Yakuza 0: Director's Cut

High impact simulated gambling, online interactivity

Advice for consumers This game has received a PEGI 18 which restricts availability to ADULTS ONLY and is not suitable for persons under 18 years of age. This rating has been given because it violence against defenceless characters, depictions of sexual violence, encouragement of gambling and the use of strong language. Brief outline of the game Action role-playing game set in Japan, in which players take on the role of a member of the Japanese mafia who must leave the Yakuza to prove his innocence and get revenge upon those who framed him. Content specific issues This game features depictions of violence towards defenceless characters. A man restrained in a chair has his toes smashed with a sledgehammer. The man yells in pain as this happens, and large amounts of blood accompany this. There are also moments in the game which depict sexual violence. A man gropes a woman's breast inside her dress. She wants him to stop; she struggles but is restrained by him. The manager of the bar then steps in to stop this from continuing. During a cutscene, a man is graphically attacked with a crowbar, blood sprays from his chest as it is pulled out. Violence during gameplay combat consists of hand-to-hand fighting; whilst there are some unrealistic flashes, general fighting is realistic. Cinematics show more intense bloody violence, which includes characters being shot and bleeding profusely as a result and a man graphically attacked with a crowbar; blood sprays from his chest as it is pulled out as he screams in pain. In the game, the player can enter a casino and gamble at different tables. The player is taught how to play blackjack and can place bets during the game. This game contains the use of strong language, including ‘fuck’. Milder bad language is also present, including ‘piss’, ‘bastard’, ‘bitch’ and ‘bullshit’. Other issues Characters in the game are frequently seen smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol. There are moments where the player can go into a bar and order alcoholic drinks; a close up shot is seen of the drink of choice before the character is then seen drinking it. If the player drinks too much, the bartender will cut them off. The game is littered with sexual innuendo and sexual posturing. Female characters are often seen dressed in scantily clad outfits and posed provocatively. At one point in the game, a character describes a woman’s past, implying that the Korean mafia sexually exploited her. No images are shown of this happening.