Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties Reviews
Does Yakuza 3 need a remake? It's already been remastered, and, I'd argue that the game holds up rather well, having originally released fo...
Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties is the biggest misfire in RGG Studio history, filled with baffling and offensive decisions that genuinely makes me worried about the future direction of the franchise.
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.
Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties is the third instalment in the Kiwami series, roughly translating to ultimate, peak or extreme
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.
A superb remake that ups the stakes of the original with clever gameplay tweaks.
Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties may still be bound by some unavoidable legacy frameworks, but its renewed focus on classic yakuza storytelling-devoting more time to character development and the emotional weight of major story beats-recaptures the feeling of first getting into the Yakuza series.
Review in Chinese | Read full review
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.
Review in Italian | Read full review
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 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
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Review in Italian | Read full review
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.
Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties brings one of Kiryu’s most personal chapters back with smoother combat, stronger pacing, and a clearer sense of place. The remake respects what made Yakuza 3 different, while Dark Ties adds context without pulling focus away from the main story. It isn’t flawless, but as a complete package, it’s an easy chapter to return to and play through.
Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties is the complete package. You get not one, but two fully-contained campaigns, with all the violence and drama you’d expect in any Yakuza story. Having both games unlocked from the start is great for anyone who’s played the original Yakuza 3 and just wants to get to all of the new stuff, though any players new to Yakuza 3 will probably want to play Yakuza Kiwami 3 first to get more familiar with the story. Playing either game is guaranteed to be a good time.
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.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review