5/5 ★ – asoola's review of Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties.

A perfect remake for one of the best Yakuza game. I had high hopes for this remake and I’m confident when I say it met those expectations and even exceeded them. I’ll talk about Yakuza Kiwami 3 first then Dark Ties because I have A LOT of thoughts. Of course I played Yakuza 3 Remastered and this game’s story is of course the same there’s some differences here and there like the new mechanics (Morning Glory Storyline and Bad Boy Dragon Storyline) and honestly I think these new mechanics and scenes enriched the fantastic story of Yakuza 3 and the characters relationships with each other. I said it before and I’ll say it again Yakuza 3 story is absolutely perfect in my opinion, so to finally experience the story with enjoyable gameplay is something I always needed. Yakuza 3 story is still a journey filled with emotional moments and well written moments. I mean this in a good way when I say I finished Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties feeling something that I can’t describe in words it’s a feeling that will always stick with me. Yakuza Kiwami 3 is game that everyone should experience once it’s a tale about found family, loneliness and ambition. It has great characters too and a great antagonist, Yoshitaka Mine which is a plus! Spoilers ahead because I’ll be discussing the differences for Yakuza Kiwami 3 and one of them is in the ending so here’s your warning to anyone’s reading. Before I discuss the big one I’ll go ahead and say the scene where Kiryu tells Kanda “You don’t deserve his legacy. Quit dragging his name through your filth.” Is a scene that genuinely made me tear up it’s been years since I played Yakuza 3 Remastered but I immediately knew that was something that was added in Yakuza Kiwami 3. As a Nishikiyama fan it was nice to see Kiryu still having a soft spot for his brother and the person who saved him in Yakuza Kiwami. It’s just a nice scene! Of course there’s few changes with the Morning Glory kids stories due to the Morning Glory Storyline added and honestly? The storyline made me feel more connected to the kids and I felt like I understood why Kiryu cared about them even more. As I said it enriched an already amazing father and children relationship. New things that were also added are new characters and gameplay style which I loved. I’m Miya and Tsubasa biggest fan. After experiencing this game I can’t imagine Yakuza 3 without those two especially. There were other new characters too and they were a delight as well! The new gameplay style is very fun 10/10 for that too. Moving on to the big elephant in the room Mine’s Fate. I went into this game thinking one thing “Mine is alive I just don’t have proof.” And it wasn’t like oh I thought of this randomly when the game was released oh I had this “Mine is alive” thought ever since I played Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth trial that was included in Like a Dragon Gaiden. Through the entire promotion period I was like “Mine is alive.” And I sounded like I’m deluding myself. 😂 Ever since November 14th 2023 I kept saying “If Andre survived so did Mine.” “Mine is gonna show up in a future game.” Yakuza Kiwami 3 releases and I’m not deluding myself anymore BECAUSE HE DID SURVIVE. I’m actually glad I never wanted him to die ever since I played Yakuza 3 I felt like he more than anyone out of all the antagonists I met he should live and atone and change his lifestyle. Now he did live but he is still in the shadows but honestly it fits what he says in the ending before he fell. He can’t bring himself to stand next to Daigo not after the things he did, understandable statement and I hope one day he can forgive himself at least. I still think his survival is very well written! He’s a great antagonist and character anyway so I’m excited to see what the future holds for him. Of course him living meant Kiryu did not get stabbed by Hamazaki. So that changes things if Yakuza Kiwami 4 is gonna be a thing I’m looking forward to it. I also rewatched Mine and Hamazaki talking like two times and I understood where Mine is coming from BUT I also felt he was telling Hamazaki what he needed to hear because he didn’t want Kiryu to be hurt because Kiryu taught him something valuable. Story and changes aside the game is fun to play I genuinely had so much fun playing anything in it and yes that includes the Morning Glory mini games. Am I perfect in these mini games? No. Were they fun? Yes. Great gameplay that is accompanied by a great soundtrack and ending song. To not sound like a broken record I shall summarize, I think Yakuza Kiwami 3 has a great story, characters, soundtrack and great gameplay. The changes were really well written and thought out and they made sure they make sense with information we learn in future games. P.S. Mine’s survival not included of course because he intervened with Hamazaki and I don’t know how it’ll work out but I’m calling it now the Daidoji Faction is gonna send Hamazaki on a mission to jail so he can meet Saejima. And considering what Mine and Hamazaki at the end said I doubt Hamazaki will tell him to go to Kiryu but he might tell him anyway if he was ordered to. Anyway great game It’s a 5/5 stars for me that’s for sure! And I can’t wait for whatever in store! (And yes I like the new face changes Rikiya’s new face is better than his old one I think.) Let’s talk about Mine’s game, Dark Ties. I like to call myself Mine’s biggest fan not only I think he’s one of the best antagonists in gaming history but I also relate to something he felt so when it was announced he was gonna be a playable character? I was over the moon. This game is similar to Majima Saga albeit longer due to the Kanda Damage Control and Hell Arena. (I don’t think