Yakuza: Dead Souls

Yakuza: Dead Souls (龍が如く OF THE END lit. "Like a Dragon of the End") is a non-canon Zombie-themed spinoff of the Yakuza Series of videogames, developed and published by SEGA and released exclusively for the Sony PlayStation 3. Firearms take a far more prominent role in this game compared to the main Yakuza series. In most Yakuza games, guns very much take a secondary role compared to the hand-to-hand brawling style of fighting that goes on in the game. If guns are available for purchase at all, they are generally extremely expensive for both the guns and ammunition, in line with the extremely strict gun laws in real-life Japan leading to very high black-market prices for illegal weapons. Since this is clearly not intended to be anywhere nearly as true-to-life as the main Yakuza games, the prices of firearms are far cheaper. Also, the mechanics have been altered, replacing virtually all the unarmed combat moves with firearm-based controls, including both automatic and manual targeting, compared to the extremely crude "point-and-shoot" system of other Yakuza games. The guns in this game are very intricately modelled, with details down to the ridge between the primer and shell casing being modelled in 3D. 
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=Overview=
The game uses a 4-weapon inventory system, with each selectable using the D-pad. Weapons are classified into different ammo types: pistol (unlimited ammo), shotgun, rifle, anti-materiel, grenades, and Gatling gun. Each playable character has a unique main weapon and a sidearm, neither of which can be removed from his inventory. The exception to this is Akiyama, whose main weapons are a pair of pistols, so he does not have to worry about running out of ammo. In addition, there are also throwable weapons. The two (or three) free slots can be equipped with any other weapon the player wishes, and are not restricted by category. There are also environment melee weapons, which can be picked up and used to attack zombies, much like the fights in other Yakuza games. 
There is a "heat sniping" system. This involves building up a "heat" bar to allow certain objects to be shot, creating effects such as explosions. This is activated by pressing triangle and selecting an object to shoot, which are highlighted by exclamation mark symbols, by pressing R1. At this point a QTE ensues as the bullet(s) fly towards the target where the player must press the shape button indicated in the allotted time. If the player fails, the bullet simply dings the object without any effect. The heat mode has three stages: the first is coloured green and allows for a certain number of different objects, which are highlighted in green, to be sniped, the second stage highlights additional objects in turquoise, and the third highlights even more objects in blue. 
The game also features "partners," who will assist you in combat. They have health bars and if depleted, will not be able to fight until the player gives them a first aid kit. Like Binary Domain, there is also a loyalty system, with the partner more likely to obey your commands if they are loyal to you and in high health. Some partners are temporary and only appear in parts of the story, whilst others go to a "training camp," where the player can pick them up to use at any point. 
Many of the weapons can be upgraded. This changes their appearance as well as their stats. The player can upgrade their own weapons as well as those of training camp partners. The player is also able to upgrade their abilities.
=Handguns=
==Beretta 92FS==
Known as the "Gangster's Pistol," a light-coloured Beretta 92FS is the first firearm used by Shun Akiyama, right at the beginning of the game. After the first part of the first chapter, Akiyama picks up a second one, creating a pair known as the "Macedonian Twins" in the menu, these being his signature weapons, appearing in his official artwork. These hold 13 rounds each, creating 26 shots in total. When shooting in auto-aiming mode, Akiyama may aim and fire at separate targets with each pistol; when manually aiming, he fires both pistols at a single target, and his firing rate increases considerably. 
The "Macedonian Twins" can be upgraded to a slightly more powerful variant with a 15-round magazine capacity, known as "High & Low," so called because of the two-tone finish of chrome slide and black-coloured frame. Akiyama's ultimate pair of pistols are called the "Elise." A single Beretta 92 FS is used by all the partners during Gary's training. Partner Kazuto Arase also uses a pair of Berettas; his are known as the "ARASE SP-R2" in black with cream grips, and the "ARASE XR" in red. 
==Colt 1911 type pistol==
Character Tomoaki Nagahama has this weapon. It most closely resembles a Para-Ordnance 7.45 with some differing features. A picture of this model is also used for the weapon skill upgrades. 
