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Yakuza 0 |OT| Yes, you can start with this one!
- Thread starter IrishNinja
- Start date
SomewhatGroovy
Banned
Cross posting from community thread.
Just beat Yakuza 0. Jesus...
Okay,
Catching breath haha...
Before I give my thoughts, I want to preface what I say with that I beat Y1, Y2 and Y3 upon their releases back in the day and my memory of them is very fuzzy. When I started 0, someone had to remind me who Majima was. I say this with context because while some things may make continuity sense, my thoughts come from someone who has not stayed on top of the series.
So, with that said, I kept thinking I was one step ahead of the story but never was.
That said, I love this game so fucking much.
Just beat Yakuza 0. Jesus...
Okay,
Catching breath haha...
Before I give my thoughts, I want to preface what I say with that I beat Y1, Y2 and Y3 upon their releases back in the day and my memory of them is very fuzzy. When I started 0, someone had to remind me who Majima was. I say this with context because while some things may make continuity sense, my thoughts come from someone who has not stayed on top of the series.
So, with that said, I kept thinking I was one step ahead of the story but never was.
I was taken aback my Majima's "final form", as it were. Thinking back to what we have known of him for several games now, I was thinking that it would take something more traumatizing than his torture at the hands of his boss to mentally break him into the character we have known.
Flash forward, I am surprised it was not and I am unsure of what transition took place to make him take the leap to such a drastic change in persona. Before I continue with my next thought, I'll skip to Kiryu for a second because I think a plot point centered around him confused me as well and for the same reasons the Majima story went in.
After all Kiryu has seen and done, I did not buy for a second that , at the end of the game , his character would commit to the Dojima family. Like of all people to plead loyalty to, it was Sohei's clan?
The only way I can reconcile why the writers made both leaps for Kajima and Kiryu was simply because the first game called for it and they needed a quick and lazy way to fill in the blanks.
These two points are my only very slight disappointment with the game because I neither bought Majima going Joker or Kiryu joining Dojima.
Now, one thing I think the writer's did subtley was maybe have Majima take on the persona he has after being inspired by the set of people he purposely pointed out were "characters" : Lee, Nishitani ,and someone else, right before his last fight against Amano (who had a killer character arc at the end there btw)
Nishitani, specifically, was someone who blatantly reminded me of Majima in the other games and I thought during those sequences with him that he was going to be influential to Majima.
That Kiryu and Majima never meet in the game up until the final second was surprising as well. It was interesting to see their two parallel stories play side by side. During the last chapter, I thought the writers were going to paint a stark contrast between the two by having one stick to a moral fiber thanks to the help of the people he still had around him (Kiryu and Nishiki) vs Majima who lost people he learned to care for. When Majima fights against that assassin dude, I thought he was going to unload and the hair on my arms were ready for it but it never happens.
I can't help but wonder if that would have been a better moment to throw in there to make him flip switches. Have him murder that dude, only to then have Sera come in and say "She's still alive" minutes after Nishiki tells Kiryu that there is no turning back after you kill someone.
Lastly, I couldn't believe Majima never murdered the fuck out of Sagawa. And, again, I still dont understand why the hell , of all people, he rejoined Shimano.
Flash forward, I am surprised it was not and I am unsure of what transition took place to make him take the leap to such a drastic change in persona. Before I continue with my next thought, I'll skip to Kiryu for a second because I think a plot point centered around him confused me as well and for the same reasons the Majima story went in.
After all Kiryu has seen and done, I did not buy for a second that , at the end of the game , his character would commit to the Dojima family. Like of all people to plead loyalty to, it was Sohei's clan?
The only way I can reconcile why the writers made both leaps for Kajima and Kiryu was simply because the first game called for it and they needed a quick and lazy way to fill in the blanks.
These two points are my only very slight disappointment with the game because I neither bought Majima going Joker or Kiryu joining Dojima.
Now, one thing I think the writer's did subtley was maybe have Majima take on the persona he has after being inspired by the set of people he purposely pointed out were "characters" : Lee, Nishitani ,and someone else, right before his last fight against Amano (who had a killer character arc at the end there btw)
Nishitani, specifically, was someone who blatantly reminded me of Majima in the other games and I thought during those sequences with him that he was going to be influential to Majima.
