Yakuza 0

The opinions of the critics regarding the story of Yakuza 0 are largely positive. Many critics praised the story for being engaging, compelling, and well-crafted. They appreciated the complex and rich narrative, with interwoven plots and unexpected twists that kept them hooked. The story was described as intense, gripping, and filled with drama, immersing players in the dark underworld of 1980s Japan. The characters were also highlighted as a strength, with well-developed protagonists and exceptional villains worth hating. The voice acting and dialogue were praised for their quality, contributing to the overall atmosphere of the game. Critics such as GameCritics, RPG Site, and Everyeye.it specifically mentioned the excellent storytelling and well-penned narrative of Yakuza 0. However, there were some criticisms regarding the story of Yakuza 0. Some critics felt that the story could be drawn out and split between the two main characters, leading to pacing issues. The seriousness of the story was also mentioned as a potential drawback, with the game's bonkers and comedic elements sometimes conflicting with the serious tone. Excessive exposition was another criticism, occasionally causing the story to lull. Critics like Attack of the Fanboy and GameSpew pointed out these issues in their reviews. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the story of Yakuza 0 is very good. The majority of the critics found the story to be compelling, engaging, and well-written. They appreciated the depth and complexity of the narrative, as well as the strong characterization and immersive atmosphere. While there were some minor criticisms regarding pacing and tonal inconsistencies, these did not detract significantly from the overall positive reception of the story. Yakuza 0's storytelling was praised as one of the best in video games, with excellent plotlines, stunning revelations, and a satisfying climax. The positive opinions of critics like RPGamer, Hobby Consolas, and Destructoid further support the overall consensus of the story being a standout aspect of the game.

The opinions of the critics regarding the gameplay of Yakuza 0 are quite diverse. In terms of positives, many critics praised the variety of activities and side stories available in the game. Trusted Reviews mentioned the basic combat, while Gaming Age stated that combat is the most satisfying part of the game, with visceral finishing attacks and a sense of grounded, realistic fun. Easy Allies also highlighted the addition of three unique fighting styles for both characters, adding variety and satisfaction to the combat. DarkStation commended the core fighting mechanics, stating that they are immensely satisfying and more refined than earlier entries in the series. GameSpace mentioned that the combat system is enjoyable and features different styles that can be switched mid-combat. However, there were also some negatives mentioned by the critics. NZGamer found the gameplay to be a tedious distraction, with clunky fighting, difficult momentum and rhythm building, and frustrating boss fights. GameSpot and PlayStation LifeStyle both mentioned design issues with the combat, such as stiff animations, camera problems, and a lack of fluidity. ZTGD and IGN pointed out that the combat can feel stiff at times, with awkward animations and some old-fashioned elements. IGN also mentioned that the counter system is somewhat piecemeal, impacting the fluidity of the combat. Worth Playing noted occasional annoyances with cheap hits and unclear explanations for certain skills. Overall, the critics seem to have a mixed opinion on the gameplay of Yakuza 0. While some critics praised the combat mechanics, variety of fighting styles, and satisfying finishing moves, others criticized the clunky animations, design issues, and lack of fluidity. However, the consensus among the critics is that the game offers a wide range of activities, side stories, and mini-games, which add depth and variety to the gameplay experience. The inclusion of multiple fighting styles and the ability to upgrade and invest in combat further enhance the gameplay. Despite the criticisms, the overall sentiment is that Yakuza 0 provides an engaging and immersive gameplay experience for both newcomers and returning fans of the series.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Graphics and Visual Design of Yakuza 0 are mixed. Several critics praise the game's attention to detail and atmospheric environments. The Digital Fix mentions the "neon-soaked and corruption-filled world of 1980s Japan," while JeuxActu highlights the captivating visual design, particularly in close-up shots and cut-scenes. IGN Italia also commends the game's great visual design and impressive reconstruction of Japan in the late 80s. These positive opinions suggest that Yakuza 0 successfully captures the essence of its time period and creates a vibrant and immersive world. However, there are also negative opinions regarding the graphics and visual design. RPG Fan criticizes the poor and blurry textures on clothing and objects, as well as the stiff character animations outside of combat. PlayStation Universe mentions that while the main character models and environments look splendid, other models lack detail and animations can be rigid. Hobby Consolas points out that the game's graphics and technical aspects are not as impressive, with average animations and flat character faces. These criticisms highlight some inconsistencies and limitations in the game's graphics, particularly in terms of character models and animations. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Yakuza 0's graphics and visual design have both positive and negative aspects. While the game successfully captures the atmosphere of 1980s Japan and features detailed environments, there are also noticeable limitations and inconsistencies in certain areas. The Games Machine mentions that the game's cross-gen nature is noticeable in terms of graphics, while GamesRadar+ notes that Yakuza 0 still looks last-gen in some spots. Despite these criticisms, many critics still appreciate the game's overall visual presentation and the immersive world it creates. IGN praises the game's neon-soaked streets and the attention to detail in capturing the essence of the 80s. The overall consensus suggests that while Yakuza 0 may not be cutting-edge in terms of graphics, it still manages to deliver an engaging and visually exciting experience.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Sound Design and Music of Yakuza 0 are generally positive. Many critics, such as Atomix, CGMagazine, Critical Hit, and DarkStation, praise the voice acting and music for contributing to the immersive experience of the game. They highlight the top-notch voice acting, star-studded Japanese cast, and catchy Japanese tunes in the karaoke game. The sound effects during combat are also mentioned as impactful and enhancing the intensity of the gameplay. Additionally, critics like Everyeye.it and Impulsegamer appreciate the improved sound effects compared to previous Yakuza games, creating a more convincing and immersive audio experience. The ambient sounds and diverse soundtrack are also commended for adding to the overall immersion and atmosphere of the game. However, there are some critics who have mixed opinions about the Sound Design and Music of Yakuza 0. Eurogamer Poland mentions that the sound design is lackluster, with infrequent music and a lot of silence or annoying dialogue sounds. GameCrate does not provide specific information about the music or sound effects, leaving their opinion on this aspect unclear. RPGamer suggests that the soundtrack could have included more 80s tunes to match the setting, but still appreciates the battle themes for each combat type. RPG Fan mentions occasional audio stutters and glitches, which can be a minor drawback to the overall sound design. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the Sound Design and Music of Yakuza 0 are commendable and contribute positively to the game. The voice acting, particularly in Japanese, is widely praised for its quality and authenticity. The soundtrack is generally well-received, with catchy tunes and impactful music that fit the setting and tone of the game. The sound effects, especially during combat, are considered impactful and enhance the gameplay experience. While there are some mixed opinions and minor drawbacks mentioned by a few critics, the overall sentiment is positive, with the sound design and music being seen as important elements that contribute to the immersive and enjoyable nature of Yakuza 0.

