Set to launch on February 12, 2026, Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties for PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 bundles two titles into one: Yakuza Kiwami 3, a remake of the unique Yakuza 3 launched in 2009, and the all-new Dark Ties, which stars Yoshitaka Mine, Kiryu’s adversary.
I not too long ago had the chance to go hands-on with the sport at a press occasion, which lined numerous sections from each the remaster Yakuza Kiwami 3 and the all-new Dark Ties, a brand-new story that includes Yoshitaka Mine from Yakuza 3. Learn on for my preliminary ideas and impressions.
On the identical occasion, Sega introduced a playable demo will likely be accessible for the title, extra information of which will likely be shared sooner or later.
Yakuza Kiwami 3 hands-on
Yakuza Kiwami 3 follows Kazuma Kiryu as he settles in Okinawa to run the Morning Glory Orphanage, solely to search out himself entangled in an internet of sinister conspiracy.
Within the demo, I used to be embroiled in Kiryu’s conflict with the Ryudo Household, an Okinawan yakuza syndicate scheming to grab the Morning Glory Orphanage’s land, the place I confronted off towards the Ryudo patriarch Shigeru Nakahara and household captain Rikiya Shimabukuro.
A standout second confirmed Rikiya — initially hostile in the direction of Kiryu — shifting his perspective after watching him bravely threat the whole lot alone to save lots of the top of the native buying district. This fully new scene, lacking from the unique Yakuza 3, masterfully captures Rikiya’s rising respect for Kiryu by way of nuanced facial expressions.
Grasp weapons and benefit from the thrill of “Ryukyu Model” fight
Metropolis streets spark spontaneous fights the place Kiryu can swap fluidly between his Dragon of Dojima: Kiwami Model and Ryukyu Model.
Ryukyu Model maps weapons to totally different buttons for straightforward, various assaults. Weapons swap routinely primarily based on the button pressed, so even easy button mashing feels satisfying.
Gamers can anticipate quite a lot of Warmth Actions, in addition to the Dragon Increase, which prompts by maxing out Kiryu’s gauge. The Dragon Finisher delivers a last devastating blow, full with a backdrop of a roaring dragon.
(*3*)
Life at Morning Glory: deepening ties with the kids
Life at Morning Glory is a side-adventure the place Kiryu nurtures bonds with kids on the orphanage by way of cooking, stitching, serving to with homework, and heartfelt chats. Kiryu’s “Daddy Rank” will increase as belief grows, reflecting his progress as a father determine. Incomes sufficient belief unlocks every little one’s distinctive Household Time Occasion.
I turned fairly emotionally invested whereas I used to be enjoying, particularly when considering it was all for the kids. The interactions completely echo Kiryu’s challenges as a novice mother or father striving to do his greatest, and rework minigames from mundane duties into heartfelt moments of caring for the youngsters.
Dangerous Boy Dragon: Be part of the small-time Haisai Ladies gang and defend Okinawa
Within the new workforce battle content material, Dangerous Boy Dragon, Kiryu is unexpectedly appointed to go up a struggling Okinawan women’ gang, Haisai Ladies. Collectively, they stand as much as defend Okinawa from the formidable Tokyo Night time Terrors.
You possibly can have interaction in both Complete Annihilation, the place as much as 20 allies conflict towards over 100 enemies, or Turf Wars, the place groups break up as much as seize and take down enemy bases.
Dark Ties hands-on: revealing an sudden aspect of Mine’s cool facade
Dark Ties facilities on Yoshitaka Mine, the chilling antagonist who stands in Kiryu’s path, and he stole the highlight within the preview. Not like the fiery, heartfelt Kiryu and Ichiban, Mine is chilly and indifferent, dismissing even Daigo’s “household” discuss as empty rhetoric. It’s uncommon for the sequence to convey a personality’s ideas by way of uncooked interior monologues.
Quick-paced fight primarily based on shoot boxing
Rooted in shoot boxing (a martial artwork originating in Japan), Mine delivers swift, fashionable, agile assaults.
Filling the Shackled Coronary heart gauge triggers Dark Awakening mode, swapping Mine’s refined shoot boxing fashion for uncooked brutality — head grabs, floor drags, and ferocious strikes — mirroring his duality of a cool exterior and interior darkness.
Kanda Harm Management: turning Kanda right into a lovable charmer
In Kanda Harm Management, Mine tackles numerous missions like avenue rescues on behalf of Kanda, the Nishikiyama Household patriarch, and Tojo Clan lieutenant. Finishing them will increase Kanda’s public notion and progressively rework him right into a charismatic determine.
Leveling up Kanda’s Charisma Rank unlocks Drink Hyperlinks, the place you’ll deepen your bond with Kanda and witness his hopelessly goofy flaws. His candid rants made me envy how a lot he enjoys life to the fullest, and I can’t wait to see his dynamic with Mine evolve.
Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties launches on PS5 and PS4 on February 12.