Ghost of Yotei vs Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties
A 40-hour moody revenge epic versus a 15-hour series-closing remake — pick based on whether you're chasing new territory or finishing old business.
Updated 20d ago
A bigger, blunter sequel — combat nails the first game's feel, but the story fumbles momentum. Fans of Tsushima won't regret it.
For fans of Kiryu's saga — Kiwami 3 is the definitive Y3 remake, but newcomers should start with Y0 or Like a Dragon.
By the numbers
Prices checked Sep 27; they move faster than we refresh, so confirm on the store page.
Recent-review figures are Steam's own last-30-days window, read Sep 27.
| Measure | Ghost of Yotei | Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties |
|---|---|---|
| Value | ||
| Price now | — | $29.99 −50% · Steam |
| All-time low | — | $29.99 |
| Cost / hour | — | $2.06/hr $29.99 · 15 h main story |
| Off its low | — | At its low low was Oct 2026 |
| Main story | — | 15 h |
| Health | ||
| Steam reviews | — | 63% 4k reviews |
| Recent reviews | — | 61% 57 votes · vs 63% lifetime |
| Metacritic user score | 8.1/10 3,746 ratings | — |
| Peak players | — No PC release | 414 Sep 2026 · ↓ 19% MoM |
| Launch peak | — | 5% of Feb 2026 launch peak · as of Sep 2026 |
| All-time peak | — | 8,263 Feb 2026 |
| Support | ||
| Last patch | — | 7 months ago |
| Patch cadence | — | 0 in last 90 days |
| Steam Deck | — | Platinum |
What players say
Patterns from long-haul reviewers, taken from each game's verdict. Not live sentiment — each side is dated below.
Ghost of Yotei
Combat depth is the anchor; reviewers across the spectrum call the stance-switching and parry dance the high point.
Story tedium is the recurring sore spot — reviewers say the revenge tale drags and the new protagonist lacks Jin's magnetism.
from our August 2026 verdict
Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties
Combat updates feel incomplete and story changes frustrate long-time fans, while technical issues like poor performance and casting mar the experience.
from our May 2026 verdict
Key differences
Which one is for you?
Pick Ghost of Yotei if
- You mainlined Tsushima and want more of that combat dance
- You have 40 spare hours for a slow, moody revenge arc
- You value DualSense haptics and don't mind enemy HP sponges
Pick Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties if
- You finished Yakuza 0, Kiwami, and Kiwami 2 and need Kiryu's saga closed
- You want Y3's orphanage drama running on the Dragon Engine
- You're curious about the standalone Dark Ties chapter starring Mine
Bottom line
Pick Ghost of Yotei if you want a fresh 40-hour combat-driven revenge story; only pick Kiwami 3 if you've already cleared Kiwami 2 and want a 15-hour series capstone, since 0 patches in 90 days and a monthly peak at 6% of launch signal a game mostly for existing fans.