December 13th 2024.
In the latest installment of the Virtua Fighter series, fans were shocked to see protagonist Akira with a completely new look. The highly anticipated game was revealed at The Game Awards 2024, along with another exciting project from the developers of the popular Yakuza franchise. Sega's premier fighting game series is making a comeback with a proper revival, and fans couldn't be more thrilled.
Last year, Sega announced the return of five long dormant IPs at The Game Awards, including fan favorites like Jet Set Radio and Crazy Taxi. However, since then, the publisher has been relatively quiet about these revivals. Many were hoping for an update at this year's ceremony, but unfortunately, it did not happen. However, Sega had a few surprises up their sleeve.
Among the announcements was the revival of another classic franchise, with Sega taking on the challenge of competing with the likes of Street Fighter 6 and Tekken 8. Virtua Fighter, much like Tekken, is a 3D fighting game that originated in arcades before making its way to home consoles. It was the first of its kind and was praised for its realistic portrayal of human characters in a 3D environment.
Although the series continued into the 2000s, it eventually fell out of popularity. However, Virtua Fighter has made appearances in other games, such as the Yakuza/Like A Dragon series. With the recent rise in popularity of fighting games, fans have been eagerly waiting for a comeback. The updated re-release of Virtua Fighter 5 in 2021 and the recent PC port gave fans hope, and now, they have been rewarded with an entirely new entry in the series. And to top it off, the game is being developed by Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, the team behind the updated Virtua Fighter 5.
Details about the game are scarce, with no mention of a release date yet. The teaser trailer only shows a revamped Akira facing off against someone who looks like series regular Sarah Bryant, but is referred to as Stella in a separate Virtua Fighter showcase. This could mean she is either a new character or the game is serving as a full reboot of the series.
But that's not all that Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio is working on. Along with a new Yakuza pirate spin-off set to release in February 2025, the studio also announced a project codenamed "Project Century." At first glance, many thought it was another Yakuza spin-off, but it seems to be something entirely different. The teaser trailer shows a gritty drama with more realistic and violent combat, which is a departure from the goofier elements the Yakuza series is known for.
Meanwhile, fans of the beloved Sonic franchise were not left disappointed. Although it wasn't mentioned during The Game Awards, Sega teased a new kart racer titled Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, which was previously hinted at by leaker Pyoro. The teaser trailer features edgy rival Shadow, who is set to become a movie star, driving his race car into a glowing portal. Sega promises a unique racing mechanic that will transport fans into a new dimension, and many speculate that it will be a crossover game featuring characters from other Sega properties.
In addition to these exciting announcements, Sega also wants to remind fans that DLC for Sonic X Shadow Generations is now available, adding a new level inspired by the upcoming movie and even giving Shadow the voice of Keanu Reeves. And for those who want to play as "Keanu Shadow," they can upgrade to the digital deluxe edition.
To stay updated on all the latest news and announcements, fans can follow Sega on social media and sign up for their newsletter. And for those who want to submit Inbox letters and Reader's Features, they can do so easily through the Submit Stuff page on Sega's website.
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