Y0 is peak Yakuza/RGG for me. It's GTA but without that component that always made it hard for me to immerse myself in the world, sure the activties were fun...but I think that if a game has me procrastinating for 15 hours before I even get to meet the co-protagonist, it's doing something right. And I did just that, explored Kamurocho and Sotenbori because I wanted to take in the setting itself, not just mash through the plot. I was afraid the game would end, something few titles get me to do nowadays. Whether it's the combat, music or the really detailed overworld, I can't tell.
It sets up Kiryu and Majima for...basically the rest of the series, and even if you never even touched Kiwami 1/2 or the other entries, after spending so many chapters, side stories and hours raging at minigames (as an addition, fuck Mahjong and Batting Cages) you really get attached to these two dramatic gangsters you play as, laugh at how crazy the plot is, and get to hear some very solid exposition. I was 100% laser-focused on every line the NPCs said from start to finish, and it paid off very well (though the cutscenes can drag on).
Think everyone into text-heavy games should at least give it a shot, I got people who aren't exactly into RPGs hooked on Y0, it's like crack in videogame form for me and I really cannot stress what a great experience it is, in style and storytelling. The fact I'm writing an essay on this thread is proof of that, seriously : play it.
Also, what other game allows you to help out "totally not Steven Spielberg" shoot the Thriller clip for a fake MJ?