Yakuza 2 Confirmed for Europe

Yakuza 2, Toshihiro Nagoshi's previously Japan only PlayStation 2 sequel to the critically revered but commercially shunned action adventure game, is to finally come to European shores at some point in 2008.

Published by SEGA and continuing the series some would have you believe is the spiritual successor to fanboy favourite Shenmue, it's an open world adventure set in the seedy underworld of Tokyo. While receiving favourable reviews, the first game fared poorly in the Western market, which may explain the delay in bringing the game over from Japan.

Yakuza 2 earnt itself a commendable 38 out of 40 when parading itself in front of the Japanese gaming bible Famitsu at the end of 2006, and the game's western release could be seen as a primer for the forthcoming PlayStation 3 prequel, though when asked to comment SEGA could not confirm that Yakuza 3 would be seeing the light of day over here.

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