Demo Guide: Yakuza 4

Master the art of fighting in our guide to the Yakuza 4 demo available to download from PlayStation Store for free.

SEGA has pulled back the curtain on Yakuza 4 with a free demo on PlayStation Store of the latest instalment in the Yakuza series. Check out this guide to mastering the Yakuza 4 demo, available to PlayStation Plus subscribers from 16 February 2011, before going on general release a week later.

Four fighters

The Yakuza 4 demo on PlayStation Store is a teaser for the full game will hit PlayStation 3 on 18th March 2011. The demo allows you to play through four different boss fights using the four main characters in the game: the legendary Kazuma Kiryu, the loan shark Akiyama, escaped convict Saejima and detective Tanimura.

Stay in control

First things first - understand Yakuza's control system. Using your wireless controller you can rotate the camera with the right stick, while controlling your character's movements with the left stick. Attacks are mapped to both the Square button and Triangle button. Pressing the Square button in quick succession in the middle of a brawl triggers a heavy-hitting combo attack, so be sure to pull these off when you can. You can throw an enemy by pressing the Circle button and dodge attacks by holding down the X button.

Look around

Alongside your hand-to-hand combat skills, you can use various objects to aid you in battle. These include a phone book, kettle, barrel and bicycle. Be sure to grab them when backed into a tight spot.

Weapons up

You also have access to numerous weapons in the demo including Kali Sticks, a spear and Katana. These weapons are capable of inflicting huge amounts of damage. To equip them, use the directional buttons on your wireless controller. Enemies will also drop weapons such as golf clubs and baseball bats once you've knocked them out of their hands, so grab them the first chance you get. You can also throw them at an enemy by pressing the Circle button. However, weapons break over time with use so once they've gone you'll have to use your fists.

Finish him

When an enemy is almost defeated you can finish him with a powerful attack by pressing the Triangle button on your wireless controller. Depending on the character you're using, each finish is different.

PlayStation Plus subscribers can get a taste of the brutal Yakuza 4 combat on PlayStation 3 and download the demo for free today. The Yakuza 4 demo will then go on general release on 22nd February 2011.