Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties Preview – A little bit of old and a little bit of new

by

Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties is the newest installment in the popular Yakuza series, continuing the remakes that began in 2016 with the first two games. This version updates the original game with improved features and some story changes, while also adding a completely new experience called Dark Ties, which focuses on the villain Yoshitaka Mine. I recently had a chance to play both the main game and Dark Ties for about four hours.

Being new to the Yakuza games, I was a little overwhelmed by how many there are and how passionate the fans are. Luckily, playing the demo eased my concerns. I also learned the full game will include a 20-minute summary of the first two Yakuza titles, which is great for players who are new to the series and want to jump in here.

Yakuza Kiwami 3

During the first part of my hands-on preview, I played through the main Yakuza 3 game, experiencing three different sections designed to showcase its key features. As the series’ main character, Kazuma Kiryu, I started at the Morning Glory orphanage, where I worked to improve my ‘Daddy Rank’ by playing a variety of enjoyable mini-games for the children. These included a tricky science quiz (which I barely passed!), a fast-paced sewing challenge where precision was key, and harvesting vegetables to make a delicious dragon curry. Each mini-game took about five minutes, and my performance determined how much my Daddy Rank increased. While not overly difficult, these were just a few of the many mini-games available in the full game.

I started my hands-on experience with some fun mini-games at an orphanage, then got to explore Okinawa and meet the Haisai girls. This is where I was introduced to the fast-paced, action-packed combat that Yakuza is known for. Early in the game, I battled the Tokyo Night Terrors, a gang that relies on overwhelming numbers. I really enjoyed the game’s over-the-top humor and witty dialogue, and the ridiculousness of the combat was a highlight. Even though it was my first time playing, the controls felt smooth and responsive, and I quickly learned to fight effectively. The camera was easy to manage, movement felt snappy, and I wasn’t overwhelmed by the number of enemies. There was a slight learning curve with some controls, like sprinting with the right bumper, but I quickly got the hang of it and felt confident taking on the streets.

The third part of the demo let me freely explore the game’s world for about an hour. If you’ve played previous Yakuza games, you’ll feel right at home. I could walk around the city, buy new clothes for Kiryu, shop for items, and participate in fun side activities like golf, bowling, and playing classic Sega Game Gear games. Naturally, I also got into a few fights with street toughs. The full game will have all of this and much more, and this section gave a good preview of what to expect.

One of the most memorable experiences I had was a side quest where I unexpectedly became a local celebrity. While walking around, I was interviewed by TV star Akko-San and a news crew, which led to me enthusiastically sharing my favorite places in Okinawa and even getting into a playful fight at the market. After showing them around, we finished the day with karaoke at Miya’s bar, led by Akko-San herself. The quest ended with Akko-San playfully judging how much fun she had by hitting a bell – and I managed to get the highest score with three strong hits, winning a golden statue of her and some other great rewards. These kinds of lighthearted side stories really capture the spirit of Yakuza Kiwami 3, and I’m looking forward to more adventures like this.

After my initial burst of attention, I got to customize Kiryu’s appearance. The preview unlocked a huge number of cosmetic items, letting me completely change his hair and clothes. There are tons of clothing choices, ranging from fun and goofy to sleek and fashionable.

Dark Ties

I also got a hands-on preview of Dark Ties, a new story focusing on Yoshitaka Mine, the villain from the main Yakuza games. This game is a prequel to Yakuza Kiwami 3 and includes some exciting new gameplay additions. The standout features are the Survival Hell and Brawler Hell modes, which let you play as Yoshitaka Mine and experience his unique fighting style. He’s a quick and nimble fighter specializing in shootboxing. You can also activate his powerful Dark Awakening ability – if you have enough energy – to boost your attacks and pull off impressive moves.

Survival Hell combines the action of the Yakuza series with roguelike elements. You’ll navigate randomly generated areas, fighting enemies and searching for the exit to the next level. Defeating tougher Treasure Keepers rewards you with loot that improves your abilities, though it takes time to acquire. Each area gives you around 12 minutes to explore and prepare. You can fight the Master Keeper boss whenever you’re ready, but upgrading your character first is highly recommended. As you progress, you can also find Gospels to unlock Mercenaries who will assist you on future runs.

Brawler Hell is a fast-paced survival mode where you battle waves of enemies. It’s a great place to practice your fighting skills and combos, and you can earn rewards for each victory.

Similar to playing as Kiryu in Yakuza 3, I spent about 30 minutes freely exploring Kamurocho as Yoshitaka Mine. I did many of the same things as with Kiryu, though unfortunately, there don’t seem to be any clothes or shops to change Mine’s appearance. The game does add some new arcade games and Sega Game Gear titles to enjoy, and you can start both Survival Hell and Brawler Hell whenever you want by finding the right vendor in the Hell’s Arena.

A major new feature is the “Kanda Damage Control” missions. These are tasks given by Kanda that boost your gang’s reputation when completed. Interestingly, Mine jokingly suggests that Kanda’s gang improve their public image by doing good deeds for the local community. In my early look, one mission involved investigating an underground fight club, which led me to a combat challenge area called Hell’s Arena. While details about the full story and other missions are still under wraps, it’s easy to picture the kinds of scenarios we’ll face as a Yakuza group trying to help their community.

I recently played Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties and really enjoyed it, which has made me want to play more games in the series. As a newcomer, I was immediately hooked by the fast-paced and exciting gameplay, and I’m already looking forward to the next installment coming out in 2026. I think I’ll explore some of the older games while I wait.

Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties will be available on February 12, 2026, for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S, and PC through Steam.

Read More

2026-01-16 05:57