Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties Demo is launching on PC and consoles

DEMOS Fyra Frost - Jan 21, 2026, 10:30 - 47 comments

Fans of the Yakuza series can now dive into the world of Kamurocho and Okinawa ahead of the full game release. After the official announcement of the game, which took place last year, SEGA and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio have released a demo for Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties. The demo is available today on PC via Steam, while console players on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch 2 can access it starting tomorrow.

A free look at the game

The demo offers a first look at the combined experience of the two titles. Yakuza Kiwami 3 brings a full remake of the original Yakuza 3, allowing players to step into Kazuma Kiryu's shoes and explore the scenic Ryukyu islands. Players can enjoy hand-to-hand combat using multiple fighting styles, engage in classic side activities like karaoke, and experience key story sequences that set the stage for the full game.

Meanwhile, Dark Ties introduces a fresh perspective with protagonist Yoshitaka Mine, navigating Kamurocho in a new narrative that combines action-packed combat with the series' signature storytelling. The demo gives players a taste of Mine's shoot-boxing combat and the dark, cinematic tone that distinguishes this story from the mainline title.

It’s important to note that progress made in the demo will not carry over to the full release, but it offers an excellent opportunity for players to experience both games before their official launch.

The demo's release schedule varies slightly by platform. PC users can download it immediately as of January 21, 2026, while console players will gain access later the same day, which may correspond to January 22 in certain regions depending on local time zones.

Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties is slated for worldwide release on February 12, 2026, across PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch platforms. The combined release continues the franchise's legacy of cinematic storytelling, dynamic combat systems, and immersive side content, promising both longtime fans and newcomers an engaging experience. Don't forget to use our comparator to get Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties at the best price for your platform of choice if you want to immerse into this new Yakuza adventure after playing the demo.

thunderh0wl

Feb 14, 2026, 14:08

The modernization of gameplay is one of the highlights of this demo. The fights gain in fluidity and visual impact. Animations are more natural and collisions more realistic. The general atmosphere seems darker, especially thanks to Dark Ties which introduces a constant tension. The first screenplay revelations intrigue and make one want to know more about the characters' motivations. We feel a desire to offer a more immersive and emotionally impactful experience. The demo clearly made me want to dive back into this universe

Jezza

Feb 13, 2026, 22:04

The demo is a smart sampler that lets you try both Kiwami 3 and Dark Ties, from street brawls to minigames and early substories. It quickly shows off the revamped combat and the contrast between sunny Okinawa and neon-lit Kamurocho. The lack of save transfer is a pity, but as a free taste of the full package it works really well.

jjpasu

Feb 19, 2026, 21:16 on dlcompare.es

The idea that the demo allows us to see both Kiryu's combat and Dark Ties' approach with Mine is really motivating. I think it's great that SEGA has given us this taste of everything that the full game is, because this way you can assess the narrative approach and see if it matches your expectations about the full game.

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Nachos

Feb 19, 2026, 18:37 on dlcompare.fr

The Yakuza Kiwami 3 demo made a very good impression on me. The saga's distinctive atmosphere is instantly apparent. The modernized graphics give the original episode a new lease of life, especially in the streets of Okinawa, which seem livelier than ever. The combat system is even more fluid, even if it offers almost nothing new. Being able to try out a demo before buying a game remains an excellent initiative. For future titles in the license, however, I hope that the studio will opt for a new engine, as some of the textures are really showing their age, and that we'll also see less recycling in the mini-games.

PhoenixAdi

Feb 19, 2026, 14:27 on dlcompare.es

In the full game they cut a lot of content from the original (from over 100 side stories in the original to 31 in this game), ridiculously bad post credits scenes in both Kiwami 3 and Dark Ties. Maybe Kiwami 3 is a demo of the original 😅.

AizenReis

Feb 19, 2026, 12:46 on dlcompare.es

As a fan of the series, knowing that you can download a demo for PC or console is fantastic. The news has given me a chance to check out what combat feels like between different styles, explore iconic scenarios and relive classic moments before the full version arrives in February. Plus, experiencing classic side activities in the demo boosts my excitement considerably.

Dlogger

Feb 19, 2026, 08:49 on dlcompare.es

I haven't tried the demo and don't have much of an opinion on it but it's always good to be able to try games before you buy them. So that policy is fine with me

PaLo

Feb 18, 2026, 21:54 on dlcompare.es

In the demo it is not apparent but there are some "interesting" changes in the story that may cause confusion if you play the games in story order for the first time and play this game instead of Yakuza 3 Remaster.

BlackCabra

Feb 18, 2026, 21:03 on dlcompare.es

I feel that releasing this demo before the global release is an excellent strategy: it allows you to experience key parts of both games without any compromise. The fact that you can't transfer progress doesn't bother me, because the important thing is to try the essence of both titles and see if they fit what I'm looking for in a narrative action game.

SerYohoho

Feb 18, 2026, 12:09 on dlcompare.es

If you're new to the series, just get the original game through GOG or other methods and forget about the demo and this version. I like this studio, but sometimes it's hard to defend them because they keep hurting themselves with everything they do. Hopefully Stranger than Heaven will be better.