Find answers to common questions about Yakuza 0, including gameplay mechanics, story details, platform differences, and tips for earning money and defeating tough enemies.
Q: What is _Yakuza 0_?
A: _Yakuza 0_ is a mainline story game in the _Yakuza_ series by SEGA. It takes place in the year 1988, seven years before the prologue to _Yakuza 1_, and seventeen years before the rest of that same game. It is an open-world adventure that follows the story of Kazuma Kiryu, Goro Majima, and the trials of the Tojo Clan. It was released in Japan in 2015 and in the Americas and Europe on January 24th, 2017. As such, it is the first mainline _Yakuza_ game chronologically, but the sixth in release order, not counting spinoffs.
Q: Is this is a good game to start the _Yakuza_ series with?
A: This game is my official recommendation for "where to start the series". For story purposes, this game is a prequel so there are no story aspects from later in the series that you need to be aware of. From a gameplay standpoint, this can be a bit overwhelming, not only in the complexity of the combat gameplay, but also in the large amount of side content. From an aesthetic standpoint, this is probably the wackiest and goofiest _Yakuza_ game yet, given the setting and the amount of time the series has had to find its tone. Also, the fact that it's on a current-gen system doesn't hurt.
Q: Wasn't this game available on the PS3 in Japan?
A: That's correct, but the worldwide release was only available on the PS4 in 2017. You can currently also play this game on Xbox systems and the PC as well.
Q: Is there an autosave in this game?
A: Only in the _Director's Cut_ on Nintendo Switch 2. The PS4, Xbox, and PC releases only have manual saving.
Q: Has anything changed in the PC or Xbox versions?
A: Very little, it seems. I guess the only big difference I've learned is that there is no post-chapter saving in the PC version. You'll have to use the phone booths for every save you make, so be aware of that. If anyone knows of any other differences, please feel free to contact me so I can update.
Q: What has changed in _Yakuza 0 Director's Cut_ for the Nintendo Switch 2?
A: Released in 2025 to coincide with the release of the Switch 2 itself, the _Director's Cut_ has a few additions to this game, but doesn't change too much. Here is what's been added:
- Autosave, and the ability to save anywhere from the Pause Menu without having to find a phone.
- Two new vocal dubs: English and Chinese
- New text languages: Spanish, French, Italian, German
- Five new cutscenes that don't add too much to the game's story, just explain a few ambiguous things. They mostly appear near the end of the game.
- The new multiplayer mode Red Light Raid, accessible from the title screen.
Q: What is this game rated?
A: This game is rated "M" for Mature by the ESRB. It includes the content descriptors of: Blood, Intense Violence, Sexual Content, Strong Language, and Use of Alcohol. In this game, you enter the world of Japanese organized crime, which includes a lot of illegal stuff. The combat in this game can be brutal, especially the "Heat Moves" you perform in combat, but while blood sprays out a lot, it's never too overt. There is no gore; everyone keeps all their parts. As far as sexual content is concerned, references are made to sex, and there's some slight rear nudity and groping hands with adult characters in story cutscenes, but it's all very muted.
Q: Who do I play as in this game?
A: You play as series protagonist Kazuma Kiryu, currently a young enforcer for the Tojo Clan's Dojima family in Tokyo, and as fan favorite Goro Majima, currently an expelled member of the Tojo Clan working in Osaka. You switch between the two characters at regular intervals as the story progresses.
Q: Wait, where are the experience meters in this game? How do I gain levels?
A: It's money. It's all about money. Money serves as your main metric in this game. Not only do you use money to buy things and play around, but you also use it to build up your character in the Abilities section.
Q: How do I get a lot of money really quickly?
A: Across the game, and even factoring in your characters' businesses, the best way to get a lot of money is by defeating Mr. Shakedown. Click on that link to be taken to that section of the guide.
Q: How much money is "enough" in this game?
A: If you don't plan on doing a lot of side content, you can break a billion and it should be enough. If you want to complete the game fully and get all the Abilities, you're looking at about a hundred billion all told, and moreso if you want to pump a lot of cash into the Legend Styles.
Q: What's a good way to beat Mr. Shakedown?
A: Well, the proper way is to pay attention, watch his movements, and exploit opportunities, but I'm guessing you didn't come here for that answer. The first rule is to carry a ton of healing. Never go up against him without a good supply of Staminan Royales. While expensive compared to other types of healing, Royales are still cheap when you consider how much money you'll be making. Using Staminans will also charge your Heat, so use that to get Heat Actions on him. Easiest way to do those is with weapons that you have Heat Actions with. The best ones seem to be Daggers for causing damage. Also, Slime Guns and Zap Guns tend to cause him more damage than standard weapons (possibly due to their added effect) so if you can get your hands on some of those, exploit that. Zap Guns in particular hurt him hard, so having maybe three in your inventory will be more than enough to put him down at his maximum health potential.
Q: I'm in a substory and I'm being asked to pick a black or white box. Which should I pick?
A: Black. Both times. The items in the white box are far easier to come by.
Q: The game just got a lot harder! All the enemies are ganging up on me and are really difficult! What can I do to make it easier?
A: Did you equip an accessory called a "Charismatic Autobiography"? Or a "Charismatic Autograph"? That seems to be what people have been having the most trouble with when they move ahead in the game, not realizing that
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