Yakuza: Like a Dragon is the seventh entry in the critically acclaimed Yakuza series developed by Ryū ga Gotoku(Yakuza Studio) and published by Sega, and it is expected to finally hit store shelves next week; becoming available for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Steam, and Windows 10.
While the game has been available in Japan since January of this year, it only released on PlayStation 4, which is why it was such a great deal when Sega revealed that the game would also be launching on Xbox platforms, which isn't a first for the series, but it was still somewhat unexpected.
Things got even better for Xbox players, as Sega and Ryū ga Gotoku confirmed that the Xbox Series X|S version of Yakuza: Like a Dragon would launch on Tuesday the 10th of November — which is three days before other it releases on other platforms — in order to coincide with the release of Microsoft's next-gen console.
Unfortunately the above won't be the case in Japan, since new information reveals that Yakuza: Like a Dragon for the Xbox Series X|S will not release in Japan att all — not for the time being, at least — which isn't only disappointing but also quite surprising given that this is a Japan-made title.
"The release of the Xbox Series X version of Yakuza: Like a Dragon in Japan has not been officially announced by us," reads Sega's official statement on Japanese video game website GameWatch.
Now, it is also worth mentioning that Xbox isn't really big in Japan, so it is understandable that Sega isn't announcing an Xbox Series X|S version of Yakuza: Like a Dragon there, especially since they've already had the game for PlayStation 4 since January.
On that same not, Ryū ga Gotoku confirmed in September that those who own the physical version of Yakuza: Like a Dragon for the PlayStation 4 will be able to use the disc to get the upgraded version on PlayStation 5, although save data will unfortunately not be transferrable.
An Xbox Series X|S version of Yakuza: Like a Dragon releasing in Japan is still viable, but it will not be available next week like here in the West. Then again, Japanese players probably won't mind, since most of them will opt to purchase a PlayStation 5 instead, and this is likely the reason why Sega hasn't announced the game for Microsoft's next-gen console.
Become Ichiban Kasuga, a low-ranking yakuza grunt left on the brink of death by the man he trusted most. Take up your legendary bat and get ready to crack some underworld skulls in dynamic RPG combat set against the backdrop of modern-day Japan.
Yakuza: Like a Dragon is expected to release for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Steam, and Windows 10 on Friday the 13th of November, and on Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S on Tuesday the 10th of November; PlayStation 5 version to launch on Tuesday the 2nd of March, 2021.