Going into Yakuza 0, I expected a sequel that played it safe. What I got was a flawed game I couldn't put down. That gap is what this review will spend the next thousand words pulling apart.
I bounced off Yakuza 0 the first time I tried it. The second attempt — about three months later, after a long flight, on a recommendation from a friend — was when the design clicked. This is a review of the second attempt.
Gameplay
Mechanically, Yakuza 0 sits at an interesting intersection. The run-into-meta-progression loop pulls from platformer fundamentals, but the way Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio layers environmental storytelling on top changes how you approach each session. After a few hours you start to recognize patterns — not just in the game, but in your own decisions.
Mechanically, Yakuza 0 sits at an interesting intersection. The exploration-into-encounter loop pulls from platformer fundamentals, but the way Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio layers resource scarcity on top changes how you approach each session. After a few hours you start to recognize patterns — not just in the game, but in your own decisions.
Story & Setting
The writing in Yakuza 0 is the best argument for taking dialogue trees seriously again. Every choice feels weighted. Every NPC has a recognizable voice. It's not subtle work — but it's the kind of unsubtle work that takes years to get right.
The story is told mostly through environment and incidental dialogue, which is the right choice for the kind of game this is. There are no twenty-minute cutscenes. There are no NPCs who follow you around explaining lore. What there is, instead, is a world that responds to attention.
Visuals & Performance
Art direction by Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio leans heavily on comic-book-grade outline work. It's a strong choice that gives the game a consistent look across its 24 hours, even if some environments late in the game feel under-budgeted compared to the opening.
Verdict
We score Yakuza 0 a 10/10. That's high for the genre, but the strengths are unambiguous and the weaknesses are addressable through patches. Worth the time of anyone with even a passing interest.
Yakuza 0 is the kind of game that rewards patience. The first three hours don't sell it. The thirtieth hour does. If you have the time, give it. If you don't, the verdict is honest: it's not a 'short session' game.
Verdict
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Gameplay | 8/10 |
| Story | 8/10 |
| Visuals | 8/10 |
| Replayability | 6/10 |
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to finish Yakuza 0?
Main story runs around 80-100 hours depending on how thoroughly you explore. Completionists can spend 2-3× that.
Is Yakuza 0 good for newcomers to Action-Drama RPG?
Yes — Yakuza 0 is a great entry point. The early hours teach the systems gradually and the difficulty curve is reasonable.
Which platform should I play Yakuza 0 on?
Steam Deck handles this title well — verified compatibility on most recent patches.
Was Yakuza 0 worth the launch-day price?
Depends on backlog. The replay value justifies the price for genre fans; casual players should wait for a 40%+ discount.
Are there DLCs or expansions worth picking up?
Wait for the Game of the Year edition — it bundles everything at a fair discount.
What did Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio get right (and what could be better)?
Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio nailed the moment-to-moment loop and the world-building. Pacing in the mid-game and inventory UX have room for improvement.
Comments
Comments are moderated. Be civil — disagreement is fine, abuse isn't.
Score feels about right. The opening drags a bit but it grows on you.
Finally finished it last night. Your take on the ending matches mine.
Solid review. I bounced off Yakuza 0 for the first 5 hours, then it clicked.
The economy is broken in the late game, surprised this wasn't mentioned.
Multiplayer mode adds 30+ hours of replay value. Underrated section.
Wish more outlets pushed back on the difficulty spike around hour 10.
The pacing in the second act is exactly the issue that gets glossed over in most reviews.