Girl Gangs, Fight Clubs, And Chicken Curry: Yakuza Kiwami 3 + Dark Ties Will Keep Gamers Entertained For A While

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The Yakuza series has been a popular part of gaming for over two decades, consistently delivering on its initial promise. It’s become known as a competitor to the Grand Theft Auto games, but has always maintained its own unique style – a blend of serious crime drama and quirky, over-the-top humor. I recently had the chance to play Yakuza Kiwami 3 + Dark Ties at a Sega event in Los Angeles, and it’s a surprisingly large and incredibly enjoyable game.

The demo offered a preview of the main stories in both games, as well as several side missions and minigames. Players could experience Kiryu taking care of an orphanage to become a father figure, or help Mine build up a gangster’s reputation. There were also plenty of enjoyable diversions like karaoke, mahjong, and bowling. However, two modes really stood out: Kiryu managing a girl gang involved in a turf war, and Mine investigating an underground fighting ring similar to Squid Game. Both of these modes were compelling enough to feel like complete games on their own.

Wage Your Own Gang War In Yakuza Kiwami

Yakuza Kiwami 3 + Dark Ties offers the same depth and expansive world players expect from the series, making it a great experience for both longtime fans and newcomers. The game has a compelling story for Kiryu, filled with tense moments, alongside fun side activities like cooking and sewing where you can become a real ‘dad’. I personally became hooked on the girl gang missions. This mode is similar to the pirate crew battles in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, featuring large-scale fights with many different characters, but it feels special because it connects to Kiryu’s existing story and allows him to get involved with the local gangs while still maintaining his role as a father figure and mentor.

While exploring Okinawa, players can intervene in conflicts to defend locals from a Tokyo-based gang trying to expand its influence throughout Japan. This triggers frequent, smaller fights, and the female members of your gang will level up and become more skilled alongside you. As you progress, you’ll recruit more allies and eventually confront the gangsters directly in a unique combat mode – leading a motorcycle charge against them.

This mode is a ton of fun – easy to pick up and surprisingly captivating thanks to its compelling story and lovable characters. It really showcases how excellent the combat is in Yakuza Kiwami 3, with smooth movement and dynamic environments that encourage bold, over-the-top tactics. Like previous games, it’s quick to learn but offers plenty of depth, letting you unleash huge combos, perfectly timed counters, and generally dominate anyone who dares to challenge you. I could have happily played an entire game focused on this mode alone, and it only hinted at everything else this dual release has to offer.

The Underground Fight Clubs In Dark Tides Are Worth An Entire Game

The game Dark Tides offers a compelling story and lots of side missions, but the real standout is the underground fight club. It’s a great way for the character, Mine, to make money, and it highlights his dislike of the rich spectators. Players can have Mine participate in individual fights or tackle a challenging, ever-changing dungeon, all while either playing the system or trying to change it from within.

When played this way, Mine gains many allies who fight alongside her, adding unique skills to the experience. Her story, much like the girl gang subplot, is a great fit for Kiryu’s character and feels natural within his overall narrative. Mine’s journey into the underground fighting scene is intense, unforgiving, and captivatingly dark. This side story is so well-developed it could easily be a full game, effectively demonstrating both the storytelling and action elements that make the Yakuza series so over-the-top and exciting.

This installment features a darker, more morally ambiguous main character, deliberately challenging what we typically expect from a hero. Despite this, the game is incredibly engaging thanks to its strong design, the vibrant and detailed city, and the lovable characters. Ultimately, it’s a fantastic Yakuza experience. Even the demo event didn’t allow me to explore everything Yakuza Kiwami 3 + Dark Ties has to offer, but what I did play left me eager to get the full game.

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2026-01-16 06:11