Whenever Yakuza returns to the spotlight, the series tends to be in a transitional phase. It has been over a year since the release of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, while the tenth mainline entry has yet to be announced. At the same time, the studio is developing a brand-new title, Stranger Than Heaven, which is expected to launch soon.
Amid this waiting period, Sega surprised fans with the announcement of Yakuza Kiwami 3, a full remake of the third entry. While excitement was high, the announcement also sparked debate regarding its necessity—especially since Yakuza 3 Remastered already existed as an upgraded version of the original 2009 PS3 release.
However, the third installment clearly needed a comprehensive overhaul to match the series’ modern standards in visuals, combat systems, and overall presentation. This raises two key questions: Does Kiwami 3 deliver a contemporary experience worthy of today’s Yakuza standards? And does the new Dark Ties expansion justify its inclusion? This review aims to answer both.
A Quick Note on the Original Remaster
Before diving into the remake itself, it’s important to address the confusion surrounding the older remaster. The standalone Yakuza 3 Remastered release has been removed from digital storefronts, likely to prevent confusion between two versions of the same game. However, it remains available within the Remastered Collection and through physical PS4 editions. Many players still own it, so it hasn’t disappeared entirely.
With that clarified, let’s focus on the new experience and the Dark Ties expansion, evaluating both strictly on their own merits.
Story and Setting
Just like the original, the game follows Kazuma Kiryu after he distances himself from organized crime at the end of Yakuza 2. Now living in Okinawa, Kiryu dedicates himself to running an orphanage in honor of his adoptive father, Shintaro Kazama.
The peaceful seaside setting is soon threatened when the government attempts to seize the land for a luxury resort project. As the plot unfolds, deeper motives surface—particularly involving Okinawa’s local yakuza factions—gradually pulling Kiryu back into the underworld.
The shift from Kamurocho’s urban chaos to Okinawa’s sunny coastal atmosphere gives the story a unique tone within the franchise. The narrative remains one of the most emotionally resonant in the series, showcasing Kiryu’s nurturing side as a father figure. The remake preserves that emotional core while introducing a strong English dub that feels accessible to new players without sacrificing authenticity.
Gameplay Changes and Improvements
The original Yakuza 3 was smaller in scope compared to later entries and was the first to introduce full camera control. Kiwami 3 makes it clear that the goal of this remake is to enhance every previously limited aspect while preserving the heart of the experience.
One of the biggest improvements involves Kiryu’s interactions with the orphanage children. In the original, only Haruka and a few older children received meaningful development. The remake expands this significantly, giving each child a fully voiced substory and deeper character arcs.
The nightclub management minigame from the original has been replaced with a new substory centered around a rebellious girls’ gang. This storyline leads to large-scale group battles and introduces recruitable allies, offering both emotional contrast and combat variety.
Exploration has also been enhanced. A StreetPass-style social system allows Kiryu to search for friends using his customizable phone. Collectible wallpapers, ringtones, and decorations offer in-game bonuses, giving exploration tangible rewards.
English Voice Acting
Yong Yea’s portrayal of Kiryu shows noticeable improvement compared to his earlier performance in Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name, capturing a more vulnerable and emotional side of the character.
Daman Mills delivers a strong performance as Yoshitaka Mine, particularly within the Dark Ties expansion. Xeno Robinson stands out as Rikiya, bringing a fitting voice to the character’s redesigned appearance.
Bill Farmer reprises his role as Detective Makoto Date—the only returning voice actor from the original English dub. While iconic, his voice occasionally feels mismatched with the character’s updated tone.
Side Content and Map Adjustments
Side missions return but in reduced numbers compared to the PS3 remaster, which featured over 100 substories. While nearly two-thirds have been removed, the overall experience doesn’t feel lacking. Instead, the content feels more focused and less bloated.
Okinawa’s map has been slightly reduced by the removal of a small side street, but this change is minor and offset by the dramatic visual overhaul.
Visual Upgrade and Combat Overhaul
The environments of Kamurocho and Okinawa look stunning, with significant improvements in lighting and environmental detail. However, facial animations occasionally lack subtle emotional expression during movement, which somewhat diminishes dramatic scenes.
Combat, on the other hand, is where Kiwami 3 truly shines. The original was criticized for clunky and heavy combat. The remake uses the Dragon Engine to deliver smooth, modern action comparable to The Man Who Erased His Name.
Kiryu’s classic Dragon of Dojima style is expanded with a new Ryukyu fighting style inspired by real-world martial arts. This style allows weapon-switching mid-combo, offering crowd-control versatility that excels in large-scale fights. Additional moves can be unlocked through the Dark Ties expansion.
Dark Ties Expansion
The Dark Ties expansion focuses on Yoshitaka Mine’s backstory, exploring his rise within the Tojo Clan alongside Kanda. The expansion can be completed in roughly four hours, or eight for full completion. It is included with the main game rather than sold separately.
While most events do not drastically alter the main story, the ending provides deeper emotional context to Mine’s relationship with Daigo Dojima.
Gameplay-wise, Mine adopts a fast-paced boxing style, contrasting Kiryu’s weapon-based approach. His combat is fluid and dynamic, especially in group fights. The expansion also introduces an improved Hell’s Survival mode featuring recruitable allies, randomized dungeons, and multiple difficulty tiers—offering strong replay value.
Yakuza Kiwami 3 Review Final Verdict
Yakuza Kiwami 3 may not reach the absolute peak of the franchise, but it stands far above the original and its remaster. By prioritizing quality over quantity, the remake delivers a tighter, more cohesive experience.
While controversy surrounded its release, much of that fades once you experience the improvements firsthand. This remake modernizes one of the series’ most emotional stories and gives Kiryu’s Okinawa chapter the attention it deserved.
Don’t forget to check:
Yakuza Kiwami 3 Review and Dark Ties Expansion
Yakuza Kiwami 3 may not reach the absolute peak of the franchise, but it stands far above the original and its remaster. By prioritizing quality over quantity, the remake delivers a tighter, more cohesive experience.
8
Pros
- More emotionally impactful story with expanded orphanage arcs
- Modernized and fluid combat system
- Dark Ties adds meaningful narrative depth
- Focused side content without unnecessary filler
Cons
- Occasional stiff facial animations
- Reduced number of side missions
- Slightly smaller Okinawa map
