From its earliest installments, the Yakuza saga has thrived on a delicate balance between heartfelt drama and the zaniness that has become its hallmark. With Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties, Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio returns to that duality and delivers a remake that doesn’t merely polish its predecessor but fundamentally elevates it. This is a reimagining that respects the original’s narrative core while revitalizing its systems so thoroughly that many of the original’s infamously uneven pacing issues feel like a distant memory.
At its heart, Kiwami 3 centers on Kazuma Kiryu’s attempt to forge peace for himself and those he cares about, anchored in the vivid, tropical streets of Okinawa before the crime world drags him back in. Where the original game sometimes struggled to marry its tender moments with gripping gameplay, this remake tightens that bond appreciably. The emotional stakes -particularly Kiryu’s paternal bond with the children of the Morning Glory Orphanage – now play out with greater coherence and impact than before, even if some added narrative scenes occasionally lean toward fan-oriented beats rather than substantive character development.
Mechanically, the transformation is profound. One of the most significant improvements is how the combat – once a sluggish thorn in the side of the original Yakuza 3 – has been reworked into something consistently engaging and responsive. Kiryu now boasts multiple styles: the classic, punch-heavy Dragon of Dojima complemented by a new Okinawan martial discipline that broadens tactical options without overwhelming the core formula. Enemy encounters feel deliberate and rewarding, with fluid transitions between striking, dodging, and executing cinematic Heat moves, addressing long-standing complaints about defensive stalemates and pacing.
Perhaps equally compelling is how the remake enhances the framework of side content, a cornerstone of Yakuza’s DNA. The oft-derided Morning Glory arc has been reborn as an immersive, playable experience full of mini-games and management elements that give weight to Kiryu’s domestic responsibilities in Okinawa. Classic diversions such as karaoke, arcade outings, and casino play return alongside fresh twists that make exploration feel alive rather than optional fluff. Yet even here, some secondary quests wobble into the space of mundane fetch tasks, reminding us that not every improvement lands with equal force.
Where the package could have felt like a straightforward remake, Dark Ties injects a new narrative layer by tracking antagonist Yoshitaka Mine’s rise through the yakuza ranks. Told with its own rhythm and perspective, this brand new chapter reframes Mine not just as a villain but as a protagonist with distinct motivations. His combat style – more agile and tactical compared to Kiryu’s – provides a fresh gameplay contrast while complementing the main story rather than merely inheriting its beats. Some might find its pacing initially slow or the breadth of activities less sweeping than Kiryu’s path, but overall it enriches the series with meaningful context and enough unique content to feel like more than just an add-on.
On the audiovisual front, the Dragon Engine continues to impress. Urban environments – from neon Kamurocho at night to the sunlit beaches of Okinawa – bustle with life, and character models move with a weight and expressiveness that suits both blistering combat and quieter story beats. Minor visual inconsistencies and occasional old/new model clashes don’t detract substantially from the overall presentation, and the soundtrack fuses nostalgic motifs with new compositions, maintaining the series’ eclectic musical identity.
In its totality, Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties represents both a celebration of legacy and a confident step forward. It reinvigorates a beloved but flawed installment with thoughtful redesigns, robust new content, and storytelling that feels both familiar and freshly rendered. Minor stumbles – some repetitive side tasks or narrative choices that nod too strongly toward fan service – don’t diminish its achievement: this is a Yakuza experience worthy of both long-time fans and newcomers alike.
Score: 8.0/10
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