If it wasn’t apparent by this point in the review, this was my first game in the series. While typically one would assume that a prequel isn't the game you start with in a series, that’s part of what makes Yakuza 0 work so well! It's designed to be a gateway for players that are new to the Yakuza series. While I obviously can’t speak for long-time fans and whether or not the game appeals to them, I have a hard time imagining that it wouldn’t. Yakuza 0 is a special game no matter how familiar you are with what has come before it.
There’s a lot of good things that can be said about Yakuza 0. It’s loaded with content that can last you upwards to 50 hours. Its plethora of minigames and fantastic combat system absolutely kept me engaged and had me laughing constantly. More than all of that though, it is a game with a truly excellent story. The trials and tribulations of Kiryu Kazuma and Goro Majima are not something I’m going to forget anytime soon.
Yakuza 0 is a game that demands the audience's full attention, and it’ll get that whether it’s through a heart-stopping revelation or a quiet moment that leaves the player with misty eyes. If a compelling narrative is what you look for in a videogame, then you’d best get ready for a night on the town with the Tojo clan.