Amidst a crowded February 2026 release schedule featuring heavy hitters like Nioh 3 and Resident Evil Requiem, one title has been quietly shaping up into a surprisingly substantial package: Yakuza Kiwami 3. Following a second hands-on session, it's clear this remake of the often-overlooked 2010 chapter is far more than a simple graphical touch-up, especially when bundled with its brand-new conjoined spin-off, Dark Ties.
A Revamped Orphanage and Hilarious New Distractions
The core of Yakuza Kiwami 3 remains Kazuma Kiryu's unexpected sojourn to Okinawa, where he runs the Morning Glory orphanage. While the sunny setting may have lost some novelty after the series' recent trip to Hawaii, the remake injects new life through a significantly expanded hub. The orphanage, which previously hosted only a few substories, is now a central point for a wealth of side activities.
You can now build bonds with each child by completing requests tied to refreshed minigames. These include cooking from Like A Dragon: Ishin, homework quizzes reminiscent of Yakuza: Like A Dragon's exams, and a gardening simulator. The standout, however, was a brand-new sewing machine minigame. This delightfully silly activity tasks Kiryu with stitching around a shape as fast as possible, with hilarious racing-game-style directional indicators flashing as you try to control your speed around corners.
Success in these activities contributes to Kiryu's 'Daddy Rank' – a knowing nod from Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio to its fanbase. The high camp continues in a new side story, Bad Boy Dragon, where a bare-chested Kiryu in a purple trench coat helps an all-girl gang battle the 'Tokyo Night Terrors' biker thugs. This mode replicates the crew battles from Pirate Yakuza, combining it with Kiryu's new, weapon-centric combat arsenal for a fun diversion.
Dark Ties: A Smaller-Scale Spin-Off with a Roguelite Twist
While Yakuza Kiwami 3 polishes the original, the accompanying Dark Ties campaign aims to offer something new for veterans. Led by Yakuza 3 antagonist Yoshitaka Mine, its structure appears similar to the compact Like A Dragon Gaiden. The goal is to complete 'good deeds' around Kamurocho to build reputation, through story missions, brawls, and city challenges.
Our session revealed one significant new feature: Survival Hell. This is a roguelite dungeon crawler mode set in an underground fighting club. Players race against the clock through stages, beating enemies, collecting upgrades like flamethrowers and bows, and dodging obstacles like lasers and mines to face a final 'master keeper' boss. While our time was limited to easier dungeons, the mode offers more depth than expected, including hired mercenaries as allies.
However, concerns remain about the campaign's scope and longevity. Mine's combat style, though distinctive, lacks the fun eclecticism of Kiryu's, and the core structure risks feeling like an abridged experience. Its ability to fully engage series veterans is still an open question.
A Comprehensive Overhaul of an Unsung Adventure
Despite reservations about Dark Ties, Yakuza Kiwami 3 itself is shaping up to be the definitive version of Kiryu's most mechanically dated outing. The stiff combat of the original has been vastly improved, and Okinawa is packed with returning and new content. From standalone Reaper boss fights and extensive combat tutorials to a fully-stocked arcade with Game Gear classics like Pac-Man and Sonic & Tails, there is no shortage of distractions.
Sega has confirmed a playable demo will be released ahead of launch on 12th February 2026, allowing players to judge the overhaul for themselves. Available on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC for £54.99, the package aims to catapult Yakuza 3 into the series' big leagues by reinforcing its foundational story with 16 years of accumulated developer experience.
