Yakuza 0

As a new player to the Yakuza series, I would ultimately not suggest Yakuza 0 as the best place to jump in. Nothing about the game is necessarily offensive, but its most ubiquitous features are where it struggles the most to grab my attention. Yakuza 0 passes the time, but it does not feel like the game that will turn me into a Yakuza fan.

Yakuza fans are in for a massive treat with Yakuza 0. For the first time they’ll be able to live out events that led to the rise of Kiryu and Majima as they are known today. Not only that, but they’ll get to see an entirely different side of Majima – and view Kiryu at a truly weak point at the start of his yakuza lifestyle. With that said, anyone new to the series should absolutely jump in now.

Yakuza 0 tells a great story full of genuine pathos and emotion, managing to provide a fun and varied game to carry you through it with glee. I highly recommend anyone who’s never tried the series before to use this game as a jumping-in point. It’s not perfect, but the crazy and enjoyable ride provided by the game’s story is more than a match for its minor flaws.