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The next Yakuza title was bound to bring about some major changes, considering this is the first mainline entry that won't feature Kiryu as a protagonist, but it seems SEGA has some wild ideas up their sleeve. Announced in Japan was Yakuza 7, set for release as a PlayStation 4 exclusive on January 16, 2020. SEGA also intends to localize the game within the same year, bringing the game to both North America and Europe before the end of 2020. What makes Yakuza 7 such a radical departure is that rather than be an action-RPG, this game will be a turn-based JRPG, as seen in screenshots on the official site. This change came from the series developers wanting to try a completely different gameplay style, after having wrapped up Kiryu's story. In a comment made at the press conference where the game was announced, director Toshihiro Nagoshi mentioned that if fans happen to be disappointed with Yakuza 7's gameplay after the game launches, they will be happy to change back to the action-RPG formula for future games.

 

[EmulateLife]

I predict Yakuza 8 will go back to beat em up, with a Sega apology.

 

[YukidaruPunch]

I just love the fact they're flat-out referencing Dragon Quest, despite it being by a different company. At the same time, it's weird of them to reference such a traditional series while at the same time changing the structure of what was a traditional series in itself.

Giving some credit to the idea, I like to have a little perspective: they had seven entire games and at least four spin-offs based on the same concept (with changes) in the last 15 years. The guy who directs these games is also the director of F-Zero GX, which is such a wildly different game from the Yakuza series that it makes me give him credit as a rather excellent and versatile director. Besides all the games already available, there are three remasters on the way. I think it's great they're being given the liberty of doing something different; while at the same time, I wouldn't be surprised if they went back to their roots by the time Yakuza 8 comes around.

Do you guys remember when Dragon Quest IX almost became an action RPG but they had to go back to turn based following heavy criticism? For some reason it's reminding me of this.

 

[LufianGuy]

I'll support this the same as any other Yakuza game. They even said if reception is poor they will go back to regular style, so I'm fine giving this a shot.

 

[Rahkeesh]

I won't say this isn't bad, but at least its no worse than FFXI/XIV and DQX. At least in the West they are titling it like a proper spinoff, as they should have with those other games. (Like a Dragon = more DQ reference?)