Now a limited timed exclusive for the Xbox Series X/S
Sega has finalized their plans for Yakuza: Like A Dragon in the West, which includes a release date for the PlayStation 5 which was previously undisclosed. Today, Sega has announced that while the PS4, Xbox One, PC, and Xbox Series X/S versions will be released on November 10th, 2020. The PS5 version will be delayed a few months and will be released on March 2, 2021, as the Xbox version has a four-month timed exclusivity window.
Yakuza: Like A Dragon will also feature Smart Delivery, meaning Xbox One owners who upgrade to either the Xbox Series X or S will receive a free upgrade to the next-gen version as well. For those who purchase the digital version of the title for the PS4, will be eligible for an upgrade to the PS5 version as well.
Update: While it as originally stated that owners of the physical version of the PS4 game would not be able to upgrade to the PS5 digital version, there has been some clarification. According to Sega, this is possible after all. However, the game save information will not be transferrable and to me, that’s a bit odd. Chances are the PS4 physical edition already is using cloud storage for game saves, so why wouldn’t this be transferrable?
To clarify, physical owners of Yakuza: Like a Dragon on PS4 can also use the original disc to upgrade to the PS5 version when it releases on March 2, 2021.
Save data will not be transferable between the PS4 and PS5 versions of the game.
— RGG Studio (@RGGStudio) September 28, 2020
Yakuza: Like a Dragon brings dynamic RPG gameplay to the streets of Yokohama, Japan, with an adventure that combines the intense brawls that the Yakuza series has been known for, with the strategic depths, party customization, and massive variety of skills that you’d expect from a classic RPG.
I know for many, this seems like a “dick move” or anti-consumer and to be honest, part of me is inclined to agree with you. However, this is a move that has been seen by PlayStation throughout the current-generation of gaming, for several games. In some cases, games or content didn’t arrive on the Xbox for months, or in some instances, an entire year. This is something that Microsoft and Xbox don’t want to see happening again and are using this same tactic. Yes, it isn’t fair to everyone, but this is business and this Microsft/Xbox company isn’t the same one we saw at the beginning of the Xbox One launch. Expect to see this happening more and more, either by Xbox or PlayStation through this upcoming generation of gaming.
As for Yakuza: Like A Dragon, I’m looking forward to the release of the title. A long-time fan of the Yakuza series, and one who had felt that the formula was getting stale, Like A Dragon, is breath of fresh air and I need to dive in headfirst.
Looking forward to the release, or perhaps you’re frustrated about the exclusivity window? Either way, let us know about it in the comments.
