Yakuza 0

 PlayStation 4
User Score
8.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 1510 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,303 out of 1510
  2. Mixed: 69 out of 1510
  3. Negative: 138 out of 1510
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  1. Arata84
    Apr 21, 2021
    10
    Being familiar to the Yakuza games I knew what I was getting in to. But as always this franchise is as great as it comes. Compelling story with leads you can only grow to love. Yakuza 0 gives you an origin story that's everything you'd want it to be. Kiru is truly a man that we all should model us after. Of course the game has it flaws, to name 2, It isn't the most visual pleasingBeing familiar to the Yakuza games I knew what I was getting in to. But as always this franchise is as great as it comes. Compelling story with leads you can only grow to love. Yakuza 0 gives you an origin story that's everything you'd want it to be. Kiru is truly a man that we all should model us after. Of course the game has it flaws, to name 2, It isn't the most visual pleasing game, the combat isn't all too deep with enemies being very one pattern. But when it comes to enjoyment and immersion there are few games that comes close to it for me. So that 10 I give it, is fully deserved.

    Let alone that like with every Yakuza game, it can keep you busy to no end with some funny, enjoyable substories, mini-games that can keep you endlessly busy to the point that mastering some of them can be damn frustrating. In short, definitely worth its every cent, especially for the bargain prices you can pick it up these days.    … Expand
  2. Primebear
    Apr 12, 2021
    8
    Prequel for fans. It is difficult to be impressed by being immersed unless you are a fan. But it's fun enough for fans. The increased convenience compared to the previous series is also a strength.
  3. PochtiPRO
    Feb 21, 2021
    0
    Characters - 10 out of 10
    Story - 10 out of 10
    Graphics - 10 out of 10
    Battles - 10 out of 10

    Ending - 0 out of 10
    "Call club" grind - 1.5 hour of useless gameplay
    The game is generally excellent, but the grind of side stories related to the "call club" or "sun cabaret club" took me two days and did not bring anything. The whole impression of the game is ruined
  4. Dco326
    Feb 8, 2021
    8
    Prica je do jaja, sve je gotivno samo je previse sporo u nekim trenucima i to mu dodje to, al ne bih pikao opet :)
  5. austinzmchen
    Feb 5, 2021
    0
    The combat experience is average if not boring. The story is the best i have experienced, every character is fully developed, and very real! Big thumb-up to the screenwriter!!
  6. Daniel0809
    Jan 24, 2021
    9
    One of my favorite yakuza games. Yakuza is pretty much yakuza each game, id give the entire serial a 9 because they are just so much fun to play and the story line is very good
  7. bdough
    Jan 17, 2021
    10
    This is my introduction to the Yakuza series and its absolutely blown me away! I cant believe how invested i got in such a corny over the top YET still heartfelt and engrossing story. ALL the insane mini-games i sucked at, but was able to improve gradually and take on at my level as i advanced. Nothing was backbreaking and things that got tedious i simply didnt need to do. Finally finishedThis is my introduction to the Yakuza series and its absolutely blown me away! I cant believe how invested i got in such a corny over the top YET still heartfelt and engrossing story. ALL the insane mini-games i sucked at, but was able to improve gradually and take on at my level as i advanced. Nothing was backbreaking and things that got tedious i simply didnt need to do. Finally finished my first playthrough in 55hrs and had a whooping 52% completion overall.... its only real blemish is not having a redesign for the shogi and mahjong games. as an american im helpless when it comes to remembering what the kanji mean. i got the rules but cant tell whats a 6 or a dragon... Can only hope the Kiwami games and new Like a Dragon (with revamped dragonquest-esque fighting) continue this excellence.… Expand
  8. doproyee
    Jan 13, 2021
    10
    one of the masterpiece in japanese games. facial expressions, characters, actions, music and story are absolutely satisfying. even more there's super good sub contents.
  9. TeaBoyy
    Dec 27, 2020
    10
    I must preface my review by saying that this was my first ever experience with a JRPG style game and also with the Yakuza series.

