One of February’s most exciting AAA RPGs will be playable for free this week, courtesy of a juicy demo.
January 2026 may be typically dry when it comes to major video game releases; however, February looks to kickstart the new year into full swing with the likes of Resident Evil Requiem, Reanimal and the topic of today’s discussion, Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties.
Developed by series veterans, RGG Studio and published by SEGA, Yakuza Kiwami 3, specifically, is a remake of Yakuza 3 that was originally released on the PlayStation 3 in 2009.
It’s fair to say that Yakuza 3 isn’t the most beloved entry in the series, with a somewhat respectable Metacritic score of 79. Without giving anything away, it’s a fantastic game in my opinion, despite its score not being overwhelming.
Yakuza Kiwami 3 Is the Latest Remake From RGG Studio
If you’ve loved the series remakes beginning with 2017’s Yakuza Kiwami, there’s a good chance that you might appreciate the latest offering, or at least, the story it’s building for games ahead, and the slight detour it takes for our beloved Kiryu Kazuma.
Yakuza Kiwami 3 also comes with a story not originally included in the original game from 2009, and that’s Dark Ties.
“Having once led a successful startup company, he plunged himself into the dark world of the yakuza by choice after losing everything. Left with an empty heart, the pursuit to find true bonds drives him forward once again in a dramatic journey colored by exhilarating boxing-based combat and a variety of engaging side experiences,” reads the synopsis of Dark Ties. “Two men will walk different paths that converge to shake the very foundations of fate.”
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What Can We Play in the Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties Demo?
In the demo, we’ll be able to sample both the remake and the new story. In Yakuza Kiwami 3 as Kiryu, we can explore Ryukyu, Okinawa, beat up plenty of bad guys, as well as play mini-games including Karaoke, check out some sub-stories, outfit customisation and more.
In the Dark Ties sample, we’ll be able to get a taste of the all-new story of Yoshitaka Mine, explore the seedy, but alluring city of Kamurocho and check out his shoot-boxing style combat, as you frantically punch street punks in the face.
The free Yakuza Kiwami & Dark Ties demo will begin to roll out today on Steam at 3pm GMT/7am PST/10am EST.
It will then be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch 2 tomorrow on 22 January at 5am GMT/9pm PST/12am EST (midnight).
As for the full game, Yakuza Kiwami & Dark Ties will be released on 12 February 2026, just before my birthday, which is perfect!
