As the title suggests, Yakuza 0 chronicles how series mainstay Kazuma Kiryu worked his way up the social ladder of the local Dojima Family yakuza. However, Kazuma’s story is only one part of the Yakuza formula. After all, what would he be without his best frienemy, Goro Majima? Thankfully, Yakuza 0 also tells audiences how he became the snakeskin-wearing psycho we love.
As with most Yakuza games, Yakuza 0 is a blend of gripping gang drama and action combat. The story takes many twists and turns as loyalties are tested, and through it all, combat is flashy, impactful, and ludicrous. Furthermore, to break up the gameplay loop, Yakuza 0 is full of minigames, light business simulations, and side missions that add levity without feeling out of place. – AG
1. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
The early Grand Theft Auto titles were generally well-received, but the power of the PlayStation 2 revealed the series’ full potential. Of course, it was 2004’s Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas that revealed the full scope of Rockstar’s vision for that revolutionary franchise.
In San Andreas, players control Carl “CJ” Johnson: a man who got out of the gang life but has to return to his old ways when some corrupt cops threaten to frame him for murder. What follows is one of Rockstar’s best narratives. It’s that perfect blend of absurdity and emotions that we know the GTA games can deliver at their absolute best.
GTA: San Andreas might not boast the biggest map in GTA history (that honor goes to GTA 5), but the way the game is stretched across three major cities with unique connecting areas makes it feel like the largest GTA game ever. Even better, that map is filled with missions and side activities designed to keep players busy. Even subsequent GTA titles struggled to replicate the sheer amount of things to do that this game offers.
How Rockstar crammed so much into GTA: San Andreas and still made the game run relatively smoothly is a true design miracle. This stands as the one crime game you can easily recommend to anyone looking to live a life of crime from the comfort of home. – AG