Developer Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio and publisher Sega have revealed more details about the upcoming Yakuza Kiwami 3 and Dark Ties, this time focusing on some of the substories and side activities. As caught by Gematsu, features like LaLaLa Loveland, and smaller ones like the ability to customize your phone, and more outfits have also been revealed.
A major new substory will be introduced in Yakuza Kiwami 3, revolving around protagonist Kiryu taking on the role of a host at Stardust in the midst of a staff shortage. Taking on the name of Kazzy-chan, the substory will involve Kiryu picking the right outfits and learning the ins and outs of his role as a host, which includes needing to charm clients in his own unique way.
There will also be other new substories taking place in and around the Okinawa-based Morning Glory Orphanage, as well as in Yakuza Kiwami 3‘s central setting of Kamurocho.
LaLaLa Loveland is a new way for Kiryu to befriend those around him. On replacing his old phone with a new one, Kiryu ends up meeting LaLaLa Mobile CEO Lala Aizawa, asking him to try out the new social platform. By using it, Kiryu can bond with other owners of similar phones through what has been referred to as the “Red Thread of Fate transmission”. Despite making use of older technology owing to the game’s 2009 setting, LaLaLa Loveland appears to be similar to the Aloha Links we last saw in Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth.
One unique feature of LaLaLa Loveland, however, is the ability to unlock “Loveboxes” featuring a number of rewards by making use of the “Red Thread of Fate” transmission. These Loveboxes will be hidden all over the world, ranging from being hidden in the back of a truck, to being stuck on the back of a person.
This new cell phone can also be customized in a variety of ways, from dangling accessories off a lanyard, to putting stickers and rhinestones on it. The rhinestone feature appears to be especially fleshed out, giving players access to what is essentially a drawing tool.
Fans of the Yakuza franchise will surely be interested in new karaoke songs. Yakuza Kiwami 3 is going to feature two new songs in addition to hits from previous titles. The new tracks are “Pararirai: Happiness Blooms” and “Kamurocho Rhapsody” Composer Ryosuke Horii described the first track as being one that Kiryu can sing with all of the children at the orphanage, with simple lyrics.
Discussing the second track, Horii said that he wanted to work on a rock ‘n’ roll track over the traditional enka ballads that previously focused on the story of Kamurocho. With this track, Horii hopes to tap into the “mix of danger and emotion” that Kamurocho is known for.
When roaming the streets, Kiryu will also inevitably find himself face-to-face against a new enemy type: Reapers. These new foes are former Tojo Clan members who have set out for revenge because they were expelled for misconduct. On the request of Kashiwagi, Kiryu sets out to capture them, which also includes finding them. Taking down these Reapers offers plenty of rewards.
On the Dark Ties side of things, Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio has detailed Good Deed quests, which will revolve around Mine looking into incidents around the town that could be used to turn Kanda’s public image more positive. Among these are quests to capture a serial killer known only as the Kamuro Killer, clearing a drunken rabble made up of “pirate cosplayers and pretend yakuza,” and taking on smaller-scaled requests. Doing these missions will all feed into the Kanda Damage Control system, which was previously detailed in November.
Mine will also get a chance to sing with the karaoke activity, which will include the return of the fan-favourite “Baka Mitai”. Both Kiryu and Mine will also be able to get their hands on a Sega Game Gear handheld, which will feature several classic games from Sega’s history, including Galaga ’91 and Pac-Man, which were brought in as part of a collaboration with Bandai Namco.
Yakuza Kiwami 3 and Dark Ties is coming to PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch 2 on February 11.