    Having now played up to Yakuza 4 I think Yakuza 0 is the best way to start of with the franchise. Yakuza 0 has some fantastically written characters with top notch character development. Playing this game will evoke a plethora of emotions which will surely be    I must preface my review by saying that this was my first ever experience with a JRPG style game and also with the Yakuza series.

    Having now played up to Yakuza 4 I think Yakuza 0 is the best way to start of with the franchise. Yakuza 0 has some fantastically written characters with top notch character development. Playing this game will evoke a plethora of emotions which will surely be appreciated by all kinds of gamers.

    The Yakuza franchise's signature style is to have a gripping and emotional main campaign which is complemented by bizarre and hilarious side stories and world building. It really does work! I found the pacing of the main campaign to be perfect and the gameplay loop is more than satisfying.    … Expand
  10. nofear80
    Dec 18, 2020
    10
    My favorite game of all time until I played Ghost of Tsushima. Still my 2nd favorite of all time. I really enjoyed this game. Very fun to play, story is excellent full of twists and serious mature stuff. Side missions and content are funny and rewarding. Just the way of story telling was a masterpiece. It was like watching a good Yakuza movie. Prolly better than any Yakuza movie out there.My favorite game of all time until I played Ghost of Tsushima. Still my 2nd favorite of all time. I really enjoyed this game. Very fun to play, story is excellent full of twists and serious mature stuff. Side missions and content are funny and rewarding. Just the way of story telling was a masterpiece. It was like watching a good Yakuza movie. Prolly better than any Yakuza movie out there. American games should learn story telling from this game. Typical american game stories are just MEH... its like a childish story most of the time with side quests being so boring.… Expand
  11. Anonjustbecause
    Dec 18, 2020
    8
    How do I rate entertainment media (books/music/cinema/video games/ animation/comics/manga):

    10. Groundbreaking. Revolutionised this art form. Should be used as a recommendation to non-consumers of this medium as it has crossover potential. This is exceedingly rare. 9. A work of art. Should be watched by everyone into this medium. 8. Magnificent. A must for every fan of this subgenre.    How do I rate entertainment media (books/music/cinema/video games/ animation/comics/manga):

    10. Groundbreaking. Revolutionised this art form. Should be used as a recommendation to non-consumers of this medium as it has crossover potential. This is exceedingly rare.
    9. A work of art. Should be watched by everyone into this medium.
    8. Magnificent. A must for every fan of this subgenre. Everyone else can still enjoy that but not a must.
    7. Really good. Misses elements of excellence. Anyone can still enjoy that.
    6 Good. Will be enjoyed on and off, but probably never return to it in the future. Anyone can still enjoy that.
    5. A solid but average delivery in all production aspects. Only fans of the subgenre may enjoy that.
    4. Below average in all production aspects, but still watchable only by fans of this subgenre.
    3. Boring material and you may not finish it due to lack of interest or quality. Even hardcore fans will not enjoy this.
    2. The producer/s of this material did not put the necessary effort in or do not have the necessary know how.
    1. To be watched only as educational material of how to not do things. Otherwise a waste of your time.

    Just do it. There are games out there that are fun but shallow. There are story driven games out there that are no fun at all. Very few games achieve having a remarkable story where you care about the characters and being super fun at the same time.

    The graphics may not be 4K but for that I watch a movie instead. Yakuza 0 puts the fun back into video gaming. There is so much to do after you finish the main story. The voice acting is superb because the voice actors are real actors who have starred in Yakuza movies ! The music is catchy as anything; you know the memes. The mini games are fun and addictive and suck you in. Out Run anyone?

    Imagine taking Shenmue best parts and breeding them with the extracurricular activities of GTA V and inject some brawling fun from Streets of Rage. And did I mention the whole uncensored Japanese ecchi-ness? This is it. This is Yakuza 0.

