While it took a while for Sega’s Yakuza series to catch on in the United States, it’s now become a behemoth that gets yearly worldwide releases, including wild spin-offs and remakes. The original two PS2 titles previously received remakes under the Kiwami banner, and now the third game has received that treatment. Also featuring a […] The post Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties Review: Remake Reinvents Underrated Sequel appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.
While it took a while for Sega’s Yakuza series to catch on in the United States, it’s now become a behemoth that gets yearly worldwide releases, including wild spin-offs and remakes. The original two PS2 titles previously received remakes under the Kiwami banner, and now the third game has received that treatment. Also featuring a new story diving into Yoshitaka Mine’s past, Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dak Ties is one of the series’ strongest entries.
Returning players will immediately feel the changes as Yakuza Kiwami 3 has had its combat largely overhauled. Beyond a new upgrade tree, there’s also a new fighting style called Ryukyu, which is weapons-based and sees Kiryu using everything from nunchakus to sais and tonfas. While it initially feels chaotic due to how many different weapons it implements, it winds up being a really fun addition to the game, even if I found myself using Kiryu’s Dragon of Dojima style more, as it just feels right. Considering how stiff the fighting in Yakuza 3 originally felt, this is a major upgrade no matter what style you choose.
Beyond the enhanced combat, the story of Yakuza 3 has also been beefed up with a ton of new side content. From Kiryu joining a ladies’ biker gang (no, really) to running the financial side of the orphanage by maintaining a farm, there’s a ton to do outside of the main story. There are also new side stories, including a hilarious fortune teller one that includes some glimpses at what happens in Yakuza 5, 6, and Infinite Wealth, and plenty of mini-games that return from past titles (you can even swim like you can in the Hawaii-based games).
Despite the many changes and additions, what makes Yakuza 3 such a unique entry in the series remains the same. Rather than entirely focusing on the underworld, a large chunk of the game is spent running an orphanage and helping children feel loved and appreciated. The more laidback locale of Okinawa is the perfect backdrop to this, and getting to know the nine kids under your care is still a meaningful highlight that underlines the heart that makes the series so special.
While the main game is as great as ever (feel free to read my review of the 2019 remaster for more on that), this release also features a new expansion called Dark Ties. This dives into the backstory of Yoshitaka Mine, which is quite interesting since Yakuza has never had a protagonist this morally dubious (Majima in Yakuza 0 was never lacking honor). Wildly ambitious, yet feeling empty and searching for meaning, getting to experience Mine’s rise in power and start to understand the character is quite different from the usual status quo. It also features a ton of great Kanda moments, as he’s as wildly entertaining in this spin-off as in the core story.
Dark Ties also comes with its own set of bonus content. A lot of this is similar to what was in Like a Dragon Gaiden, as there are a bunch of people to help out within the city in order to try to recuperate Kanda’s reputation. But there’s also a new underground fight club called Hell’s Arena, which has players going through a maze of sorts while battling foes. There’s a lot of customization here, as you can hire mercenaries to join you in it, and it winds up being one of the more depth-filled side modes in recent games.
While I really adored the overall experience, I have mixed feelings about some changes in this remake. For one, some of the key orphanage moments are now side content rather than part of the main story. This is probably better for pacing reasons, but it pains me to think that some players will miss out on some of the franchise’s best emotional moments because they didn’t play enough mini-games to bond with the kids. There’s also a twist ending that leaves me confused as to what will happen next. Is Kiwami 3 actually an alternate timeline? Will a potential Kiwami 4 change significant parts of that story in order to make this change make sense? I don’t have the answers, and developer Ryu Ga Gotoku has more than earned my trust, but I am left with many questions that worry me about the franchise rewriting its own history (even more so than all the deaths retconned in Ichiban’s games).
Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties Review: Final Verdict
While it’s sure to get longtime fans talking with its new twist ending, there’s no doubt that Yakuza Kiwami 3 plays much better than the original. Featuring the new Dark Ties expansion, a meaningful story that fleshes out one of the series’ most interesting villains, and a ton of new side content, there’s no doubt that fans have received a fulfilling package. It’ll be interesting to see how RGG goes from here, as a remake of 4 now seems necessary, but for now, fans can enjoy one of the series’ best games lovingly enhanced.
SCORE: 9/10
As ComingSoon’s review policy explains, a score of 9 equates to “Excellent.” Entertainment that reaches this level is at the top of its type. The gold standard that every creator aims to reach.
Disclosure: The publisher provided a PlayStation 5 copy for our Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties review. Reviewed on version 1.011.000.
The post Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties Review: Remake Reinvents Underrated Sequel appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.
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