That Kiryu and Majima never meet in the game up until the final second was surprising as well. It was interesting to see their two parallel stories play side by side. During the last chapter, I thought the writers were going to paint a stark contrast between the two by having one stick to a moral fiber thanks to the help of the people he still had around him (Kiryu and Nishiki) vs Majima who lost people he learned to care for. When Majima fights against that assassin dude, I thought he was going to unload and the hair on my arms were ready for it but it never happens.
I can't help but wonder if that would have been a better moment to throw in there to make him flip switches. Have him murder that dude, only to then have Sera come in and say "She's still alive" minutes after Nishiki tells Kiryu that there is no turning back after you kill someone.
Lastly, I couldn't believe Majima never murdered the fuck out of Sagawa. And, again, I still dont understand why the hell , of all people, he rejoined Shimano.
That said, I love this game so fucking much.
Kyriu answers/theories
Kyriu stays with the Dojima family for 2 reasons.
1. Because Kyriu is ambitious and the Dojima family is still one of the most powerful clans. Staying with Dojima is the fast track to the top, and thats what Kyriu wants.
2.Kyriu is close with Diego Dojima as shown in a sidequest. Leaving the family would mean leaving Diego and Kyriu is loyal to a fault.
1. Because Kyriu is ambitious and the Dojima family is still one of the most powerful clans. Staying with Dojima is the fast track to the top, and thats what Kyriu wants.
2.Kyriu is close with Diego Dojima as shown in a sidequest. Leaving the family would mean leaving Diego and Kyriu is loyal to a fault.
Majima Answers/Theories
Majima sticks it out because Saejima (his sworn brother) is tied to that family and if he were to leave its strongly implied that Saejima would be killed in Prison.
You raise some really good points, and I do agree that Kiryu joining Dojima Family at the end isn't something that makes sense with all that he's gone through, but in the real world of things, if both sides have declared a truce, I don't see why Kiryu couldn't come back to the Dojima Family as long as both sides had enough. There's nothing for either side to gain from continually fighting and if Kiryu decides to defect to another family, Shimano family he would be even worse off. Leaving the Yakuza altogether has always been a bit of a theme for Kiryu but he never seems to be able to. It's the life that he's known.
Majima also doesn't really resemble the character in the early Yakuzas, but there's still a bit of a time gap between Yakuza 0 and Yakuza 1 (Kiryu time in jail), so I think Majima in Yakuza 0 still makes sense.
I also liked how the story finished in that everything that needed to be explained was, and yet there was still some ambiguity over many details.
Majima also doesn't really resemble the character in the early Yakuzas, but there's still a bit of a time gap between Yakuza 0 and Yakuza 1 (Kiryu time in jail), so I think Majima in Yakuza 0 still makes sense.
I also liked how the story finished in that everything that needed to be explained was, and yet there was still some ambiguity over many details.
jdstorm with some great answers! Pretty much what I was thinking after beating the game, but forgot to mention.
His name is Bob Utsunomiya and he's been a staple of the series for a long time, either giving you post game bonuses or DLC.Is there any reason why the guy next to the shrines is dressed as a clown? or just another of those "cause Yakuza" things?
My personal interpretation is that he's one of the programmers or possibly a representation of the Yakuza team as a whole.
SomewhatGroovy
Banned
Yep, some great thoughts there particularly re: Majima's reasons. Thanks
Charlouie Jonesman
Banned
Visit restaurants and shops. Some substories trigger there, if you dine or buy at certain places a couple of times. Same for side activity places. The disco and Pocket Car Racing both have several sidestories.
Some sidestories are tied to Real Estate and Cabaret Club management.
Ah so I've completed all the ones outside now and just need to manually trigger the rest?
Cool thanks.
Charlouie Jonesman
Banned
Probably. I never used the Trouble Finder so I don't know if it shows those kind of sidequests or not.
lucebuce12
Member
It does, but only once they're unlocked and available, I believe. So near the end of the game, all substories should be visible on the map with it, and accessible.
Thanks, this really cleared some things up in my mind, but I have another question: what are the actual differences between a clan and a family other than hierarchy and why would they let Kazama start his own family taking into account that he was under the Dojima family?
