The PlayStation 4 version of Yakuza 4 will be released in Japan on January 17, 2019, according to the latest issue of the Japanese magazine Weekly Famitsu.
The magazine also says that some of Masayoshi Tanimura's lines, one of the game's main characters, were revised and re-recorded. Since his original voice actor, Hiroki Narimiya, retired from acting, his character model and voice actor were changed. In the PlayStation 4 version, Tanimura will be played by Toshiki Masuda.
For those who do not know, original actor Hiroki Narimiya became involved in a scandal over drug use and had his career affected in Japan afterward, although nothing was proven. Even so, many people stopped working with him, and SEGA also distanced itself. Feeling betrayed, the voice actor retired and does not allow his materials to be reused, which explains the change to Tanimura's model and voice in this Yakuza 4 rerelease, as well as why the character did not appear in later games in the series.
We still do not know when the game will be released in the West, but stay tuned to our website for more information.
Watch the new trailer below:
