Back in 2015, this game came out. I had heard about the Yakuza series when I was little, but of course my mom would never let me play them. And when I got old enough to buy my own games, I didn't really wanna spend money on a PS2 just to play a game that came out in 2005 that looked a bit dated. I had cooler games. BUT THEN: I was informed by my friend that Yakuza Kiwami is a remake of Yakuza from 2005. I was ecstatic. So I bought Yakuza 0 as a "measuring tool". If this game is really that good, then surely I would buy Kiwami 1 and 2, right?

It was. It IS so damn good. You can play as two badass Japanese guys that happens to be in the Yakuza (Hence the name of the game). First contestant... KIRYUUUUUUUUUU KAZUMA! Dude, this guy is awesome. Not only is he awesome, with his menacing looks and awesome battle styles. You had TONS of side missions, and a lot you could do as side activities (Pool, telephone clubs, etc), and this is just scratching the surface. Kazuma is a really great guy with good morals (Yakuza morals anyway), and would take a bullet for his bros. He hits harder than a truck, and when you start unlocking his cooler moves, you feel unstoppable and start wanting to learn some moves from him yourself.

On the other side of the country, in Sotenbori, Osaka, we have Majima Goro. This Goro is the same Goro that harrasses you in Yakuza 2005, but now you get to play as him! We first meet him and find out that he is a bit of a twist character. I won't really spoil that, because this is something you have to see for yourself. Anyway, this fella has three more fighting styles! THAT'S gameplay! You always find out new ways to rearrange someone's face, not just the same boring animation that a lot of other games has (finishers, combos etc). HE EVEN USES BREAK DANCING AS AN ATTACK STYLE!
But I digress...

Anyway, Yakuza 0, is what I would call a perfect prologue to Yakuza 1. You get to know the key characters, as you kinda get thrown into it in Yakuza 1. Regardless, you CAN play Yakuza Kiwami without playing this, but if you wanna be completely caught up on events from 1989-2005, I recommend starting with 0.

Still not convinced? What about the voice actors? I give you such names as:
Sawashiro Miyuki
Kuroda Takaya
Ugaki Hidenari
and more, more more!

I have been rambling. But seriously, DO try this game out. It IS awesome, and you will fall in love with the characters. They feel human, the NPCs don't feel like NPCs, and the graphics and world design is GORGEOUS!