Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio revealed Yakuza Kiwami 3 final week throughout its newest Summit, which was anticipated, on condition that it by chance appeared on the official web site. Nonetheless, it additionally revealed Darkish Ties, a Gaiden-style facet story starring Yoshitaka Mine, the antagonist of Yakuza 3.
Alongside new missions and play spots, the facet story focuses on Mine’s entry into the prison underworld, nevertheless it wasn’t purported to be playable. Director Ryosuke Horii instructed Famitsu (translation by way of Automaton Media) that Darkish Ties was purported to be “one thing that may very well be considered like a video.”
The crew selected a playable expertise since they felt it was “one of the simplest ways to inform his story.” Collection producer Hiroyuki Sakamoto additionally famous that Mine ranks as one of many high 5 hottest characters amongst followers. If ever there was a time to make him playable, it must be Darkish Ties.
Horii additionally contrasts Mine’s story as “cooler and extra trendy” in comparison with Yakuza 3. “In Darkish Ties, Mine begins as a businessman, however we depict him changing into more and more concerned on the earth of the yakuza, which is a primary for us. In contrast to Kiryu and the others, Mine shouldn’t be a personality with a robust sense of justice. Even within the sub-stories, he doesn’t work together with individuals in a manner that’s based mostly on the concept of ‘defeating evil and defending the weak.’”
We’ll see how that pans out when Yakuza Kiwami 3 and Darkish Ties launches on February twelfth, 2026, for PS4, PS5, Xbox Collection X/S, PC, and Nintendo Change 2 as a two-in-one bundle. You may take a look at some fight gameplay for the previous right here, which incorporates the revamped Dragon of Dojima Model.