Game Review: "Yakuza 0" A brutal crime drama drenched in the neon glow of 1980s Japan, effortlessly shifting between tragedy and pure, unfiltered absurdity.

 

Yakuza 0 is one of those rare games that proves video games can tell stories on par with the best crime films and television series. It is a title that not only delivers a gripping narrative about power, loyalty, and betrayal, but does so with an extraordinary level of confidence, never hesitating to completely shatter tension with grotesque humor, absurd side stories, and moments of outright silliness. This constant balancing act between melodrama and parody is precisely what makes Yakuza 0 such a unique and unforgettable experience.

Story – A Crime Epic That Takes Its Time for a Reason

Set in 1988, during the peak of Japan’s economic bubble, Yakuza 0 uses its historical backdrop as more than just a visual aesthetic. The era’s obsession with money, real estate, and power is deeply woven into the narrative itself. At its core, the story revolves around ambition, honor, and the cost of chasing greatness in a world ruled by violence and corruption. The plot unfolds slowly and deliberately, with meticulous attention paid to character relationships and shifting alliances, ensuring that every twist carries real emotional weight.

Rather than juggling a confusing number of protagonists and storylines, as seen in some later entries in the series, Yakuza 0 focuses on two central characters whose parallel journeys remain tightly interwoven. This more restrained narrative approach results in a story that is easier to follow, more emotionally grounded, and ultimately far more impactful.

Kazuma Kiryu – The Birth of a Legend

Kazuma Kiryu is introduced as a young and idealistic member of the Tojo Clan, still far from the legendary figure he would later become. His dream is simple: to rise through the ranks and become a yakuza worthy of his mentor, Shintaro Kazama. That dream quickly collapses when Kiryu is framed for a murder he did not commit, leading to his expulsion from the clan and placing him directly in the crosshairs of powerful criminal figures.

What makes Kiryu’s story so compelling is witnessing the formation of the moral code that defines him throughout the entire series. He is not yet the invincible “Dragon of Dojima,” but rather a man struggling to reconcile loyalty, justice, and personal responsibility. His journey feels grounded, human, and deeply tragic, serving as a classic tale of innocence crushed by the brutal realities of organized crime.

Goro Majima – The Heart and Soul of Yakuza 0

If Kiryu represents the foundation of the Yakuza series, then Goro Majima is undoubtedly its heart. His storyline stands as one of the finest examples of character writing in video game history. Once a proud yakuza, Majima has been cast out and forced to manage a hostess club in Sotenbori under constant surveillance from his former superiors.

Desperate to reclaim his place in the criminal underworld, Majima is given a chance at redemption at the cost of committing an assassination. The target is a blind woman, and Majima has never killed anyone before. This moral dilemma forms the emotional backbone of his arc, transforming his story into something far deeper than a simple crime narrative. His gradual transformation, inner turmoil, and eventual emergence as the eccentric figure fans know from later games are handled with exceptional care and nuance.

Pacing and Cutscenes – Cinema First, Gameplay Second

Yakuza 0 is unapologetically cinematic. Long cutscenes, extended dialogue sequences, and frequent moments where control is taken away from the player are central to its storytelling approach. Some scenes stretch on for ten minutes or more, feeling closer to a serialized crime drama than a traditional action game.

While this approach may test the patience of players looking for constant interactivity, the strength of the writing, direction, and voice acting ensures that these moments rarely feel wasted. The biggest issue lies in pacing: the opening hours are undeniably slow, and the story only truly ignites once the main antagonists are fully introduced. For patient players, the payoff is immense but it remains a noticeable barrier to entry.

Cities – Small Maps, Massive Density

Kamurocho and Sotenbori are among the most expertly designed urban spaces in gaming. Though small in size, every street corner, alleyway, and storefront is packed with detail, atmosphere, and purpose. Neon signs flicker overhead, crowds fill the streets, and every location feels like part of a living, breathing city.

Rather than overwhelming players with vast, empty open worlds, Yakuza 0 opts for compact environments rich with character and identity. Over time, players begin navigating these districts instinctively, relying on landmarks instead of the minimap an achievement that few games can claim.

Side Content – Absurdity as a Perfect Counterbalance

One of Yakuza 0’s defining features is its sheer volume of side activities, many of which are tonally disconnected from the main story. Karaoke, disco dancing, bowling, darts, real estate management, hostess club simulations, classic Sega arcade games the list seems endless.

The side quests, often short and utterly ridiculous, serve as a deliberate contrast to the game’s heavy themes. They provide humor, levity, and moments of genuine surprise, ensuring that the experience never becomes emotionally exhausting. This contrast is not a flaw, but rather the core of Yakuza’s identity.

Combat – Brutal, Flashy, but Not Perfect

Combat in Yakuza 0 is a modern evolution of classic beat ’em ups. Fights are frequent, visceral, and visually satisfying, with both protagonists having access to three distinct fighting styles that can be switched between on the fly.

Despite its spectacle, the combat system lacks the fluid precision found in games like Batman: Arkham. Counters can feel inconsistent, and large crowd encounters occasionally descend into chaos. Still, the physical impact of punches, environmental finishers, and exaggerated animations make combat consistently enjoyable.

Character Progression and RPG Elements

Rather than traditional leveling systems, Yakuza 0 ties progression directly to money. Yen functions as experience, allowing players to unlock new abilities through expansive skill trees reminiscent of Final Fantasy X’s Sphere Grid.

Progression feels meaningful and rewarding, encouraging exploration and engagement with side content. The more time you invest in the world, the more powerful your characters become creating a satisfying feedback loop.

Audiovisual Presentation – Style Over Technical Prowess

Yakuza 0 is not a technical powerhouse, but it more than compensates through art direction, music, and atmosphere. Running at a smooth 60 frames per second, the game’s visuals are elevated by its distinctive 1980s aesthetic and impeccable sound design.

The Japanese voice acting is exceptional across the board, with particular praise deserved for the antagonists and Goro Majima’s performance, which stands as one of the most memorable in the franchise.

The Problem of Success

Ironically, Yakuza 0’s greatest flaw is its excellence. By setting such a high standard for storytelling, characters, and emotional impact, it unintentionally makes subsequent entries especially Yakuza Kiwami feel underwhelming by comparison. It is a rare case of a game suffering from its own success.

Verdict

Yakuza 0 is not a game that tries to appeal to everyone, but for those willing to embrace its deliberate pacing and tonal extremes, it offers one of the most rewarding narrative experiences in gaming. It is a crime saga, a soap opera, a brawler, and a comedy all seamlessly intertwined.

Score: 9/10

Pros

+Outstanding, mature story

+Exceptionally written characters, especially Goro Majima

+Incredible 1980s Japanese atmosphere

+Massive amount of side content

+Top-tier voice acting

+Dense, memorable world

Cons

-Slow opening hours

-Extremely long cutscenes

-Combat less fluid than genre leaders

-Sets an unrealistically high bar for the rest of the series

My Gameplay: