Japan in 1988, the neon of Kamurocho, and a street brawl that flows straight into a tearful karaoke session.

On gut feeling, Yakuza 0 sits ahead of 86% of games. And for once, there's no tension to untangle: nearly every line follows, often even higher. Fun ahead of 99% of titles, the quick session that ends at dawn, literally the top of the ranking. Soundtrack ahead of 98%. Attachment ahead of 94%. Controller feel ahead of 93%, art style ahead of 89%. Even the wish to experience it fresh again climbs very high. Only one line comes back down, the desert island question, barely above average, as if people adore it without wanting it as their only game. Few votes per criterion, so the profile is still to confirm, but the consistency is striking.

The prequel that introduced the West to the series, Yakuza 0 lives on a split: criminal drama on one side, completely absurd minigames on the other. That's exactly what beat'em ups and open worlds rarely pull off together, and it's what makes it impossible to imitate.

So, who is it for? For you if you love a dense district you learn by heart, characters that stay with you, and jumping from a devastating scene to a toy car race without warning. Much less if you hate detours and want to head straight for the point.