Eight HD Minutes Of The End

We previously showed you a nice chunk of Yakuza: Of The End in not so flattering standard def recorded straight from a presentation screen. Ghetto, but effective. Well, we can now replace that with a much nicer looking, slightly longer, still amazing cut of the latest entry in the Yakuza series.

Let's be real, this game looks like mindless, ridiculous fun. Yes, I'm sick of zombies and you probably should be too, but I do enjoy me some Yakuza, so this pairing can't be all bad. Who knows, maybe we're in for the surprise of a halfway decent story, since the previous Yakuza titles are driven by above average writing. Just because zombies have been added, doesn't necessarily mean the game will lose its brains, right?

Sign me up if only for the strip batting cages, Majima singing karaoke, and 50 Cent (at the 7:05 mark in the video, that's definitely him!)

TGS 2010: Yakuza: Of The End Extended Gameplay

After previously turning a cautious eye to Yakuza: Of the End, this new game play trailer courtesy of GameTrailers.com makes me feel a little more settled with Yakuza's latest chapter. Where the series is dedicated to portraying a realistic crime drama (with the exception of Yakuza: Kenzan!) the developers expressed their interest in trying something new, so they take on the third person shooter genre and add a zombies to the mix.

While past Yakuza games have been dead serious, Of the End seems to take a more light hearted approach, which is something I can't hate on. I shouldn't hold a grudge on a series for trying something new to freshen things up, while retaining many of the elements that have made previous titles in the Yakuzaverse so charming.

As time passes, I'm becoming more comfortable with Yakuza: Of the End. The first news was a little concerning. The story trailer didn't look so bad. And now the game play looks hilarious and fun. I think Sega always knows how to win me over.

TGS 2010: Hey Pop Culture, Your Zombies are in My Yakuza Series

Yakuza, what? The cult favorite has taken a turn for the unexpected by focusing on zombies for the latest entry in the crime drama series, Yakuza Of The End. The news came about a few days ago but I was in too much of a dumbstruck awe to write anything intelligible on the subject. Even now, I'm fighting my hardest not to break down into a Neanderthalistic rage of nonsensical screaming. 

The Yakuza series, which seemed more like a prime-time NHK drama than a game, with the addition of zombies and craziness of the sort, now seem more like a Takashi Miike movie than anything else. My first reaction to this marked new direction was a nice, hearty face palm.

Now, a few days later, more information is leaking out and it makes me wonder if maybe Sega is taking Of The End down the zombie route for light hearted purposes. Aside from things like cybernetic Gatling gun arms, you'll be able to enjoy typical Yakuza mini-games, such as batting cages, ping pong with sexy ladies, karaoke, and of course, visiting the hostess bars.

I won't write Of The End off yet, as much as I want to. With the game shifting to more shooter heavy play, and the possibility of four player co-op, there's still hope for this game.