65%PC

This is a really cool game but, I have to watch like 1 hour cut scene and then I can play. I don't have that much time man :(

90%PC

Yakuza 0 is such an awesome game, I had a blast playing through, it's actually such a shame that it took me this long to pick up
Yakuza 0 ties it's wonderfully punchy and frantic combat into most facets of it's runtime, it's a wonderful main story to play, but it's a bit hard to write about because most of the content in my runtime here, is with the other stuff on the table.
It's a mechanically simple brawler with an emphasis on painting a picture of the bright, fast, and frenetic 1980's Tokyo/Osaka city life, and it's inversely dark and brooding criminal underworld; a story of 2 deeply enjoyable protagonists, with absolutely WILD twists and turns that'll give you whiplash, layered, enjoyable characters, and story beats that'll keep their hooks in you when you're not even playing the game anymore. The progression, the pace, the moments all just fester in my head, and it's just palpable how enjoyable it all is.
Kamurocho and Sotenbori are masterfully detailed recreations of their real life counterparts, I'd say the laser-sharp focus of the design philosophy hones in on exploring it's nooks and crannies for the countless substories and minigames, that make the setting feel as though it's truly alive. To that end, most of the game's runtime exists in optional side content, and I'd honestly recommend seeking a large chunk of it out. I generally don't make it a habit to do almost EVERYTHING in a game, but I absolutely (almost) every single substory. They're short and sweet, and memorable. And it's aim of immersing you in it's world was dead on, I know Kamurocho and Sotenbori better than I know the roads of where I live currently.
Though I think almost all the side content is wonderful, there are 2 other big facets of play that I think can be kind of divisive; about a third of the way into the game, you'll eventually unlock essentially a second diet-storyline for each protagonist, each with their own minigames attached, and your mileage may vary on how you do or do not enjoy fiddling with them, but at some level, they're also kind of mechanically incentivized to be engaged with, at least partly.
The minigames in question are Real Estate Royale, and Cabaret Club:
It's actually really funny to me with how my opinions flipped on the modes, at first, I was EXTREMELY into RER, and very much NOT into Cabaret, but delving into both flipped the script the exact opposite way.
RER initially comes off as mechanically unintrusive due to it's more passive nature of waiting for income to line up, to buy more properties, and therein progress the storyline, while Cabaret is much more interactive, which may intrude on the player experience when you want to do something else
In my style of having played, toward the end of the RER storyline, I was bored out of my mind. Due to how I approached content in the game, I had already done most of Kiryu's substories and content by the time I had approached RER, and this ends up making RER a ridiculous slog of watching bars fill, while having nothing else to engage with, alongside RER upgrades toward the end getting MUCH slower and everything getting more and more prohibitively expensive. But at some level, if you desire major progression in the skill trees, it's necessary. Kiryu's upgrade economy later on hinges on engaging with RER for his upgrades, being massively expensive. On top of this, having grinded it and being bored, the story for this mode in particular, is pretty flaccid. Especially compared to every other piece of writing in the game, it has moments, but nothing particularly spectacular like most other story beats in the game. And it's LONG. It probably took me 15 hours of grinding to get through it, because most of the runtime is sitting and waiting for bars to fill.
On the flipside, though initially dismissive of Cabaret, I really grew to like it. There are actual characters here! The mechanics are enjoyable! The story is memorable! It's like the exact opposite of RER. Majima's skill economy cut in half from Kiryu's, while getting proportionately similar rewards for completion, so it takes honestly very little engagement to move the storyline forward while also being able to upgrade his skills at a MUCH faster pace. It's also much more mechanically driven. You run a host club, dress up your little fellas, talk to them, with their own little micro-stories, that flesh them out, and then run the club for 2.5 minutes. The feedback loop is immediately more tangible, while only being 4 hours long if you dive in headfirst. Plus, it's more narratively cohesive with Majima's side of the story where he was ALREADY a host club owner, so the mechanics engage with his story, and vice versa -- the ludonarrative harmony is just wonderful. It feels almost as if they made Kiryu's side of things in RER as an afterthought, or they learned as they were developing and refocused in Majima's side of things.
All-in-all, aside from some (arguably optional) blemishes, the game is still a masterclass

100%PC

Super fun and amazing story!

