As we inch ever closer to the February 12, 2026 release date for Yakuza Kiwami 3 and Dark Ties, publisher Sega and developer Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio have released more details about the upcoming remake and its antagonist-focused expansion. In a series of posts, details have been revealed about some of the activities that players can partake in as Kiryu while running the Morning Glory orphanage, as well as the Dark Ties-exclusive Kanda Damage Control system.
In the time frame between the ending to Yakuza 2 / Yakuza Kiwami 2, Kiryu has retired from the Yakuza life and has decided to run the Morning Glory orphanage alongside his adopted daughter Haruka. During the course of running the orphanage, which is comprised of nine children, players can spend time with the kids and partake in several activities, from tending to a home garden, helping the kids with their homework, to even fishing and bug catching.
Taking part in these activities also provides tangible benefits to Kiryu, since he becomes stronger while also unlocking more and more activities. Each of the children of the orphanage also has their own dedicated substories, which can range from helping Taichi get stronger and more fit to fulfil his dreams ofbecoming a pro wrestler, to helping Riona figure out cosmetics. Taking part in these activities will help raise Kiryu’s “Daddy Rank”. Kiryu can also join the kids in crafting items through some of the activities. These items can then be sold at the Morning Glory General Store, which can help provide funds to bring more improvements to the orphanage.
As for Dark Ties, one of the major activities that players can take part in as they play Mine will be to help turn around Kanda’s public perception. To do this, Mine will have to go around Kamurocho and help people out by solving their problems. Going up the ranks in the Kanda Damage Control system will unlock Drink Links that help further solidify the relationship between Kanda and Mine.
Yakuza Kiwami 3 along with Dark Ties was announced back in September. As you might expect from a Yakuza title bearing the Kiwami label, Yakuza Kiwami 3 will be getting a significant visual uplift over the original Yakuza 3, which was originally released in 2009. The game is being developed using the Dragon Engine, which offers a host of new features, from improved animations and more modern visuals, to more complex physics simulations that can further aid in battle.
The primary story is kicked off when the Okinawa-based Morning Glory orphanage – run by Kiryu after the events of Yakuza 2 – comes under threat of eviction by the Ryudo Family. This prompts Kiryu to investigate things, and before long, the former chairman of the Tojo Clan finds himself stuck in the middle of a brand new conspiracy. When it originally came out, Yakuza 3 had brought a variety of improvements over its predecessors, including more seamless battles, as well as a lot more substories when compared to Yakuza and Yakuza 2.
Yakuza Kiwami 3 and Dark Ties is coming to PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch 2.
