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Yakuza 0 Review — IGN

Yakuza 0

The prequel to Sega’s Japanese crime saga is a violent and compelling drama with a liberal splash of silliness.

By Tristan Ogilvie

Updated: May 2, 2017 6:37 pm

Posted: Jan 19, 2017 5:01 pm

The plot of Yakuza 0 is served up like a fresh bowl of udon noodles; simmering, full of twists and turns, and satisfying to the end. While I very much enjoyed the bone-cracking street fights, numerous oddball side characters, and the Lonely Planet guide’s worth of entertaining diversions along the way, it’s really the taut tale of betrayal and the bitter arm wrestle for power at its centre that kept me glued to the controller throughout.

Yakuza 0 is set in 1988 and serves as an origin story for two of the series’ most prominent characters, Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima, who find themselves caught up in a land war amongst rival clans. Whereas the previous game in the series, Yakuza 5, juggled five different storylines and felt somewhat convoluted as a result, Yakuza 0 benefits from focusing on the plights of Kiryu and Majima, each scorned by their respective families and whose paths ultimately converge in the end. LoadingIt’s a gangster tale that adheres mostly to convention, with menacing mob bosses, car bombings, blackmail, and the like, but it’s a tale told well and told thoroughly. Much like the Metal Gear Solid series, Yakuza 0 isn’t afraid of taking control away from us for extended periods in order to deliver a lengthy cutscene to advance the plot and develop the characters, but I never felt in any way detached from the events onscreen thanks to the strong performances of the actors and the consistently powerful writing.

Recent open-world releases struggle to compete when it comes to the sheer density of detail packed into Sega’s latest.

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Although the slightly wooden character animations serve as a reminder that this is a game developed to straddle console generations (the Japanese version was simultaneously released on PS3), Yakuza 0 otherwise manages to nail the look and feel of its Tokyo and Osaka-inspired settings. Recent open-world releases like Mafia III and Watch Dogs 2 might dwarf the maps of Yakuza 0 in terms of scale, but both struggle to compete when it comes to the sheer density of detail packed into every nook and cranny of Sega’s latest.

The neon-soaked streets tread a fine line between gorgeous and garish, the Don Quijote discount stores are claustrophobic caverns of consumerism, and vendors on the street keep handing you pocket tissues for no apparent reason. While Yakuza 0’s retro setting isn’t exactly Grand Theft Auto: Vice City when it comes to revelling in ‘80s nostalgia, there are enough nods to the era to reinforce the sense of time and place — from the pagers used by the characters to the authentic Walkman billboards and the playable OutRun and Space Harrier games in the local arcades.

Diversionary tactics

These arcade games are just the tip of the time-sinking iceberg. As is now customary for the series, Yakuza 0 always provides alluring C, D, and E options when you’re on your way from A to B. There’s fishing, bowling, batting practice, several kinds of gambling, pool, darts, karaoke, dancing, underground fight clubs, and plenty more.LoadingThe bulk of these optional activities are well realised and fleshed out with fun challenges to complete, and they range from the addictively simple reflex-testing batting cage to the relatively deep real estate business run by Kiryu in Tokyo and Majima’s hostess bar empire in Osaka. The latter two management simulations in particular require a substantial time investment but yield maximum yen, and while I only scratched the surface of them on my way to completing the 30-hour story, I intend on returning to them in Yakuza 0’s post-credits ‘Premium Adventure’ mode in order to find out exactly how lucrative they can become.

Streets of Rage

Of course, a more direct way of nabbing fistfuls of cash is by using your actual fists (and feet) to beat it out of the neverending supply of street thugs who engage you in a scrap on sight. Kiryu and Majima each have three different fighting styles that can be switched between on the fly, and I relished in the ability to tailor my technique to suit each individual scenario. For example, I found Majima’s button-mashing breakdancing stance that turns him into a human whirligig of spinning kicks to be perfect for carving through crowds of enemies, yet his baseball bat-toting slugger stance is a better choice for one-on-one boss fights where more powerful and direct attacks are required.

LoadingYakuza 0’s fighting system is wonderfully brutal, and the context-sensitive finishing moves offer an especially satisfying way to curb-stomp a shoe-shaped exclamation point into an opponent’s face at the end of each encounter. However, a somewhat piecemeal counter system means that for all its flashy moves, the all-in brawling is never quite as fluid as the one-on-many fighting experiences of the Batman: Arkham games, at least when it comes to transitioning back and forth between enemies. This makes Yakuza 0 seem a little behind the curve in that regard, which is disappointing considering we’re now half a dozen games into the mainline of the Yakuza series.

