SEGA Tokyo Game Show 2012 Roundup

Compared to last year, SEGA’s showing at Tokyo Game Show (TGS for short) was hugely gimped by lack of multiplatform titles, something the publisher is greatly known for. A general shift in focus towards touch-based platforms is apparent with not just SEGA, but the entirety of the event across all publishers.

That said, SEGA has still revealed and demonstrated several titles, although as always it is unclear how many of these will receive English language releases.

After the break we have compiled a list of every title involving SEGA at the event.

SEGA E3 2012 Roundup

SEGA had a fairly muted showing at this year’s Electronic Entertainment Expo, but it was still rich with unique and diverse titles across every major platform, like fans of the company can always expect. SEGA also had some very unexpected surprise reveals and announcements, some received better than others.

Anarchy Reigns and Rhythm Thief are especially notable for not having a proper slot at SEGA’s booth this year. I suggested previously that these games are likely canceled in North America, but SEGA has hinted that this may not be the case.

After the break we have included each game SEGA of America focused on during the event. as well as other titles related to the company. We have read hundreds of articles and compressed it all into a basic read.

Personal View: SEGA’s March 2012 layoffs – A nail in the coffin or the makings of a bright future?

Last week, news from SEGA of America broke that saw numerous members of staff fired, games canceled and a general downsizing of the entire branch of SEGA of America. Initially, rumors ran rampant and confused a large amount of fans across the globe, the worst of which was that the entire United States branch of SEGA had completely shut down, which of course is not the case.

Immediate reconstruction has taken place going into their new fiscal year. They expect a net loss of ¥7.1 billion ($86.4 million) as part of the reform and news of this dropped their entire company’s stock 4%. However, the day after their stock rose 5% and is showing signs of continual growth.

After the break I discuss the potential cancellations, their effects, observe the negatives and positives of the change and attempt to discover if SEGA truly is in trouble or if the downsizing is the start of a brilliant strategy. The rest of the post should be taken as speculation from a dedicated fan of the company and game industry as a whole and not as a financial advisor.

Out of respect of those whom lost their jobs, any subjects around them will not be mentioned at all.

Shinobi 3DS, Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games both out now

The latest Shinobi game in the long running franchise has been released today exclusively for the Nintendo 3DS in North America. Simply named Shinobi in all regions, except Japan where it is titled Shinobi 3D, this latest side-scrolling action game is developed by Griptonite Games whom were perhaps best known for their critically and commercially successful Spider-Man games on Nintendo DS.

Also released today is Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games for the Wii console. This is the third console crossover title combining Nintendo’s Mario and SEGA’s Sonic franchises whom were fierce competitors in the 1990s. The Nintendo 3DS version of this game has been delayed until February of 2012, much closer to the actual upcoming Olympics. This is the first in the series to not receive a Nintendo DS release.

After the break are the latest trailers for both games.

Featured Video: Goro Majima Karaoke

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Yakuza: Dead Souls revealed through trademark

A new trademark of the Yakuza series has appeared within the European trademark office titled Yakuza: Dead Souls. Listed as video game software, it is likely the English title for Ryu ga Gotoku: OF THE END, especially considering they both share the same font.

This will be the first spinoff in the franchise to leave Japanese territories. Previously there were also the Ryu ga Gotoku: KENZAN!, Ryu ga Gotoku FOR GREE and Kurohyou: Ryu ga Gotoku spinoff games, with a direct sequel to the later only just recently being revealed.

Although the main series of games are role playing games set in the Japanese underworld, Ryu ga Gotoku: OF THE END was unique in that it focused on a zombie outbreak and featured a major focus on the use of firearms. Only just last week was the title discussed that if it were to leave Japan, the controls would be changed to be styled around typical third person shooters.

Hit the jump to view the introductory sequence to Ryu ga Gotoku: OF THE END to get a better feeling of what the title is about.

SEGA GamesCom 2011 Roundup

Although SEGA was notably absent from GamesCom 2010 (with the exception of Virtua Tennis 4), their showing at the German event this year was very strong. Mostly focusing on home console releases, not much new info was revealed overall, but each product featured was a better representation of how the finished game will turn out. As such, each title represented had a more positive reception overall when compared to E3 2011.

We have collected info from hundreds of previews, interviews and presentations then summed it all up in a simple read after the break.

龍が如く Ryu ga Gotoku: THE BEST Original Sound Track Album Review

Date Released: June 30, 2011
Date Reviewed: August 7, 2011
Genre: Rock, Jazz, Classical, Orchestral, Pop, Synthpop and others
Media Format: 2 CD Set
Length: Disc 1: 73:12, Disc 2: 44:37, Overall: 117:49
Regions of Release: Japan Only
Release Price: 4410 JPY, 56 USD, 39 EUR, 34 GBP

Ryu ga Gotoku THE BEST Original Sound Track is a compilation album of an assortment of music found throughout the PlayStation 2 and PlayStation 3 Ryu ga Gotoku series of games known as Yakuza in English language regions. Almost the entire series of games is represented, with the PlayStation Portable spinoff Kurohyo: Ryu ga Gotoku being notably absent, along with the licensed songs featured in the introductions for the Japanese versions of Ryu ga Gotoku Kenzan!, Yakuza 3 and Yakuza 4. Regardless, the album retains a well balanced blend of genres and features much of the best known and loved music from the franchise with only a few weak inclusions.

Yakuza 4 Review

Date Released: March 15, 2011
Date Reviewed: May 17, 2011
Genre: Action Role Playing Game
Players: 1 Player
Length: 20-30 Hours for main plot, 100+ Hours for other content
Replayability: Incredible

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Introduction

Yakuza 4 is the latest release in SEGA’s Yakuza RPG series (Ryu ga Gotoku in Japan) based on the Japanese crime world. Inspired by various open world games, ‘Beat em Ups’ and every other kind of genre imaginable, Yakuza 4 is one of the most unique videogames available this console generation, but is designed with a mentality that makes the title easy to play and recommend for anyone new to the series, genre or the medium in general.

SEGA Venture: Yakuza 3 [Part 3/3]

SEGA Ventures is a series at The SEGA Source where one of the members plays through a SEGA game that is longer than just a few hours long, giving a summary of our thoughts along the way in a three part set of articles, a diary of sorts. This time we will be sitting down with Yakuza 3 on the PlayStation 3.

Warning: This article contains spoilers for the story and settings of Yakuza 3 and minor spoilers for the prequels. Stop reading now if you do not want to know what happens.segaventures

Oui oui!

The Yakuza series has become one of my favorite SEGA franchises of all time, and for so many reasons, too! The plots, setting and characters are great and the battle system is awesome, but my favorite elements are easily the comedic value of everything. It is one of the very rare groups of games that is consistently hilarious throughout and this is no different in Yakuza 3.