    Do not think. Just play this game. Just do it.    … Expand
  12. Be11e
    Dec 15, 2020
    10
    Incredibly well-written, captivating storyline with lots of twists and not a single wasted character.
    Superb voice acting, decent combat mechanics, and lots of hilarious and memorable sub stories.
    A masterpiece.
  13. moyaiman
    Dec 12, 2020
    10
    An essential pick for anyone interested in beatem' ups, Japanese culture or just having a generally good time, yakuza 0 is quite possibly a perfect example of a narrative driven game that doesn't take itself too seriously.
    The gameplay is solid, if not a little on the easy side for the most part. You have an insane amount of special moves and fighting styles between both characters (six    An essential pick for anyone interested in beatem' ups, Japanese culture or just having a generally good time, yakuza 0 is quite possibly a perfect example of a narrative driven game that doesn't take itself too seriously.
    The gameplay is solid, if not a little on the easy side for the most part. You have an insane amount of special moves and fighting styles between both characters (six normal styles and two secret styles) leading to a variety of gameplay that never gets old. The "Heat Move" system is quite possibly the best addition to the combat, allowing you to perform one of many over the top special moves on people. Highlights include:
    Salting someone's eyes.
    Bowling!
    Bonking people with a baseball bat.
    Straight up launching people off of the bridge in sotenbouri.
    Orange you glad you got hit with this?
    And many, many more.
    If fighting isn't in your nature, or you just want a break from the action, yakuza 0 can provide. It's side content is ridiculous, from karaoke (insert obligatory baka mitai joke here, because its so funny) to disco or bowling (again). You are never short of things to do in this game, and that can actually be seen as detrimental if you want to go for 100% (fair warning, you gotta learn majhong).
    The plot to this game is pretty good, having everything tie up in a pretty satisfying way if not having a few leaps in logic. The plot doesn't really matter too much, when you are smashing, crashing and dashing through entire buildings worth of Asian people who don't seem too happy to see you.
    This games art style is realistic, but the graphical fidelity is somewhat lacking. Its good enough, but isn't going to knock socks off or anything, like the sequel "yakuza kiwami 2". The graphics aren't bad however, just somewhat lacking.
    This games sound design is flawless. It's satisfying to hear people get smacked, its satisfying to listen to the music whilst causing chaos. Speaking of, this games soundtrack is one of my favourites, highlights include the entire karaoke line up, FRIDAY NIGHT, all of Goro Majima's fighting music, Interplanetary Spark and Pledge Of Demon being some of my personal highlights. The music fits the mood of upbeat hyperviolence well.

    Fun little factoid, you canonically don't kill anyone in this game. Crazy, because you slam peoples faces into hotplates and ****

    TL:DR
    Yakuza 0 is amazing, buy that ****    … Expand
  14. tigor23
    Dec 8, 2020
    10
    Simply the most complete game in the Yakuza series and one of the best in the industry, hours and hours of fun guaranteed!
  15. itsArtie
    Dec 8, 2020
    9
    Truly beautiful story and character development. Combat is fun with a lot of unique moves, also side quests and mini-games are pretty interesting. Some minor things do get repetitive but nothing that ruins the experience. The game is worth the money, especially now with discounts, I give it 8.7/10.
  16. Cleml
    Dec 3, 2020
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. A game with a very good narration, the hilarious substories are cool and the boss fight are insane mostly the final boss… Expand
  17. Skurttish
    Dec 1, 2020
    8
    It’s a game that pairs an excellent story with fun, arcade-y gameplay. That’s a good mix!

    Probably the best thing about the game is how very Japanese it is. It’s a legitimate cultural experience, one that preserves its identity even despite linguistic translation. In addition, although I don’t like fighters, this game’s fighting system was fun all the way through—but I will say that I    It’s a game that pairs an excellent story with fun, arcade-y gameplay. That’s a good mix!

    Probably the best thing about the game is how very Japanese it is. It’s a legitimate cultural experience, one that preserves its identity even despite linguistic translation. In addition, although I don’t like fighters, this game’s fighting system was fun all the way through—but I will say that I lost interest in it by the end because it just isn’t my genre. At that point, I put the game on easy just to enjoy the story, and what a story it was! Very well done.