From my understanding from playing the Yakuza games, the Tojo Clan is just an association/alliance of different family heads in the area with a Patriarch chosen to be at the top of it all. During Yakuza 0, the Dojima Family is the largest and most powerful Family in the Tojo Clan so it isn't far fetched for such a large group to have multiple sub-families under them also. Not only does Kazama have his own family, each of the 3 Dojima Lieutenants have their own families also.
Jesus I've finally beaten the game after like 67 hours of play and what an amazing, emotional, crazy, violent, maniacal, bloody hilarious, fun ride!!
I can't even get all my thoughts across after seeing the after credits scene.
Thank you Yakuza Gaf for badgering on about this game because it's been a breath of fresh air for me and now I just love this series after one game haha.
Can't wait for Kiwami in August
I can't even get all my thoughts across after seeing the after credits scene.
Thank you Yakuza Gaf for badgering on about this game because it's been a breath of fresh air for me and now I just love this series after one game haha.
Can't wait for Kiwami in August
TheWorthyEdge
Member
What the FUCK?! That cliffhanger at the end of Chapter 4...
Yep and I think in the end a lot has to do with whether letting someone be the own family would still work within the current Yakuza framework and whether it would be a good business proposition for both parties. After all these guys just want to make money. If Kazama wants to start his own family under the Tojo Clan and still brings money into the Clan it's reasonable to assume it could happen even if Kazama and Dojima are butting heads in a political tug of war on the side.
Dangansona
Member
Lol which one is that again?
Charlouie Jonesman
Banned
"Hi I'm Majima, though I do not really intend to stab this girl that I was assigned to kill, I will still pull my knive and hold it over her for dramatic effect."
Dangansona
Member
Ahh lol. That's a pretty good cliffhanger. Overall the section that precedes it is when I realized (oh man this game is something special)
Majima pulled out TheWorthyEdge
I think a lot of confusion stems from the word usage. The translation uses the world 'clan' for something as big Tojo and as small as Nishtani's Kijin.
The Japanese terms are wildly different for each group but there's no equivalent in the English language so the translators are kinda screwed.
The literal translation for Tojo and Omi isn't 'clan' it's 'alliance' or 'assembly' - essentially they're not unlike a political party
SpartanForce
Member
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0CCX55xe0w
I made a vídeo about the personality of Nishiki and the changes. Only watch if you don't mind spoilers.
I made a vídeo about the personality of Nishiki and the changes. Only watch if you don't mind spoilers.
Booker.DeWitt
Member
so I am planning buying yakuza 0, that would be my first yakuza game.
Not a big fan of GTA like games (although I LOVED red dead redemption) but I heard so good things about it that I want to try.
is this game "confusing" in a sense that is not very linear? Are the objectives clear enough in terms of main story so you don't get drifted away to sideline stories?
Not a big fan of GTA like games (although I LOVED red dead redemption) but I heard so good things about it that I want to try.
is this game "confusing" in a sense that is not very linear? Are the objectives clear enough in terms of main story so you don't get drifted away to sideline stories?
lucebuce12
Member
You'll always know what's part of the main story and what isn't. Almost all substories in the game are optional, if you don't want to do them then you don't have to.
But they're generally funny, interesting and engaging enough that you probably should.
The game will often tell you to go someplace in the city to progress the story. You can just go there, or you can wander about freely with next to no restrictions. How you spend your time is up to you.
Try reading through this thread to get an idea of what the Yakuza series is like: http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1319598
But they're generally funny, interesting and engaging enough that you probably should.
The game will often tell you to go someplace in the city to progress the story. You can just go there, or you can wander about freely with next to no restrictions. How you spend your time is up to you.
Try reading through this thread to get an idea of what the Yakuza series is like: http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1319598
Booker.DeWitt
Member
thanks.
I just checked the prices, Yakuza 0 is holding its price really well. is that common with yakuza games? Still $60 at BB, it is $43 at amazon now.
Yeah, I wouldn't expect to get the game for $20 or whatever. Your typical AAA games have trained people to expect prices to be cut in half a month after launch. And they can do that because they're popular enough that they've made a ton of money in their first week, and they know they can reach a new audience willing to buy it by dropping the price drastically. Games that are more niche like Yakuza can't follow that strategy.
Yakuza 0 is worth the $43, so get it on Amazon. I bought it at launch for $48 from Best Buy (thanks to GCU) and it was completely worth it.
