Summary
- Release Year: 2011
- Genres: Adventure, Role-playing game (RPG), Shooter, Sport
- Platforms: PlayStation 3
- Developers: Sega Corporation
- Publishers: Sega Corporation
Yakuza: Dead Souls (2011)
Introduction
Yakuza: Dead Souls is an action-adventure/survival horror video game developed and published by Sega exclusively for the PlayStation 3. Released in 2011, it is the sixth installment in the Yakuza series. The game’s concept and keyword is “destruction”; a promotional image for the game showed the series’ main locale, Kamurocho, in ruins.
Setting and Story
The game is set during a zombie outbreak in Kamurocho, a fictionalized district of Tokyo. The outbreak is caused by a mysterious virus that turns people into flesh-eating zombies. The game’s four protagonists – Kazuma Kiryu, Ryuji Goda, Goro Majima, and Shun Akiyama – must band together to fight off the zombies and find a way to stop the outbreak.
Gameplay
Yakuza: Dead Souls combines the action-adventure gameplay of the Yakuza series with the survival horror elements of games like Resident Evil and Left 4 Dead. Players control one of the four protagonists as they explore Kamurocho, fighting off zombies and completing missions. The game features a variety of weapons, including firearms, melee weapons, and environmental objects. Players can also use special abilities to defeat zombies and solve puzzles.
Characters
- Kazuma Kiryu: The protagonist of the Yakuza series, Kiryu is a former yakuza who is now trying to live a peaceful life. However, he is forced to take up arms once again when the zombie outbreak occurs.
- Ryuji Goda: A former yakuza who is now a police officer, Goda is a skilled fighter and a natural leader. He is determined to stop the zombie outbreak and save the people of Kamurocho.
- Goro Majima: A former yakuza who is now a homeless man, Majima is a skilled fighter and a master of disguise. He is always looking for a good fight, and he is more than willing to help Kiryu and Goda stop the zombie outbreak.
- Shun Akiyama: A former loan shark who is now a successful businessman, Akiyama is a skilled fighter and a master strategist. He is determined to use his wealth and resources to help Kiryu and Goda stop the zombie outbreak.
Development
Yakuza: Dead Souls was developed by Sega’s Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, the same studio that developed the rest of the Yakuza series. The game was directed by Toshihiro Nagoshi, who also directed the previous Yakuza games.
Development of the game began in 2009, shortly after the release of Yakuza 4. Nagoshi wanted to create a Yakuza game that was different from the previous games in the series, and he decided to set the game during a zombie outbreak.
The game was originally scheduled to be released in 2010, but it was delayed until 2011. The delay was caused by a number of factors, including the need to polish the game’s visuals and gameplay.
Reception
Yakuza: Dead Souls received mixed reviews from critics. Some praised the game’s unique blend of action-adventure and survival horror, while others criticized its repetitive gameplay and lack of innovation.
Despite the mixed reviews, the game was a commercial success. It sold over 500,000 copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling Yakuza games of all time.
Legacy
Yakuza: Dead Souls is a unique and memorable entry in the Yakuza series. It is the only game in the series to feature a zombie outbreak, and it offers a different perspective on the Yakuza universe.
The game’s success has led to speculation that Sega may develop a sequel. However, no official announcement has been made.
Conclusion
Yakuza: Dead Souls is a solid action-adventure/survival horror game that offers a unique and thrilling experience. Fans of the Yakuza series and zombie games will definitely want to check it out.
Review Score
7.5/10
Art
Cover Art
Screenshots
