Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties is an action RPG adventure that blends intense street brawling with narrative depth and side activities across two distinct campaigns. Players take control of Kazuma Kiryu in the main experience and Yoshitaka Mine in the accompanying Dark Ties story, navigating conflicts in Okinawa and Tokyo while managing personal stakes and yakuza rivalries.
Gameplay
Combat centers on fast-paced beat 'em up mechanics with multiple fighting styles. Kiryu accesses the Dragon of Dojima Kiwami Style for powerful bare-knuckle combos, throws, and environmental weapon use, alongside Ryukyu Style that incorporates Okinawan martial arts tools such as tonfa, nunchaku, sai, and a shield-spear combination for varied attacks and defensive options. Both styles feature Heat Actions for cinematic finishers and a Dragon Boost system that charges during fights to enable empowered states and devastating Dragon Finishers.
Mine employs a shoot-boxing approach focused on precise combos, aerial dashes, and technical strikes. His Shackled Heart gauge builds through attacks and fuels Dark Awakening, a temporary powered-up state that alters movesets and intensifies Heat Actions. Upgrades for abilities come from battle performance and in-game currency, refining stats like strength and technique across both campaigns.
Beyond fights, the game emphasizes exploration in detailed recreations of Okinawa and Kamurocho. Kiryu engages with orphanage management at Morning Glory through activities like farming, cooking, and interacting with children, while side content includes minigames such as karaoke, darts, mahjong, batting cages, and retro arcade titles playable on a Game Gear device.
Game Modes
Bad Boy Dragon serves as a dedicated side mode where Kiryu leads the Haisai Girls biker gang in turf wars and large-scale brawls against rivals. It incorporates crew management, recruitment, customization, and escalating combat encounters including 100-person rumbles with motorcycles and weapons.
Reaper Hunting returns as a mission-based activity involving tracking and reforming former Tojo Clan members causing trouble. Dark Ties introduces Hell's Arena, an underground fighting circuit with ranked brawls against single or grouped opponents and Survival Hell, a dungeon-style progression featuring enemy waves, traps, loot collection, mercenary hires, and stat upgrades across multiple floors.
Premium Adventure unlocks after the main story for free exploration and continued minigame access. New Game+ carries over money, abilities, and stats for subsequent playthroughs. Local multiplayer options exist for select minigames in versus or co-op formats.
Story and Setting
The narrative follows Kiryu's efforts to protect his orphanage and loved ones amid renewed Tojo Clan tensions, set against the backdrop of Okinawa's coastal areas and urban Tokyo districts. Dark Ties expands on Mine's backstory as he rises through the ranks, contrasting his calculated approach with Kiryu's more straightforward methods through original substories and confrontations.
Both campaigns interweave main plot progression with optional content that reveals character motivations and world details without requiring completion for the core experience.
Is It Worth Playing?
The package delivers refined combat systems and expanded side activities that address criticisms of the original Yakuza 3 while adding a separate campaign focused on a supporting character. Reviews note an enjoyable mix of dramatic storytelling and lighter moments, with particular praise for the updated fighting styles and orphanage interactions, though some find the overall structure less polished than top entries in the series.
Post-launch updates have added New Game+ and various stability improvements. It suits players who enjoy single-player action RPGs centered on character-driven stories, brawler combat, and a variety of minigames rather than competitive multiplayer. Those familiar with the Yakuza series will find familiar beats updated for modern presentation, while newcomers can start here for an accessible entry point into the franchise's blend of serious drama and humorous diversions.
