#26
Yakuza 0 (PS4)
YoY: -1
One of the best examples of why video game open worlds don't actually have to be ridiculously huge and filled with pointless busywork. Yakuza 0's developers have come to the correct realization that a huge open world means nothing if it doesn't also have a comparable amount of engaging quests and interesting side activities to take part in, something quite a few AAA developers (Ubisoft) really need to be taught.
Another thing that Yakuza 0 gets right is its knack of successfully alternating between serious and silly moments, and neither tone ever feeling out of place nor immersion breaking. It all just fits the world's tone and style, despite how weird it may seem in concept. You can go from a scene where a member of the Yakuza cuts of their own finger to atone for their mistakes, to taking on a side quest where you're teaching a would be dominatrix to be better at their job, and it all just works somehow. That's what sets Yakuza apart from other games.
