I don't know about the other two, but since 2005 Yakuza has had four sequels. That doesn't sound like commercial failure to me. It's true that the franchise hasn't been very successful in the West, but this could be attributed to the games being released on PS2 at a time (late 2006) when many gamers had already moved on.

  • aldo_14 #26 2 years ago

    I loved the PS2 original of this, and it's one of a/the few games that I'd buy a PS3 for. If I had any money and the wife wouldn't string me up by the nuts for it, of course...

  • Skurmedel #27 2 years ago

    Your nuts are worth a game. Put some of your little swimmers in cryostasis and then buy the game. Win-win.
    Edited by 1 at 15/02/10 @ 11:34

  • Pac #28 2 years ago

    With the laclustre reception of FF XIII and mixed reaction to Heavy Rain, this game is rapidly becoming my most wanted game this spring.

    No doubt I will still pick up all three but I am looking forward to banging a few dustbins off a few heads come the 12th March.

    Loved Y2 but lack of backward compatibility pn PS3 stopped me from finishing it.

    Also finished the excellent ME2 last night so have a big gap in my life to fill!
    Edited by 1 at 15/02/10 @ 11:55

  • andywilkie35 #29 2 years ago

    I can see myself playing this a shit load more than FFXIII

  • Widge #30 2 years ago

    I take it you can walk and faff around like you did in Shenmue? Day/Night cycle and all that?

    No time limit with which to finish the game in either I hope. I didn't like the way that hung over my head in Shenmue 2.

  • Everblue #31 2 years ago

    This game reaks awesome from everywhere. Er, except the cover art :(

  • FabricatedLunatic #32 2 years ago

    @Widge

    How it works in the first two games is that between missions you're free to walk around the town (or towns), where you'll find side quests and other interesting diversions, for as long as you like. When ready to progress with the story, you'll go to a certain part of the map and trigger the next mission. Similar to GTA, if you like. No day/night cycle.

  • espadachin #33 2 years ago

    fuckinghellpre-ordered :)

  • varsas #34 2 years ago

    @the exile: Is ultra-violence the reason for GTA and most western games?

  • guernican #35 2 years ago

    I see he's still wearing the same suit and shirt combo, though.

    It'll take more than Vanish to get that back to its sparkly best.

  • Stepharneo #36 2 years ago

    GODDAMNIT!!! I really didn't need to add any more games to my list of "games that I want coming out in the next two months"...seriously, why can't they be spread out a bit more, at this rate I'll have to quit my job and go full time gamer.

  • superdelphinus #37 2 years ago

    that man looks like he's just shat his pants

  • Widge #38 2 years ago

    So there is no daily routine like in Shenmue then? Shame.
    Outrun and Afterburner?

  • Zidargh #39 2 years ago

    Where's the cheapest place for pre-order of this?

  • X201 #40 2 years ago

    @Zidargh
    Haven't found anywhere different, they all seem to be saying £39

  • Nadimalam #41 2 years ago

    Shame it doesnt have the english dialogue option!

    Heavy Rain will be much better then this even though I loved the first 2 yakuza games they were still know where near as good as Shenmue!

    Yakuza 1 had english dialogue which made the game a much better experience then yakuza 2, reading subtitles in yakuza 2 bored the hell out of me after the first 30mins. Got tired of reading and missing on screen action and trying to stay in touch with the story all at the same time.

    I would have loved YAKUZA 3 to have english dialogue option even if it wasnt lip synched properly.
    Its also the only way for it to appeal to the west but because this one is completly in JAP with ENG subtitles the sales for this game will be rubbish no matter how good the game is.

    I hope in Yakuza 4 the devs consider this and release with English audio.

  • Cappy #42 2 years ago

    Sorry, no emulated Sega classics Widge.

    Yakuza has plenty of other diversions though, the golf mentioned in this preview indicates they haven't given up on that. Previous Yakuza games have had diversions ranging from fully fleshed out mahjong in a seedy parlour to those arcade crane machines.

    I'm looking forward to this game so much. :)

  • Diomedes #43 2 years ago

    Cant wait to play this.Between FFXIII,God of War 3 and this game March will be one of my best gaming months ever.

  • The_Inquisitor #44 2 years ago

    Whatever I'm playing at the time will be put on hold when this is released. :-)
    I'm happy about the dialoge myself, but as mentioned in the article, just happy to be getting it full stop.

  • old_skool #45 2 years ago

    This is 1 series that Sega should consider remastering...

  • VibratingDonkey #46 2 years ago

    Sega didn't know how to market this series. And then they stopped bothering. Now we've gotten to the point where it's a miracle the game is even getting a western release at all.

    @Nadimalam
    As you said, Yakuza 1 had a full English dub and it still sold like ass. At this point, spending that amount of effort on localization would just be a waste.

    And I'm of the opinion that games (and movies, but not books) should be in their native language. Having yakuza in Japan speaking English ain't making no damned sense. Also, STEPDAFOCKOP!

  • jellyhead #47 2 years ago

    Really liked the first two and this is a definite purchase for me.

  • freakzilla #48 2 years ago

    I'm always keen if it isn't cheesy, bland or needlessly over the top. The thing is games always seem so much better when written by a journalist than when you play it yourself.

    (UC2 and inFamous)

  • Pacman8MyGhostkart #49 2 years ago

    I liked the first Yakuza and am about 25 hours into the second, am really looking forward to this and will end up buying a PS3 but I am really sick to death of going to purgatory as a time sink. I've seen it in the trailers and hope it's just a short stop off.

  • konnsky #50 2 years ago

    CAN'T WAiT! I've played the first two games and when I heard the third is coming to UK I got a ps3 to be able to play this. I'm so happy! Roll on march!

  • TRUTH #51 2 years ago

    My mate got this on Import - it's not really a AAA title and more of an acquired taste. The graphics are nice, but liner and not very interactive...It's slow with decent fights, not SF or Tekken standard.

    More a decent game rather then a very good game!

  • Damn_Skippy #52 2 years ago

    Yakuza 1 was hilarious, and 2 was improved in every way. You need to do all the side-quests to really get the most of these though...either that or go and beat-up more random punk in puffy jackets! GOW3 be damned....March is all about head-stomping for me.

  • Kaminari #53 2 years ago

    Spot-on hands-on.

    Just finished the demo and couldn't help but reminisce about Shenmue. Yakuza is no Shenmue, but it's the closest we have right now, and you can't say no to a game series which pays homage to both Yu Suzuki and Takeshi Kitano.

    (Note to self: the karaoke sessions are hilarious stuff!)

  • zippie151 #54 2 years ago

    I'd heard about but never played the Yakuza games before and when I fired up the demo earlier today i thought WTF is this!? And then after about 20mins and some karaoke I was sold, I am definitely getting this game now lol.