In an interview with IGN Ryu ga Gotoku Studios, SEGA’s subsidiary, which handles the Japanese-centric crime drama series Yakuza, has now confirmed that after the success of Yakuza: Like a Dragon, it will continue making it into a turn-based RPG going forward. Meanwhile, the series’ spin-off Lost Judgement will be the “action series pillar” from now on. The words came out right from the mouths of Yakuza creator Toshihiro Nagoshi and producer Kazuki Hosokawa themselves.
“That’s right. The Yakuza series has been transformed into a turn-based RPG. On the other hand, over the years, Ryu ga Gotoku Studio has accumulated resources and know-how of making flashy and exhilarating action games that are effortless to enjoy. We decided that we should let our signature action gameplay live on through Lost Judgment.“
Since its debut in 2005 for the PS2 (2006 for North America), the Yakuza series has been utilizing and is very well known for its 3D action gameplay. For most of the mainline titles, you play as Kazuma Kiryu, a tough no-nonsense member of the Dojima Family, in a semi-open world where you can beat up people and other criminals in real-time action. After Kiryu’s journey ended with Yakuza 6, a fresh face named Ichiban Kasuga took the lead role in the turn-based RPG Yakuza: Like a Dragon which was released last year on PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
Lost Judgement itself is a continuation of a spin-off called Judgement, which launched in 2018. Instead of playing as a member of the yakuza, you take control of a private detective named Takayuki Yagami, who has to investigate a serial murder case where the perpetrator took the eyes of their victims. Taking place in the fictional Kamurocho district, the game is set in the same universe as the mainline Yakuza series. Lost Judgment will be released worldwide on September 24, 2021, forPS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
