Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties is a two-campaign action-adventure: a remake of Yakuza 3 starring Kazuma Kiryu, plus a new story focused on Yoshitaka Mine. TechRadar’s PS5 review found the refreshed combat and Mine’s campaign compelling, but judged the altered finale, repetitive stretches of side content, and dated-looking visuals as notable drawbacks. Its verdict: good, not great—and a better fit for players who already know the series.
What’s included in Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties?
SEGA describes the release as two games in one: Yakuza Kiwami 3, a remake of the 2009 game, and Dark Ties, an all-new story. The campaigns have different leads and purposes, so the package is more than a remade Kiryu adventure with a short bonus chapter.
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The game launched on February 12, 2026. SEGA lists it for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam. Its announcement identifies Xbox and Steam as digital-only, while package editions are listed for PS4, PS5, and Switch 2. See SEGA’s release announcement for platform and edition details.
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How does Kiryu’s Kiwami 3 campaign change the original?
A familiar Okinawa story with added material
Kiryu has stepped away from the Tojo Clan’s leadership, leaving Daigo Dojima in charge, and moved to Okinawa with Haruka. He runs the Morning Glory orphanage, but its future is threatened by a resort development. The conflict expands into a Tojo succession struggle and a political conspiracy. SEGA’s story and cast announcement lays out that premise.
#1 Best Overall
The remake adds cutscenes, minigames, and other content, and SEGA advertises more intense battles and depictions of Tokyo and Okinawa. Those are the publisher’s descriptions; the independent assessment here is based on TechRadar’s PS5 review, not a platform-wide technical comparison.
Combat is a major draw, but the ending is divisive
TechRadar reviewer Harry Padoan praised the refreshed combat and new Ryukyu fighting style. The review’s chief story reservation was the changed finale: Padoan felt the revision weakened the original’s emotional impact. That is a subjective response from one reviewer, not an established critical consensus or a claim that every player will prefer the original ending.
Rank #2
- Includes Yakuza Kiwami 3
- Continue the story of Kazuma Kiryu as he appears in a stunning remake of Yakuza 3
- Includes DARK TIES
- Experience the brand new story of Yoshitaka Mine from Yakuza 3 in an included separate game
What is Dark Ties, and does Mine’s story add value?
Dark Ties follows Mine in 2007, before the events of Kiryu’s campaign. After a trusted business partner betrays him, Mine enters the yakuza world and becomes fascinated by the bonds that lead people to risk themselves for others. He joins forces with Tsuyoshi Kanda and is drawn toward Daigo Dojima. SEGA’s official Dark Ties story page provides the premise.
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For Padoan, this separate campaign was one of the package’s strongest reasons to play. The review highlights Mine’s search for human connection and his relationship with Kanda as material that makes the additional story worthwhile. It gives the release a second lead and a different emotional angle rather than simply extending Kiryu’s plot.
Rank #3
- Includes Yakuza Kiwami 3
- Continue the story of Kazuma Kiryu as he appears in a stunning remake of Yakuza 3
- Includes DARK TIES
- Experience the brand new story of Yoshitaka Mine from Yakuza 3 in an included separate game
How good are the side activities and presentation?
Morning Glory and Bad Boy Dragon
TechRadar’s reviewer completed the Life at Morning Glory and Bad Boy Dragon storylines, as well as both main campaigns and all reapers, over a reported 50-plus hours. Padoan found the breadth of additional content a positive overall, but said Bad Boy Dragon’s turf battles became repetitive. That criticism applies to the reviewer’s experience, not necessarily to every side activity in the game.
Visuals and review-period patch context
Padoan thought the visuals looked better than the remaster but still did not impress, citing dated presentation and lighting concerns. The review mentions version 1.11 as a patch released during its review period to address lighting and other quality concerns; that number is historical context, not a statement of the current game version. The review covers PS5 only, so it does not establish how performance or image quality compares across platforms.
Rank #4
![Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties + Shikishi Board Korean Edition [English Supports] for PS4](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41hmtey2M6L._SL160_.jpg)
- This is KOEAN VERSION ONLY (Korea-Only Release) and will be shipped from South Korea. Region Free title and can be played on your system. The release date is Feb 12, 2026, and items will be shipped out sequentially.
- Language: English, Korean, Japanese, Chinese, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Russian, Spanish, Portuguese
- As a KOREAN VERSION EXCLUSIVE BONUS, a 5-inch shikishi board (illustrated art board) will be included with every purchase.
Should newcomers start with Kiwami 3?
TechRadar advises players unfamiliar with the series to begin with Yakuza 0 or Yakuza Kiwami, because Kiwami 3 assumes substantial prior story context. That is the reviewer’s recommendation rather than an objective requirement: a new player can choose to start here, but will be entering a continuing story with established characters and relationships.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsWhich platforms have physical editions?
SEGA’s February 12, 2026 announcement lists digital and package editions for PS4, PS5, and Switch 2; Xbox Series X|S and Steam are digital-only according to the same announcement. Availability of boxed copies can vary by market and retailer. The publisher’s Japanese launch prices—8,990 yen including tax for the base edition and 11,440 yen including tax for the digital Deluxe Edition—are Japan-market figures from that release notice, not current or region-neutral prices. Check your local platform or retailer listing for current availability and price.
SEGA also lists paid add-ons for outfits, Bad Boy Dragon crew members and customization, flip-phone customization, and background music. Their availability and prices may differ by storefront and region, so the relevant store page is the place to confirm what can be purchased where you live.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
