Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties Reviews
Yakuza Kiwami 3 takes two steps back for every step forward, and it's unclear who it was made for or what purpose. Making some questionable, pointless changes, removing a lot of content, and rewriting some important narrative parts has resulted in a game that not only doesn't carry the identity of the original version, but also violates its own sequel, and therefore will likely discourage many long-time fans.
Review in Persian | Read full review
Yakuza 3’s most ardent fans will find much to be disappointed about with this highly anticipated remake of a game that deserved better. It is difficult to ignore the wealth of cut content, and the Dark Ties side story fails to make up for it. Yakuza Kiwami 3 is still Yakuza, though, and for anyone that hasn’t played the game since the PS3 days – or at all – it will more than satisfy. There are few series that so successfully manage to mesh the serious with the outrageous, but Yakuza pulls it off every time. While much has been lost, plenty has been improved, making for a far smoother version of Yakuza 3 with incredibly fun combat. If Switch 2 is your only means of experiencing the game, don’t pass it up.
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 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.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties is a project that was realized after years of requests from fans. However, Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio didn't stop there and tried to exceed expectations, which resulted in them taking two steps forward and three steps back.
Review in Polish | Read full review
Wanting something more compact after recently spending time with Yakuza 0, Kiwami 1, and Kiwami 2 on Switch 2, Dark Ties was a perfect encapsulation of what makes the series so fun and charming, without the bloat that can creep in from time to time. Mine's combat style is simple but fast-paced, meaning random street encounters with unfriendly Yakuza never lasted more than 30 seconds. It may hit differently if you choose to roll credits on Kiwami 3 first, but for what it is, Dark Ties represents a welcome pack-in and the type of additional content I hope we see with the next Kiwami remaster.
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.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
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.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
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.
Review in Italian | Read full review
All in all, 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 marks a solid return for the series, streamlining mechanics and themes to welcome new players without losing its identity. In contrast, Dark Ties caters to longtime fans eager to dive deeper into the backstory of one of the saga’s most “beloved” antagonists. Together, they offer two complementary experiences—one accessible and one richly layered—that highlight the franchise’s versatility.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Yakuza Kiwami 3 provided a beautiful remake with excellent gameplay, excellent side content, excellent variety, and excellent graphics, along with excellent technical performance without any issues.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
Yakuza Kiwami 3 is, to say the least, very dark and truly not something I enjoyed playing. As Mine you encounter your entry way into the Yakuza by stopping him from assaulting a woman. Not to save the woman but to gain an entryway into the Yakuza. You spend Yakuza Kiwami 3 befriending a violent creep and one of the plot points and mini games is the management sim where you rehabilitate Kanda’s image to becoming something of a hero.
As may be clear from my review, Yakuza Kiwami & Dark Ties 3 is a game of extremes. On the one hand, the combat certainly shines with the addition of the Ryukyu style and brutal finishers. The emotional bond between Kazuma and his daughter Haruka, in turn, creates some beautiful scenes. Unfortunately, the game misses the mark in other areas. The story around the orphanage in Okinawa gets going slowly and lacks the necessary passion to really captivate. In addition, you drown in an overwhelming amount of mini-games and side activities that often feel like cheap activity therapy. In short: great action, but a disappointing and slow plot.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
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 Kiwami 3” boasts great presentation and much needed improvements over the original game combat system. Sadly, it does very little to improve the inconsistent narrative. If anything, it makes it worse in some areas. Is the worst remake I ever played? No, far from it, but I would rather play the original “Yakuza 3” — or at least its remastered version — rather than the remake.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties was always going to be a hit with me as a fan of the series. A lot of the amendments to modernise the game and make it more fun and interesting have hit the spot with me. Although its not the strongest story in the series, coupling it with the Dark Ties side story brings an interesting dynamic on the story which I enjoy. But a horrifically bad casting choice has completely tarnished the game and left me with mix feelings.
Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties arrives with the thankless mission of revisiting one of the saga's most divisive chapters while at the same time proving that RGG Studio still knows how to honor the legacy it built.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
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.
Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties is an interesting, but very controversial package. The recasting issues, changes to the series’ continuity, and massive drop in sidestory quality were disappointments, something I rarely see in a RGG Studio game, but there’s no denying that, when it comes to gameplay and content, this game is an exponential improvement over the original. The combat mechanics are near-pristine, the heartfelt moments with the orphans are still adorable, and the Dragon Engine keeps on impressing with ultra-detailed worlds to explore, and tons of elements onscreen at any given time.