Review: Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties (PS5) – Colossal, Confident Remake Makes Controversial Changes

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I remember getting into the Yakuza series with Yakuza 3 back when it first came out on the PS3 in 2010. But going back to it now, or even playing the PS4 version, really shows how much things have changed – a lot of the older stuff just doesn’t feel as good as it used to.

This beloved Yakuza game has been completely remade with updated graphics and gameplay, now rebuilt using the Dragon Engine as Yakuza Kiwami 3.

The game boasts a revamped combat system, similar to the quick and exciting action found in Like a Dragon Gaiden and Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii. It also includes new cutscenes and boss fights to expand the story, plus plenty of optional side activities that will keep you playing for hours.

It also bolts on an entirely new expansion called Dark Ties — but we’ll get around to that later.

As a huge Yakuza fan, I honestly think Kiwami 3 is one of the most fun games in the series to actually play. But, it’s also become pretty well-known for being a bit divisive – a lot of people have strong opinions about it, and not all of them are positive!

If you’re new to Yakuza 3, you probably won’t notice the differences in this remake. However, longtime fans and those familiar with the Like a Dragon series might find the changes frustrating, or even disappointing.

Let’s start with the plot, which retains one of the series’ strongest storylines, up until a point.

Following the violent events of Yakuza 2, Kazuma Kiryu, the main character, attempts to leave behind the criminal life in Japan and starts a new chapter running an orphanage in Okinawa.

Honestly, it’s so heartwarming to see Kiryu finally at peace, just helping these incredibly cute kids. What I really love about the story is how it shows a softer, more human side of him – we always knew he was tough, but seeing him with those orphans is just beautifully done. It feels so genuine and really adds to the whole experience.

Kiwami 3 builds on its peaceful setting with a brand new side story featuring enjoyable minigames and heartwarming moments.

The characters, especially the children, feel more developed, and the story about Kiryu’s orphanage can unfold naturally, independent of the main plot. This fixes the famously slow start of the game, letting you enjoy the more relaxed and character-focused moments whenever you want.

As you can probably imagine, Kiryu’s peaceful retirement doesn’t last long. He’s quickly pulled back into the complicated and often dangerous world of the Tojo clan.

Once a feared yakuza boss, his past is now causing trouble for him. He’s unexpectedly caught up in a high-level government plot, which is a stark contrast to his current peaceful life working at an orphanage.

The way Yakuza 3 sets up its world and characters is truly excellent. The first part of the game is full of mystery and memorable introductions, as Kiryu travels between the beautiful beaches of Okinawa and the rough, familiar streets of Kamurocho.

The story starts to lose momentum in the second half. While the new cutscenes in Kiwami 3 add helpful background information, they aren’t enough to prevent the later parts of the game from feeling hurried and ultimately a bit disappointing.

Despite everything, the game builds to an exciting and memorable finale, featuring some of the most famous fights the series has ever seen.

However, these changes might bother some fans. We won’t give away any details, but the story has been altered in some important ways. We’re not sure if these changes are for the better—they sometimes feel like they weren’t needed, but they don’t completely clash with the fact that this is a remake.

What about the characters who’ve been re-cast? Several key roles have been given to new actors, with the characters essentially getting a completely new appearance.

Rikiya, a young member of the Okinawan mafia, quickly becomes likable to Kiryu. Show Kasamatsu does a good job playing him, but it’s hard to understand why the character needed to be recast and visually changed – it seems the main reason was to include a well-known actor.

Okay, so Rikiya’s still… Rikiya. He’s still that kinda clueless, goofy guy we all know, but now they’ve given him a much more mature look. It’s weird, because his partner, Mikio, still looks exactly like the cartoonish character he always was. Seeing them together is really jarring, especially if you played the original Yakuza 3 and remember what Rikiya used to look like!

The character of Hamazaki, a key villain in the game, has also been reimagined. This isn’t just a change in actor – Hamazaki’s personality is completely different. He’s now a cunning and manipulative gangster, much more subtle than before, and serves as the mastermind behind the villains’ plans.

We’re really enjoying this new version of the Hamazaki character. He always felt a bit awkward in the original story, considering how important he was supposed to be.

