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Yakuza 0 is actually a cooking simulator...because all Kiryu does is stir-fry trouble

Yakuza 0, an open-world action-adventure game set in Japan during the 1980s. This prequel to the popular Yakuza franchise is arguably one of the best games in the series. Nearly perfect in execution, Yakuza 0 provides a richly detailed recreation of Tokyo and Osaka, Japan, with era-appropriate music and fashion. Once you start playing, you'll find yourself fully immersed in the neon-lit streets of Japan, fighting your way through the criminal underworld for hours on end.
Gameplay
Yakuza 0 provides an open-world action-adventure experience with role-playing elements. As players explore Tokyo and Osaka, you encounter missions and side quests at every turn. The combat is fast-paced and brutal, involving punching, kicking, throwing, and weaponry. Defeating enemies and completing missions earn money and experience to upgrade abilities.
The Combat System Is Simple Yet Deep
The combat system in Yakuza 0 is deceptively simple yet provides depth for those who want to master it. On the surface, the controls are straightforward: light attack, heavy attack, grab, and dodge. However, there are many layers beneath this simplistic scheme.
By combining light and heavy attacks, as well as grabs and dodges, you can chain together devastating combos to take down groups of enemies. The four fighting stances—balanced, speed, power, and grab—provide different movesets for various situations. Switching between these stances opens up more possibilities in combat.
Heat actions, the brutal special moves activated when your heat gauge is full, introduce a strategic element. Do you unleash a powerful heat action to defeat one enemy instantly or save your heat to heal yourself in a pinch? The enemies you face also have different fighting styles, so you must adapt your approach to overcome their defences.
The depth in Yakuza 0's combat truly shines through in the boss battles. These lengthy, multi-stage fights against dangerous opponents feel like final exams, testing everything you've learned. Defeating a boss provides an immense sense of accomplishment due to the mental dexterity required.
Some Dated Gameplay Elements
While Yakuza 0 excels in many areas, some of its gameplay elements feel dated. The combat system, while still fun, is basic and repetitive. Battles boil down to mashing a few buttons to throw punches and kicks at groups of enemies. There is little strategy or nuance required. The lack of variety can make long fights feel tedious.
The mission structure is similarly repetitive. Most missions involve little more than going to a location, watching a cutscene, and then brawling with a group of thugs. Rinse and repeat. There are a few standout missions that break from the formula, but the majority follow a predictable pattern. Adding more puzzle-solving, stealth, investigative work, or other types of objectives would help mix up the mission types and pacing.
That said, the story, characters, world-building, and humour are so superb that the repetitive gameplay is easy to overlook.
Difficulty Spikes Can Be Frustrating
When you first start playing, the basic combat mechanics seem simple enough to grasp. You have a light attack, heavy attack, grab, and dodge at your disposal. However, as you progress through the game, increasingly more complex enemy types are introduced that require intricate strategies and combination attacks to defeat. Some boss fights ramp up the difficulty so sharply that you may find yourself stuck, unable to progress further, no matter how many attempts you make.
Rather than gradually increasing the difficulty through the natural progression of the game, Yakuza 0 throws players into the deep end at times. To advance past these roadblocks, you have no choice but to spend time grinding - repeating easier missions to gain experience points, money, and resources to upgrade your character. The grinding required can feel tedious and dull in comparison to the otherwise fast-paced action of the game.
While a challenging experience is appreciated, the difficulty spikes in Yakuza 0 are severe enough that they cross the line from engaging to annoying. The steep learning curve for mastering combat and overcoming certain bosses means that less skilled or patient players may become frustrated and give up on the game altogether. Smoothing out the difficulty progression and providing more guidance for developing combat skills would make the gameplay in Yakuza 0 nearly flawless.
The Story and Characters Are Engaging
The story of Yakuza 0 is set in 1988 Japan, during an economic boom. You play as Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima, two yakuza members who find themselves in the middle of a conspiracy within the criminal underworld.
The narrative is split between Kiryu in Tokyo and Majima in Osaka, creating two engaging tales that eventually intertwine. Kiryu is a level-headed enforcer trying to clear his name after being framed for murder, while Majima is an eccentric club owner aiming to rejoin the yakuza. Both protagonists are likable and complex, with interesting backstories and motivations.
Supporting characters are similarly multifaceted. The villains have understandable reasons behind their actions instead of being generically evil. Allies become friends that you form genuine connections with over the course of the story. Memorable subplots and side quests also help to flesh out minor characters and build investment in the world.
With its blend of humour, drama and hard-boiled crime fiction, Yakuza 0's story is a thrill ride from start to finish. The game does an excellent job of pulling you in with its charismatic characters and high-stakes narrative. Whether you're a long-time fan of the series or completely new, this prequel entry is not to be missed.
Vibrant Neon-Lit Cities
The game is set in Kamurocho, Tokyo and Sotenbori, Osaka, both of which are modelled after the Kabukicho and Dotombori entertainment districts. These areas come to life with crowded streets, neon signs, pachinko parlours, and nightclubs - all hallmarks of 1980s Japan. Exploring these dense urban environments transports the player back in time and provides context for the underlying themes of economic prosperity and indulgence in the era.
Walking down the cluttered alleyways and streets, you encounter many distractions, from ramen carts to disco clubs to pay phones ringing. The lively city hubs are filled with details that make the world feel lived-in and bustling. All of these elements combine to deliver an authentic depiction of the exuberant economic boom in 1980s Japan.
The game's soundtrack also deserves mention, with catchy synth-pop and electronic beats that were popular during this time period, adding another layer of '80s ambience. The music creates a sense of cultural nostalgia for those who grew up or lived in Japan during this era.
Conclusion
Overall, Yakuza 0 richly deserves the critical acclaim and fan devotion it has garnered. For those seeking a memorable story and virtual tourism in 1980s Japan, Yakuza 0 is a must-play game that hits nearly all the right notes. While a few minor missteps keep it from absolute perfection, Yakuza 0 is a title that will stick with players long after the credits roll. It is a game that succeeds in tugging at heartstrings while still making you laugh and in crafting a world so lush you can nearly smell the ramen and cigarettes. Yakuza 0 is an experience not soon forgotten.