The Yakuza 3 battle system has at last come to light. As usual, the source of the scoopage is Famitsu, which has a couple of pages on the big PS3 sequel in its latest issue.

Previously, Sega has revealed that game's battle system will be seamless. Different from past entries in the series, you won't have to wait one bit for battle to start. Famitsu confirms that the game switches right into battle mode as you're walking down the street.

Accompanying the smoother switch to battle is a new type of fighting. Yakuza 3 will feature an all new "chase battle" system. When speaking with foes on the street, they may decide to run away. You'll then be tasked with chasing your fleeing rival. To do this successfully, you need to make sure and not lose sight of the enemy, either visually or on the mini map that's displayed in the bottom left corner of the screen. While running, you'll have to deal with obstacles, leaping over trash cans to keep apace.

Details are scarce at the moment, but the game displays a couple of mysterious gauges during these sequences. One appears to indicate the distance between you and your rival, while the other may show your stamina.

In addition to your rivals running away, you'll also find yourself with the option to flee.

All other areas of the standard battle system appear to be seeing improvements for Yakuza 3. The game has more advanced "heat action" special attacks, including some that make use of nunchaku, apparently an Okinawan specialty (the game takes place partially in Okinawa, in case you haven't been paying attention to the updates). You'll also find a more realistic battle environment, with bystanders stopping or fleeing and your rival's gang members approaching the fight, grabbing Kiryu from behind, and joining in.

Also new for Yakuza 3 is a "tag tournament mode" for the game's fighting arena, an area that lets you face off against powerful enemies. As the name suggests, this mode has Kiryu teaming up with a tag partner for the fight. The two make use of cooperative heat action moves.

Yakuza has always been known for an enjoyable battle system complementing the adult drama, and from the looks of things combat in Yakuza 3 is going to be better than ever! Spring 2009 (in Japan, at least) can't come soon enough!