Sega and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio have locked in the release details for the upcoming Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties demo, giving fans a hands-on look at the two-games-in-one action-adventure beat ’em up ahead of launch.
The free demo goes live first on PC tomorrow, January 21 at 7 AM Pacific / 10 AM Eastern. Console players won’t be waiting long: the demo arrives later that same day on Xbox, Switch 2, and PlayStation at 9 PM Pacific / 12 AM Eastern. One important note before you dive in: progress from the demo will not carry over to the full game, so consider it a standalone taste of what’s coming.
This demo is designed to showcase both experiences included in Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties, offering a mix of brawling, exploration, and side activities that the series is known for.
In Yakuza Kiwami 3, you’ll step into the role of Kazuma Kiryu and explore Ryukyu, Okinawa. The demo highlights Kiryu’s combat flexibility, letting you switch on the fly between the hard-hitting Dragon of Dojima: Kiwami style and the weapon-focused Ryukyu style. Outside the fights, you can jump into a variety of classic side content, including karaoke, substories, outfit customization, and other immersive distractions that help make the world feel lived-in.
In Dark Ties, the demo offers a slice of an all-new storyline centered on Yoshitaka Mine. You’ll be able to explore Kamurocho, sample additional side experiences, and test out Mine’s shoot-boxing combat style, built for fast, stylish takedowns that feel distinct from Kiryu’s approach.
Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties is in development for Windows PC, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2, and PS5, with a global release set for February 12, 2025.
