Ranking the Yakuza Series: ‘Yakuza 0’

by Flora Merigold · Published February 5, 2021 · Updated January 26, 2021

Yakuza 0 was my reluctant foray into the storied franchise. As explored in my piece on why people love the Yakuza games, I began this series with the wrong mindset. But like a baseball bat to the head, Yakuza 0 quickly set me right, and I fell head over heels into a months-long binge of the entire series – or the games localized into English, at least. I think this game is my favorite in the Yakuza series because it divides the story into two perspectives through dual protagonists Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima. This division is a brilliant stroke of storytelling and game design, creating a deep sense of affection for these lead characters while also developing separate but eventually intertwining plots. The balance struck between both characters is what makes this specific game so memorable, even after my dozens or hundreds of hours with the subsequent entries in the series.

The plot of Yakuza 0 is largely centered around a MacGuffin, the empty lot, which anchors the trajectory of both protagonists as they weave their way towards protecting this lot’s owner. Having no background knowledge of the series beforehand, I think much of the narrative importance was lost on me at first, leaving this game ripe for a second playthrough. But there is no mistake about how badass all of the main characters – not just protagonists – are throughout the game. I’ll never forget the sight of Saisaku Kuze, pedal to the metal, racing on a motorbike towards Kiryu while menacingly brandishing an iron pole. Not a single named character feels out of place or on uneven footing with the rest of the cast in Yakuza 0.

Two of the most effective parts of Yakuza 0 for me were the game’s use of its city and soundtrack. Kamurocho and Sotenbori serve as neon playgrounds with which to explore. Each city feels vast because of its density and dynamism. Whether you’re skirting around a corner to avoid Mr. Shakedown or ducking down an alleyway towards the nearest takoyaki joint, there is always something eye-catching or interesting to do. Even if you choose to streamline the main story and ignore everything else, you can still have a blast due to the polished combat with incredible music. I would go as far as to say that Yakuza 0 has the best fighting in the entire series, period.

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Fun

Is the Game Fun?

There is an endless list of possible ways to spend your time in Yakuza 0, all of which grabbed me on some level, especially the karaoke. The combat shines brightest of all, however, amongst all the myriad and intricate gameplay systems.

Performance

Does the Game Perform Well?

Playing on PC, I had no issues with this game whatsoever. My only minor complaint is that the pre-rendered cutscenes are noticeably of lower quality than what the Ultra settings can produce.

Art

Does the Game Have a Fitting Art Style?

The city is the star of this game as much as Kiryu or Majima. The characters and world feel authentic and lived in. The music is full of ear worms.

Story

Does the Game Have a Unique Story or Premise?

Yakuza 0 has more heart than the vast majority of larger games with bigger budgets. The characters are well introduced and developed, as well as the plot about the empty lot which delivers implications in spades for the remainder of the series.

Lasting Power

Does the Game Have Replayability or Lasting Power?

I feel as though the replayability is only there for someone like me who wants to give it a second pass now that I’ve completed the entire Yakuza series, which is an absurd time investment. But the lasting power is definitely here, considering Yakuza 0 is what skyrocketed this series’ popularity in the West.

Verdict

Yakuza 0 is my favorite game in the series. Its quirkiness and its charm seamlessly blend into melodramatic and tense moments. Once I got over the speedbump of starting the series, I couldn’t escape that feeling that Yakuza 0 left me with. It kept me going all the way through the series.