Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties

Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties delves into Kazuma Kiryu's past to bring back one of the best episodes of Yakuza. Ryu Ga Gotoku refines the original title with brutal combat, new activities, and plenty of mini-games that aid exploration to create bombproof gameplay. New stories, improved storytelling, Spanish subtitles, and the addition of Dark Ties make this pack one of the studio's best remakes. It's the perfect excuse to relive Kiryu's past and understand his role in Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased his Name and Infinite Wealth.

Yakuza Kiwami 3 and Dark Ties is an exceptional entry in the Yakuza series, with a strong story, great combat, plenty to do, and gorgeous visuals.

The Yakuza/ Like a Dragon series has become one of the most beloved video game franchises on the planet. They’re a combination of cinematic crime drama, fun third person brawl combat, deep open world exploration, and insanely wacky sidequests and minigames. Yakuza Kiwami 2 is the best version of the second game in the series. Cutting the Sotenbori is a major loss, but the new content more than makes up for its omission. Overall this is an excellent version of an all-time great video game.

Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties is a top-notch package brimming some great new content, with the Dark Tide side-story worth the price of entry alone. There's some questionable changes and additions to Yakuza 3 that will irk some longtime fans, but overall, this is a brilliant remake and easily the most ambitious in the series to date.

Yakuza Kiwami 3 arrives as a risky remake that changes more than it should in terms of its secondary content, sometimes for the better and sometimes for the worse, but without resulting in a definitive improvement. This will cause divisions among veteran fans, but it will help new fans enjoy an updated version of a game that already had many detractors in its day. It's very enjoyable if you focus on what it offers and not on what's missing or changed from the original.

Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties delivers a refined take on one of the series’ most emotional entries, modernizing its storytelling, combat, and character depth while introducing a compelling prequel that expands the lore. With a heartfelt focus on Kiryu’s role as a father and a meaningful expansion in Dark Ties, this package solidifies its place as a worthy revisit for longtime fans and newcomers alike.

Despite a lack of boldness in some plot decisions, Yakuza Kiwami 3 is a valid and consistent way to experience Yakuza 3, which has always been one of the best chapters in the saga, especially for its deeper exploration of Kiryu’s personal life.

Yakuza Kiwami 3 serves as Sega's apology for the original game's troubled launch back in 2007. It delivers exactly what you would expect from a remake in this franchise: a mature narrative with specific tweaks, hundreds of side activities, a revamped combat system, and a brand-new expansion. While there are certainly areas for improvement, there is nothing here to cause alarm.

Yakuza 3 + Dark Ties is much more than a mere commercial venture, as it might seem to the less attentive: it is a bold remake that refreshes a solid but flawed title and resolves nearly all of its issues. While some longtime fans might grumble over the recasting of a couple of characters and a few cuts here and there in the interactions, the vast majority of players will inevitably appreciate the changes in pacing.

Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties is, above all, a celebration of what the series does best. The package strikes a smart balance between nostalgia and modernization, revisiting a key chapter in Kazuma Kiryu’s journey while expanding the universe with an original story that adds depth to one of the franchise’s most compelling antagonists. It’s not a revolutionary game, but it is a very welcome refinement of a formula that still works.

Yakuza Kiwami 3 proves its worth beyond a mere remake with the narrative-filling expansion 'Dark Ties" and a bold, newly written ending. By fearlessly rectifying the original's flaws and rewriting the franchise's destiny, it serves as both a worthy 20th-anniversary tribute and a pivotal turning point for the series.

Yakuza Kiwami 3 is a bold remake of the series' most divisive entry, which, instead of cutting the mocked segments, puts them on display. A modernized combat system and a mountain of side content keep pace with today's standards, even if the innovations are minimal. As a whole, it is an accessible and more dramatic version of the third game, and simultaneously one of the most personal chapters of Kiryu's story, which is well worth playing to understand the later entries.

Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties is an overall great package that retains or expands on most of what made Yakuza 3 great while also adding a welcome new story from Mine’s perspective. Some of the cut content and added content can be just a little bit puzzling, and I’m a little nervous about the altered story content, but otherwise, this is a brilliant way to revisit one of the most underrated Yakuza titles.

Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties builds a gateway for new players with fun and memorable gameplay, though it leaves behind some of the original's identity along the way.

Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties makes controversial decisions, but, looking closely, overall it gets more right than wrong. Analyzing it from the perspective of someone who isn't a purist of the franchise, we have experiences that complement each other and, in the end, fulfill the purpose of entertaining with mafia dramas and great incentives in its "open neighborhood" structure.

Overshadowed by a very troubled production and awful casting choices, Kiwami 3 is still a worthwhile expansion of the Yakuza saga.

Yakuza Kiwami 3 isn’t a perfect remake by any means and comes with some more notable drawbacks than the Kiwami games before it. Still, I can’t deny that I thoroughly loved my time with Kiwami 3 and Dark Ties, even in spite of some hiccups along the way. If you’re like me and still haven’t gotten around to playing Yakuza 3, I think this is a fantastic way to experience the game.

Yakuza 3 Kiwami & Dark Ties delivers essential gameplay updates for Kiryu's classic adventure, ensuring an entertaining experience. Although the Dark Ties expansion is a welcome addition to Mine's story, it proves brief and includes some padded content. Graphically, the update lacks the ambition of prior Kiwami titles, yet this remains the definitive way to revisit the game.

Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties is the most faithful—and, at the same time, the most contradictory—remake in the entire saga. It pulls off something that feels almost impossible: modernizing a game whose very essence was slow and contemplative. It improves the areas where it hurt the most (especially visuals and combat), adds a new storyline to patch its gaps, yet it can’t (and doesn’t want to) change its core as a “yakuza dad” simulator.

Yakuza Kiwami 3 is a worthwhile remake that follows on from the great work achieved in the original Kiwami and Kiwami 2. The game feels fresh in all areas that it needs to be, without losing the identity of what made this game popular in 2009. The combat is fluid and fun, the graphics are sharp, the camera is not restrictive, and there are some new elements, such as cut-scenes, modes, and mini-games that help make the game feel somewhat fresh. Simply put, if you’re already in love with the Yakuza series, then you’re gonna love Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties.

Yakuza Kiwami 3 is a great way to experience one of the more fun stories in the series thanks to the new and improved gameplay.

While the main story does feel a bit shorter compared to the other Kiwami games, the sheer volume of “stuff to do” in the world more than balances that out. By the time you’ve cleared the main story, bested the Coliseum, completed every bizarre sub-story, completed the photo rally, fought every beatdown target, unlocked every costume item AND forged a deep, emotional connection with every child in your care? You’ll wonder why Kiryu ever left the life behind.

Yakuza Kiwami 3 is a superb remake that outshines the original in almost every way.

Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Tides modernizes a divisive entry in the series with improved combat, progression, and added content. While the remake is more fun and accessible than the original, some changes affect narrative pacing and emotional impact. Dark Tides complements the package with a brief but engaging prequel focused on Yoshitaka Mine, adding valuable context to the overall experience.

Yakuza Kiwami 3 improves on the original 2009 version both visually and in terms of gameplay, while also offering an all-new prequel that isn’t essential but is still enjoyable for fans of the series.

Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties brings quite a lot to the table in terms of a remake, with its refined combat mechanics along with new story content and mini-games. While the pacing and visual changes might be offputting to veteran fans, this is a sleek and modernized way to play this entry.

Yakuza Kiwami 3 is a worthwhile way to revisit one of the classic adventures in the series, which, despite some shortcomings, was somewhat underestimated upon its initial release. The remake in the Dragon Engine faithfully reconstructs memorable scenes centered around iconic characters, and it includes welcome additions and a few missed opportunities. It's a shame, however, about a particular narrative choice, which, especially in the way it was presented, we found difficult to accept and which will likely displease long-time fans. On the other hand, Dark Ties effectively enriches the character of Mine, and more generally, the package created by Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio offers many hours of good entertainment, even if it's not without filler content and elements that don't quite fit the characters. Yet, there's reason to rejoice: finally, the real Yakuza is back.

Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties fulfills a long-standing wish of SEGA series fans, finally delivering a proper remake of the third chapter in Kazuma Kiryu's saga, brought up to date with the latest entries both technically and in terms of gameplay and content. The main campaign is improved in many respects, the extra activities are highly enjoyable, and the Dark Ties expansion, despite its limitations, stands as an additional bonus to an already solid and convincing package.

When Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties has me gunning for max daddy rank or using over-the-top brawling moves to smash gangster skulls on behalf of my orphan children it's a sunny adventure like little else. Many great remake choices shine, but a few hold them back, like an edgy and dull bonus campaign that adds very little to the narrative or the series in general.

Yakuza Kiwami 3 continues the solid streak for Ryu Ga Gotoku and the series. The gripping narrative and fun combat deliver on what players enjoy. It doesn’t raise the bar in any way, but newcomers and returning fans will find it a thrill ride from start to epic finish.

Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties is one hell of a package. Taken purely as an expanded remake, it's an absolute blast for fans both old and new — but questionable changes to the story and its cast will inevitably stain the experience for plenty of people. It's such a shame that these unforced errors muddy the waters, because we think Kiwami 3 is probably RGG Studio's best remake to date — and one of the strongest titles in the series with regards to gameplay.

Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties is a well-crafted remake that breathes new life into one of the series’ weaker entries. While the main story stays mostly the same, the improved visuals, refined gameplay, and meaningful new content alongside the Dark Ties storyline make it worth revisiting. New to the series and played Kiwami 1 & 2? Then this one’s a no-brainer.

Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties is essential as a complete narrative package. It takes the heart of the series, Kiryu’s struggle to find peace, and gives it the presentation it deserves. Dark Ties puts the spotlight on an underutilized and misunderstood antagonist in a campaign that is over all too soon. If you don’t mind some of RGG Studio’s choices regarding casting and delisting Yakuza 3 Remastered, then I’d say this is a must-play.

In short, Yakuza Kiwami 3 is a title in which much more care has been taken with the narrative than in previous installments, resulting in a much more serious final product that nevertheless retains its DNA. It is, quite simply, one of the best stories in the series, thanks to its ambitious aspirations, its tone, its use of editing, and how it doses out information. Kiryu becomes more of a father figure than a mobster, and it suits him well. However, the activities outside of that story that are part of the main missions slow down the pace considerably.

Removing a significant amount of content and replacing it with Mine's Dark Ties storyline hurts the narrative as a whole, but perhaps not as much as the other design choices at play for this remake of Yakuza 3.

Yakuza Kiwami 3 looks and feels modern, with more agile combat and an extra chapter in Dark Ties that shines thanks to its cinematics and the style of Mine. However, the remake comes at a cost. A cleaner atmosphere, recycled minigames, mandatory activities that disrupt pacing, and a new style so strong that it reduces the challenge. It also features cuts and casting choices that feel distracting. It is a great package, but an uneven one. For veterans, some rewrites may feel heavy. For newcomers, it is the most accessible route.

Yakuza Kiwami 3 definitely succeeds in what it set out to do: bringing a beloved entry in the series to a new generation on the current systems while giving longtime fans a polished reason to revisit Kiryu’s story. The visual improvements, detailed recap system, and fluid/simple combat make the experience welcoming and entertaining, while the series’ signature blend of intense drama and absurd humor remains as charming as ever. At the same time, some elements, like the Dark Ties chapter and main character development, feel like missed opportunities to dig deeper into the emotional core of the story. Still, thanks to its engaging combat, memorable characters, and improved presentation, the remake stands as a solid entry in the franchise. It may not reach the heights of the very best Yakuza titles, but it’s a worthwhile journey for both newcomers and returning fans.

Kazuma Kiryu returns in a modern remake of Yakuza 3, balancing life at an Okinawa orphanage with a new criminal conflict. The added Dark Ties story expands the narrative but doesn’t always improve the experience.

