Zero Punctuation Season 11 Episode 6 Yakuza 0

In season 11 episode 6 of Zero Punctuation, Yahtzee Croshaw reviews the game Yakuza 0. The episode begins with Yahtzee criticizing the tendency of video games to provide too much exposition and backstory, and praises Yakuza 0 for avoiding this trap. He then discusses the game's setting, which is the neon-drenched streets of Tokyo's red-light district in the late 1980s. Yahtzee notes that the game's attention to detail and historical accuracy make the setting feel alive and immersive.

Next, Yahtzee discusses the game's combat, which he describes as "brawler-style." He praises the wide variety of moves and combos available to the player, and notes that the combat is satisfying without feeling too repetitive. However, Yahtzee also criticizes the game's overreliance on quick-time events (QTEs) during boss battles, which he feels detracts from the otherwise engaging combat system.

Yahtzee then moves on to the game's story. He notes that Yakuza 0 is a prequel to the rest of the Yakuza series, and features a younger version of the series' protagonist, Kazuma Kiryu. Yahtzee praises the game's storytelling, which he feels strikes a good balance between serious drama and absurd comedy. He also praises the game's well-developed supporting cast of characters, each of whom has their own unique backstory and personality.

Throughout the episode, Yahtzee peppers in his trademark sarcastic humor, often poking fun at the game's quirks and idiosyncrasies. He makes jokes about the game's abundance of minigames (ranging from bowling to phone dating) and the odd side-quests that players can stumble upon (such as helping a dominatrix practice her craft). However, he makes it clear that these elements are part of what makes Yakuza 0 such a fun and unique experience.

Overall, Yahtzee gives Yakuza 0 a glowing review, praising its immersive setting, engaging combat system, well-crafted story, and offbeat humor. He notes that the game's flaws (such as its overreliance on QTEs) are minor quibbles in the grand scheme of things. Fans of the Yakuza series or of action-adventure games in general are likely to find plenty to enjoy in Yakuza 0, according to Yahtzee's assessment.