Sega has many beloved popular franchises, with one of the more surprising ones to rise as one of their key properties in recent years being the Yakuza series. Once relegated to mainly only Japanese audiences, Sega has made a point to bring more of the Yakuza games to international markets in recent years. This has led to increased sales for the series and even encouraged Sega to greenlight a live-action Yakuza movie. The series surprised fans with the latest game, Yakuza: Like A Dragon, by pivoting the series to a turn-based RPG gameplay style, and now it seems that future Yakuza games will only continue this trend.

Sega’s Toshihiro Nagoshi and producer Kazuki Hosokawa recently spoke with IGN to announce the new Lost Judgement game that is in the works. The Judgment series so far utilized an action-focused gameplay system, leaving many to wonder if this new sequel would serve as a sort of substitute for the Yakuza series’ departure from that similar gameplay style. It turns out that this line of thought proved to be accurate, as Nagoshi and Hosokawa affirmed that this is essentially Sega’s strategy. As they state:

The Yakuza series has been transformed into a turn-based RPG. On the other hand, over the years, Ryu ga Gotoku Studio has accumulated resources and know-how of making flashy and exhilarating action games that are effortless to enjoy. We decided that we should let our signature action gameplay live on through Lost Judgment.”

Given the recent success of the latest Yakuza games, both in their native Japan and internationally, there being future Yakuza games was never in question. Now, it seems more clear that this focus on turn-based RPG mechanics is here to stay for future Yakuza games. While the next entry in the series has not yet been announced, fans have a better idea just how Sega’s next turn at the Yakuza series is going to go.

What do you guys think about future Yakuza games utilizing a turn-based RPG gameplay style? Let us know in the comments below! Be sure to stay tuned for the latest Yakuza news, such as the Yakuza creator Toshihiro Nagoshi being named the new Sega Creative Director, here on Don’t Feed the Gamers! Follow us on Twitter to see our updates the minute they go live!