Yakuza 0 Reviews
Yakuza 0 is part Japanese soap opera crime drama, part over the top action brawler, and part comedy filler. All of these three elements pleasantly allowed me to soak in which aspect I like most at my own pace, making my 90 hours playthrough fun, memorable, and varied.
Yakuza 0 is unique in that you do not need any introduction to the series to enjoy it, it is a prequel after all.
If you’re a fan of story rich games, 3D brawlers or just content rich games then Yakuza 0 should be on your radar. Some may be put off by the lack of an English voice acting option but, as previously stated, the localisation team have done a great job in making it a joy to read and genuinely funny in places. There’s so much to do and being able to partake in the story of the series from the very beginning makes it great for newcomers too. If you’re looking for something you can spend hours exploring and still not see it all, then Yakuza 0 is definitely something worth your consideration.
<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AwiaxcC3WvI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> Yakuza 0 makes for a perfect entry point to the series, and its unique blend of high drama and entertaining extras creates an action-packed, emotional journey where laughs come as frequently as tears. It's brutal and brilliant and so damn cool.
Yakuza 0 is over the top, but damn it I wouldn't have it any other way.
If there is one game you decide to take a chance on this year, please let it be Yakuza 0 - a game that is as fun and intelligent as it is silly and violent.
Yakuza 0 is a strong reminder of just how much potential the open world genre has for unique experiences. It’s easy to get bogged down with the long list of games that just give you a map full of tasks to complete. Yakuza 0 is not one of those games. It’s got a strong story to tell, and tons of genuinely fun and funny side ventures to partake in. On top of it all, its combat is so fun, you just might find yourself running around Japan looking for Mr. Shakedown to teach him a lesson.
Yakuza’s first foray onto PS4 is nothing short of great and the future is shining bright for the series.
From the red-light district of Kamurocho to the streets of Sotenbori, Yakuza 0 serves up a compelling open-world adventure with lots of action and oodles of content to keep both series vets and newcomers entertained. Add an intriguing story filled with underworld politics, good character interactions and a high level of polish and you’ve got what’s arguably the best entry in the excellent Yakuza series to date.
For newcomers, Yakuza 0 offers enough to make it a worthwhile purchase with over a hundred hours worth of content. For those returning to the series, apart from a new story, you’ll be walking a similar path to what’s come before, which, depending on how fatigued you feel from the past games may be a good or bad thing.
Besides some technical flaws and a bit repetitive gameplay, Yakuza Zero is still probably the best entry point to the Yakuza series for newcomers.
Review in German | Read full review
It's a truly wonderful trick that Yakuza 0 plays, and rather than work out how it does it, just sit back and let this videogaming alchemy entertain you.
Yakuza 0 - one of the most beautiful, detailed and exciting stories in the multi-volume series about life in Japan and its shadow side. Detalization of rituals and complicated hierarchical system of relationships, coupled with romantic image of "bad boy" character, give us an idea that the game is being sponsored by one of the yakuza's tops -- how else to explain so much attention to the way of life of the japanese criminal authority? And, of course, Yakuza 0 is currently the most polished (excluding bad controls in mini-games section) and best game in the series, with which you shoud start discovering the amazing world of Japan. Especially since Yakuza 1 remake, Yakuza Kiwami, that uses Yakuza 0's battle system and many of its characters, is on the way.
Review in Russian | Read full review
There hasn't been a better time to get into this underrated crime franchise than now. Yakuza 0 is both a game made for the longtime fans and for newcomers alike. While it isn't a perfect game, it's compelling narrative and characters, along with the entertaining combat and plethora of side content, make this an experience that no fan of the series should miss. If you haven't played any games in the Yakuza franchise and you're wondering what all the hubbub is about, this is where you should start.
But a little bit of jank makes little difference in the grand scheme of things, and Yakuza 0 is a strong testament to the level of detail and the amount of content the series is known for.
As an origin story, Yakuza 0 is a perfect starting point for series newcomers, and a wonderful look in to the past for those already familiar with Yakuza. While its combat can become a slog, soaking up the sights and sounds of a 1980s Tokyo criminal underground is enchanting.
Yakuza 0 is the best episode ever made in the SEGA brand, despite a troubled development process and its cross-gen nature. Thanks to mature and emotional storytelling, some great characters and a huge variety of content, the gameplay of this RPG is really unique. Unfortunately, the lack of an Italian localization could be a serious problem for those who are not comfortable enough with spoken English.
Review in Italian | Read full review
There is so much to the game that it’s almost overwhelming, but it’s so expertly crafted that you will keep coming back for more
The attention to detail in Yakuza 0 is nothing short of amazing, and it really is a fun game to just wander around in. Whether it’s the narrow alleys full of signage or the neat neon-lit streets, Yakuza 0 at its core is what Japan is all about.