• Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying NeoGAF! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.

Yakuza 0 |OT| Yes, you can start with this one!

L

lucebuce12

Member
Hobbun said:
I would like to play the previous Yakuza games first, but is the only system the first Yakuza on with the PS2? For NA.
Click to expand...

Yakuza: Kiwami is a remake of Yakuza 1 and it's coming to the PS4 this summer!!!

It features the graphics and combat system of Yakuza 0 and carries an insane amount of refinements and improvements compared to the original.
 
K

KuwabaraTheMan

Banned
I finally finished Chapter 2 and then got to Majima's first chapter.

Somehow I spent 14 hours on the first two chapters. (And by somehow, I mean I spent way too much time playing darts and mahjong, as per usual for me)
 
H

Hobbun

Member
lucebuce12 said:
Yakuza: Kiwami is a remake of Yakuza 1 and it's coming to the PS4 this summer!!!

It features the graphics and combat system of Yakuza 0 and carries an insane amount of refinements and improvements compared to the original.
Click to expand...

That's awesome to hear, thanks!

So Yakuza 2 is still only available on PS2 (NA), then?

And Yakuza 5 never received a retail NA release, correct?
 
L

lucebuce12

Member
Hobbun said:
That's awesome to hear, thanks!

So Yakuza 2 is still only available on PS2 (NA), then?

And Yakuza 5 never received a retail NA release, correct?
Click to expand...
Yes to both.

There is a small chance that a remake for Yakuza 2 might get unveiled this year at TGS but I wouldn't get your hopes up.

If you are planning to burn through the entire series, know that Yakuza fatigue is a real thing. The games are massive, filled to the brim with side content and sidestories, not to mention the main story is fairly beefy too. Space out the games if you're going for all of them.
 
J

JJShadow

Member
Any advice for the Cabaret Club Battles guys? I just gave it a try against the first club and got completely crushed. I have around 2000 fans and my hostess are between level 5-10, earning 10-15 million yen per session. What level should my hostess be before taking the battle?
 
T

The Bankslammer

Member
with how bad catfights are and with how much everyone hates them, it's pretty funny that they're the only new minigame from 0 that returns in kiwami

i know they added CCG elements to it but i don't think the fundamental concept of playing rock paper scissors with a computer will ever be fun lol
 
Q

QuantumBro

Banned
JJShadow said:
Any advice for the Cabaret Club Battles guys? I just gave it a try against the first club and got completely crushed. I have around 2000 fans and my hostess are between level 5-10, earning 10-15 million yen per session. What level should my hostess be before taking the battle?
Click to expand...

Make sure your hostesses are fully rested before attempting the battle. If they're not, open it with only one or two hostesses to rest the others.
 
L

lucebuce12

Member
The Bankslammer said:
with how bad catfights are and with how much everyone hates them, it's pretty funny that they're the only new minigame from 0 that returns in kiwami

i know they added CCG elements to it but i don't think the fundamental concept of playing rock paper scissors with a computer will ever be fun lol
Click to expand...
I rememeber Shadowman16 said that the RNG was much better in Kiwami.
 
H

Hobbun

Member
lucebuce12 said:
Yes to both.

There is a small chance that a remake for Yakuza 2 might get unveiled this year at TGS but I wouldn't get your hopes up.

If you are planning to burn through the entire series, know that Yakuza fatigue is a real thing. The games are massive, filled to the brim with side content and sidestories, not to mention the main story is fairly beefy too. Space out the games if you're going for all of them.
Click to expand...

Oh, definitely.

With my limited time already in playing games, there is no way for me to ‘burn’ through anything. :) It would definitely be over a good period of time.

But maybe playing Yakuza 0 would be a good test for me to see if I would want to play the rest of the series? I know the original post indicates it is a prequel to the series, and can be played on it’s own, but would it be worthwhile to play the others games, first?
 
L

lucebuce12

Member
Hobbun said:
Oh, definitely.

With my limited time already in playing games, there is no way for me to ‘burn' through anything. :) It would definitely be over a good period of time.