==Desert Eagle XIX==
The Desert Eagle is initially known on the game as "Large Automatic Pistol," "Automatic" in this case referring to the fact that it is self-loading. It is much more powerful than the 9mm pistols, with one shot being enough to kill most zombies outright without the requirement for a headshot. The firing rate is slow however due to the high recoil, and unlike the other pistols does not increase when manually aiming by holding down L2. This pistol initially starts out with a 6-round magazine capacity. This pistol can be upgraded twice, the first variant "Wk CP-35 Tiger" having an 8-round capacity as well as wooden handgrips, and the final form, "Tiger Pistol," having 10-rounds, which would not be possible without extended magazines. 
For some reason, Akiyama is sometimes depicted as dual-wielding a Desert Eagle and Beretta, although he does not use this configuration in-game. 
thumb|none|601px|Kiryu using the "Tiger Pistol" in an echoic sewer. Hopefully he is wearing earplugs.
Ydeadsoulslargepistolmodding.jpg|Desert Eagle upgrade 1
File:Ydeadsoulslargepistolupgrade2.jpg|Desert Eagle upgrade 2
==Makarov PM==
Stainless Makarov PM type pistols with extended barrels are used by Tojo Clan members.
==Minebea P9 (Airsoft)==
In what can only be described as some kind of Easter egg, the Yakuza developers deliberately based one of the game's guns off an airsoft replica of the Minebea P9, a SIG-Sauer P220 clone, with the inner 6mm barrel removed. This is referenced by screenshots, model data, and the fact that the in-game models are labelled "sig_fake." In the game however, it is presented as a live firearm. It starts off as the "9mm Automatic" with a 13-round magazine capacity, in a black finish. It can be upgraded to the "Wk-CP11 Gang" in 2-tone finish with a chrome slide and black frame and an 18-round magazine, and finally the "Wk CP21 Yakuza" with a 25-round capacity and a camouflage finish.
It is used by the player characters during Gary's training. This is the default sidearm for all characters apart from Akiyama.Whilst not as powerful per shot as the Desert Eagle, they are more accurate, have a bigger magazine capacity, and a faster firing rate. Manually aiming also increases the firing rate of this pistol even further. A variation called the "Lightweight 9mm Automatic" is used by partner Marina. This is just the same model; the difference is purely so that each weapon has to be upgraded separately. 
thumb|none|600px|Character Misuzu (Chiaki Kuriyama) with P9 and Type 89 rifle
File:Ydeadsouls9mmupgrade1.jpg|P9 upgrade 1
File:Ydeadsouls9mmupgrade2.jpg|P9 upgrade 2
==SIG Pro==
This weapon is seen in various cutscenes but is not used in the game itself. This is a customized version with wood grips and a vented barrel at the front. One appears to be Kamiyama's personal defence weapon, as there is one on the table next to him in his truck. 
==SIG-Sauer P230==
A SIG-Sauer P230 is used by Tetsuo Nikaido to shoot Hiroshi Hayashi and threaten Kiryu's adoptive daughter Haruka. The "P230" model used in this game is unique to the Yakuza series for actually looking like a SIG-Sauer P230.
thumb|601px|none|Nikaido using the SIG to threaten Haruka.
=Revolvers=
==Colt Python==
The Colt Python is seen very briefly when used by the mysterious nihilistic man known only as "DD" to kill Tetsuo Nikaido. There are a couple of differences between the Python, such as the number of holes in the barrel ribbing and the shape of the cylinder release lever, which appears to be a "push-forward" release akin to those on Smith & Wesson revolvers.
==Nambu Model 60/Smith & Wesson Model 36==
This hybrid based mostly on a Nambu Model 60 but with parts from a Smith & Wesson Model 36 once again makes a return for Dead Souls, being used by various NPCs in the game.
=Shotguns=
==Remington 870==
An 18"-barrel Remington 870 with a black finish and wooden furniture is known as the "Hunting Shotgun" in game. It starts off with a rather unrealistic 12-round magazine capacity (the magazine tube would have to be nearly twice as long to hold 12 3" shells). It has a metal piece linking the barrel and magazine, like the Remington Model 31. It can be upgraded to the "Path Maker", the wooden furniture being replaced by camouflage, a chrome barrel, an increase in power, slightly less recoil and a 14-round magazine capacity. The ultimate version is called the "Flesh Shredder" in a chrome finish and an utterly incomprehensible 19-round magazine capacity. There are also two special versions known as the "Smoking Shotgun" and "Fireworks Gun" respectively. These are more joke weapons, the fireworks gun being used by AI partner and recurring clown character Bob Utsunomiya. The shotgun is also used by AI partners Guy Kendo and Tojo Clan sixth chairman Daigo Dojima.
