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| Kiryu leads a full gal gang into a large-scale street rumble in the new Bad Boy Dragon mode. |
By Jon Scarr
SEGA and RGG Studio aired a new Yakuza Kiwami 3 and Dark Ties DIRECT, giving fans a clearer look at what’s coming in the two-in-one release launching February 12, 2026.
If you were wondering how these two stories connect, the Direct made that easier to follow. You get a sense of how each game stands on its own while still feeling like part of the same release. The Direct focused less on broad promises and more on showing how you’ll actually spend your time, whether that means settling into daily life in Okinawa or stepping into conflicts where things unravel quickly.
Across the Direct, the contrast between the two sides of the package came through clearly. One experience slows down and spends time on routines and relationships. The other pushes harder on power struggles, reputation, and survival. By the end, you have a much better feel for how different these stories are meant to feel in your hands.
If you’ve been keeping an eye on how studios are using Direct-style presentations lately, this fits alongside events like Grasshopper Manufacture’s recent update showcase.
Life at Morning Glory and the New Bad Boy Dragon Mode
In Yakuza Kiwami 3, the Direct spent time showing Kiryu’s life at Morning Glory Orphanage in Okinawa. You see him handling daily chores, spending time with the children, and taking on a caretaker role that grows as the kids do. Those quieter moments help set the tone before outside pressure starts creeping in.
Combat changes were also shown in detail. Kiryu can switch between styles during fights, including the new Ryukyu Style inspired by Okinawan martial arts. You watch him move between techniques, strengthen abilities through training, and finish encounters with powered-up attacks when Dragon Boost is active. It looks designed around adapting on the fly rather than sticking to one approach.
One of the bigger additions is Bad Boy Dragon. In this mode, Kiryu steps in to help a local gal gang after witnessing a biker group causing trouble in the area. You recruit allies, customize bikes and outfits, and prepare your crew for larger encounters. The Direct showed Baddies Battles, large-scale Rumbles involving up to 20 allies, and motorcycle-based skirmishes where you charge enemy bases directly. It offers a more aggressive way to interact with Okinawa between story moments.
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| Bad Boy Dragon lets you customize bikes and gear before heading into larger gang battles. |
Dark Ties Shifts Focus to Reputation and Survival
Dark Ties moves in a different direction, placing you in the role of Yoshitaka Mine as he supports Tsuyoshi Kanda’s rise within the Nishikiyama Family. Through Kanda Damage Control, you take on substories, missions, and local problems that directly affect Kanda’s reputation. The Direct framed this as a steady climb built through action and loyalty rather than a single turning point.
A large portion of the segment focused on the Hell’s Arena underground fight club. You see Mine entering a closed-off coliseum built around high-risk matches and constant pressure. Alongside traditional one-on-one Hellish Brawls, the Direct highlighted Survival Hell, a dungeon-style mode where competitors race through treasure-filled spaces while being pursued by hunters. It looks built around endurance and quick decisions rather than clean wins.
Mine’s combat style reflects that shift. He fights with speed and acrobatics, leaping off enemies and chaining attacks together. The Dark Awakening system lets him access stronger abilities mid-fight, pushing encounters into a much harsher space than what Kiryu faces earlier in the presentation.
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| Survival Hell drops Mine into a dungeon-style arena where escape matters as much as fighting. |
Locations, Activities, and Release Details
The Direct confirmed that Dark Ties takes place across Kamurocho in Tokyo and downtown Ryukyu in Okinawa. Both areas were shown rebuilt in high detail, with Okinawa presented through busy streets and everyday activity. Between story missions, familiar side activities like karaoke and bowling return, alongside options to customize outfits and mobile phones.
Yakuza Kiwami 3 and Dark Ties launches on February 12, 2026 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and Steam.
| Yakuza Kiwami 3 and Dark Ties DIRECT presentation showcasing new gameplay modes and story details. |
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