Yakuza Kiwami 3’s New Designs Spark Controversy

Yakuza Kiwami 3, the long-awaited return of the series, generated excitement upon its announcement, but the character designs, in particular, became a major talking point for fans. The new facial models seen in the trailer caught the attention of long-time fans, and some were dissatisfied with the changes.

Yakuza Kiwami 3 Character Designs Draw Controversy

Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio redesigned the appearances of the characters from the original game in Yakuza Kiwami 3. However, instead of retaining the old models, they used the faces of new voice actors. This issue was particularly controversial with the change of Rikiya, one of the series’ most beloved supporting characters. Players argue that the character’s original character has been lost.

Not only Rikiya, but also Nakahara, the leader of the Ryudo family, and Hamazaki, one of the game’s key figures, are appearing in completely different appearances. These changes may not be a problem for players experiencing Yakuza 3 for the first time. However, longtime fans of the series may find it difficult to adjust to the return of familiar characters with brand new faces.

Reactions quickly spread on social media. Many players called the changes “unnecessary,” while others believe they will impact the sequels. They say those transitioning to Yakuza 4, in particular, will have difficulty recognizing the characters. This suggests that the decisions made in the remake could impact the integrity of the series.

On the other hand, some players have a different perspective. They believe Yakuza Kiwami 3’s modern designs bring the game to a more contemporary aesthetic and make it more accessible to new players. However, the overall picture suggests that these changes have drawn more criticism. Fans have already begun demanding that the modding community work on projects that would bring back the old designs.

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