While the game has many strengths, the casting of Teruyuki Kagawa is drawing criticism. Kagawa is a well-known and talented actor, but his past conviction for sexual misconduct raises questions, especially given the game’s strong condemnation of sexual harassment. This creates a difficult contradiction for many players.

The surrounding issues create a difficult atmosphere for enjoying the entertainment, and some viewers will find it hard to ignore them when Hamazaki appears on screen.

We didn’t think the changes hurt the overall experience, but we can see why others might disagree. It’s disappointing that a mostly excellent remake is let down by some strange choices. And it’s even more frustrating that Yakuza 3 Remastered was taken off digital stores except as part of pricey bundles.

Anyway, let’s get back to the gameplay, which again, we think is amongst the best in the franchise.

The combat system has been dramatically improved compared to the original game. Kiryu now moves quickly and feels similar to his version in Like a Dragon: Gaiden, with fast, impactful attacks that can send enemies flying.

The combat system is surprisingly deep, with Kiryu utilizing powerful charged attacks, extended combos, and devastating finishing moves. It’s honestly one of the most enjoyable times we’ve had playing as Kiryu, though it’s a tough competition with his previous appearances.

Some traditionalists might disagree, but perfectly timed dodges are now crucial again. They let Kiryu avoid almost any attack and quickly strike back.

These updated combat moves might make Yakuza feel less like a classic brawler and more like a typical action game. However, they’re still fun to use and seem to be a permanent part of the series.

Kiryu’s new fighting style likely won’t be a permanent addition. Based on Okinawan martial arts, this ‘Ryukyu’ style has him switching between different weapons, leading to a more methodical and skillful combat experience.

The idea behind this is great, and letting Kiryu use a shield for perfect blocks and parries feels incredibly rewarding. However, the overall range of moves feels a little bit disjointed and unfinished.

The game assigns different weapons to different buttons, and Kiryu seems to pull them out unexpectedly. The animations aren’t always smooth, and while switching weapons to adapt to fights – like using tekko to break an enemy’s defense – is a good idea, the Ryukyu fighting style doesn’t feel as well-rounded as Kiryu’s usual fighting style.

Honestly, even though I’m already loving the combat, it’s really cool that you can change up your fighting style during combos. It adds a lot of variety! I have a feeling dedicated Yakuza fans are going to find some unbelievably creative ways to use this system, and I can’t wait to see what they come up with.

It’s definitely worth trying out, as a significant portion of Yakuza Kiwami 3 focuses on a fun, combat-heavy side quest called Bad Boy Dragon.

Early in the game, a side quest becomes available where Kiryu helps a local Okinawan gang. Throughout the city, you’ll encounter potential new members being bullied by a rival gang, and you can rescue them by winning street fights.

The game’s progression is straightforward and works well: you recruit companions by winning battles or completing side quests, strengthen them through combat, and then test their skills against tougher enemies in large-scale Turf Wars – epic battles reminiscent of the Dynasty Warriors series.

I’m really enjoying this – it’s a blast! Though, it does get a little samey after a while. Still, it’s awesome for leveling up Kiryu and getting him ready for the big stuff in the main game.

Kiwami 3 is a really solid remake, and the addition of Dark Ties makes the whole experience even better.

Dark Ties is an add-on included with Yakuza Kiwami 3 that focuses on the story of Yoshitaka Mine, a key villain in the game.

Fans have always liked Mine as a villain, but the ‘Dark Ties’ storyline really makes him a fascinating character. This second campaign begins before the events of ‘Yakuza 3’ and reveals how Mine initially became involved with the yakuza.

The main story takes about 10 hours to complete, but if you enjoy exploring and doing side quests, you can easily spend much more time in the game, experiencing everything it has to offer.

We experienced everything Dark Ties has to offer in about 20 hours of gameplay, and a New Game+ mode is available if you’d like to replay the story.

Mine’s fast-paced and brutal combat is exciting, but we were most impressed by the surprisingly strong story in Dark Ties.

This adds a lot more detail to Mine’s backstory and explains what drives him and what he’s going through. While it doesn’t necessarily make him likeable, it does a fantastic job of preparing players for his importance in the larger story.

Honestly, getting to play as a villain in a Yakuza game feels like a wish fulfilled.

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2026-02-09 18:10