Basic Combat

Learn the combat display, encounter types, and basic moveset in Yakuza 0. Monitor your Health Bar and Heat Gauge to survive.

Combat Display -

The combat display in Yakuza 0 provides crucial information. The Style marker in the upper left corner shows your active combat style. To its right is the Health Bar, located at the top of your screen. When this orange bar depletes, it's game over. It flashes red when critically low. You can restore health using food and energy drinks, and maximum health is increased via upgrades in the Abilities menu, with each style having multiple upgrades that apply to all styles.

Below the Health Bar is the Heat Gauge, shown as three colored bars. It increases as you land hits and allows you to perform Heat Actions when the first bar is filled. Heat decreases when you take damage, are grabbed, knocked down, or not attacking. While the maximum Heat level cannot be increased, abilities can be purchased to make the gauge rise faster, decrease slower, or provide new ways to gain Heat. Pay attention to which bar you are filling, as some abilities require specific Heat levels, like the 1st Bar.

Other important HUD elements include the minimap (radar (your minimap with nearby blips and threats marked)) in the lower-left, showing enemies as red arrows, and enemy health bars in the lower-right. Enemy bars are color-coded by health, from orange (lowest) to yellow, green, light blue, purple, and other colors for tougher foes. The upper-right corner shows your running money tally earned during fights, with bonuses available post-fight via the Options button.

Encounters -

Yakuza 0 features two main types of encounters: Scripted and Random.

Scripted encounters are tied to story progression, including main story, substories, training, or minigames.

Random encounters occur throughout the city and are divided into three subtypes:

• Aggressors: These enemies call out to you on the street, identifiable by a pink word balloon above their heads. They rush to initiate combat if you get too close, but can often be avoided by walking or dashing behind them.
• Interventions: These are initiated when you notice someone in distress, indicated by subtitled text at the bottom of your screen. Approaching and speaking to the victim surrounded by thugs starts the fight. Winning these encounters rewards you with items like energy drinks or sellable plates.
• Bumpers: These individuals are usually docile until bumped into. Typically looking thuggish, they will chase you like aggressors once provoked.

Once an encounter begins, bystanders form a fighting arena, locking you in until the enemy is defeated or you are. A splash screen introduces your foes before combat. Defeating enemies yields the most money. If defeated, you can retry or load a previous save.

The Basic Moveset -

Most combat styles in Yakuza 0 share a basic moveset, differing mainly in special techniques.

Combat Controls (typical):

• Move your character
• Move the camera
• Light Attack (Rush Combo)
• Heavy Attack (Finishing Blow, Heat Action)
• Evade
• Grab (Throw enemy/weapon)
• Guard
• Fighting Stance
• Taunt
• Center Camera (Hold to negate Heat Actions)
• Pause the game
• Switch Style
• Use Equipped Weapon

Rush Combo: Press the Light Attack button multiple times for fast, weak attacks. Useful for initiating combos or quick jabs.

Heavy Attack: Press the Heavy Attack button once for a single, stronger blow. Can be used on downed enemies. Some styles have an additional heavy attack with a different button.

Finishing Blow: Press Heavy Attack after a Rush Combo. The specific attack varies based on the combo sequence (e.g., Light-Heavy vs. Light-Light-Light-Heavy) and typically deals significant damage, often resulting in a knockdown with stronger styles.

Heat Action: Performed by using the Heavy Attack button when your Heat Gauge is sufficiently filled, often requiring specific positioning or circumstances.