Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut – First Impressions

Oh man, where do I even start? So, like, the Yakuza series is getting all cozy with Nintendo again. Yup, another one’s making the leap to the Nintendo Switch 2. I remember the Wii U got a slice of the action, and then the Switch snagged Yakuza Kiwami. Now it’s Yakuza 0’s turn. Just got my paws on it for a bit, which was… something.

So, fun fact: Yakuza 0 is about to hit its 10th birthday in Japan! Hard to believe, right? Came out on the ol’ PS3 and PS4 back in the day. Now the Switch 2 version is labeled as a director’s cut or something. Kinda funny since the original director bailed from SEGA. But hey, we get English voiceovers now, fresh cutscenes, and this mode called Red Light Raid. I dunno, maybe they’re trying too hard? Who knows.

Played around with the docked version, or whatever you call it when plugged into the TV. I swear, it purred like a kitten — running smooth as butter. We recorded some footage, and I’m pretty sure it was solid at 60 frames per second. The visual clarity? No clue if it hits true 4K, maybe 1440p-ish, but who’s counting pixels? Asked SEGA about HDR, and they were like, “Nope.” So there’s that.

For the newbies, Yakuza 0’s perfect to dive into. The story! It’s jam-packed with drama, humor, and the kind of quirkiness only Japan in the 80s can deliver. Mini-games galore: karaoke, old arcade hits — batting cages, too, if you’re into that kinda thing. And let’s not forget the brawls. So many styles to play with while wandering through neon-lit streets. I’m stoked to dive back in, especially after first tackling it on my PS4.

Now, about this Red Light Raid. Meh, combat’s never been my forte, and this mode is like a survival wave thing. You face off against hordes and bosses — same ol’ same ol’. Tried it solo, but you can team up with friends if that’s your jam. Characters? A mixed bag. I went with this dude Ginger Chapman (seriously, picture Chucky with a knife), but his moves were kinda… meh. Eventually, I switched to Kiryu, the main dude. You can level up your crew here with the money you earn, which is neat. Solo play was okay, but I’m guessing it’s more fun with buddies.

So yeah, Director’s Cut Yakuza 0 on Switch 2. Gotta say, I’m super hyped, mostly for the English dub curiosity and the nostalgia. Not totally convinced about Red Light Raid, honestly. But hey, I’m game to give it another whirl when it drops next month. Here’s hoping!