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The Yakuza series has always excelled at blending serious crime drama with unexpected humor and heart, and the upcoming Yakuza Kiwami 3 looks set to continue that tradition. But this time, RGG Studio isn’t just remaking the third game in the series—they’re also releasing Yakuza 3 Gaiden: Dark Ties, a companion piece that tells the same story from a completely different angle. After getting extended hands-on time with Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties, it’s clear they’re shaping up to be distinct experiences that complement each other rather than compete.
A Fresh Coat of Paint
The build shown appears close to completion, with environmental textures and character models looking consistent across both daytime and nighttime settings. Transitions between gameplay and cutscenes flow smoothly without noticeable breaks. Character facial animations build on what previous Yakuza games established, but the upgraded visuals add more detail that helps emotional scenes land with greater impact.
Kamurocho maintains its signature dense, neon-soaked atmosphere while remaining easy to navigate. Okinawa, meanwhile, feels bright and coastal, fitting its tropical setting. However, some enclosed outdoor spaces like the Public Market lack direct lighting, making them appear flatter compared to other areas. The difference becomes more obvious when compared to nighttime scenes, where Kamurocho’s neon lights create a striking contrast against the darkness.
Kiryu vs. Mine: Two Completely Different Fighting Styles
The combat differences between Kazuma Kiryu and Yoshitaka Mine stand out immediately. Kiryu fights with the raw power of his Dragon of Dojima style, delivering heavy hits that feel impactful. He’s built to absorb damage while looking for openings to deliver crushing counterattacks. The addition of Ryukyu Style, based on Okinawan martial arts, gives him a more agile option while keeping his characteristic toughness intact.
Mine takes a completely different approach. His combat is faster, more precise, and demands constant movement. Players need to dodge aggressively, chain rapid combos, and switch targets quickly. His core mechanic, Dark Awakening, fills a “Shackled Hearts” meter with successful attacks. When the meter fills, Mine enters a powered-up state with increased damage and new moves, making his combat feel increasingly fluid and intense compared to his base fighting style.
The key difference is that Mine can’t be played like Kiryu. Mistakes are more punishing, whether because of smarter enemy behavior or Mine’s combat style, which isn’t designed to take heavy hits. Where Kiryu represents endurance and strength, Mine rewards precision and smart decision-making, reflecting his personality. For players who enjoy more technical fighting mechanics, the contrast between the two characters is both noticeable and enjoyable.
Dark Ties Offers a Fresh Perspective
Dark Ties works as a standalone experience with a noticeably more serious and intense tone. The story segments focus on Mine’s journey and his position within the broader yakuza conflict, making it feel more personal while adding new context to events longtime fans already know.
Players spend more time engaging with activities rooted in the yakuza world compared to Kiryu’s storyline. One example involves Mine working to repair the damaged reputation of Kanda, a figure who climbed the yakuza hierarchy through methods that earned him widespread resentment. The dynamic between Mine’s composed, calculated personality and Kanda’s bold behavior creates surprisingly funny moments. These elements make Mine’s story feel distinct and offer a more complex look at a character who was previously defined mainly as an antagonist.
Dark Ties isn’t just extra content—it’s a meaningful way to re-examine the Yakuza 3 narrative from an angle that was never fully explored before.
No Shortage of Side Activities
Both games include a large number of minigames with the signature absurdity Yakuza fans expect. Activities like cooking and gardening return for players who want more relaxed options. In Yakuza Kiwami 3, Kiryu can help and take care of his foster children through new minigames like homework help, sewing clothes, and bug hunting, creating a surprisingly cozy contrast to the game’s otherwise serious story.
The inclusion of playable Game Gear titles, available in both single-player and two-player modes, adds genuine value. The lineup features classics like Pac-Man, Sonic, Galaga, and Puyo Puyo, all fully playable and fitting the series’ nostalgic appeal.
On the combat side, Yakuza Kiwami 3 introduces Rumble Mode, where players manage a motorcycle gang and fight turf wars against rival groups. Players can customize squad composition, assign roles, upgrade gear for better stats, and change appearances to look either ridiculous or intimidating.
This mode includes pre-battle cutscenes that frame each conflict as part of a larger gang war. Gameplay resembles Musou-style action, where players capture territory by defeating enemy squad leaders while defending their own zones against dozens or even hundreds of enemies. Movement between areas happens via motorcycle, letting players support different fronts. Once enemy leaders fall, a final boss fight against the rival gang’s leader closes each conflict.
Enemies don’t play fair, but neither do you. Players get access to absurd tools including rocket launchers, cannons, and even animals like chickens, pigs, and bulls used as weapons. Beyond upgrades and progression, Rumble Mode also includes narrative elements and meeting systems to motivate gang members, adding flavor and a stronger sense of leadership progression.
Meanwhile, Survival Hell Battle in Dark Ties offers a stage-based, tower-style structure. Each stage consists of multiple phases with steadily increasing difficulty. Players must defeat the Master Keeper after clearing all prior phases to unlock the next stage. This loop repeats with escalating challenges, making it difficult to clear in a single run. Players can retreat to strengthen Mine before attempting again. While Mercenaries can be unlocked to assist, survival ultimately depends on Mine’s combat mastery and player skill.
And naturally, karaoke returns. Dark Ties lets players step onto the stage as Mine with a new set of songs that adds a fun twist to his otherwise intense storyline.
First Impressions
The build appears solid and nearly ready for release. There’s still room for minor improvements, particularly with lighting in certain enclosed areas, but from a gameplay, visual, and content standpoint, both titles already have strong, clearly defined identities with an impressive amount of content.
Yakuza Kiwami 3 delivers a polished and faithful remake experience, while Dark Ties stands as a parallel title with a more serious, aggressive tone that brings a fresh perspective to the Yakuza 3 narrative. Together, they feel like more than just a nostalgia project—this is a deliberate and well-directed expansion of the Yakuza universe.
