Yakuza 0: Director's Cut

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Yakuza 0 is the best of the traditional-styled Yakuza games, with the most complex story and interesting characters of the lot. It's also the ideal place for newcomers to get started with this weird and wonderful series.The new multiplayer mode is a little throwaway, for sure, and the fights do get repetitive (turn-based Yakuza FTW), but otherwise, this is a phenomenal port of an epic adventure that's now my favourite way to get down on the mean streets of 1980s Tokyo and Osaka.

Yakuza 0 Director's Cut should've been an easy win, but a few baffling decisions hold it back.

They had me at "Yakuza 0 on the go."

Yakuza 0 is completely the same at its core, which will please many returning players to the game. This will also prove to be a great place to start for anyone looking to start the series from the chronological start. You’ve got an amazing port of an amazing game ready for you to jump into once again. Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut is a fantastic version of the game that does nothing but add to the experience that fans of the series adore, making it a great game to check out and play once again. If you’re new to Yakuza games, there isn’t a better starting point than this entry here and it's easily worth your time.

Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut on Xbox Series X is the best way to experience one of the greatest titles in the series. With more depth integrated into the story and the addition of the Red Light Raid mode, it is a far more polished product with even more to enjoy compared to the first outing. If you’ve played the game before, then it is a perfect opportunity to rediscover this masterpiece. For those who are new, I highly recommend you just dive straight in with the Director’s Cut; you won’t regret it. You can purchase a copy of the game for Xbox Series X|S HERE.

Yakuza 0 remains the masterpiece that popularized the franchise in the West and the best entry point for new fans. The story of Kiryu and Majima in the 80s remains impeccable, with its eccentric and fun extra content. However, the Director's Cut is a bittersweet package: while the quality-of-life improvements are welcome and the new scenes enrich the plot, the Red Light Raid online mode is disappointing and the Brazilian Portuguese localization disappoints due to its lack of polish.

Yakuza 0 Director's Cut is still Yakuza 0. The classic experience remains magnificent, backed by all the extravagance and charisma so characteristic of the franchise. Even though it's a victim of a marketing stunt that unfortunately don't match the result delivered under a "Director's Cut" label, the title maintains its mystique intact, exuding spectacle, noise, and an intensity like a dancing dragon across the night sky that, thankfully, refuses to turn off the lights in a everlasting party.

There are some changes that aren’t for the better, but overall, this is an excellent version of an all-time great video game.

Yakuza 0 Director's Cut keeps all the things that made the original game memorable while also making it easier for new players to get into. It might not be a huge breakthrough, but it keeps the spirit of the game alive for new players and consoles.