Yakuza 3

 PlayStation 3
  • Publisher: Sega
  • Release Date: Mar 9, 2010
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 284 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 205 out of 284
  2. Mixed: 56 out of 284
  3. Negative: 23 out of 284
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  1. wspark
    Oct 16, 2018
    7
    I’ve just finished Yakuza 3 after playing through its PS4 remakes/prequels, and up to this point, this definitely seems to be weakest entry in the series so far. Sure, comparing Yakuza 3 to latter-PS4 entries is a bit unfair, but that is the context that I have, so be it.

    Someone else once stated that Yakuza is 3 more like a "gaiden" (side-story) version of the Kiryu saga, and I have    I’ve just finished Yakuza 3 after playing through its PS4 remakes/prequels, and up to this point, this definitely seems to be weakest entry in the series so far. Sure, comparing Yakuza 3 to latter-PS4 entries is a bit unfair, but that is the context that I have, so be it.

    Someone else once stated that Yakuza is 3 more like a "gaiden" (side-story) version of the Kiryu saga, and I have to agree. Everything is a bit slower-paced compared to the prequels; from a slower-pace Okinawa beach and smaller-city setting taking a large chunk of the gameplay. It's fine for what it is, but does feel a bit off kilter compared to the other sagas.

    Presentation is appropriate for an early PS3-era game, so if you keep your expectations in it's fine, but it didn't quite teleport me back to kabuki-cho/dotonbori like its PS4 prequels.

    The fight gameplay is fairly average - it just doesn’t have the bone-crunching effect of the PS4 entries, and the moves and the play seems a bit… plain-Jane. Mostly button-mashing with a few dodges thrown in here and there for the tougher fights, but nothing that will make you sweat for an extended period of time.

    The main story is decent – it’s maybe on par with part 1. Your typical crime-drama storyline here with some melodramatic plot points (with you running an orphanage and all). I can’t say the storyline was exceptional like that of part 0, but there’s nothing wrong here.

    The side-story missions are okay, but I feel the formula is starting to wear thin. I found myself just wanting to move on with the main story as I didn't find the side plots particularly compelling nor all the mini games interesting.

