It seems a Yakuza Kiwami 2 is in the works

HHHHNNNNGGGG!!!!

As noted on NeoGAF, the Taiwanese PSN store briefly showed a listing for Ryu Ga Gotoku Kiwami 2, otherwise known as the Yakuza series in the west. This leak also mentions that the game would be landing in Asia December of this year. It will be utilizing the Yakuza 6 engine, bringing about all of the updated technology that title has.

While nothing is official (and this may just be a placeholder listing), it makes a lot of sense. With 6 having released just last year in Japan and being the last in Kiryu’s story, Ryu Ga Gotoku studio had to be planning something to continue his legacy. They also have been making Yakuza games on a yearly basis, so this was bound to be inevitable.

While I’m in love with the series, I’ve somehow not managed to play the second entry. My first game was 3 and I then continued to follow the series in release order. With Sega not releasing the HD collection over in the West, I would gladly welcome a total overhaul of 2 to finish off the series. Seeing as how I found Kiwami to be an improvement on the original, I certainly don’t see why Kiwami 2 wouldn’t end up possibly being the best game in the series (if fan reaction to the original is to be believed).

Yakuza Kiwami 2 announcement leaked [NeoGAF]