==Modified Franchi SPAS-12==
An 18"-barrel SPAS 12 with the "hook-style" folding stock and modified to accept box magazines as well as a full-length tube magazine is Goro Majima's signature weapon. It may well be inspired by the SPAS-14 prototype, a box-magazine-fed version of the SPAS-12 that was once described in Jane's Infantry Weapons. The base model, called the "Mark IV EXP," has a 17-round magazine capacity which is just about conceivable for 2 3/4" shells if both the box and tube magazines were fully loaded. Unusually for a SPAS-12 shotgun in fictional media (not least one wielded by a man whose very existence revolves around theatrics), he uses it in semi-automatic mode during gameplay, although the firing rate is not much quicker than that of the pump-action Remington shotgun. This is partly because, incredibly, the developers have never created in-game animations for a pump-action shotgun with a pistol grip in any Yakuza game. Instead, they decided to apply the rifle animation to this gun, hence the use of a box magazine. Fortunately, Majima is able to rack the pump back during certain FMVs and cutscenes thanks to their bespoke animations.
It can be upgraded to the "Meat grinder," with wooden furniture and a 19-round magazine capacity, the "MJM56 Crazy Dog" with a 21-round capacity and 2-tone chrome and black metalwork with rubberized grips, "Crazy Dog" referring to Majima's Yakuza nickname of the "Mad Dog of the Shimano family". The final upgraded version is called the "MJM56-55 Exorcist," which features snakeskin grips. The name of the latter two models comes from Majima's name itself: "5-6" in Japanese is pronounced "Goro" (albeit without the geminated "o" at the end but this is IMFDB not a language class so let's not get into that...).
thumb|600px|none|Majima about to blast a zombie's face off in a cutscene
=Submachine guns=
==Minebea M-9==
The Minebea M-9 is a select-fire submachine gun based on the Mini-UZI design but with an added foregrip and manufactured under licence by Minebea for the Japan Self-Defence Force. One is given to Akiyama at the beginning of the game at the DVD shop, even though it is not on display. It can also be purchased from Kamiyama gun works as the "New Balalaika" with a 40-round magazine capacity and all-black hardware. The upgrade is called the "Self-Defence Submachine gun" and has a 60-round capacity as well as wooden grips, as were used on the original model. The final upgrade is called the "Hornet" and has a 90-round magazine, increased damage, and a 2-tone chrome and black finish. The version in the game is fitted with a silencer, although the sound from the gun is not actually suppressed. Also, the game files call this an "M9 and MP5," but it is unclear where the elements from the latter are. Partner Makoto Date uses one called the "Date Special."
File:Ydeadsoulssmgupgrade1.jpg|SMG upgrade 1
File:Ydeadsoulssmgupgrade2.jpg|SMG upgrade 2
=Assault Rifles=
==Howa Type 89==
The Howa Type 89 is the standard-issue assault rifle for soldiers of the Japan Self-Defence Force, and can be seen in use by several JSDF soldiers during the course of the game. The game model features a 20-round magazine, usually seen on the Type F model.
thumb|500px|none|Howa Type 89 in 5.56x45mm with integral bipod. Currently in use by the Modern Japanese military.
thumb|600px|none|SDF Soldiers with Howa Type-89 assault rifles.
==M16-Type Assault Rifle==
An M16 type rifle can be purchased as the "5.56mm Automatic Rifle" from Kamiyama's gunshop as well as being used by a number of Tojo Clan members. It appears to be some kind of M16 derivative, having an upper receiver with a rail mount like the M16A4 variant, but as usual for M16A2/A4 models in fictional media is capable of full-auto fire. Also, the carry handle/sight itself resembles a smaller version of that found on some models of Heckler & Koch G36. It also has a side-vented front grip as appears in certain variations of the Norinco Model 311. The game files call it an M4A1, even though this is clearly a full-length assault rifle. 
