Review: Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut (Switch 2)

Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut was one of the many third-party launch titles for the Nintendo Switch 2. Originally released in 2015, this prequel to the long-running Yakuza series tells the origin stories of protagonists Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima. The Director’s Cut moniker indicates a range of enhancements, including new cutscenes, graphical and audio improvements, and other quality-of-life updates that help this become the definitive version of the game. And yes, it should be on your must-play list of Switch 2 titles.

Full disclosure: I had never played a Yakuza outing prior to Yakuza 0, so this review comes from the experience of a newbie. Although a few entries have been available on Nintendo consoles—including the original 2005 Yakuza and 2006 Yakuza 2—it’s not the usual practice. In the case of Yakuza 0, this is the first time it’s been playable on any Nintendo system. Yakuza 0 is not the first in the series (in fact, it’s technically the sixth). Being a prequel, this is a great way to initiate newcomers, and it makes perfect sense as the starting point for the flashy new Switch 2. 

The adventure begins with intense video footage of a beatdown accompanied by opening credits, rolling across the screen like the start of a movie. Throughout the game are many such cutscenes that continue this film-like quality, making the whole experience feel epic and engaging. This took me by surprise. So, if you’re a newcomer like me, be prepared for less action than you might anticipate. The action is there, don’t get me wrong, but there’s a strong story element at play that helps explain why this level of violence exists.

From this gritty opening scene, it’s easy to tell you’re embarking on a dark journey through Japan’s underworld. Set in the late 1980s, Yakuza 0 introduces us to two characters: Kazuma Kiryu from the Dojima Family, and Goro Majima from the Tojo Clan. While the city is rife with corruption, booze, gambling, and fighting, it’s soon evident that Kiryu and Majima are imbued with a strong sense of justice. They become ensnared in an overarching plot to take over the city, circling around an area called the Empty Lot. Let the adventure begin!

One of the best aspects of this game—and the series, from what I’ve gleaned—is the brawling. These guys are talented fighters; so much so that you’ll often be pestered by a sensei of sorts to join a fight club to earn money. There are multiple styles of combat with cool names to master, including Beast, Brawler, and Rush. Each has its benefits depending on whom you’re fighting, like increased speed, greater strength, and even the ability to use environmental objects as weapons. They’re all relatively easy to learn, making things feel more accessible to anyone not used to this style of gameplay. Incidentally, you can also choose from three difficulty levels, adding even further to that accessibility factor.

While violence is part and parcel of this series, what I wasn’t expecting to see was heart. Yakuza 0 excels in its storytelling, but not just from the main narrative. There are side quests aplenty, most of which can be completed without distracting you from the main adventure (as someone whose attention is easily diverted in games, I appreciated this). Whether you’re helping a young lad with his stolen item or simply saving someone in distress from a beating, it’s clear these gangsters have a sense of right and wrong. They’re not afraid to help the little guy and to punish those who deserve it. In this way, it’s satisfying and rewarding to move through the town knowing you’re (kind of) a vigilante doling out justice. The scowling Kiryu actually reminds me a little of Batman, just without the cape and cowl. And the millions of dollars. And the butler. You get the point.

This strong narrative also introduces one of the most fun aspects of the game: exploration. As the story unfolds, you’ll wander through the city streets searching for people, shops, and more. You might need to buy sake for someone, or catch a taxi to a meeting downtown. Even though there’s a lot going on, those cutscenes I mentioned earlier never felt like they interrupted the flow of the action. Plus, you can always skip them if you prefer.

The graphics are splendid. This might be something we harp on about for the first little while of the Switch 2’s life, but Yakuza 0 is a visual feast compared to what we’re used to seeing on the humble Switch. This is especially important considering the original game is 15 years old. It doesn’t look that old at all. The load times (always a bugbear of mine) are negligible, with changes in scenes appearing in mere seconds. You can actually see an on-screen “loading” warning flash briefly before disappearing so quickly you’ll wonder if you imagined it. I’m not even sure why they left it in this modern version!

Another feature of the Director’s Cut is the addition of English audio. You can choose between Japanese, Chinese, or English audio with subtitles. The voice acting is terrific, too, again helping immerse you in this world. 

Yakuza 0 is divided into 17 chapters, each one taking several hours to complete. With those numerous side quests on offer, there’s a lot to do here, making this game well worth the investment. Minigames also add to the variety, longevity, and fun, with encounters like bowling and karaoke. In short, there’s plenty to keep you busy while you wait for Donkey Kong Bananza or Metroid Prime 4.

Overall, Yakuza 0 is the perfect entry to bring to the Switch 2. It may be 15 years old, but its age doesn’t show at all, with new cutscenes and other enhancements that create an epic, movie-like quality that complements the action. As a newbie to the Yakuza series, I’m now looking forward to trying other entries.