I just want to give Majima the biggest hug

90%PC

absolute fire

60%PlayStation 4

Yakuza storylines are stupid and melodramatic as always as a sort of B-movie storyline. And this drag down an otherwise good but overrated game

100%PlayStation 4

GOAT.

95%Xbox Series X/S

Absolutely phenomenal game. I went in completely blind to this game and had zero expectations, and I was blown away.

The introduction of Goro Majima was one of the greatest cutscenes in video game history. And his character throughout this game was fascinating. Kiryu's character was also cool, but Majima stole the show.

The story was thrilling throughout, and the substories were also awesome. I didn't 100% the game, but I did complete every substory because they were all so fun and interesting.

There were only a couple negatives, with one being that I wish upgrading your characters was not done with money, though if that was the case you would have a ridiculous amount of money and nothing to do with it.

I also did not like that the two legendary fighting styles were locked behind mini games. I loved the real estate and especially the cabaret club mini games, but it seemed odd to have to beat those to get fighting styles, rather than unlocking them at some point of the story.

Overall, this game is the perfect starting spot for the Yakuza series, as I don't think I would enjoy Kiwami nearly as much without playing 0. 9.7/10

100%PC

Thanks I am addicted. It is very story heavy and has a lot of cut scenes. I love it but maybe not for all.

70%PC

Very good story, overall good game but gameplay is a bit mid. Combat can be fun but also frustrating.
My first Yakuza game, made me want to discover the other episodes in the serie.

95%PC

Genuinely, this game is a masterwork of its own. Great story with comedic relief.

However, I am removing a small bit of points, because I loathe some of the absolute rigging this game has. This does get addressed in later games where these requirements become optional instead of a requirement or replaced with fun alternatives in the 100% achievement run. Yet, that small bit of content taxed my mental well-being and soured my mood.

I've never seen a game so hellbent on trying to fuck a player over on trying to achieve the 100% completion in any game. Mahjong, Disco Battle, and Catfight Club are infamous for their god awful rigging. I spent nearly 20 hours alone (over the course of 3 days) just to achieve the Mahjong completion points. Disco Battle was alright until the very last opponents for Kiryu and Majima gives you a hellish difficulty spike. I was fortunate to get a "bad day" with Majima's final opponent in 2 tries, but Kiryu's final opponent curb stomped me for 5+ hours. The Catfight Club is the worst of the worst, because:

1. Some girls have a "comeback" mechanic and have a chance to instantly KO you after you 'defeated' them.
2. The "smash [X] button" portion (when you tie) is usually in the opponent's favor.
3. This mini-game alone has its own achievement and made it obnoxious to achieve. (10 3-win tournaments.)

Warning(s) to anyone attempting to 100% completion:
1. First or Legendary play-through to be your 100% completion file.
2. Be mentally ready to spend hours / days on certain mini-games. (Mahjong, Catfight Club, Baseball, etc.)
3. Most of the general completion points involve a bit of grinding or side-tracking.

- Tasks I mentioned in #2 make up approximately 15% of the completion list.

4. Don't be afraid to download certain modifications to make your life easier.

- I downloaded a Mahjong one to make certain tiles easier to read their numbers.
MAKE SURE YOU TRUST THE WEBSITE WHERE YOU RECEIVE THEM!

100%PlayStation 4

I fell in love with the Yakuza series thanks to this game. It remains my favorite in the series thus far.

100%PlayStation 4

GOTY

100%PC

After going through the series i came back to zero
Hands down the best in the series

100%PC

La historia es una putísima obra maestra

90%PC

📖 Story & Narration
☑ Masterpiece
☐ Wonderful
☐ Worthwhile
☐ Mediocre
☐ Trash
☐ N/A
Comments:

The game starts with a strong cutscene that sets the tone for the major plot. I loved every cutscene, even if they seemed exaggerated—that’s part of what makes this game iconic. Each side-quest has its own plot and narration, often hilarious and filled with memorable moments. The main plot and its build-up are fantastic, truly embodying the peak of male fantasy.

🎮 Gameplay & Controls
☑ Perfection
☐ Amazing
☐ Manageable
☐ Terrible
☐ You must be a masochist to play this.
Comments:

Yakuza 0 has relatively simple fighting mechanics but can be difficult to fully master. You’re given the option of three different styles to brawl with your enemies. Character progression and upgrades are tied to the money you earn throughout the game. There's a wide variety of mini-games to choose from, and later in the story, you unlock another playable character who plays a key role in the plot. Overall, the gameplay is very well-executed.

