Recently, we got to ask Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties director Ryōsuke Horii a couple of questions about their approach to developing the remake’s combat system.
As many long-time Yakuza fans know, the original Yakuza 3’s combat was quite tedious and annoying, given how often enemies blocked attacks (especially at higher difficulties). Given that this has become a hallmark of the game, we wanted to know what the development team’s approach was when it came to remaking the combat.
So, we asked Horii during a media roundtable interview about the criticism of the original game and how it affected the development of Kiwami 3’s gameplay. Horii had an interesting response:
“Before making Kiwami 3, we tried out the original Yakuza 3, and we went, ‘damn, this is hard.’ So, we did have an understanding of the criticism that players had, that the combat did need work.
Yakuza 3 was one of the games in the very early stages of the series. It’s been 15 years since then, so all the systems and the engine have gone through very drastic changes and improvements. So, what we had in mind was that we didn’t really think about the original game when making [Kiwami 3]. We just did a fresh start and focused on making a good action game.”
It’s interesting that even the current Kiwami 3 developers are in agreement that the original Yakuza 3 was a bit too hard. As such, the team did not use the original combat system as the basis for Kiwami 3’s gameplay. Based on our recent hands-on session with the game, it’s clear that Kiwami 3 plays more closely to the later Dragon Engine games.
That’s not to say the team completely disregarded the original. They still wanted to convey the spirit of the original. Horii explained:
“It does have the style of the latest RGG series games, but we also want to cherish the original game. As Kiryu is very young at this point in the timeline, [we wanted to convey] the rough edges he has. So, the pro wrestling-type moves that he has were put in [Kiwami 3] so that we could keep the feeling of the original.”
These moves can be used in Kiryu’s Dragon of Dojima: Kiwami Style, which is a brawler style that should feel familiar to any Yakuza fan. To keep things interesting though, Kiwami 3 features the new Ryukyu Style, where Kiryu wields various Okinawan weapons.
Players can choose which one they prefer, though switching between the two is recommended, as some enemies are better faced with a specific combat style.
Regarding this, Horii said:
“With the Ryukyu style, you have eight weapons, so it is naturally very powerful. It is probably entirely possible to get through the game with just that style.
But as you play the game, there are enemies where the Ryukyu style is a better fit, but it’s not for some, and you should use the other style. There will be a balance, and using both will end up being probably be the most optimal way to play.”
Why Mine is the star of the new Gaiden game
Along with their approach to combat, we also asked Horii about Dark Ties, the new Gaiden game, which dives into the past of Yoshitaka Mine, the antagonist of Yakuza 3.
Specifically, we asked Horii about why they decided to make a new Gaiden game and bundle it into the Yakuza 3 remake, as well as why they went with Mine.
The director explained that the decision to make Dark Ties was to add something extra to Kiwami 3 so that it’s not just a simple remake. This also explains why Mine is the star of the third Gaiden game.
Horii’s complete answer is as follows:
“To start off, when we decided we’re doing Kiwami 3, it was after Pirate Yakuza, so just a simple remake might sound rather bland compared to that. So, we decided, ‘hey, why don’t we just add a whole Gaiden in there?’
After deciding to release a new Gaiden game along with Kiwami 3, we thought Mine was the best fit, not only because he’s popular, but he was a character that the team did want to delve more into. As an antagonist, he only comes out occasionally in the original game, so you don’t really get to see his thoughts or his feelings, or his philosophies. So, we wanted to be able to show more of that.”
We have to admit, we were hoping to see either Saejma or Akiyama be the focus of the third Gaiden game. But after trying out Dark Ties, we’re definitely on board with Mine as a playable character. After all, having this new Gaiden game explore his backstory should enhance Mine’s presence as the antagonist in Yakuza 3.
Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties will be released on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2, and PC on February 12, 2026.