As a gamer for over three decades, I’ve played many different types of games across the major consoles. Every game is unique in its art style, story line, and gameplay, and there are many benchmarks that help us decide if a game is good or bad.

Keep reading for my fair and unbiased review of Yakuza 0, where I give you more information about the story line, gameplay, and development, so you can decide if this game should be on your must-play list.

About Yakuza 0

Yakuza 0 is an action-adventure game developed by Sega, and it was first introduced in Japan in 2015, with a release on the PlayStation 4 coming to Europe and North America in 2017. A PC version of the game was released in 2018, and the title was finally brought to the Xbox One in February of 2020.

The game was released with favorable reviews across all platforms, with many praising the excellent graphics, gameplay, and storyline. Yakuza 0 is still popular today, with the game being nominated for a Golden Joystick Award in 2020. Online forums for Yakuza 0 are still active with both new and seasoned players. Some even credit the game for bringing renewed interest to the Yakuza series and prompting a new game, Yakuza: Like a Dragon, which was released worldwide in November 2020.

Yakuza 0 debuted at the top of the software charts in Japan and between the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 consoles, there were 236,000 copies sold in its first week. PlayStation 4 sales topped an estimated 108,000 during its first week of worldwide release, with more than half of those copies being sold in the U.S.

The game was first announced at a special Yakuza game event in 2014, and it would release in Japan and other parts of Asia in 2015. Atlus studios then spent a year and a half localizing the game before it was released to western markets in 2017. There are over 1.8 million Japanese characters in the game as well as traditional Asian games such as Shogi and Mahjong that were localized for western audiences, and a ton of attention was paid to every detail. Yakuza 0’s overall development budget is estimated to be around $30 million.

Yakuza 0 Story

Nishiki and Kiryu show off their new tattoos, which are updated in later games as the timeline progresses.

Yakuza 0 is a prequel story, meant to show the player the origins of the main characters throughout the series, including their favorite protagonist, Kazama Kiryu, and his best friend Akira Nishikiyama. We are also treated to the origin story of how Goro Majima and Kazama Kiryu first met, and how the relationship between them has evolved.

The story line of Yakuza 0 follows Kiryu and Majima as they both become involved in fighting the Yakuza over control of a tiny piece of land in Kamurocho known as “The Empty Lot.” Players will get to experience the story through the eyes of both Kiryu and Majima as they swap between them as the story progresses.

The story is both exciting and heartwarming, and it really shows the depth of emotions in each character. You can progress the story at any speed you would like, so if you want to move straight in to the next chapter, you can. However, I found that it was also worthwhile to explore the city whenever I needed a break from fighting bad guys, so I progressed at a much slower pace.

Either way you play it, the story is both engaging and emotional and it’s a great addition to the franchise while still maintaining continuity.

Yakuza 0 Gameplay

The gameplay in Yakuza 0 is fast-paced and exciting.

Yakuza 0 PS4 Gameplay - 7 Reasons You Need To Play It

Throughout the game, you will switch back and forth between playing as Kazama Kiryu and Goro Majima. There is limited character customization, as you can unlock different outfits for both Kiryu and Majima by completing the game.

There are three fighting styles for each character, and there is also a fourth Legendary fighting style for both that can be unlocked through gameplay. Each fighting style gives the character unique moves and abilities, such as allowing you to use weapons or the ability to pick up and throw nearby objects and enemies.

In addition to combat, there is a plethora of optional activities for the player to unwind. You can play traditional games such as Shogi or Mahjong, or you can head to the arcade to play versions of actual retro Sega games. There is a circuit car track where you can customize your car and participate in competitions, a bowling alley where you can bowl a few frames, and a batting arena that lets you practice hitting home runs. There is also a casino, where you can play anything from roulette to poker and win (or lose) a bunch of money.

In addition to these recreational areas, there are numerous bars where you can play darts or pool and partake in different types of alcohol. There are also several restaurants where you can try different foods, and there are karaoke bars where you can unleash your inner rock star as you follow along with the music.

Yakuza 0 swaps between the cities of Sotenbori and Kamurocho, depending on which character you are playing. While both cities seem small when compared to modern-day open world games, they pack a ton of things to do within each city, so there is never a dull moment. The smaller settings will quickly become familiar to the player, and it is easy to navigate the streets without having to constantly consult a map. The settings are very similar throughout the Yakuza games, so gamers who have played other titles in the series will feel right at home within the game world.

The NPCs in Yakuza 0 are very entertaining, and the ones I met during the side missions are among the most entertaining that I have ever met in a video game. There are so many funny moments in the sub-stories, and they contrast nicely with the overall serious nature of the main story.

Since Yakuza 0 is a prequel in the Yakuza game series, we get to see Kiryu and Majima’s less mature side, and how they acted when they were younger. Unlike other video games where the protagonist doesn’t age for decades in the series (I’m looking at you, Link), both Kiryu and Majima age as the series progresses and they get older. This really adds to the depth of each character throughout the games, and Yakuza 0 does a nice job at giving us their origin stories.

There isn’t a lot of room for improvement in Yakuza 0, but there are a couple of things that may be less appealing to some gamers. The cinematic cut scenes, while beautifully done, are sometimes very long. While a few of these cut scenes are skippable, most are not. I don’t really find this as a problem because the cut scenes provide vital story points, but there have been some complaints among gamers who just want to get on with playing the game.

The street fights are also somewhat repetitive, and it can be annoying when you are simply trying to get from point A to point B in a hurry, but you have to keep stopping to fight. There are items you can use to lessen the fighting frequency and see where the bad guys are, but it still feels like they are lurking in every corner, especially in later stages of the story.