BTW, Yakuza is not a GTA-like game. It's ... not quite like anything I've ever played before. The main gameplay mechanic is a beat-em-up, but then it's heavily story-oriented, and it has RPG stuff like sidequests and leveling and unlocked moves ... it's a unique stew. And it's awesome. (Oh, and you don't drive, let alone steal, cars.)
HammerFace
Banned
So I finished this game last night after 103 hours. I can say that every single one of those hours was incredibly worth it. From real estate to the sunshine club, to just walking around and doing random funny side quests I had an amazing time.
Booker.DeWitt
Member
HOLY SHIT!!!!!! 103 hours? damn it
lucebuce12
Member
You can finish this game within 20 hours, or you can finish it in over a 100.
It really depends on how deep you get into the side business, the substories and the plethora of activities you can indulge in.
It really depends on how deep you get into the side business, the substories and the plethora of activities you can indulge in.
lucebuce12
Member
It's not what you do in the sidequest where you have to buy a
that always gets to me. It's not the
that always gets to me. It's not the
that always gets to me.
It's the fucking
This game.
porn-mag for the boy
happy ending
"judgemental" looks of the women nearby
It's the fucking
JUSTIFICATION he gives himself to agree to get this kid a magazine. Like you could tell Kiryu himself went through a similar situation and it didn't end so well. He swore no other kid would have to dream of seeing a booby and should be able to see them when they please!
This game.
Shadowman16
Member
There's a nod to this side quest in Kiwami that is really funny as well. There are also some great side quests (in Kiwami) that are based around the pocket racing league that lean heavily on the events of the side stories from this mini game in 0. I really love how they took the opportunity to tie the two games together really well.
And yeah, the above side story in 0 had me dying of laughter, only Yakuza could have come up with something like this!
Booker.DeWitt
Member
Just price matched at bestbuy and bought it for 42 bucks. Just started playing and I love it. Still in first chapter , but loving the plot so far, they really
framed our guy, that freaking loan shark
Booker.DeWitt
Member
When I have some time I will do a lttp thread
More_Badass
Member
Early thoughts from a new convert
Just finished the game and I gotta say, wow.
It's juvenile, violent, and sometimes downright weird, but I feel like I've never played a video game story before that felt so..."human". I never expected to feel empty after finishing a game twice this year (the other being P5). While some of the story was predictable it executed each story beat so well.
I can't wait to play Kiwami.
It's juvenile, violent, and sometimes downright weird, but I feel like I've never played a video game story before that felt so..."human". I never expected to feel empty after finishing a game twice this year (the other being P5). While some of the story was predictable it executed each story beat so well.
I can't wait to play Kiwami.
Son Of Sparda
Member
I'm glad to see more people giving this a try and enjoying it.
For me it's the exact opposite. I LOVE the climax battles in every Yakuza game, but that Mahjong..... I need my cheating stones, dammit!
What fight are you having problems with, maybe I can give you some tips on beating them.
For me it's the exact opposite. I LOVE the climax battles in every Yakuza game, but that Mahjong..... I need my cheating stones, dammit!
EDF and now Yakuza? I'm legit proud of you.
More_Badass
Member
Ha, yeah. EDF will certainly be my "come back to it every day" arcade-y game for the foreseeable future
But Yakuza is my current "I got to know what happens next" game. Considering I just played it till 4am, I'd say it got its hooks in. I hope the story remains as engaging.
Does the game expect you to do side mission stuff during that first chapter? The breakneck pacing says otherwise.
I'd say the best time to do sidestories is when the plot slows down, say for example (just an example, I'm not gonna spoil the game for you) the character you're controlling says "well, tomorrow so and so happens...better go back home." - i feel thats the best way not to break the immersion.
Charlouie Jonesman
Banned
Sidequests are only available from the second chapter onwards, so no.
But the real answer is, whenever you feel like it.
The mission structure isn't quite like GTA, where you're in free roam mode until you enter a story mission. In Yakuza you're *always* on the main mission with a big fat goal marker on the map, it just so happens that you can still do whatever the fuck you want. There are very few exceptions where certain streets or areas are off limits for story reasons, so you'll have to advance the story to be able to do more side quests.
Also, a few sidequests are dependent on the time of day, and until you enter post-game, day and nighttime are entirely dependent on your story progress.