Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut brings Red Light Raid horde mode to Switch 2

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After spending numerous years with the Like A Dragon cast on a tropical island and sailing the high seas, it’s understandable that one might overlook the series’ modest origins. Prior to Like A Dragon, there was Yakuza, and for many players on the Nintendo Switch 2, the narrative will commence anew with the impending release of Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut. Not only does this version offer an extended storyline, but Sega and RGG Studio are also presenting a fresh method to enjoy the game cooperatively with friends. Shacknews recently had a chance to test it out on the Nintendo Switch 2.

Individuals who have previously experienced Yakuza 0 on PC, PlayStation, or Xbox platforms will have a general idea of what’s in store. The narrative revolves around two ambitious members of a criminal clan – Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima – navigating the complexities of 1988 Japan. While Kiryu is striving to clear his name following a misfired assassination, Majima is aiming to reclaim his position within the Tojo Clan after being exiled from it.

The main tale in Yakuza 0 remains unchanged, but the Director’s Cut includes extra scenes that provide more depth to the storyline. You’ll find new cutscenes that delve deeper into crucial plot points and offer insights into how characters like Kiryu and Majima evolved into their present selves. Given that Majima was previously spotted as a pirate, uncovering his early history definitely piques curiosity. Unlike the original release, the Director’s Cut will include an English dub for the first time, along with Spanish, French, Italian, and German subtitles.

The combat in Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut on the Switch 2 Pro Controller is incredibly smooth, just as it was in the early days of the series. As always, the emphasis is on fighting, chaining together combos, and ending with a stylish finish based on your chosen fighting style. With limited time to explore the story and engage in street brawls, I found myself getting easily drawn into the numerous mini-games and diversions scattered throughout Kamurocho. In this instance, it was the fishing mini-game that captivated me. Unfortunately, despite the rumble cues hinting at when to catch the fish in the river, I couldn’t seem to reel anything in.

In order to accommodate the latest addition in the Director’s Cut, the length of the solo playable section was deliberately reduced. The innovative Red Light Raid mode, an online multiplayer feature, now brings horde battles to the Yakuza series for the first time. Players can pick from a total of 60 characters, some of which must be unlocked and a few are returning favorites like Kiryu and Majima, but with distinct combat styles. Since I hadn’t played Yakuza 0 before, I was intrigued by Majima’s Breaker Style, where he uses breakdancing to overpower his adversaries.

To include a new feature in the Director’s Cut, they shortened the single-player part. Red Light Raid is an online multiplayer mode that introduces horde battles to Yakuza games. There are 60 characters to choose from, some of which need to be unlocked. Some familiar faces like Kiryu and Majima return with unique fighting styles. Since I hadn’t played Yakuza 0, I found Majima’s Breaker Style interesting because he fights opponents using breakdancing moves.

In this game, up to four players can team up over the internet and fight waves of diverse street thugs, with occasional boss fights added for excitement. If you prefer, you can play with AI-controlled allies and complete these missions solo. Due to the high number of characters on screen at once (often more than a dozen), the action can become quite chaotic, making it hard to distinguish teammates from enemies. In such situations, I’ve found myself accidentally attacking my allies, but fortunately, there’s no friendly fire in this mode. Health pickups are scattered throughout levels to help keep everyone alive during the final boss fight. However, once a character is knocked out, they won’t be able to rejoin the battle for the rest of that run.

Starting the new console generation, Sega and RGG Studio are optimistic that Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut will serve as an entry point for first-time players of the Like A Dragon series. Although there was limited playtime, what was demonstrated highlighted the key features these games offer: a captivating narrative, humorous side quests, and tactical gameplay. Additionally, Red Light Raid mode offers a fun way to engage in combat with friends. Look for Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut to debut exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2 as a launch title on Thursday, June 5.

This sneak peek was experienced on an early prototype of the Nintendo Switch 2 at Sega of America’s main office in Irvine, CA. The finished product may still undergo changes.

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2025-05-21 16:27