What Yakuza 0 does have in common with the Caped Crusader, though, is the fact that neither of these violent gangsters ever actually kills anyone. Each enemy that Kiryu and Majima dispatch is left to pick up their teeth rather than push up daisies, which is refreshing given that most open-world crime games are effectively exercises in casual mass murder. (Not that killing stops me from enjoying those games; it’s just nice to play something that approaches it differently for a change.) The general lack of killing in Yakuza 0 means that when certain character deaths do occur over the course of the story — whether they be good, bad, or grey — they land with significantly more impact.

Off the beating path

Contrasting nicely with the heavier themes of the main storyline are Yakuza 0’s side quests. There are around 100 of these mini-missions to hunt down across the two main city settings and they’re typically lighthearted if not utterly ridiculous. I particularly liked teaching the members of a wannabe punk rock band how to talk tough ahead of a meet and greet with fans (and deliberately feeding them the wrong lines with hilarious results), and bluffing my way through a job as a producer on the set of a television commercial.LoadingEven though a number of these side missions are merely simple fetch quests, they’re almost always worth your while purely because the quest-giving locals are so hilarious to interact with. Indeed half of them seem like they’ve wondered off the set of a Japanese game show, and I was particularly fond of the perpetually pelvic-thrusting Mr. Libido who seemingly shows up every now and then purely to unleash a string of snicker-worthy sexual euphemisms. Overall, I enjoyed meeting with the eccentric supporting cast of Yakuza 0, and often went out of my way to seek them out because I knew I would typically be in for a surprise.

Yakuza 0 is another sprawling entry in the open-world series, packed with an extraordinary amount of things to do and centred around a genuinely compelling crime story. Since it’s a prequel, it’s also unburdened by the series’ increasingly intricate backstory and thus far more approachable for newcomers than the last few Yakuza games. While its melee combat may lag slightly behind modern genre standards, Yakuza 0 still hits far more than it misses and is a big, bold and bruising tour through the Japanese underworld.

Yakuza 0 Review

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Yakuza 0 is a big, bold and bruising tour through the Japanese underworld.

Tristan Ogilvie

Ghost of Tsushima guide | GamesRadar+

(Image credit: Sucker Punch)

A Ghost of Tsushima guide such as this is the perfect accompaniment for your adventures, as you explore the Tsushima island with Jin. You’ve probably already discovered that you’re undertaking a pretty extensive journey here, so knowing what the best weapons and skills are will stand you in good stead, while being able to view the entire map and knowing how to discover its secrets will help you decide where to head next. Helpfully we’ve got all of that and more covered right here, from basic tips for getting started to more advanced duel advice and pointers for the essential abilities to unlock, so follow our Ghost of Tsushima guide and make progress down the road to becoming the Ghost.

Ghost of Tsushima tips

(Image credit: Sucker Punch)

Our Ghost of Tsushima tips are the best place to start if you want to get a wide base of knowledge to prepare you for as much as possible. All the core basics of combat, armor, resources and more are covered here, as well as the best gear to use, missions you shouldn’t miss out on and plenty more. 13 tips in all that will get on the best possible footing for the upcoming adventure.

Ghost of Tsushima map

(Image credit: Sony)

The Ghost of Tsushima map is big. Comprised of three distinct sections that open up with the story, it’s as much a character in the game as hero Jin or any of his friends. This is a broad overview that takes a wide angled look at the entire map, breaking down each region and what you can expect as you explore.

Ghost of Tushisma armor

(Image credit: Sony)

There’s a range of Ghost of Tushisma armor and outfits to pick from. Each has a range of buffs to various stats that will make you better in combat, stealthier, improve your archery and so on. This guide will help you find them all, as well as know which ones to use when, as you can switch freely between them all as the situation dictates.

Ghost of Tsushima skills

(Image credit: Sony)

There are a lot of Ghost of Tsushima skills to level up as you play. Some choices will depend on your playstyle and whether you prefer direct combat or stealth. However, some are so essential it almost seems mean to hide them away in the menus and make you chose. This guide will point out the skills you should absolutely equip and why.

Ghost of Tsushima supplies

(Image credit: Sony)

Ghost of Tsushima supplies are vital to progress in the game. These little yellow bundles of stuff can be picked up in the world, collected from dead enemies, earned as rewards and effectively function as money. Most of your most important upgrades are paid for with supplies so if you want to upgrade your sword or armor, you need supplies. This guide will make sure you never run low.

