Alongside the reveal of the Yakuza 3 remake, Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio also announced Yakuza Dark Ties, a brand-new expansion that was officially unveiled during the RGG Direct 2025 showcase. Developed by Sega’s RGG Studio, this standalone story brings fresh excitement to the franchise.
Yakuza Dark Ties: A New Standalone Expansion
Yakuza Dark Ties is a separate expansion for the Yakuza 3 remake and can be purchased independently. The story explores the origins of Yoshitaka Mine, chairman of the Hakuhou Clan and a key figure connected to the Tojo Clan. Players can experience Mine’s journey either before or after playing the main Yakuza 3 remake.
Born an orphan in poverty, Mine worked in IT to support himself before joining the yakuza in search of belonging. His intelligence and efficiency quickly earned him recognition, leading him to pledge loyalty to Daigo Dojima and rise to the position of clan treasurer.
In this new storyline, players step into Mine’s shoes, confronting new characters such as Shinpei Ikari and Kanda while uncovering his past and motivations. His perspective introduces a different kind of Yakuza adventure, supported by a custom combat style designed specifically for him.
A Combat Style Unique to Mine
Mine’s fighting style is elegant and heavily inspired by boxing, making it distinct from Kiryu’s more traditional brawling techniques.
One of his signature moves is “Dark Awakening,” a special ability where Mine stomps on an enemy and unleashes his darker, more feral side. Activating this transformation alters his moveset and boosts his combat performance, offering players a refreshing twist on the action.
A Darker, More Complex Storyline
Unlike Kiryu’s heroic narrative, Mine’s story emphasizes moral ambiguity. He is portrayed closer to an anti-hero—or even a villain—forcing players to navigate difficult choices. Substories exclusive to Mine further flesh out his character, giving fans a deeper look at what drives him.
The expansion also introduces new side activities and mini-games tailored specifically to Mine. Among the confirmed features are:
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Kanda Damage Control: Missions where Mine works to restore Kanda’s reputation.
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Hell’s Arena: A colosseum-style battle mode with unique combat conditions.
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Survival Hell: A survival mode where players fend off waves of hunters using weapons and tools to earn cash rewards.
Release Date and Platforms
Yakuza Dark Ties will launch bundled together with the Yakuza 3 remake on February 12, 2026. The package will be available on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC.
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