Majima Saga had any side content unless I’m forgetting it.) Story and gameplay wise? It’s 10/10. I cried when I started the game and when I finished it I wasn’t expecting to cry when I finished it but Daigo’s reaction made me cry. Mine’s loneliness is something I think a lot of us can relate to the want to form a true bond with someone is also something everyone can relate to. His story never failed to break my heart and seeing the hardships he dealt with, the betrayals, the hope he felt made me understand his character more. At first I too started thinking Kanda cared I too felt that Kanda isn’t a saint but he cared because he always said he did and Mine is his brother. Until I knew he didn’t maybe it wasn’t a shock to many but to me my shock came almost at the same time as Mine’s shock. Kanda never cared and the way the writers made me feel that is brilliant. I felt that he may betray Mine I thought oh he’ll steal the money and run at some point when no one is looking I never ever thought he’ll leave Mine for dead. It made sense eventually he never cared “You still have the money?” I raised my eyebrows when Kanda immediately asked that after he rescued Mine in chapter 2. “You’re not gonna betray me we’re brothers for life.” Kanda made sure Mine felt that he cared about him by repeating the same thing “We’re brothers for life.” Kanda just like the rest used Mine and man it stung I knew he couldn’t be trusted but just like Mine I let myself believe he changed after I watched the Bro episodes. I knew he wasn’t a good friend or brother because he used Mine to better his own reputation yet I still had hope he wouldn’t betray him. Mine protected Kanda that’s the entire reason he couldn’t fight Ikari but Kanda didn’t care he just left and tried to act like nothing happened if Daigo didn’t question him and saved Mine, Mine would’ve died. The game does a good job of showcasing someone who means their words and someone who doesn’t. Daigo wasn’t just saying things he didn’t mean he acted upon what he said. Kanda didn’t. Honestly? I still am mad because of this and it’s silly but Mine deserved better and I’m glad a true friend and a true bond appeared before him and that was none other than Daigo. Their friendship and their platonic love for each other was a joy to see after what I saw. They didn’t start on good terms but when they shared a drink I started seeing why Mine always talked about Daigo in high regards. Mine’s entire story and how it ends is beautiful the journey was harsh but I’m glad he at least managed to find the thing he was searching for and that is a true bond. Someone who cared for him and loved him for who he is someone who treated him like a somebody and family. 🖤 Let me see what else? Oh I have to say Daigo characterization in this game is fantastic his breakdown hits harder when I realized he lost a member of his family (the Tojo Clan) and it was his first loss as a chairman he probably felt lots of responsibility for not knowing who Mine really is which is highlighted in the finale he felt that if he knew who Mine truly is he could’ve avoided this situation and I say this a lot when I talk about Daigo but he is precious. He genuinely is to me. Easily one of the best well developed and mature character in the entire series and I’m glad Dark Ties does his character justice he’s not naive he knows how harsh the world they live in is but he tries to make everyone feel comfortable and welcomed even when Mine was causing ruckus he worried about Mine’s wellbeing and worried that his friends aren’t really his friends. Daigo aside Ikari was a great antagonist too although brutal I don’t know what to expect but I genuinely just wanted him to stop beating Mine up because it was very hard to watch. (He lost his wife and kids I feel bad but come on stop beating up Mine!) I have a lot to say but to avoid writing a million page review I shall end this with, Dark Ties story is a very well written and emotional story about wanting to have a true bond with someone, about trusting someone, and about loneliness. It asks the question “If you’ve been beaten down so much, how much will that change you as a person?” Mine wasn’t born a villain he was made because of how he was treated and betrayed of course it doesn’t justify his actions but I’m glad he deep down still cared and had his humanity I’m glad he did something like saving Daigo just like Daigo saved him. His last act as Yoshitaka Mine was saving someone not taking someone’s life and that alone proves deep down he still has his kindness it never left him he just hid it away because he didn’t want to be betrayed anymore. (P.S. I’ll never justify a single bad action of Yoshitaka Mine’s but understanding what led him to becoming like this is very important to understand in my opinion.) Story aside Mine’s gameplay is really fun and I had a lot of fun playing as him it’s like a mix of Takayuki Yagami and Shun Akiyama’s gameplay with a bit of Kiryu’s gameplay if that makes sense. And I for one despite everything loved “Kanda Damage Control” and “Hell Arena” I also loved seeing how Mine actually cared about the people he helped in “Good Deeds” but acted like he didn’t because he didn’t want to be vulnerable. Of course The soundtrack is really great too and the ending theme “Sand Castle” is on repeat. It fits Mine’s character perfectly the composer need their award. (So is the singer and while I’m at it Mine’s voice actor too.) Well that’s all I have to say I think too many thoughts and a very long review but the game deserves every praise and I plan to give it every praise because it genuinely was a fantastic game to play and very enjoyable. I’ll never forget how fantastic these two games were no matter what. ❤️🖤 (Dare I say these games are my second favorite Yakuza games after Yakuza 0?)