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July 27, 2026Sources cited
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Entertainment • Video Game

Yakuza 0

Yakuza 0 is a 2015 action-adventure video game developed by Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio and published by Sega.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Yakuza 0 is a 2015 action-adventure video game developed by Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio and published by Sega. It is a prequel to the original Yakuza game and the sixth main entry in the series, set in Japan during the late 1980s bubble era. The game was released in North America in January 2017 and is part of a globally popular series with a substantial audience in Canada.

Gameplay

Yakuza 0 is an open-world action-adventure game played from a third-person perspective. It combines story-driven exploration with brawling combat and side activities associated with the series.

Plot

The story is set in late 1988 and follows Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima as they become involved in separate but connected disputes inside Japan’s criminal underworld. Their stories converge around the Empty Lot and wider factional struggles.

Release

The game launched in Japan in March 2015 for PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4, followed by a Western PlayStation 4 release in January 2017. Later ports expanded availability to Windows, Xbox One, and Amazon Luna.

Place in the series

Yakuza 0 is considered the sixth main installment in the franchise and serves as a prequel to the original game. It is often presented as an entry point for new players because it takes place before the first chapter of the series timeline.

Key facts

  • The game is a prequel to the original Yakuza and is set seventeen years earlier.
  • Its story takes place in Kamurochō and Sotenbori, fictionalized versions of Tokyo’s Kabukichō and Osaka’s Dōtonbori.
  • Players alternate between Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima at different points in the story.
  • The narrative centres on a conflict over a small plot of land known as the Empty Lot.
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Canadian context

Yakuza 0 was released in North America in January 2017 and is part of a globally popular Japanese video game series that has a substantial audience in Canada.[1][2]

Frequently asked questions

What kind of game is Yakuza 0?
It is an action-adventure game with open-world exploration and third-person gameplay.
Who developed and published Yakuza 0?
Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio developed the game, and Sega published it.
When is Yakuza 0 set?
The story takes place from December 1988 to January 1989 during Japan’s bubble era.
Which characters does the player control?
Players alternate between Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima during the story.
What platforms has Yakuza 0 been released on?
It debuted on PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4, and later released on Windows, Xbox One, and Amazon Luna.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yakuza_0
    Supports: Developer, publisher, genre, series position, release dates, setting, protagonists, and gameplay description.
  2. Yakuza Wiki (Fandom) — https://yakuza.fandom.com/wiki/Yakuza_0
    Supports: Japanese title, release platforms and dates, series position, prequel status, and setting.
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yakuza_(franchise)
    Supports: Series context, prequel narrative, and plot overview.
  4. IGN — https://www.ign.com/wikis/yakuza-0
    Supports: Platform availability and game genre overview.