Summary
The Nintendo Switch 2 is now out and about, and it’s got a host of new and interesting games for it. One of which is technically a PS3 game. Still, theYakuza/Like a Dragonseries has rarely graced Nintendo’s machines, so Switch 2 owners can now see what their Sony/Xbox/PC-playing compatriots were raving about withYakuza 0: Director’s Cut.
It has some new bells and whistles over the older ports, like full-on English and Chinese dubs, new cutscenes to add to Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima’s stories, and a wacky online multiplayer mode in Red Light Raid. Fresh players could head in blind to see how it bowls them over, but if they want a little heads-up rather than a full FAQ, they should keep these tips in mind.
8Take Your Time
It’s an Open-World Game for a Reason
The game will always keep the main story missions in mind, marking their locations on maps, offering reminders in the pause menu, etc. But, players will miss out on a lot of the game if they just keep rushing from A to B just to get the story over and done with. They could even end up missing out on some handy items that would make the later chapters easier for them.
It’s better for players to just walk around and exploreKamurochō and Sōtenboriat their own pace. See the sights, learn where the minigames and activities are, and complete the substories. By doing so, they can earn extra cash and Completion Points for upgrades, as well as gain rewards like weapons and protective gear. So, it always helps to take a break from the mai nplot and see what the cities have to offer.
7Keep Moving in Battle
No Time for Dawdling in a Fight
In battle, players will build up their Heat gauge with each attack that lands. As it fills up, it’ll let the player attack faster, hit harder, and pull off powerful Heat moves that, depending on their setup, can plow through groups of enemies and bring bosses down to size. The only problem is that, if the player doesn’t stay on the offensive, or if they get hit,it’ll start dropping, and it drops faster inY0than in other games in the series.
It also has a 3-tier Heat gauge. The more tiers that are filled, the better Kiryu and Majima will be in a fight. But, some of their moves and upgrades require certain tiers of Heat to pull off, which can be hard to keep topped up. For example, Kiryu’s Charging Bear Hug requires all 3 tiers to be filled up to pull off. So, players must keep moving and get their hits in when possible to keep those perks.
6Stay Stocked Up
Always Have a Pick-Me-Up on Hand
Players likely won’t be hurting too much forhealing or Heat items, unless they end up bumping into Mr Shakedown by accident. But it always helps to stay stocked up, as, if Shakedown and the grunts don’t catch players at a bad time, the story missions can lead them into a tricky boss fight or a long battle sequence where they’ll need to be prepared to survive.
Luckily, Kiryu and Majima will usually give the player a heads-up if the next section will be particularly challenging. It’s best to stick to the energy drinks, with Toughness restoring health, Tauriner filling up Heat, and the Staminans filling up both. The Bento boxes and Sushi Sets also do a good job restoring health, but the smaller items like the Sandwiches and Onigiri aren’t worth the price as they don’t provide enough health.
5Invest in Yourself Wisely
Spelling the Difference Between Spending and Squandering
To get into the spirit of Japan’s bubble economy,Y0skips using experience pointsin favor of giving the player more cash. That way, it makes players choose between spending cash on weapons, gear, betting on catfights, etc., andspending it on upgrades for themselvesand their different fighting styles. On top of the usual attack, defense, and health boosts, they can gain new moves to take down any punk who comes their way.
They’re arranged on a skill tree, so players will have to buy some less helpful upgrades to open the way to better ones, like Kiryu’s Charged Knee Strike, which is too slow to use effectively, eventually opening the way to his much better Counter Hook. But some branches can be safely ignored, like Majima’s weapon-stealing Heat moves. As handy as they sound, they’re too situational. His simpler Evasion Strike and Extra Bat Nunchaku Swing upgrades are better for catching foes unaware and keeping them back.
4Unleash the Beast
Run Through Runts and Smash the Scrubs
Some upgrades can’t be bought until the players learn them from Kiryu and Majima’s Trainers. As testing as their challenges can be (dodge all attacks for one minute several times for the Rush trainer Kamoji, for example), it’s wise to go through their trials and tribulations to put them up for sale. But, some styles are better than others, with Kiryu’s Rush being too weak and slow on low Heat to be relied on too much. Players would be better off sticking to Brawler for one-on-one encounters and bosses, as it’s quick enough to move around them and powerful enough to hurt them.
His best style is arguablyBeaststyle. His slow but wide-swinging fists can hit multiple foes if they’re in range, as can his shoulder barges. It lets him automatically pick up weapons and swing them around too, including larger objects like motorbikes. It’s great for clearing out crowds, though it’s probably not a good idea to use it against big bosses like, say, Mr Shakedown. Some players have kept the big guy grounded with Beast’s throwing moves like the Charging Bear Hug, but they require plenty of cash and plenty of practice to perfect.
3Break It Down
Get With the Times and Breakdance Like It’s 1988
Majima’s three styles also have their ups and downs. Thug is a handy all-rounder like Brawler and works best for solo fights. Slugger is more situational as, until players get the Secret of Swing upgrade, Majima will be stunned each time his wide swings hit a wall. Still, it comes with a guard break move, his Nunchaku Swing combo is good for crowd control, and its Iron Wall upgrade lets him block in all directions.
Breakeris easily the king of his styles. Players don’t even need some of its best upgrades, like the Secret of the Strut: Elbow or Essence of Friendly Fire either. His basic Light-Light-Light-Heavy rush combo will send him spinning on the ground, which can cut through groups, and stunlock them on the ground until either Majima stops spinning, or they stop moving. It takes a while to wind up, so it has to be used carefully against bigger, badder foes.
2Master the Minigames
Become King of Kamurochō and the Lord of the Night
Y0has a lot of minigames, from racing slot cars and singing karaoke to playing mahjong and phoning up girlsat the Telephone Club. Players don’t have to master all of them unless they want to beat them 100% or build up their Completion Points for upgrades at the shrines, but they should get the hang ofReal Estate RoyaleandCabaret Club Czar, Kiryu and Majima’s main side activities.
The former sees Kiryu buy properties all around Kamurochō to try and beat the Five Billionaires at their own game, while the latter has Majima direct the right hostesses to the right client to earn cash. They’ll take time to complete, but doing so will unlock their fighting styles' skill trees and give the player a fourth Legend fighting style, which will let them increase Kiryu and Majima’s health, attack, and defense stats to game-breaking levels. That is,if they can afford them.
1Shake Down Mr Shakedown
Turn the Tables on the Game’s Biggest Bruisers
Playersearn Completion Pointsby completing substories, activities, etc., which they can trade in at the shrines for extra upgrades and items. They’re especially good for Kiryu, as they can help him turnMr Shakedownfrom being a threat into a walking bank. It requires some work, as players must beat the ‘The Show Must Go On,’ ‘Miracle on Tenkaichi Street,’ and ‘Miracle in Maharaja’ substories — and pick the black gifts. This will give the player the Encounter Finder, which will add Mr Shakedown and other enemies to the map.
Then, they must use their completion points to buy the Mr Shakedown’s Deep Pockets upgrade from the shrine. Once obtained, players must find Mr Shakedown, lose to him, enter and exit a building to reset the map, find him again and beat him, then repeat. By doing this, they’ll regain all their cash with a 50% bonus on top each time. By the end of the chapter, let alone the game, this exploit can leave playersswimming in billions of yen.
