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Yakuza 0 is blowing me away as someone who never played the series before

V

Venfayth

Member
I bought the game on a risk after seeing that goofy chicken scene hoping I would get a wacky and goofy Japanese GTA-esque game. But after 12 hours or so I just can't believe how much I'm enjoying it. The story is really compelling and interesting. I'm writing this post a day removed from what I think is one of my favorite scenes in any game in recent memory and I can't stop thinking about it. The thick melodrama and badass characters are just so much fun. The game depends a lot on you liking the characters and buying into the tone of the world they're presenting and for me it totally lands perfectly.

The combat can be kinda janky at times, it's not perfect, but I also think it's one of those things where you get used to it and as you unlock more abilities it starts to feel more fluid. I do really like the canned finishing move animations, they still aren't really boring after 12 hours because there's so much impact built in to them.

The world feels lovingly built, as the game is set in the 80s pretty much everything from the ads and products you buy and see in the game are (to my cursory knowledge) context appropriate. Sometimes I just like to walk around and look at the signs and shops and street lights.The side quests are pretty hilarious and serve as a good foil to the heavy story beats.

Anyway, hopefully people aren't upset I didn't just dump this in the Yakuza 0 OT, I really wasn't expecting to like this game as much as I do, and I wanted to say that if you're marginally interested in Yakuza 0: If you're looking for a good serious mobster story with lots of fun things to do and see on the side, you should definitely give this game a shot.

edit: Just editing this in here because I beat the game: My final thoughts

 
S

Soulflarz

Banned
I've been waiting for 0 for awhile now, since why jump in at 3 or so when this is a good starting point, and...
Wow uh

Yeep
Yakuza is amazing.
 
Vlaphor

Vlaphor

Member
Welcome to the fold brother. Many hours of bizarre, manly storyline mixed with tons of weird side quests and fun minigames await you.
 
D

dan2026

Member
I am enjoying it too.
The only downside is some frame rate drops and screen tearing in some parts of the city.
Wish it was properly vsynced

That and the combat seems a bit too easy.
 
U

UpUpDownDown

Member
I've come to the realization that I want this. Plus, I really want to play a brawler...It's been so long.

Canadian prices holding me at bay until there's a sale though :/
 
O

oneida

Cock Strain, Lifetime Warranty
I've played every localized game in the series

and honestly, it's gunning for the top spot. it's REAL good. the story is so much more well-told than 5's.
 
S

sym30l1c

Member
First timer here too...and loving it so far (I'm in Chapter 4).
Great story, great action and the side quests are crazy fun.
 
N

NinjaMouse

Member
I've only played 1, 2, and 3 before starting 0. I definitely missed playing these games. It's making me consider getting a PS3 again just to play thru 4 and 5, too...but it's awesome to know we still have Kiwami and 6 coming later this year.
 
V

Venfayth

Member
catmincer said:
The chicken scene sold me!
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure they know!

C3EUqqfXcAElcTZ.jpg
Click to expand...
 
T

The Artisan

Member
good to know you are enjoying this OP, looks like this game is getting a decent amount of traction and attention.

then again, this is neogaf.

perhaps yakluza 0 will be the big break for the series in the west
 
J

JJShadow

Member
I only played 3 and 4 for a bit a few years ago, but I consider Yakuza 0 to be my first "proper" Yakuza game, and awww man, it's so freaking good, I love it. Everyone should give this a chance: story, characters, combat and sidestories make for such an awesome package

I'm definitely in day 1 for Kiwami and 6
 
R

Recall

Member
The Yakuza series is a wonderful thing and the more people get to experience it the better. Come for the chicken, stay for the HEAT.
 
V

ViciousDS

Banned
yes, its my first Yakuza game as well.......I'm just wandering around doing sidequests before even heading to my place in the beginning of chapter 2.......this game is fantastic
 
Hardvlade

Hardvlade

Member
The Artisan said:
good to know you are enjoying this OP, looks like this game is getting a decent amount of traction and attention.

then again, this is neogaf.

perhaps yakluza 0 will be the big break for the series in the west
Click to expand...