    Now, I took off two points, and one was for the graphics. I suppose they were going for an old style? But honestly, it didn’t appeal to me—it was just janky enough to get in the way. They would have pulled off a more modern style better, I think.

    This problem is doubled when paired with the music, which was the most negative part of the game for me. They tried to make the music older, in a way, to imitate a game from early 2000’s, and it just sorta came off sounding low budget. This is most apparent during the most climactic fight scenes, where the heavy distortion of the guitars should be making my speakers fall out of their casings, but instead, they are very quiet and sound far away. In addition, side quests are introduced by the same simple guitar riff (and if I never hear that riff again, it’ll be too soon). Now, having said all this, I didn’t take a point off for the music because if I want great music I’ll go listen to Spotify, not play a game.

    The other point I took off is because the side quests often dealt with topics that were a bit oversexualized. I actually stopped doing the side quests after the fifth or sixth one that dealt with a dominatrix, or catfighting, or what have you. I felt that fewer, longer side quests that had more depth would have done more for the game than the many side quests they had that were shorter and often went in racy directions without really needing to.

    But, again, the story is fantastic, and it’s a lot of fun to step inside a totally Japanese world after a long day at work. Thank you developers! Really well done game, and one I recommend.    … Expand
  18. rvp
    Nov 30, 2020
    9
    I just love the Yakuza series, I can recommend all of the games! Also this entry of the series is just great. The story is great, the side quests are amazing. The open world is a lot of fun! It's nice to play in a smaller open world where you know the whole world after a while and it's a lot of fun to do stuff in it. The characters are as always loveable. The plot twists are great! A greatI just love the Yakuza series, I can recommend all of the games! Also this entry of the series is just great. The story is great, the side quests are amazing. The open world is a lot of fun! It's nice to play in a smaller open world where you know the whole world after a while and it's a lot of fun to do stuff in it. The characters are as always loveable. The plot twists are great! A great great Yakuza game! Imo the best game of the series, it's just soooo much fun!… Expand
  19. benmadsen262
    Nov 23, 2020
    9
    Honestly this game is incredible and more people should play it, I am in love with this game and it's franchise. 9/10
  20. MulQuahDiiv
    Nov 21, 2020
    8
    Yakuza series offers everything that I miss in GTA. Personally I love it's abstract humor mixed with serious topics and charismatic characters. It's visually perfect, colorful and the city is really well designed. I spend many hours exploring every side activity in the city and learning karaoke songs ;) Fantastic Japaneese experience. The only thing I didn't like much is combat, that afterYakuza series offers everything that I miss in GTA. Personally I love it's abstract humor mixed with serious topics and charismatic characters. It's visually perfect, colorful and the city is really well designed. I spend many hours exploring every side activity in the city and learning karaoke songs ;) Fantastic Japaneese experience. The only thing I didn't like much is combat, that after some time becomes repetitive and not satisfying. Opponents standing on every corner make it difficult to move around the city while exploring as you have to fight them every time.… Expand
  21. Sora-Jin
    Nov 21, 2020
    10
    Just a great game. everything in this game, Characters , Soundtracks, storyline.
  22. billski
    Nov 20, 2020
    0
    A video game made me cry and you all know which scene that is. The hostess mini game is also fun as hell. 10/10.
  23. Bloodhammer99
    Nov 19, 2020
    9
    A flawed masterpeice.

    Yakuza 0's gameplay feels very smooth, fluid, varied, satisfying, polished and extremely fun, its the most satisfying combat in a game ever along with yakuza Kiwami, the combat is honestly perfect, it's not complicated like a fighting game, it doesn't need to be and shouldn't be, it's simple but very satisfying and skill based. The game doesn't have a high skill    A flawed masterpeice.