🎨 Graphics & Visuals
☐ As good as reality.
☑ Beautiful
☐ Decent
☐ Potato
☐ It's painful to watch
Comments:

The developers successfully recreated the streets of Kamurocho in Tokyo, capturing the bustling atmosphere beautifully. I love the game's environment, and the visuals in the cutscenes, especially the character expressions, are fantastic. The UI is easy to understand and navigate, though it feels slightly outdated. Overall, it's a wonderful game. I believe it should run smoothly on mid-tier PCs, but lower-end systems might struggle.

🎼 Sound Design
☐ Eargasm
☑ Excellent
☐ Good
☐ Dreadful
☐ I have turned deaf
Comments:

The sound effects are well done, from the bustling crowd to the music playing as you pass by stores. The UI sounds are fitting and blend nicely with the game. The soundtrack is memorable, with certain songs becoming iconic, even turning into popular memes at one point.

Verdict
I highly recommend this game to more people. It’s easily enjoyable and fun, with incredibly interesting side quests and easy-to-understand mechanics. It's one of the best starter fighting games, perfect for getting into and learning more about the Yakuza/Like a Dragon storyline. Magnificent game!

90%PlayStation 4

excellent origin story of yakuza/like a dragon characters, with full content of side quests/activities

70%PC

Fantastic game! A very rare prequel that can be an introduction to a series rather than fan service for existing fans. The game offers some really richly detailed environments, tons of fun sidequests and minigames, as well as a fantastic core storyline. I really enjoyed the real estate management as much as I did the cabaret club management, scratched that same itch that Base Management in MGSV does for me.

My only complaints are that sometimes, fighting enemies in the streets gets a bit repetitive, and by all means DO NOT TRY TO 100% THIS GAME. The joys of having so many different things to do become an absolute BURDEN the minute you try to complete ALL of them. For the most part, its manageable, but when obtaining every single weapon in the game requires RNG + a Time Sink, its just not worth it lol. Im just glad I can say that the Mahjong *WASNT* the quitting point for that journey for me

100%PlayStation 4

No other series mixes serious drama with comedy like this. Yakuza 0 is the best game in the series so far, its truly brilliant.

100%PlayStation 4

my first yakuza game. absolute masterpiece.

100%PC

life changer

80%PC

73,53% Complete

65%PlayStation 5

"The cutscenes will chill out at chapter 3"
"The cutscenes will chill out at chapter 4"
Chapter 5:

The combat was fine but not enough to carry 2/3 dialogue/cutscene 1/3 of the actual game, it didn't flow like I wanted it to.

100%PlayStation 4

Played it years ago when it came out on the PS4. Still one of my favorite games.
Beautiful game.
Insanely good story and characters. Great music, great gameplay.

Masterpiece.

90%PlayStation 4

키류도 멋지지만 마지마 매력쩔어

100%PC

DAME DA NEEEE!!

100%PC

Incredible. Incredible. Incredible. I think this may have shot up as one of my favourite games of all time. I am blown away by how much fun I had with this game. The story is varied and gripping, the atmosphere is dreamy, the attention to detail is spectacular and the gameplay overall is such a delight. I didn’t feel myself getting sick of this game at any point which is a complete shocker since I usually tune out of a game this long after about 30+ hours, maybe sooner.

This game had me hooked. The story had so many twists and turns but still kept it so that every detail was as important as the last and everything was so easy to follow. I felt like I was playing in a high budget action movie the entire time.

The side quests got a bit arduous at points, especially because there are so many of them (to which I never completed, did maybe a dozen each for Majima and Kiryu. That being said, the side story of Majima and climbing his way to the top of the cabaret club chain was so addicting and such a fun way to waste some time when I didn’t particularly feel like completing the story. I crushed it in a couple of days and it was such a fun diner-dash type of mini-game that I had a blast with. The fighting style you unlock at the end of it is sick. I loved it.

When it came to Kiryu’s side story, I found that one to be a bit more of a slog to get through and I didn’t finish it because I didn’t like that you had to wait in order to receive your payouts and it was a lot of mindless wandering as time passed. I didn’t do much of it.

