In 2021, Capcom did something many fans of the long-runningAce Attorneyseries of visual novels had given up on. It finally localized and releasedThe Great Ace Attorney: Adventuresand its sequel,The Great Ace Attorney 2: Resolve. This collection was known asThe Great Ace Attorney Chroniclesand is the first new localization the series has received since 2016’sPhoenix Wright: Ace Attorney — Spirit of Justice. This localization came at a point where the future of the series seemed uncertain, and Capcom’s interest in developing new titles for it seemed to be at an all-time low.
For years, fans had given up hope thatThe Great Ace Attorneygames would make their way to western shores. This was mainly due tothe series' heavily declined sales since the Nintendo DS eraand Capcom’s fear that a game set in 19th century Japan and England wouldn’t appeal to players outside of the franchise’s core audience. Six years later, and the landscape for gaming is different. Games likeGhost of Tsushimaprove that even western developers are eager to explore Japan’s history in video game form. With this in mind,The Great Ace Attorney Chroniclesis the perfect reason why it’s time for Sega to localizeYakuza IshinandYakuza Kenzan.
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What Are Yakuza Ishin and Yakuza Kenzan?
Ryu Ga Gotoku Kenzan!(orYakuza Arrives!) is a 2008 PlayStation 3 game released exclusively in Japan.The game is a period drama adaptation of the story of Miyamoto Musashi, a swordsman turned bodyguard during Japan’s Edo period. The game creates a narrative surrounding this historical figure while incorporating elements and characters from theYakuzaseries, including having Musashi himself go by an alias called “Kiryu Kazumanosuke.”
Musashi himself is also portrayed by and modeled after Kazuma Kiryu actor Takuya Kuroda, much like his mainlineYakuzaseries counterpart. Other characters such as Goro Majima make an appearance in the form of fictionalized historical counterparts like Majima Gorohachi. On the other hand,Ishinis somewhat of a retelling of the firstYakuzagame through the lens of a historical Japanese setting.
Ryu Ga Gotoku Ishin!(orYakuza Restoration!) is a similar historical-inspired spin-off,this time launching on the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 3 in late 2013, even releasing as a launch title for the PS4 in Japan. This game is set after the Meiji Restoration and follows Kiryu performing as Edo samurai Sakamoto Ryoma, who is out for revenge on the man who killed his mentor, travelling to various parts of Japan under the false alias of Saito Hajime. LikeKenzan, this title also incorporates existing characters from the Yakuza franchise and features locations not seen in any of the games following it.
While not mainline entries,Yakuza KenzanandIshindemonstratesome of Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio’s most creative work yet. Melding gorgeous recreations of historic Japanese locations and the usual cinematic flair that the series is known for, is all in service to referencing some of the most beloved works of samurai film of all time.
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Why It’s Now Or Never For Ishin And Kenzan
Unlike theAce Attorneyseries, which was seemingly on a decline in sales and popularity by the timeThe Great Ace Attorneyreleased, theYakuzaseries only continues to grow in reverence and ambition as the years go on.Yakuza 0’s major success in 2017 propelled the series forward, and reached a peak in 2020 withYakuza: Like a Dragonlaunching as a next-gen timed exclusive for Xbox Series X/S.
The Great Ace Attorneygave its series new life, despite its new setting and cast. Plus,the video game landscape for games set in historical Japan is entirely differentto how it was in 2008 and 2013, with some of the most successful games in recent years beingGhost of TsushimaandSekiro: Shadows Die Twice.
In the years sinceYakuza IshinandYakuza Kenzan’s release, producer Daisuke Sato (now no longer with RGG Studio) hascommented multiple times on the possibility of remasters of the gamesentering development and receiving a western localization.
He claimed that the developer is interested, but he fears that a lack of knowledge on Japanese history could limit the games' popularity. As proven in recent years, this isn’t a cause for concern anymore. Fans all around the world are eager to learn more about Japanese history through video games, withGhost of Tsushimain particular receiving major media attention in Japan due to its accuracy in representing the country’s history.
Sales data has indicated thatThe Great Ace Attorney Chronicleshas been a success for Capcom, even if it didn’t catch the mainstream attention that the series was once capable of.Ghost of Tsushimahas become one of the highest selling new IP in PlayStation’s history.Sekiro: Shadows Die Twicehas become one of the biggest sale success in developer FromSoftware’s history, selling over five million copies just over a year after its release.
There is a market for samurai games set in historical Japan, and this, coupled with the boom in popularity theYakuzaseries has seen in recent years, means it has to be only a matter of time until Sega is ready to localizaYakuza KenzanandIshin.
The Great Ace Attorney Chroniclesis available now for Nintendo Switch, PC, and PlayStation 4.
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