Yakuza 0
Yakuza Zero: The Oath's Place
Release Date: March 12, 2015
Action, TPP, gangster, sandbox, beat 'em up, Japan, 80s, Game Pass, multiplayer, singleplayer, internet
Steam
Another installment in the popular action game series, known as the Japan’s take on the Grand Theft Auto series. This time, the developers from SEGA created a prequel of the whole series, taking place in 1988, seven years before the events seen in the first installment. The plot of Yakuza 0 focuses on young Kazuma Kiryu, the series' protagonist, as he began his journey to become a legend in the Japanese underworld.
Yakuza Zero for PS4 and PS3 is a new installment of the popular action game series established in 2006 with a release on PlayStation 2, generally perceived as a Japanese response to the Grand Theft Auto series. Similarly to the previous installments and spin-offs, the game was developed by SEGA, with Yakuza Zero being a series’ debut on eight generation consoles.
Plot
When it comes to story, Yakuza 0 is a prequel of the whole series – we are taken to 1988, being a witness to events that happened seven years before the events shown in the first installment of the series. The game stars two protagonists: Kazuma Kiryu, a 20 year old member of the Tojo clan, and Majima Goro, a 24 year old businessman looking for action. The first hero dreams of making his mark on the Tokyo’s underworld while moonlighting as a debt collector, while the second one, even with a legal business working for him, searches for a way back to life of crime. The heroes meet while tensions rise as two hostile clans fight for domination over one of Tokyo’s districts.
Mechanics
The gameplay is similar to what we could experience in the previous installments of the series, and is based on the typical third person perspective model. However, Yakuza is characteristic for its complex combat system and specific atmosphere of metropolitan Japan. As a result, the game mixes steady, role-playing segments with dynamic pursuits, shootouts and brawls full of spectacular cut scenes. However, the leisure segments are also engaging, involving exploration of city streets, conversations with encountered characters, and completing numerous story missions. The world is open and exploration-friendly, full of additional activities that can be undertaken by our heroes. The game sports atmospheric visuals and since it’s located in Far East, we encounter a lot of eye-catching elements and distractions.
Last updated on January 23, 2017
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Videos and Screens
[0:58] Yakuza 0 trailer - Accolades
[1:26] Yakuza 0 launch trailer - Welcome to the Neon Jungle
The main pros of the game
- Engaging Storyline: The game features a captivating and emotional narrative that resonates with players, often described as one of the best in gaming.
- Rich Character Development: Players appreciate the depth and uniqueness of characters, especially Kiryu and Majima, who are well-developed and relatable.
- Diverse Mini-Games and Side Content: The game offers a plethora of mini-games and side quests, providing variety and depth to the gameplay experience.
- Solid Combat Mechanics: The combat system is praised for being fun and satisfying, with multiple fighting styles available for both protagonists.
- High Production Quality: The game boasts impressive graphics, sound design, and voice acting, enhancing the overall immersive experience.
- Nostalgic 80s Setting: The game captures the essence of 1980s Japan, with original music and a vibrant atmosphere.
The main cons of the game
- Bugs and Technical Issues: Some players reported minor bugs, particularly in the PC version, such as save issues and glitches during gameplay.
- Repetitive Gameplay: A few users found certain gameplay elements, especially combat encounters and side activities, to become repetitive over time.
- Heavy Cutscene Presence: The game is noted for having a significant number of cutscenes, which may not appeal to everyone, especially those who prefer more action-oriented gameplay.
- Difficulty Spikes: Some players experienced frustration with certain boss fights and combat mechanics, particularly in later stages of the game.
The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users
- More Variety in Gameplay Modes: Some users expressed a desire for more diverse gameplay mechanics within the main story, rather than relying heavily on combat.
- Autosave Functionality: The absence of an autosave feature was mentioned as a drawback, leading to concerns about losing progress.
- Improved Enemy AI: There were comments about enemy behavior being inconsistent, leading to frustrating combat experiences at times.
- Localization and Language Options: A few players noted the lack of native language options, which could hinder accessibility for non-English speakers.
Summary
- Overall, Yakuza 0 is highly regarded for its storytelling, character development, and engaging gameplay, despite some technical issues and repetitive elements. It serves as a strong entry point for newcomers to the Yakuza series.
Summary generated on:
GAMERS Score
Average score from 2283 votes. 20 players anticipated the game.
26
GAMES
in Like a Dragon / Yakuza Game Series
Game Series
Like a Dragon / Yakuza Series
Yakuza (Japanese. Ryu ga Gotoku - Like a Dragon) is a series that began as TPP action adventure games, while in 2020 began a love affair with the jRPG genre. The essence of gameplay in productions under this banner are spectacular clashes, in which we mostly use our own fists, white weapons such as clubs or samurai swords, as well as elements of the environment, such as trash cans or bicycles. Firearms are present, but usually do not play a major role. The protagonists have numerous fighting styles, which we can upgrade. Of great importance are impressive finishers, in which opponents are eliminated in a particularly impressive way.
26 video games
Yakuza 0 Summary
Platforms:
PC / Windows August 1, 2018
PlayStation 4 March 12, 2015
Xbox One February 26, 2020
PlayStation 3 March 12, 2015
Yakuza 0 System Requirements
PC / Windows
Minimum: Intel Core i5-3470 3.2 GHz / AMD FX-6300 3.5 GHz, 4 GB RAM, graphic card 1 GB GeForce GTX 560 / Radeon HD 6870 or better, Windows 7 64-bit
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