I hope so, I recently got the game, convinced two of my friends to get it and I REALLY hope they bring the rest over somehow loving Y. Zero so far
 
H

Hasney

Member
The Artisan said:
good to know you are enjoying this OP, looks like this game is getting a decent amount of traction and attention.

then again, this is neogaf.

perhaps yakluza 0 will be the big break for the series in the west
Click to expand...

Considering there's been sell-outs in the UK at places like Amazon, I'm thinking this will be a series best debut at least here. Hoping the blurb mentions it on Monday.

I'm sure it was a situation where there was low stock compared to the big releases, but it does suggest it beat expectations.
 
StereoVsn

StereoVsn

Member
brawly said:
We're getting Ishin next year if this positivity keeps up. Believe.
Click to expand...

We are getting 6 next year and Kiwami this year. Mind you, Ishin is great, but I'd take 2 remake over it.

And yeah, Yakuza Zero is very very good. Between the manly crime drama, honor and shame, ridiculous side quests (in a good way), metric ton of mini games, awesome 80s Tokyo vibe, the game certainly deserves recognition and sales.

For combat, as it starts to unlock, it gets quite good. I personally like the base brawler one for a mix between hand to hand and grappling plus awesome finishers, but Rush style with some extra unlocks gets pretty good. In particular there is a cheap 2mil unlock for the weaving as you go in for punching that i dig.

Hint, in Chapter 1 there is a guy you can save from some hoodlums (just running around) who gives you a ruby plate which can be sold for 10mil. That gets Kiryu quite a few updates (health and general damage should be first).
 
K

King Gilga

Member
I feel like the series is finally getting it's due with all this Yakuza 0 recognition, hope it does well.

I hope Yakuza 6 doesn't take all this newfound good will for the series and take it down the drain though because I heard it was pretty bad, maybe they should just skip localising that one?
 
I

IronicSonic

Member
Great history
Badass Characters
Great gameplay
1080p60
Wacky sidequest
A lot of content
Kazuma and Goro
Great OST

My favorite Yakuza game so far. I still have a place in my heart for those first hours in Yakuza 3 though. So touching.

#TeamRush
 
StereoVsn

StereoVsn

Member
King Gilga said:
I feel like the series is finally getting it's due with all this Yakuza 0 recognition, hope it does well.

I hope Yakuza 6 doesn't take all this newfound good will for the series and take it down the drain though because I heard it was pretty bad, maybe they should just skip localising that one?
Click to expand...

?! Yakuza 6 is damn good. What is this crazy talk? Combat in particular is best in business, you got freaking VF5 as a mini game, and the storyline is solid. Hell, Beat Takeshi is in it. What more can you want out of a game?! Beat Takeshi!

Sega is going to send Nugget after you and collect your Yakuza gamer badge for that post. May you play Dead Souls for the next 5 years!

Edit: Separately, Yakuza Zero is still #20 on Amazon US, it's been bouncing around 15-20 numbers since week before release. It's actually damn good considering how niche Yakuza usually sells in the West.
 
TheStruggler

TheStruggler

Report me for trolling ND/TLoU2 threads
I wonder why Zero is catching on so well compared to last gen with the series, more awareness and marketing for it?
 
F

FallingEdge

Member
StereoVsn said:
?! Yakuza 6 is damn good. What is this crazy talk? Combat in particular is best in business, you got freaking VF5 as a mini game, and the storyline is solid. Hell, Beat Takeshi is in it. What more can you want out of a game?! Beat Takeshi!

Sega is going to send Nugget after you and collect your Yakuza gamer badge for that post. May you play Dead Souls for the next 5 years!
Click to expand...

Not to mention we have NJPW in Y6.

All hail Naito.
 
