Sega has just revealed Yakuza 7, the next mainline entry in the Yakuza franchise. In a surprising turn of events, they also revealed that the game will be trading in the games’ usual brawl-style combat for a turn-based combat system.
Nearly everything in Yakuza 7 looks foreign and familiar at the same time. Players take control of Ichiban Kasuga, a new character who spent 18 years in prison after taking the fall for a crime he didn’t commit.
The game will take place in Yokohama, a new setting that is apparently three times bigger than the games’ usual setting of Kamurocho. Kazuma Kiryu was previously the franchise’s main protagonist, but his story ended in Yakuza 6. It only makes sense then, that the series is looking to do a soft reboot with Yakuza 7.
Reception to the game’s new turn-based combat system has been divisive to say the least, prompting producer Daisuke Sato to take to Twitter and state that he hopes fans give the game a chance anyway. RELATED VIDEOSega Introduces the New Genesis Mini at E3 in Los AngelesFEATURED BY
Yakuza 7 will release on PS4 in Japan on January 16, 2020. A western release will come later in 2020. If you’re still hankering for more Yakuza goodness, check out our Judgement review.