Cast announced for Yakuza

SEGA has announced the cast list for forthcoming PS2 brawler Yakuza - and topping the bill is none other than the artist formerly known as Luke Skywalker.

Yes, MARK HAMILL will play Majima, a Yakuza boss with a taste for violence and a twisted sense of honour. Michael Madsen, best known for his roles in Reservoir Dogs and Sin City, stars as fellow Yakuza bigwig Shimano, and Smallville's Michael Rosenbaum provides the voice of gangster Nishiki.

Eliza Dushku (Buffy, Bring It On) will play the mysterious Yumi, and Rachel Leigh Cook (She's All That) takes on the role of hostess bar owner Reina.

Yakuza, for those who aren't familiar, has already proved a huge hit in Japan, where it was released under the name Ryu Ga Gotoku. Set in Tokyo, it follows the adventures of an ex-mobster who's trying to stay on the straight and narrow after a long spell in prison - but ends up in all sorts of trouble after a stash of 10 million yen goes missing.

There's a special combat system which lets you string moves together, and use stuff you find lying around as weapons. The more you fight, the better you'll get. You can expect lots of side missions, too.

Yakuza is being brought to us by producer Toshihiro Nagoshi, who was also responsible for Super Monkey Ball and Virtua Striker. The game is due out on September 5th.