    All in all, Yakuza 3 is up to par or above average in most aspects, but the series is starting to become a grind at this point. I have pre-purchased the entire Kiryu-saga, so I will eventually finish up to part 6, but I’m definitely starting to run out of steam a bit. Series started out with a blast, but I think the entire saga could've been a trilogy (+ prequel maybe) or so, and they really should’ve capped everything off by about now. And this is coming from someone who has lived in Japan, speaks passable Japanese, and has a fair appreciation of the culture (and its subcultures like this). If I'm beginning to get tired of the series, I can only imagine it'd be much more so for the casual individual who might not have such an interest in Japanese (sub)cultures like myself.    … Expand
  2. TimS.
    May 18, 2010
    7
    I played Shenmue 1 and 2 all those years ago and loved both of them. In my memory they are one of the best gaming experiences I HAD (note HAD). This game feels very much like Shenmue and that's the problem, this game feels very dated.In its day Shenmue was groundbraking but it has been well and truly surpassed.The streets in Yakuza 3 are beautiful and atmospheric but the old style I played Shenmue 1 and 2 all those years ago and loved both of them. In my memory they are one of the best gaming experiences I HAD (note HAD). This game feels very much like Shenmue and that's the problem, this game feels very dated.In its day Shenmue was groundbraking but it has been well and truly surpassed.The streets in Yakuza 3 are beautiful and atmospheric but the old style Low Res in game graphics don't show the scenery its true glory. Places I can see but can't go as I'm stopped by countless invisible barriers,I would love to explore but it is very limited. Downtown Ryuku for example is very small, there's only about 10 Streets to explore so not as big as you may expect. Very repetitive street fight encounters that are only really there to help you increase your abilities, useful for when you face a future boss but it gets repetitive very quickly. I purchased this game because I love all that is Japanese, sadly this fails to impress. The good points, the soundtrack is superb and the story not bad so far but it does have the odd cliche which amuses me when it shouldn't. Maybe I'm missing the point but I don't care for karaoke, fishing, or golfing (the bowling's good though). I want tons of atmosphere, stunning graphics, a large area to explore and a deeply involving story and character which sadly this game lacks. So an average game,not bad but I expected more.… Expand
  3. SeanM
    Mar 21, 2010
    5
    Most of the negative comments for this game seem to be from people who A) Are too used to be shovel-fed the usual tripe from EA and Ubi, or B) Way too used to playing the latest Call of Duty or Battlefield clone. Just play the game for your own sake and don't let the reviewers skew your opinion; this game (really, the whole series) is a rarity in gaming.
  4. Guivera
    Feb 28, 2011
    7
    An enjoyable game that just drags on a litttttle too long. If not for the tedious cut scenes that seem to never end and the repetitive fighting mechanics this game could have been a lot more. Still, overall this game is definitely worth a play.
  5. RezzaDee
    Feb 22, 2011
    6
    I am only about 2-3 hours into the game, but so far it is quite good but im getting bored of re taking shots on the golf course lol, there is a lot of text to read and loads of cut-scenes but i cant help think i would give my right arm for sega to make shenmue 3.
    I mean all the crap sonic games that keep coming out, bayonetta although it was quite good but i was ****** off with    I am only about 2-3 hours into the game, but so far it is quite good but im getting bored of re taking shots on the golf course lol, there is a lot of text to read and loads of cut-scenes but i cant help think i would give my right arm for sega to make shenmue 3.
    I mean all the crap sonic games that keep coming out, bayonetta although it was quite good but i was ****** off with gamestation stealing my pre-order gun, and all the other **** arcade games they keep releasing like crazy taxi and sonic adventure 1 (we all know that SA2 was the best) but please sega pull your finger out other wise ryo hazuki will have died before he can get the dragon seal back 0.o    … Expand
  6. SuPaPooPeR
    Jan 10, 2011
    7
    When i picked up Yakuza, I did so due to my interest for the culture, the dramatic pronounciation of the language and facial expression and the adventure that came in the background. The characters are lovable even the children and villians have perfect dept and history. The main protagonist has charm and presence on screen however for the free roaming areas of the map, they could haveWhen i picked up Yakuza, I did so due to my interest for the culture, the dramatic pronounciation of the language and facial expression and the adventure that came in the background. The characters are lovable even the children and villians have perfect dept and history. The main protagonist has charm and presence on screen however for the free roaming areas of the map, they could have made it more accessible than the 4 streets and 2 side roads per location, surely in this day and age, recreating TOKYO in a game can't be that hard especially when TAKE2 recreated NEW YORK. The gameplay and fighting was solid, especially the brawls, I loved that completedly and couldn't wait to bump into people who wanted to beat my character up just to reverse the roles. The Story was addictive and a perfect length, well acted out with brilliant animation. Picking up new weapans is also a blast. I bought this for less than £20 from Play.com "Its like STREETS OF RAGE in 3D."… Expand
  7. okunoin9
    Jun 21, 2012
    7
    I gave Yakuza 3 a 7. It's a patchwork combination of clunky gameplay and an awe inspiring attention to detail with it's environments. It has both touching emotional moments with genuinely likeable characters, and over the top campy camaraderie that suits this uniquely Japanese adventure.
    Yakuza 3 most certainly comes across as labour of love, and despite the shortcomings that tend to    I gave Yakuza 3 a 7. It's a patchwork combination of clunky gameplay and an awe inspiring attention to detail with it's environments. It has both touching emotional moments with genuinely likeable characters, and over the top campy camaraderie that suits this uniquely Japanese adventure.
