The Yakuza series has landed on Xbox in a big way over the last few years, with multiple Game Pass additions helping the series make a name for itself on Microsoft platforms. Well, series developer Masayoshi Yokoyama certainly believes the subscription service has helped the series find a Western audience anyway.
In a new interview with Twinfinite, Yokoyama was quizzed on the franchise's growth in the west, and whether services like Game Pass suit the series. Here's what the dev had to say about gaining an audience in new regions:
"In terms of audience, I think the West has especially increased. It’s hard to tell if that’s thanks to multiplatform or if it’s because we changed the genre and protagonist from Yakuza: Like a Dragon as a new series, or both. Personally, I do think subscriptions like Game Pass, allowing people to play the previous games over the years, have contributed largely to the increase in audience."
Here at Pure Xbox, we've certainly noticed the series grow in popularity thanks to Game Pass, especially for a franchise that never really had a history with Xbox prior. Everyone seems to be enjoying its consistent inclusion in the library!
The rest of the interview is well worth a read; Yokoyama breaks down everything Yakuza, from the work that went into western localisation, to the future of the franchise. If that future includes Xbox Game Pass, then happy days!
Were you introduced to Yakuza thanks to Xbox Game Pass? Let us know in the comments below.
[source twinfinite.net]
Comments 17
How 'bout that eh? And apparently Game Pass is bad for games.
Removed - trolling/baiting; user is banned
@Sakisa why would you want to open that can of worms? Haha.
@Jaxx420 I’m just happy to see the record being set straight.
Started zero on game pass a few weeks ago, played a few hours and so far its been decent and not what I expected, I didn't expect it to be as silly as it is so far but that made it more enjoyable and gives people a real taste of what japan's like, I absolutely sucked at that karaoke mini game though.
@UltimateOtaku91 I have only played Like a Dragon and was also surprised by how silly it is. Just wish it didn’t have the difficulty spikes as other than them it is a brilliant game.
To be fair, its pretty popular everywhere and is also all over psns subcription titles now too, though gp had it first! .
I think for a series like this, with little western uptake, adding to a sub service to get yourself noticed is a really useful tool, and gp shows its uses again.
@UltimateKGB glad someone else mentioned the spikes. I must have put 60 hours into dragon before hitting a fight that I just couldn't win. Tried for four succesive days, but just gave up and walked away in the end. Loved what I did play though....
Seeing yakusa zero has just hit psn, i might try it there, the series x needs a rest ive hit it hard in the last few weeks
@Titntin @UltimateKGB I haven't played like a dragon yet but does it have difficulty options? Usually when I play games and I hit a difficulty spike/battle etc I lower the difficulty for that part then put it back up again after.
@UltimateOtaku91 Its been a while, so I dont remember, but if it had an easy mode, you can bet I tried to get through on that!
Id check, but ive just started the medium on ps5.... Getti g a bloober feel before SH2 😁
@UltimateKGB Yeah, the spike around chapter 13 is especially brutal. If there’s anything major I hope for Like a Dragon 8, it’s that they really fine tune both their core turn based combat, and the job system around it.
@UltimateOtaku91
The difficulty can't be lowered, if I remember correct. Once you reach chapter 12, doing some level grinding will be almost a necessity as you'll find the bosses are suddenly 10-15 levels above you
I’m playing Like a Dragon due to GamePass. It’s fun to pick up for a bit. Reminds me of Shenmue
I'm gonna be real, just like with Persona it was a combination of New Game Release/Releases, a passionate established PlayStation Fanbase (everyone knows how much we brag and sell our Exclusives) and the overall success and popularity of the PS4 that elevated these franchises the past generation.
Multiplatform and things like Game Pass helped expand that reach and success but it wasn't the cause of it by any means I think 🤔
@Titntin GP didn't have it first though. Some of those Yakuza titles were on PS Now before GP. 🤷🏾♂️
@Rafie Oh sorry mate, I wasn't aware of that despite being on their subscription for many years (I had many years of PS NOW).
I guess Xbox has more subscribers than ps extra, so might make more of a difference here! Either way, its good the game got more exposure through being on the services.
Thanks for correcting me!
It's where I bought Like a Dragon but I'm sure I'll buy the next one in my PS5. Graphics and frame rate matter.
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