But maybe playing Yakuza 0 would be a good test for me to see if I would want to play the rest of the series? I know the original post indicates it is a prequel to the series, and can be played on it's own, but would it be worthwhile to play the others games, first?
Click to expand...

Yakuza 0 is a bit of a weird thing. The stories in Yakuza games are mainly self contained, but Yakuza 0 expands upon the characters in such a way that it enhances their roles in the next games.

It particularly makes Yakuza 1/Kiwami's story seem much better by playing as characters will be much more fleshed out. Think of it like how Star Wars: Rogue One made the story of Return of the Jedi seem like it had more stakes as a result. Kiwami actually took notice of this and added scenes and content to better take advantage of this.

You don't NEED to play the other games. Hell, my personal suggestion would be to play Yakuza 0, Kiwami, 2 then move on to Y6. Not saying that the PS3 games are bad (Yakuza 4 is a damn good game) but you don't NEED to play through them. Though if you're becoming a fan and want to blaze through them all (like me) then all power to you :)

You could alternatively just play Y0, Kiwami and then 6 and you'd be perfectly fine. Each game has a recap feature for the events that happened in previous games so you won't be too far behind.

Yakuza 2 and Yakuza 0 are considered the best games in the series, so if at all possible, do try to play through Yakuza 2.


Just play through Yakuza 0 for now, and if you like the game's general style then stick with it.
 
A

Admiral Woofington

Member
For what's its worth the purpose of fans in cabaret seems to be entirely to get more wealthy/crazy rich customers.

Also I love how this has made me think like a manager.

"oh a poor guy? Which is my least important girl? "
 
F

Finalow

Member
ah, apparently Kiryu's
secret style Dragon of Dojima
can go up until level 999? That's pretty insane, one-shotting everything with a jab.
I can't think of anyone crazy enough to stay on that menu for days until they reach that point though.
 
U

UnluckyKate

Member
totally awesome but kinda spoiler-ish thing, out of any context so I think it's safe but still spoiler :

61yhXdy.jpg

I spend 10 BILLIONS YENS and all I got was a deliciously beautiful and tasteful GOLD statue of me. No Completion Points, no item, no trophy.

This is my proudest gaming achievement. EVER.

#NoRegret
 
H

Hobbun

Member
lucebuce12 said:
Yakuza 0 is a bit of a weird thing. The stories in Yakuza games are mainly self contained, but Yakuza 0 expands upon the characters in such a way that it enhances their roles in the next games.

It particularly makes Yakuza 1/Kiwami's story seem much better by playing as characters will be much more fleshed out. Think of it like how Star Wars: Rogue One made the story of Return of the Jedi seem like it had more stakes as a result. Kiwami actually took notice of this and added scenes and content to better take advantage of this.

You don't NEED to play the other games. Hell, my personal suggestion would be to play Yakuza 0, Kiwami, 2 then move on to Y6. Not saying that the PS3 games are bad (Yakuza 4 is a damn good game) but you don't NEED to play through them. Though if you're becoming a fan and want to blaze through them all (like me) then all power to you :)

You could alternatively just play Y0, Kiwami and then 6 and you'd be perfectly fine. Each game has a recap feature for the events that happened in previous games so you won't be too far behind.

Yakuza 2 and Yakuza 0 are considered the best games in the series, so if at all possible, do try to play through Yakuza 2.


Just play through Yakuza 0 for now, and if you like the game's general style then stick with it.
Click to expand...

Ok, but Yakuza 3, 4 & 5 is a continuing story, correct? And I mean continuing as even making references to the prior games?

I am not in a rush to get through them, I'll take as long as I need to. So I don't need to skip any. I would rather fully experience the story, I just want to make sure I am getting the full story of the games.

It sounds like though Yakuza 0 would be the best to start with, from what you have said. I've never played a Yakuza game, but the videos look like it could be fun and I am open to adventure type games. I believe there is a demo on PSN, so maybe I will try that out first to see how the gameplay is.

Thanks for your help and suggestions!
 
L

lucebuce12

Member
Hobbun said:
Ok, but Yakuza 3, 4 & 5 is a continuing story, correct? And I mean continuing as even making references to the prior games?

