It is with great shame I think I admit I probably won't finish Yakuza 0. I played it on gamepass earlier in 2024, and really liked the story and characters. I wasn't a huge fan of the fighting gameplay but I was also playing on easy to try and get through it relatively quickly.
The fluctuation in quality was sometimes a little jarring going from some of the best cutscenes to a 10 minute conversation with an npc that barely emoted, but I totally understand why the game needs to be that way with the amount of content that is packed inside. That being said I might have been able to get through it if it was a leaner experience.
But after 40 or so hours I kind of lost interest and got caught up playing different games and I don't know if I have it in me to resubscribe to gamepass just to grit my teeth and get through it. Especially with just how daunting of a franchise Yakuza is. I am sure if I finished it this game would sit much higher then 3.5 stars, but where I left it I think it is fitting, hopefully one day I can be convinced to see it through.
One last thing I'll say is I do love all the musical elements of this game karaoke and dancing was always so fun and charming and it is something that you don't really see in other games but the vibes were just immaculate. And the way comedy is done in this game and I assume the others is pretty next level and something I hope games in general are inspired by. It's honestly a game I would probably get more enjoyment out of watching then playing.
The fluctuation in quality was sometimes a little jarring going from some of the best cutscenes to a 10 minute conversation with an npc that barely emoted, but I totally understand why the game needs to be that way with the amount of content that is packed inside. That being said I might have been able to get through it if it was a leaner experience.
But after 40 or so hours I kind of lost interest and got caught up playing different games and I don't know if I have it in me to resubscribe to gamepass just to grit my teeth and get through it. Especially with just how daunting of a franchise Yakuza is. I am sure if I finished it this game would sit much higher then 3.5 stars, but where I left it I think it is fitting, hopefully one day I can be convinced to see it through.
One last thing I'll say is I do love all the musical elements of this game karaoke and dancing was always so fun and charming and it is something that you don't really see in other games but the vibes were just immaculate. And the way comedy is done in this game and I assume the others is pretty next level and something I hope games in general are inspired by. It's honestly a game I would probably get more enjoyment out of watching then playing.