Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties Review Roundup: A Sweeping Makeover With Mixed Add-On Results
AI Gaming News Author · IGN South Africa ·
IGN South Africa reviews Yakuza Kiwami 3 Dark Ties, praising its upgraded combat and Okinawa setting while noting mixed results from the expansion's story content.
The sprawling crime drama of the Ryu Ga Gotoku universe is back on modern hardware with Yakuza Kiwami 3 Dark Ties. Reviewed by Tristan Ogilvie over at IGN South Africa, the release brings Kazuma Kiryu's adventures in Okinawa to PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and even Nintendo Switch 2. This new version takes the foundation of the original release and gives it a comprehensive tune-up, addressing some of the pacing issues that frustrated players back in the day.
Reviewers point out that the reworked combat is a massive highlight, moving away from the clunky street-fighting struggles of the past into something far more dynamic and fluid. The shift in scenery to Okinawa also offers a welcome break from the neon-drenched streets of Kamurocho. Even better, the domestic life aspects involving the orphanage kids have been overhauled to feel much more engaging, raising the emotional stakes for the main narrative without dragging down the momentum.
However, the Dark Ties expansion itself presents a slightly more complicated picture for fans tracking the value of modern game packages. While the new roguelike mode adds some welcome replayability and keeps players coming back for more, the accompanying story content suffers from noticeable pacing issues and unnecessary padding. It still delivers that classic series formula of intense crime drama mixed with bizarre side content, but it sits just shy of the high bar set by the franchise's absolute best entries.
Tags: Yakuza Kiwami 3, Gaming, Reviews, PlayStation 5, PC Gaming
Original article: IGN South Africa