The voice acting in Yakuza 0 has received overwhelmingly positive feedback from the majority of critics. Many reviewers praised the Japanese voice acting, noting that it adds to the immersive experience and contributes to the overall atmosphere of the game. Critics such as Atomix, CGMagazine, DarkStation, Eurogamer Italy, Game Informer, GameSpot, Impulsegamer, New Game Network, PlaySense, Polygon, Push Square, RPG Fan, The Digital Fix, The Jimquisition, Vandal, and Worth Playing all commended the quality of the voice acting, with some mentioning that it helps bring the characters to life and enhances the storytelling. The performances were described as top-notch, stellar, excellent, and convincing, with a star-studded cast delivering expert performances. The voice actors were praised for their emotional range, capturing both the dramatic seriousness and absurd ridiculousness of the game. Additionally, the translation work and the quality of the English language version were also praised by PlayStation Universe. While the majority of critics had positive opinions about the voice acting in Yakuza 0, there were a few negative points raised. Eurogamer Poland mentioned that many characters are not voiced, except in the cutscenes, which could potentially detract from the overall immersion. Gamers' Temple pointed out that conversations outside of cutscenes lack voice acting, resulting in characters feeling more wooden and limited in their animations. God is a Geek mentioned inconsistency in voiceovers, with some scenes having talking and others not, despite the characters' mouths still moving. However, these negative aspects were only mentioned by a small number of critics and did not seem to significantly impact the overall sentiment towards the voice acting. Overall, the consensus among critics is that the voice acting in Yakuza 0 is of high quality and greatly enhances the game's immersive experience. The Japanese voice acting was praised for its authenticity, with several critics highlighting the talented performances of the voice actors. The localization and translation work were also commended for their accuracy and the presence of funny dialogue. The voice acting was described as phenomenal, outstanding, magnetic, and well done. It is evident that the voice acting in Yakuza 0 is a standout aspect of the game, contributing to the overall positive reception and enjoyment of the players.