These are very minor issues, however, and the rest of the gameplay is really well done.
I would give this game high marks on replayability due to the fact there is a New Game Plus option that allows you to play the story all over again with your stronger fighting abilities and weapons. The enemies in this mode are a little tougher, so you still get a good challenge.

There is also a Premium Adventure mode after you finish the main story, and this allows you to roam the game freely as either character without worrying about progressing the story or doing side missions. I like to use this mode when I’m in the mood for a relaxing game of Mahjong or if I want to try besting my score on the karaoke songs.

Yakuza 0 Combat

Beginner's Combat Guide To Yakuza 0

In Yakuza 0, both Kiryu and Majima are each given a default fighting style. The other two fighting styles are unlocked by seeking out certain NPCs and completing their tasks. The Legendary fighting style for each character is unlocked when each character completes their respective side missions. For Kiryu, this means completing the Real Estate Royale challenge, and for Majima, you have to complete the Cabaret Club Czar storyline.

Each fighting style has special moves which are unlocked by spending some cash. Since money is plentiful in Yakuza 0 and you earn some with every fight, upgrading your combat skills is relatively easy. 

There are tons of accessories and weapons you can use to become even stronger, as well. There are different pieces of clothing that buff your defenses, and weapons that help you pack a stronger punch. Some fighting styles even make you stronger according to how drunk you are, and these abilities are fun to take advantage of. There are also fighting styles that allow you to pick up objects on the street, from street signs to motorcycles, that you can use in your fight.

Throughout the fight, you will also fill up a Heat gauge, which allows you to unleash a powerful attack depending on how full the gauge is. These attacks are known as “Heat Actions,” and each one has a unique animation. Heat actions not only make you powerful, but they make the fight more entertaining, as well.

Heat Actions are particularly useful when it comes to fighting Mr. Moneybags, who roams the streets looking to fight you. If you lose a fight against Mr. Moneybags, he will take all of your money, but you can always challenge him again and win it all back if you are successful in the fight. Mr. Moneybags is considerably tougher than the regular street thugs you run into, but the huge money payout is worth fighting him.

Some weapons can be bought at local shops throughout the game world, but the best weapons are obtained through the Dragon and Tiger weapon shop. In the Dragon and Tiger, you send agents out to locations around the world in search of the best weapons. You are not guaranteed to get the weapons you are looking for, but using the right agents in the right locations greatly increases your chances.

There isn’t traditional multiplayer combat in Yakuza 0, but there are a few mini-games in the main menu such as bowling, darts, and poker, that you can play with a friend.

The combat animations are done well, especially the close-ups of the Heat Actions, and the sound effects for both the characters and combat are very well done, although not without the usual grunting that happens in most video game fights.

Yakuza 0 Quest/Mission System

In addition to the main story quests, which are progressed by going to a specified location, there are 100 side missions, known in the game as “sub-stories.”

Unlike the main story missions, which are pretty cut and dry when it comes to what to do next, the sub-stories aren’t always so obvious. Sub-stories are unlocked by talking to various characters that you meet on the street. These sub-stories are usually some type of fetch quest, with the character requesting a specific item or a favor from you.

Some of these sub-stories are very simple, and require a quick trip to a store to purchase the requested item. There are a few sub-stories that are more involved, however, and they require you to talk to multiple people or fetch several different items for completion.

These sub-stories are usually very amusing, and they give us a further glimpse into the personalities of both Kiryu and Majima. The characters you meet are all very unique, and their often-hilarious dialogue makes for some of the best moments in the game that make even the most mundane tasks entertaining.

Yakuza 0 Graphics

Yakuza 0’s graphics are on par with today’s generation of video games.

Yakuza 0 PC Port Tested! Performance, Settings + PS4 Graphics Comparison!

The graphics in Yakuza 0 are typical of the graphics in most of today’s video games, and even after a few years, they still hold up to some of the most popular games available right now.

Facial details and animations are done well, as are the lighting textures throughout the game. The bright neon lights of Kamurocho really bring the city to life, along with the constant hustle and bustle of NPC characters on the street.

There are very realistic details found throughout Yakuza 0, as well. The bottles of alcohol at the bars are modeled after their real-life counterparts, and so are all of the traditional Asian dishes found in the restaurants throughout the city.

The attention to detail is evident in almost every aspect of the game, and the realism of the graphics makes it easy to become immersed in the game world.

Yakuza 0 Developer

Yakuza 0 was developed and published by Sega, which has been a force in video games for decades.

While there were a few bugs lingering after the game’s North American release, the development team at Sega was very responsive in getting them fixed. They even went as far as to monitor online forums where players were posting bugs so that they would be able to fix them quickly.

Sega developers have continued to monitor online forums so they can create the necessary fixes, and there have been updates as recent as 2019 where there was a patch to fix some graphics issues on the PC version.

The result is a game with very few bugs, which creates a much more enjoyable player experience.

While there still may be bugs out there waiting to be discovered, rest assured the team of Sega developers is likely aware and working on an update fix.

Yakuza 0 Price

• Yakuza 0 current price: $19.99
• Available platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
• Pay-to-win elements: None
• In-game purchases: None

Final Verdict: 9/10

Pros:

• Good storytelling
• Creative cast of NPCs
• Fun combat system
• Hours of fun gameplay

Cons:

• Fighting can be repetitive
• Instructions on what to do next aren’t always clear
• The side missions for Real Estate Royale and Cabaret Club Czar can be tedious
• Some of the optional mini-games are unbalanced and unnecessarily difficult

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