The upgrades, the fighting abilities, the combat was all so much fun. It was very easy to understand and I didn’t feel like I was button mashing in order to get some sort of combo. It was all straight forward and you know to press X X X and then Y to get the best hits. Majima’s Slugger fighting style is a treat and Kiryu’s Beast fighting style is as well.

I could write about this game for days. I’m so excited to play the other games as this was my introduction to the Yakuza series. Incredible.

80%PC

Good story, but very boring side stories even though they are fun

100%PlayStation 4

Ehkä yksi parhaista peleistä ikinä! Mahtavaa draamaa, uskomatonta ääninäyttelyä, hyvä tarina, rakastettavat hyvikset ja ihanan limaiset konnat. Peli on pullollaan absurdin naurettavia japanilaisimpia asioita ikinä naamatusten tiukan Yakuza draaman kanssa. Kontrasti on niin räikeä, että se suorastaan jotenkin sopii peliin ja on yksi niitä asioita joka pelisarjasta jää parhaiten mieleen. Pelin pituudesta johtuen kangstereiden mukiloiminen alkaa hieman mennä vanhaksi loppupuolta kohti mennessä, mutta pientä monotonisuutta rikkoo pitkät välipätkät, erilaiset taistelutyylit ja minipelit jotka vaihtelevat yksinkertaisista rytmipeleistä klubin managerointiin, johon tuli hassattua varmaan parikymmentä tuntia. Tämä pelisarja pitää pelata kokonaisuudessaan!

95%PlayStation 5

Sentenced to 10 hours of mahjong / 10

80%PC

Really liked the game but struggled to consistantly play it, similar to FF16, has very high highs but very low lows so some of the parts of the game are really boring. Did some of the beginning side content but then just played main game. got a 14% completion rate, no idea if that is good or not but overall enjoyed the game and will keep trying to play the other games.

80%PC

Great story, overall interesting side content, but there is WAY too much time-consuming gambling and luck-based mechanics. The story was emotional and captivating, and the substories were always filled with unexpected turns. I will certainly return to this game someday, but I will NOT try to 100% it again.

85%PlayStation 4

It is as if I was a real Yakuza ! Great story, fun battles, and engaging world. Sometimes a bit frustating because I was bad in the battles, but I had a great time anyway.

40%PC

Yeah i didn't enjoy this, burn the heretic! lol
I found the gameplay to be very shallow, repetitive and boring. The story started well and got my attention for the first third, then later it stopped trying to make any sense and started to pull an asspull after the other that i stopped caring about anything.
I failed to relate to any of the characters, they are inconsistent and lack proper development it feels each one was getting a rewrite every few chapters and the main one was to gritty and angry all the time, its boring and cringe, sorry.
I didnt bother with the minigames after i found out they are mostly miniclip tier, and the side stories are wildly inconsistent, for every good one there are like 5 poorly written ones.
Just a mediocre game overall, i dont get the hype, sorry .

85%PC

It is extremely cut scene heavy but the story is very good so it's not like I had to force myself to watch. The VA is solid in the main quest and combat is mostly button mashing but quite fun as there are 3 different styles to choose from.
For completion sake, I aimed for substory completion (essentially side quests). Something I found weird is that most substories are not VA and have annoying unskippable animations meaning if you fail you cannot instantly jump back in and try again. You have to have a quick convo or cutscene before you can start.The sub stories are a lot more light hearted and fun to do, although some like the telephone club and dance battles are incredibly frustrating.
There are a few fetch style missions but at least the storys are good so it doesn't feel mindless.
The business venture game mode for both characters is something I really enjoyed (buying stores, upgrading, assigning managers and security // building up a carabet club by managing girls was strangely fun and made me feel like a pimp lol)

100%PlayStation 4

Yakuza 0 is the first Yakuza game I have ever played and was completely blown away by it.
I can finally see why the games have such a large following.

It's a game that really reminded me of why I love video games so much. It has all the elements I look for in a game; escapism, variety, and most importantly, fun. It gives you a lot of freedom to really do whatever you'd like to in the game.
The game really presents you with the ultimate male fantasy i.e. being a badass who can roam the city beating up groups of thugs and bullies, and you can also have fun however you want, be it drinking, playing video games, gambling, or being able to watch soft porn videos at Gandhara lol.

