How Long is Yakuza 0? A Playtime Breakdown

Yakuza 0 is set in the bustling urban centers of 1980s Tokyo and Osaka and offers players a glimpse into the early lives of series protagonists Kiryu and Majima. If you’re considering diving into this game, you might be wondering about its length.

In this article, we’ll provide an overview of how long it typically takes to play through “Yakuza 0”, covering everything from the main story to a full completionist run.

How long is Yakuza 0?

Main Story:

For players experiencing “Yakuza 0” for the first time and focusing primarily on the main story, on average, it would take 31 to 32 hours. This includes navigating the bustling streets of 1980s Tokyo and Osaka, engaging in intense brawls, and experiencing the core narrative involving Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima.

Main Story + Some Extras:

For players who delve into the main story and also tackle some extras, such as engaging in side missions (known as “Substories”), playing a few mini-games, and participating in some business ventures, the gameplay duration is approximately 66 hours.

Completionists (100%):

Those aiming for 100% completion—finishing all substories, conquering every mini-game, and obtaining all achievements related to the game’s vast array of activities and businesses—can expect to invest about 140 to 142 hours.

Speedruns:

Speedrunners aim to finish the game as rapidly as possible using various strategies and shortcuts. The speedrunning community constantly evolves and finds new techniques, so times can vary. As of writing, the speedrun record for the main story is 3 hours, 31 minutes, and 36 seconds.

Factors that Influence Playtime

Yakuza 0 offers a rich, immersive experience set in the heart of Japan during the late 1980s. The game’s depth and variety ensure that each player’s journey through its neon-lit streets can differ significantly in length. Here are some of the in-game elements that might affect how long you’ll spend in this world.

1. Playstyle and Combat Prowess: The efficiency with which a player tackles the numerous battles in Yakuza 0 can significantly affect playtime. Those who master the game’s various fighting styles may progress faster than those who struggle with combat.

2. Engagement with Substories: Yakuza 0 features numerous substories (side quests) that can considerably extend the playtime. Depending on the player’s interest in exploring these side narratives, this can add hours to the overall gameplay experience.

3. Business Management: Both protagonists, Kiryu and Majima, have business ventures (real estate for Kiryu and a cabaret club for Majima) that players can invest time in. Managing these businesses can be time-consuming but also rewarding.

4. Mini-Games and Activities: The game is rich in various mini-games, from karaoke to disco dancing, classic SEGA arcade games, fishing, and more. Depending on how much time players spend on these activities, the overall playtime can be greatly impacted.

5. Exploration: The game’s open-world nature allows players to explore Tokyo’s Kamurocho and Osaka’s Sotenbori. Wandering the streets, interacting with NPCs, and discovering hidden secrets can add to the playtime.

6. Difficulty Level: The game offers different difficulty settings. Playing on a higher difficulty might lead to more retries and longer battles, thus extending the playtime.

7. Cutscenes and Dialogue: Yakuza 0 is narrative-heavy, with lengthy cutscenes and dialogues. Those who choose to watch all cutscenes and read through all dialogues will have a longer playtime compared to those who might skip them.

Criteria for 100% Completion in Yakuza 0:

To achieve a 100% completion rate in Yakuza 0, players must invest significant time and effort into various aspects of the game. Here’s a breakdown of the criteria needed to fully complete the game:

1. Main Story Completion: Finish all main story chapters for both protagonists, Kiryu and Majima.
2. Substories: Complete all available substories (side quests) for both characters.
3. Business Ventures: Fully upgrade and manage Kiryu’s Real Estate Royale business in Kamurocho and Majima’s Cabaret Club Czar in Sotenbori.
4. Training and Mastery: Master all of the game’s fighting styles by completing each mentor’s training sessions and challenges.
5. Mini-Games & Activities: Achieve top scores or complete specific challenges in all mini-games, including but not limited to karaoke, disco dancing, pocket circuit racing, shogi, mahjong, and the classic SEGA arcade games.
6. Collectibles: Obtain all collectible items in the game, including telephone cards, equipment, and weapons.
7. Friendships: Build relationships and max out friendship gauges with various NPCs in both cities.
8. Completion Points (CP): Earn all Completion Points available by finishing various in-game activities and challenges.
9. Battles: Defeat all types of enemies and bosses, including special ones found in certain substories or side challenges.
10. Achievements/Trophies: Unlock all in-game achievements or trophies.

Reaching 100% completion in Yakuza 0 is a testament to a player’s dedication and thoroughness in exploring everything the game has to offer. It’s a challenging feat but offers a deep and comprehensive experience of the vibrant world of Yakuza 0.