My First Yakuza - My First Gaming Love

Some games entertain. Some games impress. But Yakuza 0? It consumes you, pulls you into its neon-lit streets, and never lets go. As my first-ever entry into the series, I had no idea what I was getting into. What followed was 175 hours of pure dopamine, joy, and storytelling perfection. A Crime Drama That should be sniffed like an ass of the mad dog.

From the very first cutscene, Yakuza 0 delivers a crime thriller that rivals the best of cinema - gripping, emotional, and unforgettable. Majima’s arc, in particular, is one of the most powerful character transformations I’ve ever seen in gaming. There are moments that hit like a freight train, where you just sit there, controller in hand, soaking in what just happened.
Combat – A Dopamine Rush in Every Punch

Fighting in Yakuza 0 is pure bliss. Every brawl is a power trip, whether I’m grabbing a traffic cone to obliterate a thug or slamming a guy’s head into a car door. Majima’s Breaker style? The most fun I’ve ever had in a beat ‘em up. Kiryu’s Beast style? A street brawler’s dream. Every heat move is a mini-cutscene of satisfaction.

Side Content – The Greatest Distraction Ever Created. I thought I was here for the main story. I was wrong. Managing a cabaret club, making billions of yen, and getting invested in the lives of hostesses. Playing arcade games, bowling with a chicken, helping a dominatrix get better at her job… and somehow, every single side story feels handcrafted and hilarious. And in the end you meet 2 bosses from Dark Souls series, humanised.

100% Completion – Worth Every Second (Except Mahjong). This is one of the few games where going for 100% completion feels absolutely worth it. Every minigame, every substory, every challenge — it’s all so damn fun. Except Mahjong. Mahjong is the final boss of Yakuza 0. It humbled me. It broke me. But in the end? That sweet, sweet 100% completion was worth it.

Yakuza 0 is a standout example of Japanese storytelling and game design at its best. Its crime drama unfolds with the depth and intensity of top-tier Japanese cinema, supported by strong direction, emotional weight, and unforgettable performances. The mix of gripping narrative, engaging combat, and rich side content makes for an experience that’s hard to put down.

If you’re considering playing it, set aside some time and dive in without distractions — it’s a game that truly rewards your full attention. Whether you’re here for the story, the action, or the sheer variety of things to do, Yakuza 0 delivers an experience well worth your time.

This wasn’t just my first Yakuza experience — it was the start of an obsession.
11/10. A masterpiece.