Game Review: Yakuza: Dead Souls

Title- Yakuza: Dead Souls
Platform- Sony PlayStation 3
Release Date- June 9, 2011
Developer- SEGA
Publisher- SEGA

Introduction:
The Yakuza series is an ongoing series created by SEGA in the mid-2000s. The series centers around a once legendary Yakuza member named Kazuma Kiryu and the clan he was part of in the organization; the Tojo Clan. The series central protagonist is often trying to move away from this life after he left organization so he can properly raise and care for Haruka, the daughter of a woman he loved. Kiryu is considered a legend do to his martial arts being next to unmatched and has been known to take on armies and coming out on top using his own two fists.

Yeah, I'm a fan of the series. Just got into it last year and now I'm still going through all of them. I'm not really a fan of beat'em ups but Yakuza kept my attention with its appealing cast of characters and the story. But there was this one that was kind of a brow raiser.

'Yakuza: Dead Souls' is an additional side game to the series (there's another series of side games but those aren't released in the United States). I don't think I need to say that a game that primarily focuses on gangs and people out for power or revenge is really a place for fighting zombies and mutants. But SEGA decided to give it a shot, using the established universe and characters and treat it as if it were canon and change the focus of the game to being a fighter to a shooter…well, don't know till you try right?

Story:
The game follows four separate protagonist like 'Yakuza 4' did. The first is Shun Akiyama. Shun is a 'moral' loan shark that doesn't necessarily work with Yakuza but routinely cross paths with their dealings. He's popular due to giving out loans with no interest rates or requiring collateral but instead he requires that the person pass his tests. In this game, he's mostly trying to survive but focuses on trying to rescue his secretary Hanna.

The second is Goro Majima, a Tojo Clan Family leader. He is mostly there just to enjoy the ride, killing zombies and monsters strictly for fun. He also focuses on trying to keep the survivors safe for the citizens of Kamurocho.

The third is Ruyji Goda, a former leader of the Omi Alliance. He was one of the main antagonists in 'Yakuza 2' but since the events of the game he became an apprentice to his father (a chef) and left the Yakuza world in favor of a straight man. He stumbles upon his former Yakuza co-worker is behind the whole thing and takes upon himself to stop him.

And the fourth is Kazuma Kiryu once again, main protagonist of the previous titles. He's known as the Dragon of Dojima due to skills and since his resignation of Fourth Chairman. He returns to Tokyo once again in order to save Haruka once again and restore peace in Tokyo. And see who once again is trying to kill him for revenge.

Gameplay:
The game is primarily a run and pop third person shooter. Primarily the players will just being running and gunning using various firearms available to kill zombies and various mutants. Throughout there are various sub-stories in the form of special locations and survivors hanging about. When not in the 'Quarantine Zone' you'll be out throughout the city much like the other 'Yakuza' games just without the random fist fights. You can go to restaurants and stores to buy various things for storylines or just to assist in the main game like weapons, armor, accessories, and health items

Graphics:
Actually, the graphics have improved since 'Yakuza' 3 and 4. There are better looking PS3 games out there but it looks good enough and the detail on both the main characters and the monsters looks good as well as the overall structure. But they did cut corners with the civilians like they have in the previous games but still it's an improvement over the last two games.

Controls:
Actually it's pretty decent. It's not too stiff or too sensitive. Like many games though it's biggest fault is the camera. It's hardly the worst but considering it's over the shoulder method it can be a little aggravating at times, especially when trying to actually aim.

Music:
Some of it was good. The opening video song is good well as a few others is good. But most of it is just mediocre and won't remember most of it.

Additional Comments:
All four characters have an exclusive weapon. Shun uses duel handguns, Majima uses a semi-automatic shotgun, Godo uses an arm mounted Gatling gun, and Kazuma uses an Anti-Material Rifle.

While there are a decent number of firearms to choose from, it's kind of hard to justify checking many of them out, using logic you'd more than likely just stick with the more powerful gun right? There are other weapons I guess for fun but…

Unlike the previous games, making money is different too since hardly any side missions or main story missions are finically rewarding. Instead many zombies will drop items that can either be used to modify weapons or to sell in order to make money.

The gun and weapon modifier returns from the previous titles but this time all the weapons he has for sale are strictly firearms and explosives.

The games uses the same level up system as 'Yakuza 4' but the upgrades are all different as they either put focus on using guns or some quintessential elements like item slots, weapon slots, and accessory slots as well as expertise on firearms and armor.

The monsters are okay but nothing special. Most of the monsters are mostly original and not a copy and paste from 'Resident Evil' or 'House of the Dead' (There are similarities but nothing that's a blatant rip off).

Outside the sub-stories there are a couple other missions to do. One of them is with this woman named Hasegawa who works with the Government that's using the game's protagonist to gather information on the zombies and monsters. She offers the players points in which can be used to buy various items. She also gives emails telling you to liberate some places of interest (stores, restaurants, bars). Another one is this next to endless manhole thing that all the protagonists can do but it's kind of a pain since it never seems to end. Upon completing them you get a bunch of items and an additional completion reward from Bob B (play Yakuza 4). They also unravel another sub-story but it's still mind numbing.

The villains are pretty lame and predicable, it's not hard to realize why this game is considered non-canon (aside from the obvious). But the motive is beyond weak for using such methods as this is hard to swallow.

Needless to say, the fighting is hardly there. Everything is gun based which makes sense considering its zombies but there isn't even melee weapons outside the pick-up weapons. I guess it makes sense since you have unlimited handgun ammunition and you do have a couple of melee attacks to unlock but still.

The gameplay is really, really repetitive. You'll be running and pressing the 'R1' button a thousand times and that's pretty much how most of the game is. As the game goes on it does evolve a bit but not by much.

There's all these bullet time things where you shoot gas lines, gas tanks, oil drums, fire hydrants, and other things to kill a group of zombies. It's pretty simple. On that note there's a partner mode were the two will do a special mode together to kill a group or what have you.

The partner system is mostly humorous than anything else. They're not too much help and a lot of times just get in the way. Outside doing side missions, it's best to play alone.
There's other things to do like play golf, go fishing, batting cage, bowling, and all that but they're all optional and outside trophies they serve no real purpose…maybe play online I don't know. Same goes for the various arcade games that can be played at the arcade. I guess this is to give more life to the universe like the other games did.

Conclusion:
The game's worst element is it's repetitiveness with killing zombies and the same missions over and over again and a plot that is fun to see it evolve with the characters of the franchise but the lame villains hurt it. Otherwise, I'd say this would be a pretty fun game due to all the extra stuff you can do outside the main game like the other games in the series. If you like the series I think you can get behind the characters and all that but you're not missing much otherwise.

The game gets a solid 'Okay' out of me. This didn't hurt and I can't say it's a complete bore but there's not much to it. For how much it's worth at GameStop or anywhere else, you're not going to complain, but at the same time there are better zombie games out there. All and all, this is just a curiosity sake game.

OVERALL SCORE: 6.0