In terms of technical performance on the PS4, the majority of critics praised Yakuza 0 for its smooth gameplay and unlocked framerate, reaching up to sixty frames per second. Critics such as 3DJuegos and Digital Chumps specifically highlighted the game's excellent 60 FPS experience. Additionally, PlayStation Universe and The Jimquisition mentioned that the game runs consistently at a smooth 60 FPS. This positive feedback indicates that the game provides a fluid and enjoyable gameplay experience on the PS4. However, there were a few critics who pointed out some technical issues on the PS4 version of Yakuza 0. Destructoid mentioned occasional framerate issues and screen tearing while exploring the city, but noted that these issues did not significantly impact the overall gameplay experience. Eurogamer Italy mentioned technical issues such as strange penetrations, misplaced loadings, approximate physics, and unresponsive AI. Hobby Consolas criticized the graphics and technical aspects, stating that the game does not fully utilize the capabilities of the PS4, with average animations and flat character faces. They also mentioned that the open-world gameplay is limited by invisible walls. These negative comments suggest that while the game generally performs well on the PS4, there are some technical shortcomings that may affect the overall experience for certain players. Moving on to the Xbox One version, critics had mixed opinions regarding the technical performance of Yakuza 0. Cubed3 mentioned flaws carried over from the PS4 version, such as low detail asset culling. On the other hand, GameSpew praised the game for running well on both standard Xbox One and Xbox One X, with a healthy framerate and quicker load times on the X model. Multiplayer.it acknowledged some minor frame rate issues and long loading times, but overall found the performance to be solid. Windows Central highlighted the smooth performance on Xbox One, with the game locked at 60 FPS. However, they also mentioned the absence of an auto-save feature, which could be frustrating. These mixed reviews indicate that while the game generally runs well on the Xbox One, there are some technical issues that may vary depending on the specific console model. For the PC version, critics generally had positive opinions about the technical performance of Yakuza 0. Areajugones praised the smooth performance on PC, with a consistent frame rate rarely dropping below 60 FPS. CGMagazine commended the fantastic port, with only minor technical issues and a consistent 60 FPS on the highest graphical settings. DarkZero described the PC version as well-optimized and running smoothly, with support for controllers. RPG Site mentioned that the game ran seamlessly without any slowdowns, even during combat. They also highlighted ample resolution and key-mapping options. These positive comments indicate that the PC version of Yakuza 0 offers a solid technical experience with various customization options. In terms of the overall consensus of the critics for all platforms, it is evident that Yakuza 0 generally received positive feedback regarding its technical performance. The game was praised for its smooth gameplay and unlocked framerate, particularly on the PS4 and PC versions. However, there were some criticisms regarding technical issues such as framerate drops, screen tearing, and occasional graphical glitches on all platforms. Despite these shortcomings, the majority of critics found the technical performance of Yakuza 0 to be satisfactory and enjoyable. It is worth noting that some critics mentioned that the game's technical aspects were not as impressive compared to more modern Western games, but this did not overshadow the overall positive reception of the game.

In analyzing the opinions of multiple reviewers regarding the replay value of Yakuza 0, it is evident that the game offers a plethora of side activities, mini-games, and additional content that contribute to its replayability. Critics such as CGMagazine and Vandal highlight the wide variety of content and fun that can be found in the game's missions, objectives, trophy system, and management adventures. The inclusion of mini-games like karaoke, darts, pool, dancing, and arcade games also adds to the overall replay value, as mentioned by CGMagazine and DarkZero. Additionally, the game's side quests and sub-stories provide amusing situations and rewards, as noted by Easy Allies and Game Over Online. The sheer amount of variety in the side distractions, as mentioned by PlayStation Country, and the ability to explore different stories and move sets with two playable characters, as mentioned by PlayStation Country and Critical Hit, further contribute to the game's replayability. On the other hand, some critics express reservations about the replay value of Yakuza 0. RPG Fan mentions that while there are many side stories and activities to engage in, the rewards for completing them can feel unremarkable. JeuxActu also points out that the abundance of mini-games and side quests can detract from the main story and characters. Furthermore, EGM mentions that while the alternative gameplay opportunities and substories offer appropriate punctuations in the lengthy story campaign, their purpose is more for the rewards than the gameplay benefit. This sentiment is echoed by Digitally Downloaded, who states that the game is so overloaded with things to do that it's easy to forget to focus on the main quest for hours. Overall, the consensus among critics is that Yakuza 0 offers a significant amount of content and potential replay value. The game's wide range of side activities, secrets, and mini-games, as mentioned by Multiplayer.it and Push Square, provide hours of additional gameplay. The inclusion of various game modes, such as Real Estate Royale and Cabaret Club Czar, as noted by Xbox Achievements, adds depth and variety to the overall experience. Critics like Game Revolution and Hobby Consolas appreciate the numerous side missions and tasks, which add depth and context to the game. The sheer amount of variety, the ability to explore different stories and move sets, and the opportunity to engage in diverse activities make Yakuza 0 a worthwhile purchase for fans of the series, as mentioned by LaPS4 and PlayStation Country. Despite some reservations about the rewards and potential distraction from the main story, the overall sentiment is that Yakuza 0 offers a rich and enjoyable experience with a high replay value.