It is upgraded to the "YAR-18 Tojo Model" in a 2-tone chrome and black finish and a 55-round magazine. Finally, the "Liberator" appears in a gold finish with a 65-round magazine.
File:Ydeadsoulsm16upgrade1.jpg|M16 upgrade 1
File:Ydeadsoulsm16upgrade2.jpg|M16 upgrade 2
=Sniper Rifles=
==Accuracy International Arctic Warfare==
The Accuracy International Arctic Warfare is initially known as the "SWS2 Sniper Rifle" and can be purchased from Kamiyama's shop. The "SWS2 Sniper Rifle" has a black polymer stock with a 6-round magazine. This is upgraded to the "Sharp Shooter," which has a 7-round magazine does and more damage, as well as having a wooden stock. The final upgrade is called the "HSG-GARO," upping the ammo capacity to 9 with a camouflage stock. A version of this rifle is partner Kurotaka's weapon, known as the "Black Hawk;" this is what the characters for Kurotaka's name translate to in English.
File:Ydeadsoulssniperupgrade1.jpg|Sniper upgrade 1
File:Ydeadsoulssniperupgrade2.jpg|Sniper upgrade 2
==Accuracy International AS50==
A rifle based on the Accuracy International AS50 is Kazuma Kiryu's signature weapon. It is given to Kiryu by the same gunsmith who created Ryuji Goda's Gatling gun arm. It is classified as an "Anti-Materiel Rifle" in-game, and uniquely uses "Anti-Materiel Ammo". The rifle starts off as the "XK.50 Anti-Material Rifle" in black with black rubberised grips. The first upgraded version is called the "Zombie Masher" in a green meisai camouflage finish. This is upgraded to the "Tank Killer," in a bright silver finish, the final upgrade being the "Dragon Rifle," in a chrome finish with cream leather grips. Oddly, the XK.50 model without the sniper sight (or any sight for that matter) appears as the mounted machine gun on top of Komatsu Light Armoured Vehicles in the game. Kiryu uses one of these machine guns during a rail-shooter sequence.
thumb|none|300px|Kiryu with the anti-materiel rifle.
==Remington M24A2 SWS==
The M24 Sniper Weapon System seen briefly in Yakuza 4 features again for a similarly short amount of time in Dead Souls, in a cutscene. Interestingly, the Model 700, upon which the M24 is based, makes a return in later Yakuza games in its standard wooden stocked form. The fact that only the left side of the weapons are seen may be due to the conspicuous lack of a bolt handle on the right side (or either side, for that matter).
=Other Man-Portable Weapons=
==Bionic Gatling Gun==
Ryūji Goda has a Gatling gun that extends out of his right arm. Like the other Gatling guns on the game, it has a rather slow firing rate compared to an actual modern Gatling gun. The first version is called the "Kuroganemaru" (Japanese for "Black Iron Circle"), and is upgraded to the "Modified Kuroganemaru," "Demon Slayer," and finally the "Dragon Arm."
File:Ydeadsoulsbionicggupgrade1.jpg|Bionic Gatling Gun upgrade 1
File:Ydeadsoulsbionicggupgrade2.jpg|Bionic Gatling Gun upgrade 2
==FGM-148 Javelin==
The FGM-148 Javelin missile launcher is used by Kiryu right at the end of the game to put an end to the final zombified version of Nikaido.
==Flamethrower==
This is a "heavy weapon" that can be picked up and carried by the player, but not put into his inventory. Selecting another weapon or running out of fuel will also cause it to be dropped. Three are found in the subway tunnel leading to Purgatory. 
==General Electric M134 Minigun==
The GE M134 Minigun is purchasable, and referred to as the "Portable Gatling Gun Prototype". Compared to an actual minigun, the firing rate is extremely slow, starting out at a paltry 300 rounds per minute. This might be to account for the fact that an actual hand-held minigun would have uncontrollable recoil at its normal rate, but it does call into question why one would not simply use an automatic 7.62x51mm rifle instead, as this would offer the same firepower but be far lighter and less cumbersome. Despite the fact that this Gatling gun probably uses the same ammunition as the Arctic Warfare sniper rifle (7.62x51mm NATO), it uses its own special "Gatling gun ammunition", possibly to account for the need for belt links with the M134's ammunition, but likely simply for game balance.
