Yakuza 0 Director's Cut Reviews
Yakuza 0 Director's Cut is one of the best games in Switch 2 launch lineup, since it is the best version of one of the best episodes in the whole Yakuza franchise. This should be enough to recommend a buy, but the new Red Light Raid, extra story content and new localization languages round up a perfect package.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Overall, Yakuza 0: Director's Cut is a solid but unexceptional port of a phenomenal game. It runs smoothly, plays well, and is a ton of fun from start to finish. However, the new content adds nothing to the game, and if you already own Yakuza 0, then there's no major reason to pick it up again. However, if you're interested in learning about the franchise or if you've only played the recent RPG-like entries, Yakuza 0 is by far the best starting point for newcomers. The unnecessary extras don't prevent it from being arguably the high point of the entire franchise and well worth playing if you're curious about the Like a Dragon/Yakuza titles.
Yakuza 0: Director's Cut is an excellent launch title for the Nintendo Switch 2 that showcases its technical capabilities. However, some of the new additions make it feel like the inferior version of this legendary entry.
The Yakuza franchise makes a great debut on Nintendo Switch 2 with Yakuza 0: Director's Cut, the definitive version of the 2015 Yakuza prequel from the PlayStation 4. Yakuza 0: Director's Cut offers several new cutscenes, the new Red Light Raid multiplayer mode, and English voice-overs, which are all on top of an already great action game with a captivating story. Although the cutscenes can be hit or miss, and players who already own Yakuza 0 may have already had their fill, the game is a great time on Switch 2, thanks to its solid 4K and 1080p 60 FPS performance.
The original Yakuza 0 was a great way to introduce newcomers to the series while also providing more lore to diehard fans. The Director’s Cut adds some unique features not seen in the original. Now is a good time as any to get into the Yakuza/Like a Dragon series to experience the origins of the Dragon of Dojima and the Mad Dog of Shimano, and it all starts with Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut.
The more you play, the more it becomes clear that Yakuza 0 hasn't aged at all in a decade. Being an excellent starting point for those who want to venture into the series for the first time, the Director's Cut brings welcome improvements, not just visual ones, and justifies its existence on the Nintendo Switch 2, becoming the definitive version of a work that was able to preserve its virtues.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Yakuza 0 is completely the same at its core, which will please many returning players to the game. This will also prove to be a great place to start for anyone looking to start the series from the chronological start. You’ve got an amazing port of an amazing game ready for you to jump into once again. Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut is a fantastic version of the game that does nothing but add to the experience that fans of the series adore, making it a great game to check out and play once again. If you’re new to Yakuza games, there isn’t a better starting point than this entry here and it's easily worth your time.
Yakuza 0 is the best of the traditional-styled Yakuza games, with the most complex story and interesting characters of the lot. It's also the ideal place for newcomers to get started with this weird and wonderful series.The new multiplayer mode is a little throwaway, for sure, and the fights do get repetitive (turn-based Yakuza FTW), but otherwise, this is a phenomenal port of an epic adventure that's now my favourite way to get down on the mean streets of 1980s Tokyo and Osaka.
After more than 8 years Yakuza 0 is still one hell of an action game and the best chapter in the series. Deep narrative, exceptional cast and multi-faceted gameplay. The Director's Cut version for Switch 2 improves on the original in every single aspect, elevating the tech and adding more meat around the bone with a brand new multiplayer mode.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Yakuza 0 is one of the greatest entries in the long-running series, and the Switch 2 port is masterfully executed, offering excellent performance alongside new features. While the new online mode may not quite hit the mark, the core campaign remains incredible, and the added cutscenes enhance the overall experience. Although there isn’t much new content for returning players, this version serves as the perfect entry point for newcomers to the series.
On its own, Yakuza 0 is a great, albeit dated, entry in the overarching Yakuza franchise. Yakuza 0: Director's Cut might not feature enough content that Yakuza fans may enjoy, but it's an excellent port for a Nintendo Switch 2 owner and an even better entry into the Yakuza series for those who have not yet played a game from Ryu Ga Gotoku.
For first-timers, Yakuza 0: Director's Cut is the definitive way to experience one of the greatest action-adventure games ever made.
The best way to play the best entry in the series and a must have launch title for Switch 2
That said, the Director's Cut is easily skippable for existing fans unless you're invested in the brand new English dub or extra languages the game has been translated into. The changes made to the story by the new cutscenes make me believe this is a worse version of the game than the original PS4 release that I played, but that is by a very small amount. If you're a Nintendo fan who's been looking for your chance to get started with the Like A Dragon franchise, this is the moment you've been waiting for.
If you’ve never played Yakuza 0 before, then this is another fantastic version of one of the best titles in the franchise, and I would highly recommend it as one of the best titles in the Switch 2’s launch lineup. It’s a game that everyone should experience at least once, and the Switch 2 Director’s Cut might actually the best way for a new player to get into the franchise. However, not much here is worth getting the game again if you’ve got the tremendous PC or current-gen versions already.
Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut retails for $50 USD, and I can’t say that doesn’t feel like a high asking price – like I said in my review of Ishin! a few years ago, that’s more than what it cost to pick up the entire trilogy of remastered PlayStation 3-only entries. I think it’s ultimately worthwhile because you’re getting a genuinely incredible game that now has an English dub and looks better than ever before, and it’s an absolute no-brainer for any Nintendo fan who has never experienced Yakuza before. As we look forward to Stranger than Heaven, it’s more worth it than ever to look back at this absolute action classic.
Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut is the definitive way to play and is fantastic as part of the Switch 2’s launch lineup.