    Yakuza 0's gameplay feels very smooth, fluid, varied, satisfying, polished and extremely fun, its the most satisfying combat in a game ever along with yakuza Kiwami, the combat is honestly perfect, it's not complicated like a fighting game, it doesn't need to be and shouldn't be, it's simple but very satisfying and skill based. The game doesn't have a high skill ceiling or anything (as it shouldnt since its a singleplayer game) but u can easily identify an experienced player from a beginner, furthermore the fact it has 3 playstyles (4 if you find the hidden one) that can be switched to at any time adds a lot of depth and stratagy to the combat which wasnt in the series before this game. Grabbing thing from the environment to beat the **** out of people with is really fun and so are heat actions. The combat is so well design that if done right combat encounters can look like well choregraphed fight scenes. This game also has the most memorable and most fun bosses in the series along with Kiwami, atleast for me. Even though I personally like kiryus playstyles more than those of Majima, majimas playstyles are still great but they take more getting used to than those of kiryu and therefore, at first feel less satisfying as a result. As expected in a yakuza game the side stuff here is well made and entertaining. I love the aesthetic and the setting. The story here is great but its a pain to skip on repeat playthroughs due to the fact there is a lot of dialogue, this results in a game that isn't as replayable as kiwami and kiwami 2, which have stories that are easier to skip, but its still very replayable. along with this skipping the story results in bad pacing unlike some other games in the series where it still retains good pacing if the story is skipped. There are also a couple of tedious escort missions that are just not fun and the game is lacking when it comes to beat em up stages when you consider how long it is, it has roughly the same amount as kiwami but kiwami is a much shorter game so u would expect 0 to have more. There are also a lot of parts where you're stuck trying to find where you need to go next, these parts are really unfun for me. I rate games based on enjoyment and this one gets a solid 9/10, it has its flaws yes, but they didn't stop me from enjoying the game during 90% of the time.    … Expand
  24. zxcvbnnm
    Nov 11, 2020
    0
    worst yakuza game ever terrible graphics and soundtrack
    I don't like this game
  25. MaxPayneIsGod
    Nov 9, 2020
    2
    I once read that there are 2 kinds of people, people who have played Yakuza games and love them, and people who have never played them.
    Whelp, I've played Yakuza 0 and this is what I have to say.
    I knew what I was getting into, a narrative driven, RPG, brawler set in a fictional province in Japan in the 80s with crazy characters and tons of side missions, erherm, "Substories". Whist    I once read that there are 2 kinds of people, people who have played Yakuza games and love them, and people who have never played them.
    Whelp, I've played Yakuza 0 and this is what I have to say.
    I knew what I was getting into, a narrative driven, RPG, brawler set in a fictional province in Japan in the 80s with crazy characters and tons of side missions, erherm, "Substories".
    Whist being "mature" the story didn't remotely grip me, I had no interest in what was happening, what had happened or what may happen in the future.
    The combat, at first seemed fun and varied, but swiftly capitulated into mindless button-mashing and extremely repetitive encounters.
    The "Substories" were in the same vein, started off as quirky and funny, but ended up being monotonous, repetitive fetch quests with pointless rewards.
    The RPG system was also relatively redundant and boiled down to spending in-game currency on upgrading your moves and health bar - Again, no thought required, no consequences and no point.
    I've sat on this game for some time, given it more than its fair share of chances, but its just not something I'm into. The style of it, the look, the controls, there is something "off" with all of it and for a game as long as this it needs to hook you and hook you good.
    There is so much filler in this game to pad the run-time, who wants to play retro Sega games? Sending a guy to find tools for upgrades, karioke etc etc - I just doesn't interest me.
    I wanted a brawler with solid varied combat, if you want that, play Sleeping Dogs.
    Every minute I spent playing it, I wished I was playing something else.
    I genuinely fell asleep during one of the cutscenes at the end of Chapter 2 or beginning of Chapter 3 and that has NEVER happened to me before.
    I can see some people love these games and I'm comfortable I'm not one of them.
