Several days ago, Studio Yakuza revealed that its Yakuza-universe spin-off title called Judgment is heading to next-generation consoles and Stadia on April 23. Judgment was first released to the PS4 in 2019 and is set in the same fictional Japanese district of Kamurocho, the mainline Yakuza games' setting. The story of Judgment revolves around Takayuki Yagami, who is on a mission to track a serial murderer.

It is worth noting that Judgment is not the first game from the Yakuza franchise that is headed for the PS5 and Xbox Series X. Last November, the studio released Yakuza: Like a Dragon on the Xbox Series X alongside the PC, PS4, and Xbox One, with the PS5 version launching in March. Of course, the launch of Yakuza: Like a Dragon and Judgment on next-gen consoles could signify that Studio Yakuza is planning to introduce more Yakuza games on the PS5 and Xbox Series X, especially now that console gaming is slowly transitioning to the new hardware.

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More Yakuza Games on PS5 and Xbox Series X

judgment yakuza game

At the moment, Studio Yakuza still hasn't revealed its plans to bring more Yakuza games on the PS5 and Xbox Series X. However, it seems apparent from the upcoming release of Yakuza: Like a Dragon and Judgment that the studio is interested in reintroducing the franchise to a new generation of gamers.

Of course, given that both the PS5 and Xbox Series X are still growing their respective library of games, Yakuza has the opportunity to reach more gamers by re-releasing classic titles from the franchise on the next generation.

Which Yakuza Games Should Get an Upgrade?

Yakuza director takes new role

The studio could bring The Yakuza Remastered Collection to next-gen consoles as a good potential start, as it bundles upgraded versions of Yakuza 3, Yakuza 4, and Yakuza 5 in one solid package. To the uninitiated, The Yakuza Remastered Collection was first released on the PS4 in 2019 and on the Xbox One and PC last January. Releasing the Remastered Collection on the PS5 and Xbox Series X would allow newcomers to experience the series through its classic games that introduced the formula that made Yakuza a household name for several years now.

Additionally, Studio Yakuza could also start developing full-fledged remakes of some franchise entries, most notably, the first two Yakuza games. The studio could also reintroduce Yakuza 0, which was first released in 2015, to allow newcomers to experience the story that predates the rest of the franchise's events. It is worth noting that many regard Yakuza 0 as one of the best entries in the series, especially since it provides an epic introduction into the world of Yakuza as a whole.

Of course, it remains to be seen whether Studio Yakuza plans to re-release more games from its back catalog to the PS5 and Xbox Series X. However, given that next-gen console players are still looking for good games to play on their new hardware, the Yakuza franchise now has the golden opportunity to dominate the new platforms before other, more popular games start to take over.

Judgment is available now for PS4, with a release on April 23 for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Google Stadia.

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