Unfortunately, Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties is the weakest Yakuza title in quite some time. The original game had its flaws, and Kiwami addresses some of those flaws, but the new content is of a mixed quality. There's some notably missing content, and some of the storyline changes are inexplicable. The improved combat and emphasis on Kiryu's time with the orphans are by far the best part of the experience. Mine's story is fun enough but not something that's worth it unless you already like the character. At its heart, Kiwami 3 is still a Yakuza game and still mostly a good time, but despite the improvements, it's more of a sideways step than an upgrade of the original.

Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties is a remake that dares to change just enough to feel fascinating—and frustrating in equal measure. There’s genuine heart here, especially in the expanded Morning Glory content, both games' sub-stories, and Mine’s surprisingly compelling Dark Ties storyline. Yet, those highs are constantly at odds with combat changes and narrative deviations that feel less like refinement and more like overcorrection. As someone who deeply adores the original Yakuza 3, this remake constantly left me torn between appreciation and disappointment, because it’s occasionally brilliant yet so undeniably polarizing at some levels, serving as fine evidence for me that not every black sheep in a series needs to be remade.

Déjà-vu: The Game - but it's still fun.

Yakuza Kiwami 3 is a successful retelling of one of the series’ less-understood titles, massaging it into something that's a touch homogenous but ultimately more agreeable. But some off-putting choices and a fumbled focus on Mine in both the main game and Dark Ties stop it from sticking the landing.

Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties is a remake that retains only a small essence of the original work. Despite being quite faithful to the story, some script decisions leave something to be desired, and the secondary content, with the exception of Daddy Rank, goes from something new to just "more of the same." Dark Ties is an interesting addition, but it could also have a better-developed story. On the other hand, the gameplay of both titles remains fluid and with fun new combat styles to master. The final experience is somewhat bittersweet, being a remake well below the original, but one that provides many hours of fun.

To sum up, Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties is a real mixed bag. An interesting story, with great combat will entice new players to try this classic game. Sadly, muddled visuals, not enough new content and terrible animations drag the overall package down. Remakes are meant to be a vast improvement on the original and this has failed to deliver. Still there is a great game to be found if you can see past the problems.

An ambitious remake that not only succeeds in addressing many of the original fans’ longstanding grievances, but also reveals a clear determination to pursue its own creative vision. While certain newly added scenes suffer from a lack of sufficient explanation, Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties ultimately transcends the label of a mere remake. Instead, it stands as a pivotal work—one that offers meaningful insight into the future direction of the Like a Dragon series.

It’s hard not to feel conflicted about Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties, because while it plays smoother and looks cleaner, many of its story changes and cut content weaken what originally worked. The remake still has solid moments, especially with Dad Kiryu, but combat, pacing, and Dark Ties often feel shallow or stretched out. It’s not a bad time, just a messy step forward that doesn’t fully honor what makes the Yakuza series work.

Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties is a largely successful makeover of Yakuza 3. It finds fun new ways for Kiryu to engage with the orphans in his care, which both livens up the original game’s most boring bits and also made me more deeply invested in the sharper end of its story. Combat has been transformed from a street-fighting struggle to a dynamic delight, and this slice of Okinawa presents a welcome seachange from the series’ more overused city settings. However, the Dark Ties add-on seems like a bit of a missed opportunity since its slight new story is dragged down by some truly tiresome padding, and it’s only partially redeemed by its moreish roguelike mode. On balance, Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties is another enjoyable blend of hard-boiled drama and sidestory silliness, but as a package it’s not quite as well-rounded as the series’ more accomplished entries.

Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties is a solid action-packed package that impressed me with its cathartic, overhauled combat. Performance is consistent, the fleshed-out Morning Glory content is addictive, and the Dark Ties episode offers a comprehensive look into the motivations of antagonist Yoshitaka Mine. However, some underwhelming side content, graphical quirks, and questionable narrative changes stop this entry from hitting the heights of other titles in this phenomenal franchise.

Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties is not the remake we were all hoping for. While it's undeniable that the game makes a number of substantial improvements to the combat system, and will surely be a very enjoyable experience for all new fans, RGG Studio seems to have failed to understand its own work. Rather than generating excitement for the future of the series, this title raises a number of questions, and the idea of ​​Yakuza Kiwami 4 doesn't sound appealing, at least not right now. However, I hope the developers take this as a lesson, and that the next time we see Kiryu or Ichiban, it will be in an experience that truly honors the series, because if these games have made anything clear, it's that second chances do happen, but you have to know how to make the most of them.

If you have never played Yakuza 3 before and want to experience it for yourself then Yakuza 3 Kiwami & Dark Ties is probably the way to go now. It feels modern and the newly added things and story beats fit perfectly fine into the game for the most part. Unfortunately the games engine starts to really show its cracks by now and the amount of reused “new” content is starting to reach a critical point.

There is a lot of fun to be had with Yakuza Kiwami 3. But the cracks are really starting to show with this series, and it feels stale in a lot of areas. On its own, Kiwami 3 is lot less fun than other entries in this series, despite some good new management games here. As a remake, however, it certainly isn't good enough to justify the original being delisted and for this to now be the definitive version of Yakuza 3.

While I wish I could recommend Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties, there's too many odd choices and caveats here to list. While it's always been a black sheep, the identity that feeds its reputation feels lost in this remaking, and it's new content additions feel out of place and in some cases, undermine what came before it.

Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties is a stripped-down, artificially stretched product that serves as an example of how even a universally acclaimed classic can be ruined.

Yakuza Kiwami 3 + Dark Ties makes plenty of necessary improvements, but some of the changes make it hard to recommend over the original.

After hitting the credits to both portions of the game, I felt like the Yakuza series is currently at an impasse. Unnecessary story changes, questionable and problematic casting choices, visual homogenization, and uneven content changes plague the latest remake. This means that, in the grand scheme of things, there's a noticeable fatigue in re-experiencing minigames and more shallow renditions of the activities that made the series' resurgence so captivating with Yakuza 0. Getting to the end, in a way, took me back to the beginning, remembering Kiryu's walk in the cemetery. The scene symbolizes the culmination of a specific time and place for the series--one that's currently unable to shake off its phantoms.

The remake treatment of one of Yakuza’s more underrated entries gets marks for its story, world and fan service to the great Kazuma Kiryu, but all of that praise and credit only comes from the original Yakuza 3. What’s within Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties is a regression in the timeline, as it resets and retcons crucial parts of the world and greater with its new story. Additionally, unoriginal and reskinned minigames that become a bore, along with the messy politics of disastrous recastings, simply make this an inferior version. The dark horse of the series didn’t get its time in the sun here, and that’s a damn shame.

I am struggling to fully reconcile my feelings about Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties. I have nostalgia for the original game, even if it’s not rated highly within the series. However, while I enjoyed some of the changes made, such as the side content with the Morning Glory Orphans and the silly Okinawa Girl Gang, those rose coloured glasses come off when I realized that the story feels quite messy, content from the original has been removed for questionable reasons, and everything in the game feels bloated. Coupled with following some of the worst characters in the series, it’s hard for me to say with confidence that this is the definitive version of the game, because it’s honestly a substantial step backwards.

Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties has no interest in the source material other than trying to adapt it to the tired formula of mass appeal that Masayoshi Yokoyama perfected when he took over as head of Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio. In the process, the game forgets everything that made the original story a landmark of the franchise and replaces it with a thick coat of corporate varnish. Unfortunate associations and certain narrative decisions also make the experience hard to swallow. A true disappointment in the franchise, of the kind that has, unfortunately, become more common over time — perhaps it's time for the end of the annual format.

Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties is a distinctly unambitious game. It is utterly uninterested in functioning as a faithful remake of Yakuza 3 or pushing the series forward in any meaningful way. RGG Studio has created a Frankenstein’s monster of thrown together mechanics from past entries that wears the skin of a flawed, but significant and in many ways beloved legacy title, and bundled it with an ultimately meaningless spin-off that only escalates growing concerns with the franchise’s future.