M

Mupod

Member
dan2026 said:
I am enjoying it too.
The only downside is some frame rate drops and screen tearing in some parts of the city.
Wish it was properly vsynced

That and the combat seems a bit too easy.
Click to expand...

I started on hard, and found it easy until the first boss. In terms of difficulty the difference between regular mooks and that guy was...dramatic. But I refused to turn it down.

JK-Money said:
I wonder why Zero is catching on so well compared to last gen with the series, more awareness and marketing for it?
Click to expand...

I saw Mary Kish play it on Giantbomb and was instantly hooked after that scene with the 3 lieutenants. 0 looked like a good starting point for the series because I sure as hell was not going to go back and play some PS2 games to start from the beginning. From what I understand we're getting a remake of the first game next?
 
Z

ZeroX03

Banned
Talking 'bad' Yakuza games or discussing what's weakest is like ranking Ace Attorney games to me.

They're all good games, people just have their preferences. There's not a bad mainline title in the bunch.

JK-Money said:
I wonder why Zero is catching on so well compared to last gen with the series, more awareness and marketing for it?
Click to expand...

Social media. Video content. A chicken. Getting the game in the hands of prominent YouTubers. Getting the game to reviewers with a respectable time frame to play. Early reviews. Renaissance of Japanese console gaming. Strong marketing overall for a small title. Good entry point. And of course: The quality of the game. Historically a jump to a new, big platform works in the series favor too (Yakuza 1 and 3 benefited from being the first title on their respective systems).
 
J

Jeels

Member
Thanks for sharing your impressions. I can't wait to play this (and ya, particularly for that Japan in the 80s setting!), but I really want to sit down and enjoy it, so I need to finish Knack and KH2.8 first.
 
B

bosh

Member
Im in the same boat. Never played one previously, can't stop playing it now. Story is fantastic so far and the mini-games and side quest are well thought out, fun and I can't stop dancing.
 
S

shandy706

Member
I'm enjoying it too.

I really....REALLY...suck at the Karaoke though, lol. I've not gotten to the other mini-games, but I'm looking forward to it.

The fighting is really straight forward and reminds me of Shenmue/Sleeping Dogs. Good fun.

I also like that I can buy crap in all the stores. Wish it had quarter machine toys...does it?

It's also my first.
 
N

Nightengale

Member
ZeroX03 said:
Social media. Video content. A chicken. Getting the game in the hands of prominent YouTubers. Getting the game to reviewers with a respectable time frame to play. Early reviews. Renaissance of Japanese console gaming. Strong marketing overall for a small title. Good entry point. And of course: The quality of the game. Historically a jump to a new, big platform works in the series favor too (Yakuza 1 and 3 benefited from being the first title on their respective systems).
Click to expand...

Also, Yakuza 0 is probably the first time where prominent influencers who's been saying "I've heard about it, I should get to it one day" finally did and started asking the question "where has this been my whole life?"

Yakuza has always been one of those games that if only more people gave it a shot, I felt a lot more people would love its brand of magic. It's so satisfying to see people suddenly have Yakuza in their radar now that they've actually given it a chance.
 
T

The Artisan

Member
Hardvlade said:
I hope so, I recently got the game, convinced two of my friends to get it and I REALLY hope they bring the rest over somehow loving Y. Zero so far
Click to expand...
that's very good, I might double dip to get this game as a birthday gift for this chick who lost her mother not too long ago. might be a good idea to ask for it in that thread with the gaffer brother offering to give out 3 free copies
Hasney said:
Considering there's been sell-outs in the UK at places like Amazon, I'm thinking this will be a series best debut at least here. Hoping the blurb mentions it on Monday.

I'm sure it was a situation where there was low stock compared to the big releases, but it does suggest it beat expectations.
Click to expand...
yeah I heard about the sellouts, I hope they are genuine although - I remember a switch thread recently where it said something like "switch sells out in minutes in Japan" I looked through the thread and a lot of people were convinced that it was under-shipped to give the illusion that it was easily sold out or something like that.
 
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