A Return to Yakuza 0: A Journey Through Time
Revisiting Yakuza 0 years later offered a captivating perspective. This installment, a decade old in a franchise that has grown immensely in popularity, largely owes its success to this prequel. While the Like a Dragon series maintained a dedicated fanbase in the West, it was Yakuza 0 that solidified Kazuma Kiryu and his companions as gaming icons. Just a few years before its debut, international fans had to plead with SEGA for a digital-only localized edition of Yakuza 5. Nowadays, even the quirky, pirate-themed spin-offs are getting major releases with high-quality English dubs, and SEGA is actively broadening the Like a Dragon audience by porting games to handhelds like the Switch and Switch 2. Thus, it seems logical for SEGA to launch Yakuza 0 as a prominent title for system sales.
Impressions of the Director’s Cut
However, Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut is merely an updated version of a ten-year-old game, and I anticipated encountering issues that might stand out more than they did during my initial playthrough on PS4 pre-pandemic. Though some games remain timeless despite being representative of their times, I have observed the evolution of the Like a Dragon series as it develops its vision of the franchise. This evolution includes recent gameplay shifts towards turn-based RPG mechanics. While some charming quirks have always been part of the series’ appeal, several genuine shortcomings from the older installments are best left behind. The pivotal question for Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut is whether this enhanced edition will refine the original or merely spotlight its flaws.
A Lasting Legacy
Interestingly, nearly everything that Yakuza 0 excelled at still resonates a decade later. Ironically, some of the “improvements” introduced in the Director’s Cut could detract from the overall experience.
Technical Enhancements
To clarify, the technical upgrades are impressive. This version of Yakuza 0 is the finest representation we’ve seen on any home console. While we shouldn’t expect it to match the remarkable Cyberpunk 2077 Switch 2 port, it is undoubtedly the most visually appealing and immersive portrayal of Kamurocho and Sotenbori from the original Like a Dragon titles prior to the introduction of Ichiban Kasuga. Unlike the problematic Yakuza Kiwami port reviewed for Switch, Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut maintains steady framerates and clear graphics, providing smooth gameplay in both docked and handheld modes.
Voice Acting Reinvented
The addition of a new English dub further bolsters this edition. Featuring the same voice cast from the latest Like a Dragon games, returning players can expect solid lip-syncing, quality localizations, and compelling performances, including Mattew Mercer as Majima, capturing the character’s spirited vibe. The new dub allows Mercer to reveal Majima’s more human aspects, enhancing the character’s depth.
New Scenes, New Problems
However, Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut introduces a significant miscalculation with the addition of 26 minutes of new cutscenes throughout the campaign. While alternate versions can often provide insightful views of creators’ intentions, in this case, the new scenes tend to detract from the experience. Many sequences feel redundant, explaining subtext that players could have inferred, while some changes significantly alter plot points, veering into absurd territory. Without revealing too much, some character arcs devolve into outlandish, soap-opera style twists.
Overall Verdict
Even though it would have been preferable to have the option to toggle these new scenes for a “Classic” experience, SEGA has opted otherwise. New players introduced to the series through this version will only encounter these questionable changes. As for the multiplayer component called “Red Light Raid,” it’s a basic mode allowing players to battle waves of enemies with friends; it might be enjoyable for a short while but lacks lasting appeal.
For anyone eager to dive into the Like a Dragon series, Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut is worth considering, despite its flaws. This edition includes one of the best games from the industry’s uniquely wild action saga, preserving its modern classic essence, and while it may not be the definitive version, it still shines brightly.
