Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut is now available for pre-order, but the reaction from fans has been less than enthusiastic. Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio aimed to entice players with a variety of new features, but the response has been overwhelmingly negative, raising concerns about whether the enhancements justify the price.

This expanded version of the 2015 hit, which chronicles the early days of Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima, will initially launch exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2. The remaster promises several upgrades, including 4K resolution in docked mode, 60 frames per second, new English, French, and Italian voiceovers, Spanish localization, a special horde battle mode playable solo or online, and 26 minutes of previously cut cinematic scenes.

Producer Makoto Suzuki explained that the restored cutscenes are not newly created content but rather material removed from the original release. According to the developers, these additions aim to deepen interactions between key characters like Kiryu, Akira Nishikiyama, Daisaku Kudo, Goro Majima, and a new character introduced in the Director’s Cut. However, these scenes are not deemed essential for newcomers to understand the overarching story.

Despite the inclusion of a physical edition (currently unavailable in Europe), which requires downloading 53.7 GB via a Game-key Card, many fans have expressed frustration with Sega. The primary point of contention is the price—$49.99/€49.99/£44.99—which some feel is too steep for a game that doesn’t significantly alter the beloved original narrative.

Critics argue that the enhancements, while appreciated, don’t add enough value to warrant the premium cost. For instance, the restored cutscenes, while intriguing, are framed as “cut for a reason” by some players who question their necessity. Others point out that similar re-releases of older games often come with more substantial changes or lower price points.

The decision to release the game exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2 has also sparked mixed reactions, as it limits accessibility for fans on other platforms. Additionally, the reliance on digital downloads for the physical edition has raised eyebrows, particularly among those who prefer fully offline experiences.

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