Yakuza 0 stays one of many sequence’ greatest video games, and so that you’d suppose {that a} PS5 re-release could be one thing to have a good time — however the circumstances surrounding the Director’s Lower, and the brand new content material that it really provides, are questionable at greatest.
Let’s begin with the objectively good things: Director’s Lower enjoys a noticeable increase in decision, the load instances have been improved, and there is now an English dub for the sickos that need such a factor.
We would additionally argue that the title’s model new multiplayer mode, Pink Mild Raid, is an honest addition. Whereas removed from important, the mission-based distraction presents up some daft enjoyable if you happen to’re into 0’s fight system, letting you play as 60 totally different characters from throughout the primary sport.
Most of those fighters are barely price touching as a result of they’re so fundamental by way of strikes, however we did get pleasure from simply pissing about with the likes of Kuze and Awano — two of the marketing campaign’s huge baddies.
Pink Mild Raid’s drawback is that it is little greater than a curio, bolted onto the expertise in an try so as to add some form of worth. Except you are a Yakuza diehard, you may most likely play it a few times after which by no means contact it once more.
So what else does Director’s Lower do to justify its existence? Nicely, it is acquired over 25 minutes of latest cutscenes. That may sound fascinating on paper, however boy are they a combined bag.
A few them deliver only a little extra context to sure story beats, however the remainder arguably cheapen the present narrative, increasing on plot factors that merely did not should be tampered with.
Certainly, essentially the most egregious addition really flips a piece of the story on its head for no good motive — it feels past pressured, even by Yakuza’s notorious rubber bullets requirements.
It is price mentioning that, so far as SEGA’s involved, this is Yakuza 0 now, as the unique launch has been faraway from digital storefronts. To be honest, the writer does supply an improve path if you happen to personal 0 on PS4, but it surely’s nonetheless such a bizarre option to deal with a real Yakuza traditional.
If you happen to’ve been eager to play by way of Yakuza 0 once more, and even get caught in for the very first time, then you may’t actually go fallacious with Director’s Lower. However on the identical time, its additions vary from superficial to downright dumb, cheapening a sport that launched so many to the franchise.