I am not in a rush to get through them, I'll take as long as I need to. So I don't need to skip any. I would rather fully experience the story, I just want to make sure I am getting the full story of the games.

It sounds like though Yakuza 0 would be the best to start with, from what you have said. I've never played a Yakuza game, but the videos look like it could be fun and I am open to adventure type games. I believe there is a demo on PSN, so maybe I will try that out first to see how the gameplay is.

Thanks for your help and suggestions!
Click to expand...
The demo is only on JPN/Asian PSN AFAIK. Might be wrong.

And no, the PS3 games aren't a continuing story, and the references that are made are incredibly small and the game even catches you up on them. Yakuza 4 introduced 3 new protagonists to the series and those protagonists carry forward in 5 (well most of them) so that's why Y4 was the best entry point into the series.... until Yakuza 0 came along.

The events of Yakuza 0 give backdrop on the events of Yakuza 1 and the events of Yakuza 1 don't influence Yakuza 2 which don't influence Yakuza 3 (except for the position in which the protagonist is at the start of the game which again, minor) and the events of the previous 3 games have next to no influence on Yakuza 4 and Y4 has incredibly little influence on Yakuza 5 which only has a slight influence on the state the protagonist finds himself at the beginning of Yakuza 6.

You see the pattern emerging :) Though again, if you want to play through all the games then by all means. All of them have fun stories and are fantastic games each and every one.

Btw, Yakuza 4 and 5 have been PS+ games. Yakuza 4 on Feb 2015 and Yakuza 5 on July 2016 so you might own those games already if you've been a member that long.
 
K

KuwabaraTheMan

Banned
lucebuce12 said:
The events of Yakuza 0 give backdrop on the events of Yakuza 1 and the events of Yakuza 1 don't influence Yakuza 2 which don't influence Yakuza 3 (except for the position in which the protagonist is at the start of the game which again, minor) and the events of the previous 3 games have next to no influence on Yakuza 4 and Y4 has incredibly little influence on Yakuza 5 which only has a slight influence on the state the protagonist finds himself at the beginning of Yakuza 6.
Click to expand...

I'd mostly agree with this, but I disagree on 1/2. 2 is definitely a sequel to 1, and I feel like it leans more on its predecessor than other games do going forward. 1 and 2 feel very much like a duology to me.

And I'd say that 3 does have some notable influence on 4, mostly due to
Hamazaki
. That's why I've always felt that playing 3 before 4 is the best choice (although 4 does work fine as a starting point).

The games definitely work best in order, although they're all standalone enough that you can start with any one of them.
 
H

Hobbun

Member
lucebuce12 said:
The demo is only on JPN/Asian PSN AFAIK. Might be wrong.

And no, the PS3 games aren't a continuing story, and the references that are made are incredibly small and the game even catches you up on them. Yakuza 4 introduced 3 new protagonists to the series and those protagonists carry forward in 5 (well most of them) so that's why Y4 was the best entry point into the series.... until Yakuza 0 came along.

The events of Yakuza 0 give backdrop on the events of Yakuza 1 and the events of Yakuza 1 don't influence Yakuza 2 which don't influence Yakuza 3 (except for the position in which the protagonist is at the start of the game which again, minor) and the events of the previous 3 games have next to no influence on Yakuza 4 and Y4 has incredibly little influence on Yakuza 5 which only has a slight influence on the state the protagonist finds himself at the beginning of Yakuza 6.

You see the pattern emerging :) Though again, if you want to play through all the games then by all means. All of them have fun stories and are fantastic games each and every one.

Btw, Yakuza 4 and 5 have been PS+ games. Yakuza 4 on Feb 2015 and Yakuza 5 on July 2016 so you might own those games already if you've been a member that long.
Click to expand...

That's a shame the demo is only available for Japan.

Either way, I think I will give the series a shot. And from what you're saying, it sounds like that Yakuza 0 is the best one to start with now.

If I like the game, I will then continue on with the other ones. Of course going with Kiwami for Yakuza 1. I do have PS+, and started well before 2015, so that's great in being able to download those for free.

Thanks again so much for your input!

