Yakuza 0 Reviews
Yakuza 0 takes it back to where it all began, but a mildly interesting setting and story don’t quite make up for the game’s more tedious elements.
While it’s far from perfect, Yakuza 0 is a game that fans of the franchise should definitely play. It has the challenging combat and wacky humor that you’d expect, and the story is top-notch.
Yakuza 0 is simultaneously the best and worst starting point for newcomers like myself.
In all its weirdness Yakuza 0 is as charming as the series ever has been. It isn't a game for everyone, but for those who fall for this there will be tons of stuff to do, wonderful settings to visit and well-written characters to meet.
Review in Swedish | Read full review
Beyond the era and location-specific authenticity strived for and achieved in this title, both the dated combat and graphics leave something to be desired.
Everything you want in a Mafia game is there, and there aren't any lootboxes.
Nothing is more humiliating to a Yakuza member than pummelling them with a teapot
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 easy to look at Yakuza 0 on the surface and compare it to the likes of Grand Theft Auto. It’s a natural assumption, but Yakuza 0 is far more than its western counterparts.
Despite a complete brutalization of its dialogue by a Western localization team, Yakuza 0 still manages to pull through on both its charm and the kind of eccentric gameplay that the series has become renowned for by now. Yakuza 0 sets itself up as the place to start for newcomers, so its PC release is all the more sensible.
Yakuza 0 is good enough that I regret not having played the other games. I plan to work my way through Yakuza Kiwami and Yakuza Kiwami 2, however I fear I may never play Yakuzas three to five. Still, Yakuza 0 has room for improvement which leaves me hoping that the best is yet to come. I’ll be there for the next steps in Kiryu’s and Majima’s journeys, even if I don’t know their entire life stories. Not yet, anyway.
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.
It’s an uncompromising old-school brawler than manages to feel both out-dated and timeless in its brutal gameplay, but that’s only part of the package. Yakuza 0 is all about its characters, with a compelling story that grabs you and won’t let go.
Whether it's the dual intertwining story, the litany of mini-games and the new additions or the visceral feeling of smashing street punks into walls whilst enjoying the quirky side quests, the team at SEGA have once again nailed with Yakuza 0 exactly what the series is known for with another great outing and for the first time on a new generation of consoles. But Yakuza 0 is also the perfect jumping on point for players new to the series, requiring no previous knowledge of its lore or characters and offering a game that can be partook either linearly with just the main story in mind, or truly delving into what makes these games so unique and racking up a hundred hours.
With a long, but interesting and engaging story, side content on top of side content and fun brawling gameplay, Yakuza 0 is a great game that is definitely worth the price. While gameplay could be a bit smoother between transitions and the story can feel like it's dragging a bit, there's still plenty to appreciate.
A unique and refreshing experience compared to other open world games, whether it's the 80s setting, its various quests and the way it mixes seriousness with plenty of comedy or the brutal but never malicious fighting system. The only flaws are the somewhat low budget feel, but for those looking for something different, this is an excellent choice whether they’re new to the series or a veteran.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
It's easy to recommend Yakuza Zero to all fans of the series, as it tells a brilliant origin story that shows unseen sides of both the Kazuma and Majima personalities, and, at the same time, it's easy to dismiss this prequel as "another Yakuza game" for those whio never got to like the series. All in all, it's a solid and well written debut on PS4.
Review in Italian | Read full review
After the success of Yakuza 0 on PlayStation 4, I hope this move to PC enables it to reach more of an audience, because those titles have been delivering quality experiences since first appearing on the PlayStation 2.
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.