The combat is very satisfying, the blows you deliver feel like they have some weight to them, and beating up bad guys with very satisfying 'heat' mode strikes is very cool.

The storyline also surprised me. It's a very intriguing tale with lots of twists and turns. I was not expecting the grittiness of the storyline and it was most welcome. The dialogue is also superb and it's a very well written game.

It also passed the test of whether or not I felt sad at the game ending, which is always a sign of being a great game.
At least there are plenty more Yakuza games to get stuck into should I get the craving to get into one again.

90%PlayStation 4

Excellent introduction to the Yakuza series
Great main story with lots of plot twists and emotive scenes
Side missions are total opposite, bat shit crazy, but so fun at the same time
Combat is pretty good
Map is smaller vs other new age titles, but densely packed, very much needed in todays age of huge maps without substance
Graphics are good, outstanding during main cut scenes
80s vibe is also really cool
Bring on Kiwami 1

100%PC

GORO IS GOD, KRYU-CHAN IS GOD AND TACHIBANA IS GOD

85%PC

I've completed this game previously, but after seeing how well it runs on the Steam Deck, I was compelled to play through it again.

On my second play through, I'm still of the opinion that Yakuza 0 is a very special game. It has a sense of cinema and drama that it balances so well with moments of comedy and outright absurdity. The combat is rock solid, though RGG have gone on to improve it greatly in the Judgement games (at least in my opinion).

If you're the sort of person who has to complete everything in a game, the breadth of side activities in Yakuza 0 is either a blessing or a jail sentence, depending on how much pleasure you derive from that stuff. For me, I think there's a great balance – and I'm glad to have put more time into the hostess mini-game this time around.

As a Steam Deck game, I was blown away by my experience – to the point that I'd say playing Yakuza 0 on the Steam Deck might well be the definitive way to play. On the OLED, it holds a pretty much locked 90fps on High settings. It looks wonderful – the game's visuals very much suit the smaller screen – without draining too much battery. Taking in the game's superb melodrama and chipping away at sub stories on the sofa was really enjoyable. Basically, having Kamurocho and Sotenbori in your backpack is a treat.

I know. this sounds like sponsored content for the Steam Deck, but I'm just really happy I got to visit a game near and dear to my heart in this fashion.

80%PC

The story was boring at certain points, but captivated me at others. Game was wacky as fuck which I liked. Combat got a little dull, and I wish there were more sequences where you ran around levels rather than be locked in a square. Highlight of the game is all the side stuff.

95%PC

This was my first experience with any Yakuza/Like a Dragon game and it did not disappoint. Very story heavy that sucks you in from the very beginning. The blend of back and forth of playing as both main characters keeps the game fresh and wanting more. Only real complaint is the map is very condensed being in only two small areas, and that map is very hard to navigate from time to time. Solid game and looking forward to exploring the series more.

100%PC

Absolutely masterpiece! Some of sidequests are boring, but most of them very nice, and you always can skip them if you want. Very fun to play.

95%PlayStation 4

Yakuza 0 what a game man, the best story in a video game i have ever played (so far). I had always seen the series in my backlog but never really gave it a fair shot but man im glad i did now and kinda wish i played it earlier, I have been missing out on this franchise for too long. An amazing cast of characters whether good or evil. Surprised I could keep up with the plot but it felt easy to digest and the pieces were all coming together. You can always hop into the story whenever you want or do the fantastic side content like all the substories or make money from real estate or the cabaret club. It was interesting this game juggling 2 completely separate main protagonists and they did it flawlessly. The minigames were a blast too like playing pool, dancing (screw u disco dancing goddess side quest) or my favorite, karaoke. The game knows when to take itself seriously or get goofy. The story had me on the edge of my seat and even when I wasnt playing the game all i could think about was finding out what would happen next. Having 2 separate protagonists and the different fighting styles and heat actions really helped keep the combat fun and fresh. Cant wait to play more of this series, but at the end of the day, Yakuza 0 is a masterpiece.

90%PC

I don’t have much to add to other reviews. Yakuza 0 is a small but condensed world, with an enormous amount of additional activities and side stories.

The realisation of the city is fantastic, the sound, the voice acting and the cut scenes are top knots. The only drawbacks are the fighting is a bit of a button-mash, and the main story, in my opinion, is not amazing – but this is nitpicking. This is a truly fantastic experience.