    Yakuza 3 most certainly comes across as labour of love, and despite the shortcomings that tend to come hand in hand with an ambitious open-world natured title as this, it brings a great deal of fun and variety to the table.
    I feel as though the engine is somewhat holding back the ambitious vision the games creators had, and the vast array of mini games and fun gimmicks that we're given to enjoy come across as a 'jack of all trades, master of none' in that - there is a lot of content for us to dip into, but none of it meets a standard we would expect in other games. It's understandable however, because no other game sees you enjoying karaoke, playing a round of golf, escorting a young girl to various ice cream parlous and fighting street thugs amongst the streets of an almost surreal depiction of real life Kabukicho (or Kamurocho as the game would have you call it).
    Yakuza 3 essentially offers a fun adventure and a promise of great things to come for the Yakuza franchise    … Expand
  8. MixedKing
    Oct 6, 2015
    7
    Not bad, the only thing that was improved was the cut scenes which looked really good. I was quite impressed with them actually, I think they were the best cut scenes I have ever seen. It was like watching a movie. At some point though I got tired of all the fighting because I hate the combat style and you have to fight random people in the street a lot.
  9. ihatecheez
    Oct 22, 2017
    5
    started playing all the yakuza games in chronological order and this one has been worst so far. with one of the slowest opening acts, barely any voice acting, cut scenes, or anything interesting going on, i gave up quickly. and after looking up the story in the flashbacks in yakuza 4, i didn't miss much in terms of lore either. i'd recommend everyone to just skip this one.
  10. adam5599
    Mar 7, 2021
    7
    The combat doesn't hold up well at all, but what makes Yakuza such an enjoyable experience is still here.
  11. superpyro296
    Dec 28, 2021
    7
    I played Yakuza 0, Yakuza Kiwami and Yakuza Kimwami 2 before this one and until now, Yakuza 3 is the weakest of those entries. Don't get me wrong...it is still a good game but nothing compared to the previous games. Yakuza 3 still has a really good story and I think it is one of the major assets of the game. The cinematics, voice acting, music, sound are super good. However, the combat canI played Yakuza 0, Yakuza Kiwami and Yakuza Kimwami 2 before this one and until now, Yakuza 3 is the weakest of those entries. Don't get me wrong...it is still a good game but nothing compared to the previous games. Yakuza 3 still has a really good story and I think it is one of the major assets of the game. The cinematics, voice acting, music, sound are super good. However, the combat can be really tedious and that's why I would recommend to avoid the hard difficulty or to try to complete 100% of the game. I did a few substories buy my completion rate was only 11% for a 23 hours playthrough. One of the streamers I follow had a completion rate of around 8% and only focused on the main story which seem recommend for this game. It is still a solid 7/10 and I definetly recommend to don't skip this game. There is also a new location that has a unique vibe and we see the soft side of Kiryu.… Expand
  12. MrIslamic
    Jan 27, 2021
    6
    (I played this on RPCS3) I wasn't a big fan of this game, the story starts good but the ending was weak. The open-world was good, I liked Okinawa a lot. The combat was ok. Overall the game is really mediocre.
  13. TIMOFEIKA
    Dec 6, 2021
    5
    this game is a bit sad, but i think this is one of the worst games in the serious because of its upgrading mechanics. it's a great game and all but i used to think the upgrading mechanics ruin the game
  14. JesseDillinger
    Feb 1, 2023
    5
    Worst one by far. The fighting is so stiff and the first few hours of the game are really slow. Ngl all these games kind of mix together when it comes to the story, but I don't recall being wowed by this one. Just remember the annoying fights.
  15. TianLong1
    Mar 31, 2023
    7
    New setting, new characters. I enjoyed this game a lot, not because of the plot but more because of the characters in the orphanage and your friends in Okinawa, it feels like living in some paradise island except it is tainted with corruption and yakuza plotting to take everything for you. The remastered graphics look decent enough, but you can tell this is an old game because of the veryNew setting, new characters. I enjoyed this game a lot, not because of the plot but more because of the characters in the orphanage and your friends in Okinawa, it feels like living in some paradise island except it is tainted with corruption and yakuza plotting to take everything for you. The remastered graphics look decent enough, but you can tell this is an old game because of the very cranky animations and gameplay. Still had a good time though.… Expand
  16. Kamurocholover
    Jun 25, 2023
    6
    i love this game with all my heart, it hurts me to put it on 6, but man the controls are horrible!!!, and the enemies are on super hard for no reason

Awards & Rankings

54
#54 Best PS3 Game of 2010
30
#30 Most Discussed PS3 Game of 2010
49
#49 Most Shared PS3 Game of 2010

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 77 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 59 out of 77
  2. Mixed: 18 out of 77
  3. Negative: 0 out of 77
  1. GameCritics
    Feb 21, 2012
    65
    Don't get me wrong; Yakuza 3 is still a good game that offers a uniquely Japanese experience and dramatic content an order of magnitude more mature than most of what's coming down the pike, but it just doesn't match up to the first two entries. I hate to say it, but the Dragon of Dojima's gotten soft in the middle-it's time for Kazuma to cut back on the yakiniku and get his ass back to the gym.
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  2. Gameplayer
    90
    No other Japanese PS3 game to date provides quite such a vivid game-world in which to play. [JPN Import]
    Read full review
  3. Play UK
    80
    Tells a good story and is a fun game. [Issue#191, p.74]
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