Yakuza Kiwami 3 becomes lowest-rated game in the series on Steam due to cut content and controversial casting
Yakuza Kiwami 3, which launched last week and is seemingly the final entry in RGG Studio's Kiwami remake series, has received a mixed reception from players. Despite avoiding widespread review-bombing, the game currently holds the lowest rating of any title in the series on Steam – just 63% positive reviews with a "Mixed" status.
The negative reaction stems from several controversial decisions. Players criticize the cut content, strange story retcons, and the casting of actor Teruyuki Kagawa, who confessed to sexual harassment in 2022. Even dedicated series fans weren't willing to overlook these issues.
"Creatively bankrupt doesn't even begin to describe the current state of RGG," writes Steam user Jigen Daisuke in one popular review. He adds that the retcons made to the story of Yakuza 3 and Dark Ties are absolute abominations and an insult to the original game, the entire Kiryu saga, and any fan with even an ounce of critical sense. The reviewer also notes the removed content, replaced with reused minigames from more recent entries, and the actor recasting.
Most negative reviews focus on these three key issues:
Kagawa's casting and sexual harassment allegations
Changes and removal of content from the original game
Technical problems, including frequent crashes
"Even ignoring the casting of someone who sexually assaulted others on camera, this is an inferior remake," says BravestAsh8434.
"[Sexual assault] allegations from one of the cast members. Changing too much stuff from the original and leaving too much out. Rushed and unpolished, frequent crashes on my system," writes jack.
At 63% positive ratings, finding favorable reviews isn't difficult, but this result looks disappointing for a series like Yakuza, whose even weakest entries usually find fanatical admirers. Notably, the only other Yakuza games with "Mixed" status on Steam are recent relistings of Yakuza 0 and Kiwami 1. It appears RGG Studio is on a downward trajectory in fan estimations.
