I Loved Yakuza Kiwami 3 + Dark Ties as a Newcomer, But It Creates Some Confusing Problems (Review)

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I first got into the Yakuza series with Yakuza Kiwami, a remake of the very first game. I loved it and then played Yakuza Kiwami 2, intending to continue with the remastered Yakuza 3. I never quite got around to playing Yakuza 3 Remastered, but I was happy to hear that RGG Studio was completely remaking it as Yakuza Kiwami 3.

Now that I’ve finished Yakuza Kiwami 3, I’m glad I started with this game in the series. It’s a strong remake from RGG Studio, featuring a compelling story, better combat, and plenty of side activities. While I enjoyed it overall, I do have some reservations about certain changes made in Kiwami 3, and the extra story campaign, Dark Ties, doesn’t add enough new content to feel truly worthwhile on its own.

Rating: 4/5

Pros Cons
Combat, particularly Ryukyu Style, is fantastic Dark Ties campaign alone doesn’t warrant a purchase
Some of the best and most diverse content in the Yakuza series Story changes/retcons are confounding for both new and old players
Tells a more character-focused story centered around Kiryu

Yakuza 3 Is One of My Favorite Stories in the Series

A standout feature of Yakuza 3 is its story, which is more intimate and focuses on characters than previous installments. After leaving the life of a Yakuza behind, Kazuma Kiryu moves to Okinawa and starts an orphanage, caring for children. However, Kiryu’s peaceful new life as a caretaker is inevitably disrupted by his past, leading to a more personal and impactful conflict.

I really enjoyed the story of Yakuza 3 from start to finish. Like other games in the series, it occasionally gets a little wild, but it also felt more realistic, which was a plus. The new characters – Rikiya, Nakahard, and the kids from Morning Glory – helped show different sides of Kiryu’s personality, and villains like Kanda and Mine were particularly memorable.

The biggest surprise in Yakuza Kiwami 3 is that the developers, RGG Studio, significantly altered the ending. This change is confusing for both longtime fans – it feels like a rewrite of established story – and new players like me. I was eager to start Yakuza 4 after finishing Kiwami 3, but now I’m hesitant because the stories don’t quite line up. Hopefully, RGG Studio will eventually explain these changes, but I’m disappointed they didn’t create a more faithful remake of the original Yakuza 3.

Yakuza Kiwami 3 Has Some of the Franchise’s Best Combat and Side Content

The combat in the Yakuza series has always been a strong point, but it really shines in Yakuza Kiwami 3. I especially love the new Ryukyu fighting style. It lets Kiryu use a wide range of weapons, each with its own unique way to play. Some weapons focus on defense, while others are perfect for taking on groups of enemies. Switching between these weapons quickly makes the gameplay feel more exciting and dynamic than ever before.

Beyond the intense fighting, Yakuza Kiwami 3 offers plenty of fun side activities. The game’s substories are often funny and touching, though the developers removed some content from the original release for reasons that aren’t clear. One particularly action-packed side activity, called Bad Boy Dragon, has Kiryu assisting a gang and involves a lot of chaotic combat.

Honestly, the best part of Yakuza Kiwami 3 for me was the Morning Glory orphanage. It’s like a mini-game where you help run the place, and I totally got sucked in! I was doing everything – farming, fishing, even helping the kids with their homework – all to raise money and build a relationship with them. It sounds simple, and it is, but I loved it! I easily spent almost 10 hours just working on the orphanage and trying to increase my ‘Daddy Rank,’ and I don’t regret a single minute of it.

Dark Ties Is an Unneeded Expansion That’s Still Fun

One of the best features of this remake is the brand-new campaign, Dark Ties. It lets you play as Yoshitaka Mine, showing how he climbed the ranks of the Yakuza before the events of Yakuza 3. Learning his history adds a lot of depth to the main game, and I found it to be a really enjoyable addition.

While you can play as Mine, he doesn’t feel very smooth or connected as a character. His fighting style lacks a natural rhythm, and his attacks don’t quite flow together. His special ability, “Dark Awakening,” is also a bit underwhelming – it simply makes him stronger and lets him use a few special moves for a short time. He had the potential to be much more enjoyable to play.

Beyond the main story in Dark Ties, there isn’t much compelling side content. Most of the extra activities are simple tasks, like defeating certain enemies or running errands for people in Kamurocho. The exception is Survival Hell, a challenging combat arena with roguelike features. It’s a fun gameplay loop – completing runs, leveling up, and earning rewards – and shows RGG Studio could make a great standalone roguelike game if they chose to.

While Yakuza Kiwami 3 isn’t flawless and has a few more issues than previous Kiwami games, I really enjoyed playing it, including the Dark Ties content, despite those problems. If you haven’t played Yakuza 3 yet, this remake is a great way to experience it.

Yakuza Kiwami 3 + Dark Ties comes out this week on February 12th for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. We received a PS5 review copy from the publisher.

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2026-02-12 01:17