After months of anticipation since the official announcement in September 2025, SEGA and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio have finally lifted the curtain on what’s coming in Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties. The dual release arriving February 12, 2026, promises two complete stories set in the yakuza underworld, packaged as one unforgettable experience. For fans who’ve been following Kazuma Kiryu’s legendary journey since the first Yakuza game, this is the moment to get caught up and ready for what the studio calls their most ambitious Kiwami remake yet.
Kiryu’s Return to Okinawa
Yakuza Kiwami 3 picks up after the conflict with the Omi Alliance, with Kazuma Kiryu finally getting something most action heroes never achieve – a retirement plan. He hands off leadership of the Tojo Clan to Daigo Dojima and heads to Okinawa to manage Morning Glory, an orphanage connected to his late foster father Shintaro Kazama. It’s supposed to be peaceful. It never is. A government-backed resort development plan threatens the orphanage, while back in Tokyo the Tojo Clan erupts into a succession dispute. Add a massive conspiracy with roots deep in the political world, and Kiryu’s quiet life evaporates faster than morning dew.
The story serves as the foundation for why the Dragon of Dojima can’t simply walk away from the underworld. No matter how far he travels or how much he tries to change his life, yakuza politics and criminal conspiracies follow him like a bad reputation. The orphanage and the children living there become his motivation, just like Haruka was in previous games. Protecting innocents from the darkness is Kiryu’s core character trait, and this storyline finally gives that theme its proper weight.
Two Combat Styles to Master
Combat in Yakuza Kiwami 3 receives a significant overhaul with the introduction of two distinct fighting styles. The classic Dragon of Dojima style returns but evolved with the most extensive move set in the series’ entire history. Players get access to new Heat Abilities that deliver devastating finishing moves, complemented by a Dragon Boost mechanic that amplifies Kiryu’s raw power when needed most. The familiar punches, kicks, grabs, and environmental weapon usage remain, but everything feels more refined and visually brutal.
The new Ryukyu Style deserves special attention because it fundamentally changes how combat plays out. Inspired by traditional Okinawan martial arts, this fighting style equips Kiryu with eight different weapons: the tinbe and rochin (traditional shield and short spear), sai, nichogama, tonfa, tekko, nunchaku, eiku, and surujin. Each weapon feels distinct with its own charged attacks and combo possibilities. The tinbe shield mechanic lets players defend against projectiles and incoming attacks, adding a defensive layer the Dragon of Dojima style lacks. Ryukyu Style also features technical Heat Actions that seamlessly chain into standard combos for devastating finishing sequences.
Customization Reaches New Heights
RGG Studio listened to fans requesting more personalization options, introducing cell phone customization that actually impacts gameplay. Kiryu carries his iconic “Razor” flip phone (yes, a nostalgic 2000s phone in a 2026 game), which can now be decorated with charms, jewels, and background customization. Beyond aesthetics, these accessories boost Kiryu’s motivation stat, which translates to tangible ability upgrades and stat increases. It’s a brilliant design choice that ties character personality directly to mechanical progression.
The broader upgrade system lets players customize Kiryu’s ability progression through a revamped skill tree. Complete missions and undertake training to mold him into your ideal version of the Dragon of Dojima. Maybe you want an aggressive fighter who specializes in Heat Abilities. Or perhaps you prefer a defensive tank who uses environmental weapons and crowd control. The flexibility ensures multiple playstyles feel viable and rewarding.
Dark Ties: Mine’s Journey From Success to Survival
While Yakuza Kiwami 3 remakes the original 2009 title, Dark Ties provides entirely new content. This prequel focuses on Yoshitaka Mine, a character players know as Kiryu’s antagonist in the base game. Dark Ties recontextualizes Mine through his own eyes, following his transformation from a successful venture capitalist to a yakuza member desperately seeking connection and meaning. The story begins in 2007, with Mine launching a promising startup only to get betrayed by a trusted partner and lose everything.
After hitting rock bottom, Mine enters the yakuza underworld seeking the bonds and relationships that might fill the void in his heart. The narrative explores how someone can be driven into organized crime not through birth or circumstance alone, but through broken trust and a desperate search for belonging. This dual-protagonist structure lets players experience the yakuza world from radically different perspectives – Kiryu protecting innocents from the shadows, Mine ascending through underworld ranks seeking redemption.
The Okinawa and Tokyo Settings
Yakuza Kiwami 3 brings Okinawa and Tokyo to life using the modern Dragon Engine, which handles both vibrant tropical locations and bustling urban streets. The Okinawan setting provides a fresh change of pace from the series’ typical Tokyo focus while maintaining the dense activity and minigame offerings fans expect. Karaoke, restaurants, local shops, and various entertainment venues populate both cities, giving players downtime activities between story missions.
