Yakuza 0 PlayStation Hits (PS4)

This is gonna be a fun one. As I got into Japanese language video games over the last two years, starting off with visual novels, I wondered recently, what’s the next step to take?That for me would be the Yakuza series of video games. I got the entire series as a gift so it prompted me into looking to give a genre another chance. The era of open world true crime games for me ended in 2008, I got bored with it when the usual games turned into money sinks; that was just bad for business.So, what brought me back after seventeen years? To start lets take a look at this wonderful prequel entry in the Yakuza series Zero.This game has already captured a special place in my heart after only twenty hours into my first ever play through, so why is that?First off I absolutely love crime stories set in the eighties and early nineties, so when I heard this entry had two playable main characters set in two very real Japanese cities, Tokyo and Osaka set during that era, I jumped at the chance to give it a try.I’m very glad I did, the sense of immersion in Japanese culture, language and attractions of that period, is honed in the finest of details, it brings the eighties era Japanese underworld to life fully around you in stunning fashion, brought to you by two very different character perspectives, Kiryu is your main lead in Tokyo, and Goro is the leading man in Osaka.I’ll get onto their play styles in detail in a second, but here’s the first surprise: If you think they’re two guys who run around causing chaos, you’re in for a shock, they actually feel more like Anti heroes, defending their cities from what they used to be or turned against, I won’t go into too many story details, as there’s a ton of spoilers but they couldn’t be more different in good ways, Kiryu is a man betrayed by his own gang, and fending for himself, and Goro owns and runs a Jazz cabaret club. That’s two totally different perspectives, in two very different iconic recreated cities, sounds cool right? It’s amazing so far and I’m only twenty hours in.Fair warning though: The era of eighties Japanese gang and club culture is not for the faint of heart, the entire series is M rated for a very good reason, highly shady conduct, brutal martial arts, and to a certain degree sexual content is on display here, now no it doesn’t cross the line into the really nasty stuff, but it sits on the line itself. You can for example be brawling to get away from thugs in an alley in Shinjuku, one minute, and be serving customers in your very own fully customizable Jazz bar the next, in Osaka.The game doesn’t shy away from how shady that industry is either, you often end up rescuing people, giving them safe havens to work and live in, while battling how corrupt their surroundings are the entire time. I was shocked a couple of times that you didn’t get a “this content is graphic and possibly disturbing” warning, like you do in today’s shooter games, it’s all out there for you to see and be thrilled and stunned by, a highly immersive and enjoyable experience if you don’t mind the darker themes of the story or era.As for extra stuff you can do, the options here are pretty good, you swap between your two lead characters every three chapters, but are free to enjoy their extra activities for as long as you like during them. Mini games include bowling, arcade with fully licensed Sega titles, and more, the main attractions though?Wow, you’ve got Kiryu’s real estate company to run in Shinjuku, or my personal favorite, Goro’s Jazz club in Osaka, your character already has a hand in those industries, said side game is where as a player, you get to help them open an extra venue of their respective nature. I never thought a simulated Jazz bar cabaret with fully customizable girls, drinks and furnishings would appeal to me, until I found myself twenty hours in, hooked on the lively atmosphere as I helped my club members entertain guests and managed my team members, it’s a blast, way better than any of this “spin the loot crate to unlock your favorite skin” nonsense you see in current games, I’d take running an eighties bar in Japanese over that any day of the week.For a game that came out in 2015, Yakuza Zero looks, sounds and functions like it came out last week, even on next gen consoles like PS5 its great, far better than most of the recent dodgy stuff on the shelves.If you’re looking for a good experience that breathes life into a genre that needed a revival, forget Grand Theft Auto, its buried at this point, instead I recommend picking up not only Yakuza Zero, but the rest of the games too, it’s a highly entertaining adventure all voiced in Japanese through various era’s of the underworld, far better in my opinion than any other series in the genre.Now, I know the series isn’t gonna be for everyone’s tastes being foreign, uncensored, and with its retro save system, that one got me it’s old school save points might throw you off, especially since you’ll be doing it every couple of hours to keep track of the fully Japanese story, voice acting and atmosphere.In a way though I liked it once I got the hang of it, we’re so used to auto saving and entering our credit card details that its scary, Yakuza brought me back to a time where games, plot ideas and atmospheres were fun, engaging and thought provoking all at once, finding a series like that in today’s modern gaming culture, is tough.Sega, my hat goes off to you here, Yakuza Zero, is a stunning game that got me back into a genre I thought I’d never connect with again, and you’ve got me hooked on what that genre should be when its done right: no silly gimmicks, censorship or real money to buy stuff, just pure entertaining, mature content that isn’t afraid to show the darker stories or reality. I’m loving my play through so far.Overall I’d give Yakuza Zero a very respectable 9/10 its earned it, it might even hit a rare 10 in that genre if the story and side quests become cooler than what I’ve played and seen improves.Bravo, you not only created a great series of underworld games in a foreign setting, you did it in style, showing other developers that tried and failed (looking at you Rock Star with your cheap GTA online stuff) how these titles could and should be made.If you are looking for an escape into an underworld story with all the right traits of modern and classic games with an Asian setting look no further than Yakuza as a series, starting with Zero, it’s awesome. Also another reason I gave the series a try is, I’ve always wanted to go to Japan, the next thing I know I’ve not only got a great game to play set there, I’m gonna see Tokyo for real this year in September, found the flight invoice when I got the games as a gift. Pretty cool.If you’ll excuse me I’ve got to get back to business in game, as well as preparing for real, neither idea’s gonna run itself.Sega: All I have to say is: Arigatō tanoshikatta mata kimasu!( Thank you its been fun, I’ll be back!)

I bought this game not knowing anything about the Yakuza franchise and starting at 0 seemed like a good entry point. This game is incredible. I took my time with this game it lasted around 45 hours. The main story is deep and had me instantly hooked with great characters, a criminal underworld inspired setting, and plenty of twists and turns. The game switches between main characters Kiryu and Majima every few chaptersThe side quests break up the intensity of the main story quite nicely, most of them are absolutely hilarious and there's plenty to do from short side stories to mini games like karaoke.10/10.

Probably one of the best games I've ever played. Great story, great soundtrack, great amount of content (and minigames) and very satisfying combat, something many open world games lack. I'd easily recommend this game for any fans of open world games and as a starting point into the Yakuza series.

So far the game is GREAT but not as great as Yakuza Like a Dragon. But to be fair, it took a couple of chapters before I was hooked to Yakuza Like a Dragon as well. Currently at chapter 5 so we will see if this changes.

Good introduction to the series

Great game, absolutely love the yakuza series and this q brilliqnt prequel. I spent more than 200 hours on it and didn't get bored once.

Great game, I played this after Like a Dragon and is very similar, really funny and great characters.

I do not recommend it, if you still want it. Be cautious because I order it and it doesn't work and not playing on my PS4. The disc was not working. I did restart, updating and unplug the PS4 to make sure.I am very sad and disappointed.