Yakuza Kiwami 3 Review: Familiar Fight, But Is It Still Worth Playing?!

The Yakuza franchise, now known as Like a Dragon, has become a cornerstone for Sega, and rightly so. Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio has consistently delivered gripping narratives and engaging gameplay for over two decades. Their latest offering, Yakuza Kiwami 3, a remake of the 2010 original, builds on this legacy with a new side-story called Dark Ties. It's a familiar blend of fun and fury, even if it does stumble in a few places.

Yakuza Kiwami 3 Review: Familiar Fight, But Is It ...

Players once again step into the familiar, crime-ridden streets of Kamurocho. But this time, we also get to explore the sunny shores of Okinawa. Our protagonist, Kazuma Kiryu, is pulled back into the yakuza underworld after his peaceful life running an orphanage is threatened. Kiwami 3 shifts the focus a bit. It emphasizes drama and familial bonds, focusing on themes of morality and trust more so than the action-heavy gameplay of Yakuza 0 or the original Yakuza 3.

And honestly, the narrative in Yakuza 3 is one of the best in the series. Kiwami 3 largely preserves this, although some missed opportunities and plot alterations are a bit of a disappointment. Characters like Mine and Rikiya really get a chance to shine here, and the heightened dramatic flair brings out the best in the voice acting. However, some of the original story's pacing issues remain. These issues feel even more glaring in 2026, which is a shame.

Thankfully, the combat is still a blast. One of the biggest complaints about the original was how tough it was to hit enemies. Kiwami 3 addresses this while still providing a satisfying level of challenge. The new Ryukyu style adds some depth to street fights too, giving you area-of-effect attacks and guard breaks. While Yakuza 0 and Lost Judgment probably have a slight edge in combat finesse, Kiwami 3 still delivers the high-octane action that the series is known for. Plus, let's be honest, nothing beats taking down a group of thugs with a well-aimed bicycle. It's a classic for a reason!

The visuals, though, are a bit inconsistent. Some of the bustling cityscapes and cutscenes look really good. However, textures and combat animations can sometimes appear a little muddy. This is especially noticeable compared to recent titles like Infinite Wealth, which had really impressive visuals. It kind of undermines the seamless transition between cutscene and gameplay that the series usually nails.

Ultimately, Yakuza Kiwami 3 delivers everything fans have come to expect. There's a wealth of mini-games, karaoke, and all the usual Yakuza shenanigans. Some of the side content feels a bit contrived, though. For example, some of the new activities feel a little too similar to content from Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii. The new Bad Boy Dragon missions being a prime example. It would have been nice to see something completely fresh there, but it's still enjoyable enough.