Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut (Switch 2) Review – The Definitive Way to Start the Series

Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut Review

Now celebrating its 20th anniversary, the Yakuza series has grown into a sprawling crime epic with a devoted fanbase, drawn in by its complex characters and gripping narratives. From heart-wrenching tales of loss and betrayal to outrageous side stories that gleefully flirt with taboo, the series is a narrative feast for story-driven gamers. With so many entries to choose from, knowing where to begin can be daunting. Although Sega didn’t release Yakuza 0 first, the game lays the groundwork for the series’ world, refines the combat mechanics, and delivers an unforgettable story. It’s widely regarded as the ideal starting point, but is the Nintendo Switch 2 Director’s Cut the definitive way to experience it?

Set in the 1980s, you control the series’ protagonist, Kazuma Kiryu, and fan-favorite madman Goro Majima as they travel the neon-soaked streets of Japan. Each character follows a distinct storyline, with chapters alternating between the two. This structure keeps the pacing fresh, allowing players to immerse themselves in one narrative before switching to the other, culminating in a masterfully told, interwoven tale.

Back to the Beginning

Kiryu is a low-ranking member of the Dojima Family. Framed for the murder of a man he was sent to collect money from. He must uncover the truth while navigating the complex power struggles between rival Yakuza factions. In contrast, Majima’s story presents a very different character from his well-known “Mad Dog” persona. After the Tojo Clan exiles him, he takes a job at a nightclub and becomes desperate to earn his way back in. When his superiors order him to kill a target, he faces a moral dilemma that pits his loyalty against his conscience. While Majima recently had another adventure in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, Yakuza 0 was the first time players truly got to explore his backstory, and it doesn’t disappoint.

Although the main campaign is a serious crime drama, the substories flesh out the characters, adding depth and multi-layered personalities that resonate with players. These range from touching tales, like gangsters helping a child with homework, to the downright bizarre, such as defending a pop star from zombies during a music video shoot. Each subplot delivers laughs and smiles, all while strengthening the bond between you and the protagonists.

Combat is a key component of the game, and Yakuza 0 initiated a change that filtered into each subsequent release. Both Kiryu and Goro have three fighting styles, each of which you can change on the fly to support in certain situations. If you’re surrounded and need to be fast on your feet, you can switch to Beast or if you’re up against a strong boss, then you can use Rush. Combined with the ability to pick up items from the environment, Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio provides a plethora of options to smash in the face of your opponent.

Breaking Bones

As you pummel street thugs, you’ll gradually build up enough heat to unleash a brutal, cinematic finishing move. Often accompanied by a QTE, these flashy attacks look fantastic and add a stylish, silver-screen flair to the action. The spectacle ramps up even further during boss battles, where slick, choreographed sequences, reminiscent of a John Woo shootout, amplify the intensity and bring key encounters to a dramatic, climactic close.

Kamurocho and Sotenbori are full of side activities to keep you busy when you’re not fighting thugs. You can manage the Cabaret Club, relax with a bit of fishing and even participate in dance battles. While the areas aren’t huge, they’re dense with plenty to do. Due to this, the world feels alive, making it easy to dwindle away the hours in the beautiful regions of Japan.

The original Nintendo Switch often struggled with certain ports, frequently resorting to lower framerates to keep games running on its aging hardware. That’s not the case with the Switch 2, and the Director’s Cut is a testament to this improvement. The visuals are crisp, and the game maintains a rock-solid 60fps throughout. It also includes a full English dub and new cutscenes. I prefer the original voice acting, but including the option helps remove a common barrier for players who find subtitles off-putting.

Rinse, Repeat

Another new feature is the online multiplayer mode, Red Light Raid. Here, you can team up with pals or go solo into wave-based fights in the streets of Japan. After each round, you’ll earn money, which you can use to unlock an array of characters from the main campaign. While it is impressive to see the number of enemies on screen at once, the formula gets repetitive and feels like a bolt-on.

Yakuza 0 is one of the greatest entries in the long-running series, and the Switch 2 port is masterfully executed, offering excellent performance alongside new features. While the new online mode may not quite hit the mark, the core campaign remains incredible, and the added cutscenes enhance the overall experience. Although there isn’t much new content for returning players, this version serves as the perfect entry point for newcomers to the series.

***A Nintendo Switch 2 code was provided by the publisher***