Well, well, well, look what we have here, folks! 🤡 Another year, another *totally* unexpected announcement from Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio! At TGS 2025, they graced us with their presence (as if we had a choice) and unveiled Yakuza Kiwami 3 in a RGG Direct livestream. I know, I know, try to contain your excitement! 🎉
Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, bless their predictable hearts, decided that 2025 needed more Yakuza. So, they’re gracing us with Yakuza Kiwami 3, a *reimagining* (because they totally didn’t run out of ideas) of 2009’s Yakuza 3. But wait, there’s more! 🎁 This isn’t just a simple cash grab—erm, I mean, *rework*—they’re throwing in a whole new game mode called Dark Ties. Because who wouldn’t want to play as the villain, Yoshitaka Mine, and relive the same story from a different angle? 🙄 It’s not like we have anything better to do with our lives. You can watch the announcement trailer below, or you can stare at a wall. Same difference, really. 🤷
Along with the same reworked visuals and “quality of life” improvements (read: slightly less clunky controls), fans will be thrilled to know that Kiwami 3 includes added scenes to pad out the original story. More depth and emotion? In a Yakuza game? Groundbreaking. 🎭 You’ll get to experience the world of Okinawa as Kazuma Kiryu sees it, which, let’s be honest, is probably just a bunch of dudes in suits yelling at each other. After the events of Yakuza 2 (which you totally remember, right?), Kiryu does the responsible thing and moves to Okinawa with Haruka. There, he runs an orphanage until some government redevelopment plan threatens the peace. Because of course it does. 🙄 That’s where Yakuza Kiwami 3 begins. Prepare for the same recycled plot points you’ve seen a million times before! 😴
But wait, there’s even MORE! New in-game features include a new weapon-based combat style named Ryukyu Style. It’s named after the game’s location, Okinawa! I bet you didn’t see that coming! 😂 Like every Yakuza title, there’s new side quests and activities that engage with daily life at Morning Glory. Activities include: cooking (because Kiryu is secretly a master chef), fishing (get ready to reel in some disappointment), bug-catching (because who doesn’t love virtual insects?), mini-games (prepare to rage quit), and side-stories with the orphanage kids (aww, how touching…ly boring). There’s also a new team battle mode, where Kiryu leads customizable motorbike gangs in tactical battles. And get this: you can recruit Kasuga Ichiban as a Legendary Lad! Because why not cram every character into one game? 🤪
On the other hand, Dark Ties acts as a prequel that details the antagonist, Yoshitaka Mine’s backstory. It’s the first time Mine has been a playable character, and it’s going to deliver exactly why he became the ruthless, cynical leader he is in Yakuza 3. Finally, we get to understand why a pixelated man is mean. What a time to be alive! 🥳
Yakuza Kiwami 3 will be released on February 12, 2026. Mark your calendars, people, because you definitely don’t want to miss this earth-shattering event! 🗓️ It will be available for PlayStation 4 (because why not milk the old gen?), PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2 (if it ever comes out), Xbox Series X/S, and Windows PC. Because inclusivity is key… or maybe they just want more of your money. 🤔 Fans can find more info on the Ryu Ga Gotoku website. Or, you know, they could just go outside. 🌳
Pixel P. Snarkbyte, widely regarded as the “Shakespeare of Sh*tposts,” is a video game expert with a unique knack for turning pixels into punchlines.
Born in the small town of Respawn, Pennsylvania, Pixel grew up mashing buttons on an ancient NES controller, firmly believing that “blowing into the cartridge” was a sacred ritual passed down through generations.
Pixel P. Snarkbyte: proving that life, much like a buggy open-world game, is better with a little lag-induced chaos.
