i genuinely cannot think of a single thing this game is missing. like, you think about a few of the most important things about a game, there's gameplay, pacing, aesthetic, story, characters and soundtrack, right?
gameplay. check. you can save a blind lady by manically breakdancing.
pacing. check. that one's up to you, and the game has more than enough to keep you distracted with all its minigames if you need a break from the story. shout out to the cabaret czar minigame because i would play literally an entire game of just that.
aesthetic. check. yakuza 0's neon-tinged portrayal of a bubble era japanese "entertaiment" district evokes nostalgia even in those who know nothing about either japan or good economies.
story. check. the twists keep things interesting, and it brings you to care about even the people who aren't kiryu and majima. kuze's arc is worth noting. yakuza 0's story is very much like a tapestry coming together.
characters. check. again i'm pointing to kuze as a good example, but also to majima, whose origins were NOT what people expected, in the best way possible, and seeing him let the mad dog of shimano out is satisfying like nothing else.
soundtrack. check. there are multiple memes associated with this game's soundtrack. MULTIPLE. you wanna get amped? pledge of demon. feeling silly? 24-hour cinderella. wanna celebrate? friday night.
i will never stop thinking about this game. i still rewatch clips from it. i listen to the soundtrack regularly. i still think about parts of it and cry sometimes. the whole thing is just so vibrant and it's one of my all time favourite games.
gameplay. check. you can save a blind lady by manically breakdancing.
pacing. check. that one's up to you, and the game has more than enough to keep you distracted with all its minigames if you need a break from the story. shout out to the cabaret czar minigame because i would play literally an entire game of just that.
aesthetic. check. yakuza 0's neon-tinged portrayal of a bubble era japanese "entertaiment" district evokes nostalgia even in those who know nothing about either japan or good economies.
story. check. the twists keep things interesting, and it brings you to care about even the people who aren't kiryu and majima. kuze's arc is worth noting. yakuza 0's story is very much like a tapestry coming together.
characters. check. again i'm pointing to kuze as a good example, but also to majima, whose origins were NOT what people expected, in the best way possible, and seeing him let the mad dog of shimano out is satisfying like nothing else.
soundtrack. check. there are multiple memes associated with this game's soundtrack. MULTIPLE. you wanna get amped? pledge of demon. feeling silly? 24-hour cinderella. wanna celebrate? friday night.
i will never stop thinking about this game. i still rewatch clips from it. i listen to the soundtrack regularly. i still think about parts of it and cry sometimes. the whole thing is just so vibrant and it's one of my all time favourite games.