The visual upgrade from the original 2009 Yakuza 3 is substantial. Textures are richer, character models sport more detail, and the environmental details create genuine atmosphere. Seeing the iconic Okinawan locations rendered in the Dragon Engine after waiting 16 years is genuinely nostalgic while feeling completely fresh. Tokyo’s urban energy contrasts beautifully with Okinawa’s slower tropical pace, and the story uses both settings to reinforce themes about finding peace in dangerous circumstances.
Character Confirmations and Voice Acting
Goro Majima returns as the Tojo Clan Lieutenant and Majima Family Patriarch, portrayed by returning voice actor Hidenari Ugaki. Majima’s character arc in Yakuza Kiwami 3 ties directly into both the main story and Dark Ties, making him crucial to understanding the political machinations affecting both Kiryu and Mine. The game features numerous other returning characters whose names and roles have been officially confirmed, maintaining continuity with the series’ 20-year history.
Voice acting remains a strength of the Yakuza franchise, with RGG Studio investing in quality performances across Japanese and English dubs. The emotional weight of story moments relies heavily on convincing vocal performances, and the studio clearly understood the importance of getting these casting and direction decisions right.
Series Timeline Context
Both Yakuza Kiwami and Yakuza Kiwami 2 launch November 13, 2025, directly before Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties’ February 2026 release. This strategic spacing lets players catch up on the entire franchise chronologically. The studio confirmed that both Kiwami 1 and 2 “directly link” to Yakuza Kiwami 3, meaning understanding the previous remakes provides important context and emotional resonance. If you’re new to the series, this represents an ideal entry point – play through the remakes to understand Kiryu’s journey, then experience his evolution in Kiwami 3 and Mine’s perspective in Dark Ties.
The Like a Dragon and Yakuza series celebrates its 20th anniversary on December 8, 2025, which makes this release slate particularly fitting. RGG Studio is marking two decades of crime drama storytelling with new content rather than simply rereleasing old games. It’s a genuine celebration of the franchise’s legacy while pushing it forward.
Platform Availability
Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties launches on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam on February 12, 2026. Standard and Deluxe editions have been confirmed, though specific details about deluxe edition contents remain under wraps. Digital pre-orders are currently live across all platforms, with physical releases coming in the coming weeks according to SEGA. The multiplatform approach ensures maximum accessibility for both new and returning fans.
FAQs
When does Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties release?
The game launches February 12, 2026, on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (Steam).
What are the two games in this package?
Yakuza Kiwami 3 is a complete remake of the 2009 original. Dark Ties is an entirely new prequel story following antagonist Yoshitaka Mine.
What combat styles are in Kiwami 3?
Dragon of Dojima Style (Kiryu’s classic fighting with new Heat Abilities and Dragon Boost) and Ryukyu Style (new Okinawan martial arts style using eight different weapons).
Who is the protagonist of Dark Ties?
Yoshitaka Mine, a character players know as Kiryu’s antagonist in the original game, serves as the protagonist following his journey from venture capitalist to yakuza member.
Can I customize Kiryu’s abilities?
Yes, through a revamped skill tree system and cell phone customization. Accessories on Kiryu’s phone boost his motivation stat, translating to tangible stat increases and ability upgrades.
What weapons does Ryukyu Style use?
Eight traditional Okinawan weapons: tinbe, rochin, sai, nichogama, tonfa, tekko, nunchaku, eiku, and surujin.
When do Yakuza Kiwami 1 and 2 release?
Both launch on November 13, 2025, providing important context for Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties.
Is there a Deluxe Edition?
Yes, both standard and Deluxe editions are available, though specific Deluxe content details haven’t been announced yet.
What settings does the game take place in?
Primarily Okinawa (where Kiryu runs an orphanage) and Tokyo (where yakuza political struggles unfold), both rendered in the modern Dragon Engine.
How long have fans waited for a Yakuza 3 remake?
The original Yakuza 3 released in 2009 on PlayStation 3, making this 16-year-old game finally getting the Kiwami treatment.
Conclusion
Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties represents the culmination of RGG Studio’s commitment to bringing classic yakuza games into the modern era. The combination of a complete remake featuring refined combat, new mechanics, and expanded story content alongside an entirely new prequel game offering Mine’s perspective creates genuine value for series veterans and compelling entry points for newcomers. Whether you’re interested in Kiryu’s struggle to protect his adopted family from yakuza conspiracies or Mine’s descent into the underworld seeking connection, this dual release delivers the dramatic storytelling and satisfying combat the franchise is known for. With Kiwami 1 and 2 arriving in November to provide context and Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties following in February, the timing couldn’t be better to experience three decades of yakuza drama across remaked classic games and entirely new content. The Dragon of Dojima returns on February 12, 2026, and you definitely won’t want to miss it.