As a gamer diving into the thrilling world of Yakuza, I’ve noticed a heated debate among fans about where to begin this epic journey. Some argue that jumping into Yakuza Kiwami is the perfect starting point, while others insist on experiencing the story from the very beginning with Yakuza 0. A few adventurous souls even suggest skipping ahead to Yakuza: Like a Dragon and ignoring the rest of the series – a suggestion I find intriguing, though admittedly a bit off the wall. However, most gamers seem to agree that Yakuza 0 is exceptional, and the Director’s Cut for Nintendo Switch only enhances its greatness.
Yakuza 0 is the first game in the series that tells the early stories of Kiryu and Majima, the two main characters who are well-known and popular in the series. This game delves into their past, revealing similarities between them that were subtly hinted at in previous games. It also explains what events led these characters to become the powerful figures they later became in Kamurocho.
This tale skillfully portrays its two main characters, though at times it veers slightly into excessive admiration, which might become excessive occasionally. However, it is brimming with heartwarming instances and insights that bring these characters to life in a way that feels incredibly real.
In the Director’s Cut version, performances from all actors, particularly those in Japanese, are enhanced, yet this is our first time hearing these performances in English. I’m not completely convinced by Yong Yea’s portrayal of Kiryu; his interpretation seems less impactful compared to Takaya Kuroda’s original Japanese characterization. A few other minor characters also falter, but the majority of the cast delivers outstanding performances.
Matt Mercer excels as a young Majima in a performance that’s quite different from his role in “Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii.” His portrayal is steady, focused, and restrained, yet hints at the character who will later become the Mad Dog of Shimano. The performance is remarkably well-done, and this applies to most of the cast, whose acting surpasses what I anticipated for a Nintendo Switch 2 remake of a game that’s over a decade old.
In essence, the Director’s Cut of Yakuza 0 has seen numerous refinements, albeit subtly, that significantly enhance the overall experience. The lighting and textures have been polished, giving characters a less artificial appearance, especially with their skin looking more natural. Some might contend that this detracts from the original’s unique appeal, but I believe it lends a sense of modernity to the game without stripping away its essence.
The new cutscenes don’t always fit smoothly with the story. They introduce confusing plot twists, such as characters who died in the original storyline miraculously surviving. While some of these twists make sense, I’m unsure why they were included at all. It’s particularly odd because the visual quality of these new scenes is significantly better than the original ones, but their modern design sometimes feels out of place. Although it doesn’t ruin the game, it’s clear that these additions were made later, which makes the overall game feel less consistent.
Regarding new features, there isn’t much to highlight; essentially, the gameplay remains quite similar to previous versions. However, there are minor adjustments throughout, like fine-tuned settings hidden behind the scenes, enhanced animations for smoother gameplay, and a consistent 60fps performance. Visually, it looks as stunning as ever. The new Red Light Raid mode is included, offering various missions that can be played solo or with others, but I found it lacks depth and didn’t invest much time in it.
Director’s Cut is highly recommended if you want to enjoy one of the top games from the series. The visuals are impressive, performance is smooth, and the updated English dub is mostly excellent, though there may be some minor hiccups. Occasionally, it has its flaws, but they seldom detract from the endearing appeal that millions have come to love about this game.
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2025-07-07 19:16