    For those of you who enjoy it, it's shonky camera, one dimensional combat, abundance of cut-scenes and juvenile Metal-Gear-esque potty humor good for you, I'll be over here playing something else.    … Expand
  26. TheMegaGodz
    Nov 5, 2020
    10
    An absolutely phenomenal game! Yakuza 0 is one of those games if I wanted to find a fault in, I'd have to get hyper-analytical and nitpicky. Amazing story, great characters, an absolute banger of a soundtrack, and much more await anyone plays this. If you're a Yakuza fan, it's a must play. If not, I still highly recommend it!
  27. Pr0ject0r
    Oct 28, 2020
    10
    Yakuza 0 is one of the best games in the series. It is also a prequel to meeting both of the characters: Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima. While the main plot is serious, all the fun and jokes were filled inside substories and mini-games. Every minigame is entertaining and every substory is great. Overall I really loved the game
  28. Ryderbro1
    Oct 21, 2020
    10
    The yakuza series is my 2nd favorite series just beaten by devil may cry, can't say much but do what did for this game, grab it of a shelf, expect to see some game you've played before with a different paint job, than be shocked to realise that most Japanese games are not western games where they follow trends and actually create games that are there own thing.
  29. wastedwallabie
    Oct 12, 2020
    9
    Please buy this masterpiece. The story is the amalgamation of 10 years of yakuza without needing you to know the lore. Combat is smooth and progression is paced well. Without spoiling anything the story is one of the best in the series with incredibly emotionally moment. Not to mention the insane amount of side content. After finishing the story in 50 hours I had only completed 18% of thePlease buy this masterpiece. The story is the amalgamation of 10 years of yakuza without needing you to know the lore. Combat is smooth and progression is paced well. Without spoiling anything the story is one of the best in the series with incredibly emotionally moment. Not to mention the insane amount of side content. After finishing the story in 50 hours I had only completed 18% of the total game.… Expand
  30. Elayat89
    Oct 11, 2020
    10
    One of the best series in gaming, honestly. Each game has a charm like no others, and you get to watch reoccuring characters grow and change over time. The district of Kamurocho, which is the main city district featured in all the games, is like a character, living, breathing, getting older and also changing with the times. I cant say enough to describe how much i fell in love with YakuzaOne of the best series in gaming, honestly. Each game has a charm like no others, and you get to watch reoccuring characters grow and change over time. The district of Kamurocho, which is the main city district featured in all the games, is like a character, living, breathing, getting older and also changing with the times. I cant say enough to describe how much i fell in love with Yakuza 0 and both Yakuza Kiwami's ... this series has a charm that i cant describe... no wonder why its Sega's best selling masterpiece. From funny side stories to Dramatic ones and the Main plot of each game are all masterpieces. Sadly until now there are only 3 Yakuza games on PC Yakuza 0, Kiwami and Kiwami 2 which i finished them all and im really waiting now for the rest of the series to be released on PC ... i really find it difficult to find any games as charming as the Yakuza series they are really incomparable.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

24
#24 Best PS4 Game of 2017
22
#22 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2017
19
#19 Most Shared PS4 Game of 2017

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
85

Generally favorable reviews - based on 87 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 77 out of 87
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 87
  3. Negative: 0 out of 87
  1. RPG Fan
    Aug 8, 2018
    85
    Yakuza 0 is a lot of Yakuza, showing a great deal of excess, brilliance and occasional frustration in equal fashion. There's lots and lots to do, a great story to breathe in, and wonderful characters who play well off each other. At the same time, 0 lacks some of the innovations and gameplay conceits that came with later titles, and it's also just as frustrating in places as some of the franchise's more egregious offenders.
    Read full review
  2. PLAY! Zine
    Oct 12, 2017
    90
    Yakuza Zero is a fantastic game. Spectacular main story combined with great diversity of sub-stories and solid gameplay create a rather unique game.
    Read full review
  3. Games Master UK
    Apr 2, 2017
    90
    A fantastically bonkers open-world gem that finally opens up the magic of the series to everyone. [March 2017, p.64]
See all critic reviews »