KuwabaraTheMan said:
The games definitely work best in order, although they're all standalone enough that you can start with any one of them.
Click to expand...

So when you are saying "best in order", do you mean chronological or date of release? Meaning, are you also saying Yakuza 0 is best for starting the series?
 
L

lucebuce12

Member
Hobbun said:
That's a shame the demo is only available for Japan.

Either way, I think I will give the series a shot. And from what you're saying, it sounds like that Yakuza 0 is the best one to start with now.

If I like the game, I will then continue on with the other ones. Of course going with Kiwami for Yakuza 1. I do have PS+, and started well before 2015, so that's great in being able to download those for free.

Thanks again so much for your input!
Click to expand...
Any time!

If you ever have questions or want to talk Yakuza, feel free to drop by the Yakuza Community thread.

Also check out this thread.
 
J

Jachaos

Member
Hobbun said:
So when you are saying "best in order", do you mean chronological or date of release? Meaning, are you also saying Yakuza 0 is best for starting the series?
Click to expand...

I don't know for sure which he meant but I'll echo everyone saying Yakuza 0 is the best place to start.
 
R

RampagingSoul

Member
31GhostsIV said:
Am I alone in hating the escort parts in the main story missions? Grrrrrr. Such a tedious slog.
Click to expand...

Nope, they're definitely my least favorite part of the main story. Then again, it's the only thing that I've absolutely not liked in the game besides the Cat-Fighting mini-game.

The escort parts are just annoying because it takes so much time to hide, wait for your pursuers to go where they won't see you, stop hiding, move to next group of people, repeat.
 
L

lucebuce12

Member
Hobbun said:
So when you are saying "best in order", do you mean chronological or date of release? Meaning, are you also saying Yakuza 0 is best for starting the series?
Click to expand...
He means in the order that they were released. But still, Yakuza 0 is fantastic as a starting point.

I'm honestly a little jealous in some ways of people that start with Yakuza 0, you'll have gotten backgrounds and bonding with characters that people who started from the original or from the middle of the series never did :D
 
H

Hawkguy

Neo Member
Hey so I just picked the game up and I'm loving it so far. This is my first experience with a Yakuza game so I have a pretty dumb question. I love the the combat and the story telling, but so far the mini games just aren't doing it for me. Are they required for the progression or will I be able to just go through the story without any problems? Playing bowling, karaoke, batting cage, and old arcade games just isn't that enjoyable when I could be fighting something or getting more storyline.
 
K

keltickennedy

Member
Hawkguy said:
Hey so I just picked the game up and I'm loving it so far. This is my first experience with a Yakuza game so I have a pretty dumb question. I love the the combat and the story telling, but so far the mini games just aren't doing it for me. Are they required for the progression or will I be able to just go through the story without any problems? Playing bowling, karaoke, batting cage, and old arcade games just isn't that enjoyable when I could be fighting something or getting more storyline.
Click to expand...

If you go down the Money Island real estate side story... You will need to play some of the mini-games to get 100% profits from the area.
 
L

lucebuce12

Member
Hawkguy said:
Hey so I just picked the game up and I'm loving it so far. This is my first experience with a Yakuza game so I have a pretty dumb question. I love the the combat and the story telling, but so far the mini games just aren't doing it for me. Are they required for the progression or will I be able to just go through the story without any problems? Playing bowling, karaoke, batting cage, and old arcade games just isn't that enjoyable when I could be fighting something or getting more storyline.
Click to expand...
Completely optional. Don't have to do them if you don't want to.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

My view on the current state of Yakuza
33
2K
Labadal replied
Like A Dragon: Yakuza | Oct 24 | Official Trailer
21
848
EverydayBeast replied
Like a Dragon Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii Reveal Trailer (Goro Majima as the protagonist; release date February 28, 2025)
News Trailer 2 3 4
153
7K
SyberWolf replied
Amazon Yakuza/Like a Dragon - First trailer
34
2K
Durien replied
Amazon's Like a Dragon: Yakuza TV show cast reveal that they have never played the games: "we wanted to do our own version"
News 2 3
127
11K
NanaMiku replied
Top Bottom