How to get the Ghost of Tsushima grappling hook

How to get the Ghost of Tsushima grapple hook

(Image credit: Sony)

There might come a point where you’re wondering how to get the Ghost of Tsushima grapple hook? This will help you out. It’s a vital bit of gear in the game and, for the most part, tied to the story in a way that’s hard to miss. However, if you go charging off in search of adventure and ignore the story completely you might find areas you can’t reach without it. At which point, this will help fix that.

Ghost of Tsushima fox dens and inari shrines

(Image credit: Sony)

There are Ghost of Tsushima fox dens and inari shrines all over the world for you to find. These little spots of worship are more than just a moment of respite because praying at them will gradually increase the number of stat-buffing charms you can equip. The more you find, the more you can improve various character attributes so it’s a good idea to drop in on as many as you can find.

Ghost of Tsushima bamboo strikes

(Image credit: Sony)

Completing the Ghost of Tsushima bamboo strikes you can find will increase your resolve, a special ability meter that powers many of your combat and healing skills. The more of these button matching mini-games you find, the more resolve you have and the more you can unleash powerful moves in a fight or heal yourself. You can even come back from the dead if you have enough. Useful then.

Ghost of Tsushima hot springs

(Image credit: Sony)

Bathing in the Ghost of Tsushima hot springs you can find will increase your maximum health, making them a vital landmark to seek out. You can also reflect on elements of the game’s story while you’re there but it’s the whole not dying thing we really here for. This guide has every one marked on the map to make it easier for you too find them.

Ghost of Tsushima Shinto Shrines and Torii Gates

(Image credit: Sony)

The Ghost of Tsushima Shinto Shrines and Torii gates can be a little confusing because while the Torii gates are what you’re usually looking for in the world, it’s the Shinto Shrines they lead to that you really want. Praying at one of these alters will reward you with a major charm that will buff key character stats. The more you find, the more options you have to customize your abilities.

Ghost of Tsushima Komatsu Forge

(Image credit: Sony)

The Ghost of Tsushima Komatsu Forge area can be a confusing discovery. You can find it easily from the start of the game but while it’s marked ‘Mongol Territory’, it’ll probably be completely empty. That’s because it’s tied to a certain story mission, so while it appears as an enemy base to clear out on the map, you can’t actually do that until you start the mission in question. Here, we explain what’s going on and how you can clear the invaders out.

Ghost of Tsushima duels

(Image credit: Sony)

If you’re having some trouble with Ghost of Tsushima duels we can help you out. These one on one battles can be a big change of pace from the main game. Not only do they see focused on a single, tougher enemy, but they also strip you of all your gear, leaving only your fighting skill and combat special moves to use. We’ve got some tips and help here to make sure you always emerge from the dueling ring victorious. Or alive at the very least.

I’m currently GamesRadar’s Senior Guides Co-ordinator, which means I’ve had a hand in producing or writing all of the guide and tips content on the site. I also write reviews, previews and features, and do video. Previously I worked for Kotaku, and the Official PlayStation Magazine and website. I’m a big fan of open world games, horror, and narrative adventures.

NME Top 20 Best Games of 2022

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Along with its colleagues from all over the world, the English publication NME also summed up the gaming results of the outgoing 2022, presenting its list of the best games, consisting of twenty positions.

20. A Plague Tale: Requiem ( our review is )
19. We Are OFK
18. Bayonetta 3
17. Metal Hellsinger
16. Rollerdrome
15. Pentiment
14. Hardspace: Shipbreaker
13. As Dusk Falls
12. Neon White
11. Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope
10. Immortality ( our review )
9. Sifu ( our survey )
8. God of War Ragnarok ( our review )
7. Sniper Elite 5 ( our review )
6. Marvel Snap
5. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 ( our review )
4. Tunic ( our review )
3. Vampire Survivors

2. Total War: Warhammer 3

1. Elden Ring ( our review )

Previously, 9 magazines shared their top games of 20220025 Time and Paste Magazine .

See also : «Always loved the idea»: Developer from CD Projekt RED spoke about a possible setting for The Witcher 4 RPG .

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Yakuza 0 Review — IGN

The prequel to Sega’s Japanese crime saga is a violent and compelling drama with a liberal splash of silliness.

Diversionary tactics

Streets of Rage

Off the beating path

In This Article

Yakuza 0 Review