Yakuza 0 – a mystery, a game of vengeance, or your own personal playground. This open-world game blends brawling, conversations, and mini-games in a beautifully bizarre and ridiculously sublime experience like none before it. One minute you can be fighting to survive, the next, you can be teaching a rookie moves to humiliate deviants. You can be on a mission trying to foil the plans of powerful and rich men and then just pop into the arcade for a quick game. You can sit at a bar and read poetry about existentialism just to exit the bar and have you facing the most bizarre scenes of obscenities.

An unusual game, to say the least, this game has something to offer to any type of gamer on the market today. For those who wish to learn more about this game, stay tuned as we delve deeper into the mystery that is Yakuza 0.

Game’s Origin

Yakuza 0 is primarily an action-adventure game and is the sixth edition of the Yakuza series. Developed by Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio and published by Sega, this game actually serves as the prequel to the original Yakuza game. As of today, the game is available on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox.

Remaining obscure in the past, the tides changed for the Yakuza gaming series with the influence of gaming critics. Generally favored with each edition of the game, this is the factor that is largely responsible for the rise of this franchise’s popularity and sales in the West. As the sixth game in the franchise series, it tells the story of the Dragon of Dojima, a man named Kazuma Kiryu, famed for punching people, thus solving and creating all of life’s problems along the way.

With the game being a prequel, it is perfect for new players not yet acquainted with the franchise. Set in the 80s, it does a great job of introducing the characters and world of the game to players and making them explore the world they find themselves in.

Gameplay

With the gameplay garnering most of the popularity surrounding Yakuza 0, there is a lot to be said about this topic. Now hold onto your hats because things are about to get crazy.

Set in an open-world environment and played from a third-person perspective, this game takes place in 1988 in the fictionalized towns of Kamurocho and Sotenbori. The players control the main character Kazuma Kiryu and the side character Goro Majima, switching between the two as the main story unfolds. As such, the two characters have side businesses they run in the game to earn money. Kiryu invests in real estate, while Majima has a cabaret club. Completing side quests helps them to improve their side businesses and the player to progress.

With that said, players can also freely walk around Kamurocho and Sotenbori and interact with the people they meet. They can battle enemies, play minigames, trigger side-quests, etc. You can play Sega arcade games such as Space Harrier, Fantasy Zone, and Out Run, they can also play real Japanese Casino Games, and they can even do mundane tasks such as eating every dish at a restaurant.

A major factor in the game is also the addition of different fighting styles utilized mid-battle. Both Kiryu and Majima have different skills and styles, which the player can pick for certain battles, or battle opponents in a certain way. In essence, the game offers you everything you can think of doing and more and lets you choose how you want the game to be played and experienced. Simple as that.

Final Thoughts

A weird, novel, and interesting gaming experience, Yakuza 0 offers players a little taste of life, told in the most unorthodox of ways. Playing as the main protagonist, you can choose how to develop your own adventure, whether playing seriously through the game or just spending your time on pointless frivolities that satisfy your interests or preferences. Whatever your reasoning, the infectious nature of the game is something that cannot be overlooked and will be itching players to come back for more. And with favorable reviews and growing interest from the West, it’s interesting to see how this series will evolve and grow in time.

Whatever the case, one thing is for sure. As long as the game keeps it a fast-paced, quirky, and innovative way of challenging the creative and playful side of the gamer, this gaming franchise will see a bright future for sure.