Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties brings the action-adventure genre to the Nintendo Switch 2 with a remake of the classic tale featuring Kazuma Kiryu, bundled alongside a darker companion story. Released in early 2026, this package updates the original experience with refreshed visuals and mechanics, focusing on Kiryu's attempt to leave his turbulent past behind by relocating to Okinawa. The game emphasizes narrative depth, street brawls, and exploration in vibrant Japanese settings, appealing to those who enjoy story-driven titles with intense combat sequences.
Gameplay
In Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties, the core loop revolves around third-person action where you control Kiryu through a mix of exploration, dialogue-heavy storytelling, and real-time beat 'em up fights. Combat has been updated from the original, allowing for smoother combos and environmental interactions during battles against groups of enemies. You navigate detailed urban environments, engaging in side activities that break up the main plot. The remake introduces quality-of-life improvements to movement and interaction, making progression feel more fluid on the Nintendo Switch 2 hardware.
The bundled Dark Ties story shifts to a grittier tone, with mechanics that highlight stealthier approaches and moral choices in a separate campaign. Overall, the gameplay clocks in at over 50 hours across both parts, blending high-stakes confrontations with quieter moments of character development.
Game Modes
The game features two primary campaigns that serve as its main modes. The Kiwami 3 campaign follows Kiryu's journey in Okinawa, where he manages an orphanage while dealing with yakuza threats, structured as a linear story with branching side quests.
Dark Ties operates as a standalone side story mode, offering a darker narrative contrast with its own set of missions focused on intense personal conflicts. Both modes support single-player only, with no multiplayer elements, emphasizing solo progression through chapters and optional challenges.
Story and Characters
The narrative picks up right after previous events, with Kiryu seeking a peaceful life away from crime syndicates. Key characters include familiar faces from the series, evolving through dramatic plot twists involving family ties and betrayals. Dark Ties explores heavier themes, presenting a self-contained tale that complements the main remake without overlapping directly.
Is It Worth Playing?
With mixed player reception showing 60% positive feedback from over 1,800 user reviews, Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties has drawn criticism for some pacing issues, bloated sections, and controversy around voice casting changes. However, it earns praise for its storytelling and value, especially the lengthy campaigns that provide substantial content.
If you prefer action-adventure games with strong narratives and aren't deterred by occasional slow moments, this title offers a solid experience on Nintendo Switch 2. Newcomers might find the depth rewarding, while series veterans could appreciate the updates, though the mixed reviews suggest tempering expectations. It's a worthwhile pick for those interested in character-focused tales with updated gameplay, particularly at its current state shortly after launch.