Review: Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties on Switch 2

The gaming community continues to engage with the ever-popular Yakuza series, particularly with the recent release of Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties on the Nintendo Switch 2. This title offers familiar gameplay dynamics while introducing new elements that aim to refresh the experience. However, it also faces criticism due to pacing issues and controversies surrounding character recasting.

Overview of Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties

Yakuza Kiwami 3, a remake of the 2009 PS3 original, follows the journey of protagonist Kazuma Kiryu as the player navigates through Downtown Ryukyu in Okinawa. The vibrant setting establishes a tropical atmosphere, though some players have noted various graphical issues that have only been partially resolved.

The game runs on the Dragon Engine, maintaining a solid performance at 30fps. While the visuals shine in many sections, handheld mode sometimes presents a slightly fuzzy resolution. Players can participate in a variety of activities, including melee combat, exploration, and side games like bowling, darts, and karaoke.

Combat Mechanics and Gameplay Features

• Combat Styles: Players can choose between Kiryu’s Dragon Style and the new Ryukyu Style, which emphasizes weapon combat.
• Random Encounters: As in previous titles, players can avoid random fights with gangs while exploring.
• New Features: Dark Ties introduces Baddie Battles, allowing large-scale fights against groups of adversaries, alongside various engaging side missions.

Introducing Dark Ties

Dark Ties shifts the focus to fan-favorite antagonist Yoshitaka Mine. His storyline plays out mainly in Kamurocho, offering a more traditional Yakuza experience compared to Kiryu’s journey. The narrative captures Mine’s rise from ousted company chairman to Yakuza lieutenant.

As players navigate through various missions, they must raise the rank of fellow clan member Tsuyoshi Kanda. Mine’s combat style is notably more brutal, featuring hard-hitting punches and unique finishing moves.

Controversy and Reception

Despite enjoyable gameplay, Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties has faced backlash over the recasting of antagonist Goh Hamazaki, voiced by Teruyuki Kagawa. This decision stemmed from Kagawa’s past allegations of misconduct, which have overshadowed the game’s release and reception.

Players have expressed concern over the pacing of Yakuza Kiwami 3. The abundance of side content often dilutes the main narrative, making some segments feel unnecessarily lengthy.

Conclusion

Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties represents a solid entry in the series, albeit with significant pacing flaws and the controversy surrounding character recasting. Despite these challenges, fans of the series may still find enjoyment in the broad array of content and interactions offered both in Kiryu’s and Mine’s stories.

As the Yakuza series continues to expand, further scrutiny may arise regarding content quality and narrative structure. For now, players can dive into a visually rich experience, navigating the engaging world of Okinawa and Kamurocho.