Yakuza 0 is an action-adventure game by SEGA which was released on February 26, 2020, for Xbox One X and Windows 10 that you can get via Game Pass and Microsoft Store. Previously, this game was released on Playstation 3 and Playstation 4 a few years ago and on Steam in 2018. The arrival of Yakuza 0 on Xbox One marks the first time that this series comes out from “comfort zone” after a decade becoming an exclusive game for Playstation.

This game is a prequel of the series. Following its predecessor’s footsteps, Yakuza 0 still maintaining the multiple protagonist feature, but this time, players can only control two characters, Kiryu Kazuma (voiced by Takaya Kuroda) and Majima Goro (Hidenari Ugaki), whom the two are stape characters since the first game. Still maintaining the identity, Yakuza 0 also featuring various Japanese senior actors, such as  Hitoshi Ozawa as Daisaku Kuze, Riki Takeuchi as Hiroki Awano, Hideo Nakano as Keiji Shibusawa, Arata Iura as Tetsu Tachibana, and Shingo Tsurumi as Tsukasa Sagawa. Moreover, the game is still loyal to feature Kamurocho (a city based on Kabukicho district in real-world) and Sotenbori from Yakuza 5 which inspired by Dotonbori, Osaka. Not only that, those two cities are recreated with an 80s vibe.

The “Empty Lot” Mystery

Yakuza 0 sets in Japan in 1988, where at that time Japan was famous for its economic occurrence called “Bubble Economy”. Bubble Economy is a term where real estate prices and stock markets skyrocketed, which marked with the uncontrollable money distribution. The story began when Kiryu is suspected of murder after collecting money at “Empty Lot” in Kamurocho. He later summoned by three Dojima family lieutenants (a yakuza clan based on Tokyo) for liability. Kiryu who doesn’t know anything must admit that he committed the murder. To find out the real killer, Kiryu later exits the family.

Meanwhile, in Sotenbori, there is a man who is nicknamed “Emperor of the Night”, and that man is Majima Goro. Majima is an e-yakuza from Shimano clan who exiled due to the botched duty years earlier and losing his left eye as a result. One day, he is offered a second chance to return to the family by killing someone. But the target that he hoped for is not a yakuza, but instead, a blind woman, who later hides a mystery regarding the “Empty Lot” in Kamurocho. Later, Kiryu and Majima set out their way to unveil the mystery behind the “Empty Lot” as well as defending it from greedy hands from the underworld.  

Money Is Everything

The leveling up system in this game is designed differently compared to previous installments. Now you won’t get Soul Points after beating up thugs, but instead money. Right, money becomes an important thing aside from purchasing healing items. With money, you can purchase new skills and unlock more moves to beat down the thugs. Also, money can be obtained after completing each chapter and defeating Mr. Shakedown who strolls around town. With the addition of Mr. Shakedown, you can be the richest man in Japan if you manage to beat him as well as the poorest man in Japan if you are defeated by him.

Three Fighting Styles

One innovation introduced in this game is the inclusion of three different fighting styles for each character. Now Kiryu won’t have one fighting style only akin to previous installments. Also, you can change between those three styles on the fly during combat.

There are three fighting styles for each character and each of them has its advantages. Kiryu has Brawler, Rush, and Beast style. Brawler is the “prototype” version of his fighting style in later games. Rush style is a speedy style that focuses on speed akin to kickboxing, while Beast style is a style that focuses on all raw powers to give maximum destruction on enemies by using surrounding objects.

Meanwhile, Majima has Thug, Slugger, and Breaker. Thug is a fighting style that turns Majima into a capable street fighter in every situation. Slugger style is focusing on weapon usage, especially on a steel baseball bat, and Breaker style allows Majima to be a breakdancer and using breakdance moves to annihilate enemies.

Grow Your Business

Outside the main story, Kiryu and Majima have a side business to gain money. Kiryu serves as a president of a real estate company in Kamurocho, while Majima is running a cabaret club in Sotenbori. As your business grows further, players can recruit new employees, open a partnership, and conquering the town under your influence. But the process is not easy, because sometimes you will be faced with a deadlock using money and violence. Expand their business and become the richest man in Japan!

Spend Your Time With Disco, Telephone Date, and Pocket Racing

The rich, deep story and street violence are not the only selling point of this game. Aside from those two, you can enjoy various side quests and interesting minigames as well, such as karaoke, fishing, and SEGA’s classic arcade games like implemented on previous titles. Because the game sets in the 80s, then this one adds disco and telephone date that commonly happened back then. In disco, you are challenged to tap the buttons that pop up on the screen before the timer ends, similar to karaoke. The telephone date is a word-choosing game to hook pretty girls on the other side of the phone to date you. Besides, you can also participate in Pocket Race at Kamurocho. The game is akin to real life, where you have to customize the car before entering the race.

Verdict

Finally, console and PC owners can enjoy this gangster drama game. This game can be a good start for those who want to follow this series further. For long time fans, this game is no doubt one of the best games the series has to offer. But remember, this game has many violent scenes and inappropriate for kids and adults alike. We are not responsible for the violence caused by this game. Stay tuned on Dunia Games for more information regarding video games.

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