The "Portable Gatling Gun Prototype" is upgraded to the "XMG Rimbo," apparently a reference to Rambo. This is upgraded to the "Kagutsuchi," named after the Japanese god of fire. There is also an alternative upgrade path for a more "female orientated model," starting off as the "Girly Gatling Gun," and then the "Love Shine Vulcan." This path apparently trades off shot power for a bigger magazine, a whopping 100 rounds. This makes it the only gun in the game that actually has a significantly smaller magazine than its real life counterpart. 
thumb|none|400px|Airsoft replica of a GE M134 Minigun, likely to be the closest humanity will ever come to a genuine hand-held minigun in real life - 6mm BBs
File:Ydeadsoulsggunupgrade1.jpg|Minigun upgrade 1
File:Ydeadsoulsggunupgrade2.jpg|Minigun upgrade 2
File:Ydeadsoulsggunupgrade3.jpg|"Girly" Minigun upgrade 1
File:Ydeadsoulsggunupgrade4.jpg|"Girly" Minigun upgrade 2
==Grenades==
The game features various handheld grenades. The standard grenades resemble the MK3 offensive hand grenade, the "Heavy Grenades" are like the M26 hand grenade, the "Incendiary Grenades" resemble the AN/M14 incendiary grenade, and the "Stun Grenades" look like the Model 7290 flashbang grenade. 
File:MK3A2.jpg|MK3 Offensive Hand Grenade
File:200px-M-67handgrenade.jpg|M26 hand grenade
File:Gh-ANM14-TH3.jpg|AN/M14 incendiary grenade in modern colour scheme
File:Model 7290.jpg|Model 7290 Flash Bang
===Geballte Ladung (Unused)===
There is a mesh for a Geballte Ladung in the game's files that does not appear to be in the actual game itself. It's basically a Model 24 Stielhandgranate but with 6 extra grenades surrounding the Stielhandgranates base grenade. 
==Standalone RM Equipment M203PI Grenade Launcher==
An RM Equipment M203PI attached to a stand-alone grip and stock can be purchased as the "Grenade Launcher" from Kamiyama's shop. The launcher can be modified to launch incendiary or stun grenades. All grenade types detonate on impact. 
thumb|none|600px|Kiryu holding the launcher.
File:Ydeadsoulsgrenadelaunchermod1.jpg|Incendiary grenade mod
File:Ydeadsoulsgrenadelaunchermod2.jpg|Stun grenade mod
==Tranquillizer Gun== 
DD uses this gun to inject Hiroshi Hayashi and Nikaido with "Thanatos," the virus that turns people into zombies. 
thumb|none|600px|Tranquillizer gun in game.
=Mounted Weapons=
==Baseball Launcher==
Near the Yoshida Batting centre, there is a baseball launcher. As well as being able to kill zombies using baseballs alone, it can also be loaded with grenades for even greater effect. 
==Browning M2HB==
The game features tanks based on the Japanese Type 10 Main Battle Tank, whose secondary armament is a Browning M2 12.7mm machine gun. Given that this weapon system is also compatible with the Komatsu LAV mentioned above, it seems bizarre that the developers did not simply use this model instead of the mashed up AS50. It may be that time constraints did not allow for them to rig and animate the Browning model, so they left it as a static mesh. 
==Japan Steel Works 120mm Smoothbore Cannon==
The main armament of the Type 10 is a 120mm smoothbore auto-loading gun made by Japan Steel Works. In the game it inadvertently goes off, destroying the top of a building, as the tank is swarmed by zombies. 
==L16 Mortar==
Near the Kamuro Theatre, there is an L16 Mortar the player can use to bomb zombies. 
==Rail Gun==
Akiyama stumbles across a rail gun in one dungeon, which is required to defeat a horde of zombies. 
==Satellite Laser==
After defeating Rasestu Amon, Kiryu is given a satellite laser to blast zombies from outer space. The controller somewhat resembles an iPhone. 
Category:Action
Category:Disaster
Category:Japanese Produced/Filmed
Category:Horror
Category:Mystery
Category:Video Game
Category:Third-Person Shooter
Category:Yakuza series