Yakuza Kiwami 3: Dark Ties Review (Nintendo Switch 2)
A tropical vacation that hits harder than a Dragon Engine punch.
Yakuza 3 has always been a bit of a conversational lightning rod in the Ryu Ga Gotoku community. For years, I heard the whispers about its dated mechanics and its reputation as the "black sheep" of the series. However, as someone who started my journey with Yakuza Kiwami Zero and truly fell in love with the franchise through Lost Judgment, I wanted to approach this remake with fresh eyes. Without the baggage of the 2009 original looming over me, I found Yakuza Kiwami 3: Dark Ties to be a vibrant, brutal, and surprisingly heartfelt entry that feels right at home on the Nintendo Switch 2.
A Change of Scenery
The story once again follows the legendary Kazuma Kiryu, but the backdrop has shifted significantly. We leave the neon lights of Tokyo behind for the sun-drenched streets of Downtown Ryukyu in Okinawa. This tropical, resort-style environment is a breath of fresh air. There is something inherently charming about seeing the "Dragon of Dojima" navigate the slower pace of life at the Morning Glory orphanage.
While the early parts of the narrative can feel a bit messy and aimless as the game finds its footing, the atmosphere kept me hooked. It is a nice change of pace for anyone who has been grinding through Kamurocho since Zero. The contrast between the peaceful Okinawan life and the inevitable Yakuza drama creates a unique tension that the series excels at.
Technical Performance on Switch 2
Running on the Dragon Engine, Kiwami 3 looks fantastic on Nintendo’s new hardware. While the game targets 30fps rather than 60fps, the performance remains remarkably stable throughout. I rarely noticed any significant frame drops, even during the more chaotic street brawls.
If you are playing in handheld mode, the resolution can look a touch fuzzy at times, but the overall presentation is still very handsome. The character models are detailed, and the lighting in Ryukyu really makes the tropical setting pop. It feels like a premium experience that handles the power of the Dragon Engine with grace.
Redefining the Combat
The biggest win for this remake is the combat. In the past, fans complained about enemies who did nothing but block incessantly, which earned the original the nickname "Blockuza." Thankfully, the developers have fixed this. Enemies are much more balanced now, making emergent fights as you explore the world feel fluid and rewarding rather than irritating.
Kiryu’s iconic Dragon Style is back and as satisfying as ever, but the new Ryukyu Style is the real standout. This style focuses on weapon combat, allowing Kiryu to use everything from scythes to shields. I found this style to be incredibly fluid, and the parrying mechanics felt tight and responsive. Mapping standard attacks to ‘Y’ and heavy hits to ‘X’ results in some truly "sick" moves that keep the gameplay loop from ever feeling stale.
The Descent of Yoshitaka Mine
The most substantial addition to this remake is the "Dark Ties" side campaign. This stars the fan-favorite antagonist Yoshitaka Mine and chronicles his descent from a calculating businessman to a ruthless Yakuza lieutenant. Set almost entirely in the familiar streets of Kamurocho, this mode offers a more traditional, streamlined Yakuza experience that balances out the broader scope of Kiryu’s journey.
Mine is a compelling protagonist. His no-nonsense attitude is engaging, though I did find his primary task of raising the reputation of Tsuyoshi Kanda to be a bit of a headache. Kanda is a total scumbag, and having to win plushies in UFO catchers or deal with street bullies just to help him climb the ranks felt like a chore at times. However, the way this expansion builds on Mine’s story is a massive improvement over the original game, giving him the depth he previously lacked.
Mini-Games and More
It wouldn't be a Yakuza game without an absurd amount of side content. Kiwami 3 is packed with activities, including the ability to play the Sega Game Gear. The "Baddie Battles" and "Bad Boy Dragon" modes add a layer of large-scale chaos, including motorbike skirmishes that lean heavily into the series' love for the absurd.
I also have to give a shout-out to the "Daddy Rank" quests. They are surprisingly addictive and provide a lot of the "human" humour the series is known for. Additionally, the inclusion of a high-quality English dub is a huge plus. It makes the story much easier to follow for content creators or anyone who wants to enjoy the drama without being glued to subtitles every second.
The Verdict
Yakuza Kiwami 3: Dark Ties is a successful modernization of a misunderstood classic. By fixing the combat frustrations of the past and adding the meaningful "Dark Ties" campaign, Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio has turned a "black sheep" into a must-play. While the early story pacing is a bit clunky and the handheld resolution could be sharper, the heart of the game is bigger than ever.