85%PC

Yakuza 0: Beat-em-up, Business Simulator, Karaoke Extravaganza

Rating: 8.5/10

This game is like a glitter yakuza disco ball - a confusing mix of anime tropes, Dynasty Warriors beatdowns, and The Sims property management. If, like me, your only experience with Yakuza is "Like a Dragon" (seriously, how many "Like a" titles do these guys need?), then buckle up for a wild ride.

Let's break it down, shall we?

The Good Stuff (+):

+ Yakuza World: It's balls-deep in classic yakuza territory. Think flashy suits, brutal honor codes, and enough melodrama to drown a telenovela. Newcomers might need some Pepto for the culture shock, but it's undeniably unique.
+ Fist Fury (+): The combat is your standard button-mashing beat-em-up brawl, but with enough variety to keep things interesting. Switching fighting styles and unlocking upgrades adds some much-needed complexity because let's face it, who wants to button-mash for hours? Plus, breakdancing while beating up thugs? Pure gold.
+ Dual Dragons (+): The narrative starts slow, like wading through molasses, but eventually Kiryu and Majima's stories collide in a satisfyingly over-the-top climax.
+ Dojima for President (+): Kiryu is your typical stoic hero, but Majima (Dojima) steals the show. This damaged dude clawing his way back into the yakuza family is easily the more compelling character. I wouldn't mind a spin-off entirely focused on his cabaret club shenanigans.

The Not-So-Good Stuff (-):

- Save Point Purgatory (-): The freaking save system! This game holds your progress hostage like a loan shark with a baseball bat. Don't even think about starting a session unless you have a clear 30 minutes because letting loose after work can turn into a frustrating all-nighter.
- Sidetracked (-): The mini-games can be a fun diversion, or a complete buzzkill depending on your mood. The problem is the pacing. You can be neck-deep in a serious story mission, then BAM! Forced karaoke or managing a random property throws you off track. Stick to the core narrative, Yakuza!
- Shallow Side Hustles (-): Kiryu's real estate side hustle is about as exciting as watching paint dry. Dojima's cabaret club, on the other hand, is where it's at. Who knew managing scantily clad hostesses could be so much fun?
- Uneven Exploration (-): Kiryu's section of the city is dense and packed with secrets to discover. Dojima, on the other hand, gets stuck with a decidedly uninspired map. Seems favoritism runs rampant in the yakuza world too.

Down the Middle (+/-)

+/- Double Trouble (+/-) : You get to play as not one, but TWO tough guys: Kiryu, the stoic ex-yakuza with a heart of gold, and Majima, a cabaret club owner with a slightly unhinged personality. Their stories intertwine in epic fashion, but be prepared for some seriously long cutscenes. These can be entertaining crime dramas at times, but patience is a virtue when playing Yakuza.

The Verdict?

Yakuza 0 is a weird, wonderful, occasionally frustrating adventure. The story is engaging, the characters are outrageous (in a good way), and the combat is fun, despite its repetitive nature. Just be prepared for uneven pacing, long cutscenes, and the occasional urge to throw your controller in frustration over the save system.

That said, if you're looking for a unique blend of violence, silliness, and surprisingly deep character development, Yakuza 0 is definitely worth checking out. Just don't forget your metaphorical Pepto. I've only played 2 of these Yakuza games including this one and Yakuza 0 won't be the last.

90%PC

first 5 hours, im already in love with this game. Characters 10/10, Gameplay 10/10. lots of side stuff and mini games for u to explore. Goro Majima my favorite character, gigachad. He is the GOAT. I love him so much. The feels and the pain this game gave me, it hurts so bad. Nishitani best boy. Nishiki best bro. The combat is very satisfying.

70%PlayStation 4

I really wanted to love this but it turned into a bit of a chore. There's a decent story in there but the game feels a bit janky and I grew increasingly tired of many of the side missions as well as the combat

100%PC

Fue el juego que me hizo meterme en la saga Yakuza. Lo descubrí porque me metí el Sleeping Dogs por el culo y buscaba algo similar. Juegazo. Me gustaría completarlo al 100% en algún momento.

90%PlayStation 4

• Story: 3/3
• Gameplay/Side Activities: 3/3
• Graphics/Acting: 1/2
• OST: 2/2

Final Score: 9/10 (Phenomenal!)

100%PC

kiryu