5/5 ★ – Guanaco's review of Yakuza 0.

Incredible game. Greatest video game story that my eyes have ever been blessed enough to see. It starts off slow and admittedly the hook takes a bit to sink in, though once it picks up steam, you can't stop it. Pretty much after chapter 8 the game just keeps you on the edge of your seat till the end, and there's 9 more chapters! The twists are executed perfectly, and the way the stories intertwine is a masterclass in storytelling. Beat 'em up gameplay is fun and addictive; didn't get repetitive even on hard mode. Skill tree and progression as a whole is satisfying as well, it is great in the sense that moves seem broken when you get them, and yet turn out to just be a new integral part of your moveset. You know what else is fun? Disco, Karaoke, Bowling, Fishing, Slot Racing, E-Dating, Blackjack, Poker, Shogi, Mahjong, Real Estate, Club Management, Catfighting, not to mention the arcade games and the homeless games. These things are not what make a game, though it does help. Yakuza 0 would still be an amazing game without any of this. However, this is just another way Y0 envelopes you in the world, immersing yourself completely in 80's Japan. As a palate cleanser from the gritty and dark main story, the sub stories and these minigames serve to give the player a break, which is greatly appreciated. I genuinely cannot think of where this game goes wrong. I haven't even mentioned the soundtrack, which is easily in my top 10 OSTs of all time. From the raw rock in the battle themes, to the funky dance music, to the catchy karaoke themes, the game has it all. Top 10 game for me.