Yakuza 0 is the first stop on my journey towards (eventually) playing Infinite Wealth, and what an introduction it is. RGG really knows how to present a compelling premise and follow through with its execution. The way key events are set up and staged is so well-done that I just couldn't stop playing until I completed the story.
Unfortunately, it struggles to find the perfect balance between both of its protagonists, particularly with giving them distinctive traits and contrasting their journeys in interesting ways. I was more invested in Majima overall, which feels like the wrong takeaway given that Kiryu is the series protagonist. While very likeable in his own right, he often came off as wooden and one-note during cutscenes. All the villains are centred around Kiryu, yet many are fought by Majima despite having little direct connection to them. Still, the game's supporting cast is fantastic, particularly Kuze and Makoto.
Perhaps it's larger number of styles & weapons to play with, or the more inventive encounter design, but the combat worked for me here in a way that Judgement's didn't. The diversity of heat actions and moves to play with was a lot of fun.
Aside from this, there is a laundry list of frustrations with the game's systems.
- There's a slowness to everything that halts the pace of the game. Saving taking 15 seconds on PlayStation, even on PS5, styles having a delay between switching, unskippable cinematics.
- The abilities are way too expensive.
- Shifting between the dialogue cutscenes and pre-rendered stuff is jarring.
- Saving takes like 15 seconds, even on PS5.
Overall, the game was a total blast and I'm looking forward to the rest of the series. Now onto Kiwami...
Unfortunately, it struggles to find the perfect balance between both of its protagonists, particularly with giving them distinctive traits and contrasting their journeys in interesting ways. I was more invested in Majima overall, which feels like the wrong takeaway given that Kiryu is the series protagonist. While very likeable in his own right, he often came off as wooden and one-note during cutscenes. All the villains are centred around Kiryu, yet many are fought by Majima despite having little direct connection to them. Still, the game's supporting cast is fantastic, particularly Kuze and Makoto.
Perhaps it's larger number of styles & weapons to play with, or the more inventive encounter design, but the combat worked for me here in a way that Judgement's didn't. The diversity of heat actions and moves to play with was a lot of fun.
Aside from this, there is a laundry list of frustrations with the game's systems.
- There's a slowness to everything that halts the pace of the game. Saving taking 15 seconds on PlayStation, even on PS5, styles having a delay between switching, unskippable cinematics.
- The abilities are way too expensive.
- Shifting between the dialogue cutscenes and pre-rendered stuff is jarring.
- Saving takes like 15 seconds, even on PS5.
Overall, the game was a total blast and I'm looking forward to the rest of the series. Now onto Kiwami...