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
Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties is a remake and new side story that both improves and subtracts from the original Yakuza 3, making it a mixed bag of a title for those who wanted a definitive and improved version of the PS3 game. Although the new content additions and improved combat system bring joy, the game's new ending may sour fans who've been following the Yakuza series. The missing substories from the original leave a hole where the new content tries to fill, but it doesn't completely patch up what's sorely missed.
Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties is a controversial yet well-executed remake. It has changed and removed a lot, which doesn’t sit well with die-hard fans at all. However, it has replaced everything it took out with new content and revamped the rather clunky original game to meet modern standards. If you’ve never played the original Yakuza 3, this version might be the most accessible way for you to experience one of the key chapters in Kiryu’s story. Players who are already familiar with Yakuza 3, however, may find themselves grumbling more about what’s been lost to the dustbin of digital history than cheering about what’s been added.
Review in Czech | Read full review
Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties successfully fixes the original's frustrating elements, delivering a smoother and more engaging criminal drama. While not entirely perfect, it mixes series trademark tension and sidestory madness with renewed energy.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties is a comeback that both honors its legacy and exceeds expectations. While the slow-burning start might deter some, and minor technical hiccups persist in the new content, this package houses some of the franchise's finest narrative moments. Kiryu has never felt more human, and the addition of Mine’s story turns this collection into an absolute gem for every gamer’s library.
Review in Persian | Read full review
Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties is a decent package that might not reinvent the wheel, but certainly refines it.
It hurts me to give a Yakuza game a “mid” score but it truly feels like they missed the mark with this one. It seems that the studio has a new vision for what the Yakuza/Like a Dragon series will be going forward, with smaller games that have deeper gameplay. I think that’s a fine idea, but Kiwami 3 shouldn’t have been the place to begin that philosophy. In this case, less was most definitely not more, though it’s potentially fixable if they just put things back in. That said, the narrative changes feel as though this remake bodes potentially bad portents for the remaining games in the Yakuza series as they address the newly created plot holes. I’ll be watching what Ryu Ga Gotoku does from this point with great interest and anxious anticipation.
Overall, I found Yakuza Kiwami 3 to be an okay, average Yakuza game. It wasn’t horrendous, I had some fun with it, but it doesn’t have the same charm that won me over by the end of Yakuza 3 Remastered. I found myself quickly burnt out and feeling like it lost all of the charm Yakuza 3 used to have, which would’ve sucked me back in. But I did enjoy Mine’s side story chapters in Dark Ties. Funny enough, I prefer his new fighting style they came up with over Kiryu’s. Mine was a lot more fun to play as when it came to fighting thugs across Kamurocho. Sadly, that simply isn’t enough to recommend Kiwami 3 over the original Yakuza 3 experience should you only want to play one of the two. It is fun in its own right, yet it’s lacking in too many other ways and for that, I was disappointed. I simply cannot say that every Yakuza fan would love this one.
To answer the questions we posed in the introduction: no, Yakuza Kiwami 3 is not a good remake. The removal of a significant portion of the original’s content creates a void that the new additions fail to fill, while certain stylistic choices and various minor shortcomings prevent this version from establishing itself as the definitive replacement for the 2009 game or its most recent remaster. At the same time, it would be unfair to dismiss the title as a failure, as taken on its own it remains a genuinely enjoyable experience, capable of preserving the spirit of the series and backed by writing that had already won over many fans in the past.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties is more than a worthy remake, and while it probably will not be breaking any records by the end of the year, it still offers plenty of enjoyable moments.
Review in Slovak | 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