Yakuza Kiwami 3 Dark Ties – Full Mine DLC Guide

Dark Ties Overview – Why Mine Plays So Differently

After spending a few evenings learning how Mine moves and re-running Hell Arena timers, I realized Dark Ties isn’t just “more Yakuza 3” – it expects you to relearn combat around Dark Awakening, quickstep, and some nasty arena layouts. This guide lays out a clean, trophy-friendly route through all three Dark Ties chapters: Hunger, Complicity, and The Kirin’s Ambition, with a focus on Mine’s unique playstyle, Hell Arena/Survival Hell, and reputation tasks.

Dark Ties adds roughly 4-6 hours of story content on top of Yakuza Kiwami 3. If you’re aiming for full completion (base game + DLC), expect around 30–50 hours total, depending on how efficient you are with substories, mini-games, and Survival Hell upgrades.

Platforms and basics:

• Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
• Storage: ~50 GB for base game + DLC
• Pricing (typical): Base game around $59.99, Deluxe around $79.99, Dark Ties DLC ~$19.99
• Best difficulty for trophies: Beginner/Normal – no need to go higher unless you want the challenge

This walkthrough assumes you want a smooth, low-friction run: finish the story, clear the mandatory Hell Arena and Survival Hell content, push reputation ranks when required, and avoid repeating fights because of missed timers or bad routing.

Core Mechanics – How to Use Mine Properly

The breakthrough for me came when I stopped trying to play Mine like Kiryu. His kit is built around Dark Awakening, aggressive quicksteps, and brutal grabs.

• Step → Understand Dark Awakening → Result: You stop wasting your strongest tool.
  • Dark Awakening (R2): Instead of Dragon Boost, Mine has Dark Awakening.
  • With 1 heart, tap R2 to activate a basic Dark Awakening.
  • With 2+ hearts, hold R2 to charge it for a stronger, longer buff.
  • Use it to shred boss aura and health during key openings, not randomly at the start of every fight.
• Step → Abuse quickstep → Result: You out-trade heavy hitters instead of eating combos.
  • Mine’s quickstep works similarly to Kiryu’s: tap the dodge button just before an enemy attack to “ghost” past them.
  • Immediately counter with a short combo; don’t over-commit into their guard.
  • If you’ve unlocked double quickstep, use two in a row to escape long boss strings.
• Step → Lean on grabs → Result: You bypass annoying guards.
  • Mine’s grab is especially strong and chunks health, even on blocking enemies.
  • Against defensive foes (like many in Chapter 2), prioritize grab → slam over long strings into guard.

Whenever a fight feels like it’s dragging, it’s almost always because Dark Awakening is being used at the wrong time, or you’re not abusing quickstep/grabs enough.

Chapter 1 – Hunger (Mine’s Debut)

Estimated time: ~40–60 minutes  |  Difficulty: Easy

Opening Streets and Dark Awakening Tutorial

After the initial cutscenes, you take control of Mine and are asked to walk to the objective marker. As soon as you reach it, you’ll be thrown into a tutorial fight against some punks.

• Step → Follow the marker → Result: Triggers Dark Awakening tutorial battle.
• Follow the on-screen prompt to use R2:
  • Tap with 1 heart for a basic buff.
  • Hold with 2+ hearts for a stronger Dark Awakening.
• Use this fight to practice:
  • Quickstep around swings, then counter with 2–3 hit strings.
  • Mix in a few grabs to feel Mine’s grab speed and range.

Clear the punks to continue the story. When assassins target Daigo, more cutscenes follow.

Prison Visit and Tailing Kanda

• Step → Take the taxi in front of you → Result: You’re driven to the prison and start the next cutscene.
• After the visit, the game asks you to tail Kanda.

The tailing is forgiving: even if you lose sight of Kanda, you don’t fail. Just head to the objective zone on the map to trigger the next scene.

Midway through the tail, some punks jump you. Use this as more practice with quickstep and grabs; nothing here is dangerous.

Boss: Kanda – Slow Bruiser Warm-Up

You eventually intervene when Kanda harasses a woman, which starts your first real boss fight in Dark Ties.

• Step → Hold R2 at the start → Result: Enter a powered-up Dark Awakening to rip through his aura.
• Kanda’s traits:
  • Slow but hits hard if you stand still.
  • Telegraphed swings – easy quickstep practice.
• Game plan:
  • Circle with quicksteps, punish his big wind-ups.
  • Use short combos; don’t mash into his guard.
  • Even when Dark Awakening ends, keep pressure on – his aura melts quickly.

Once he goes down, more scenes lead you to strolling with Kanda toward the Nishikiyama Family HQ.

Joining the Nishikiyama Family & Furukane Office Assault

Enter the marked Nishikiyama Family HQ to meet acting patriarch Shinpei Ikari. After Mine joins the family, you’re sent to the Furukane Family office.

• Step → Follow the map to Furukane’s office → Result: You move the story along and set up the next boss.
• On the way, fight any street mobs for extra cash and experience.
• At the building, interact with the elevator and pick the first option to ride up.

Boss: Furukane – Clear the Adds First

Inside, you face Furukane and his men. This is a crowd control check, not a serious boss wall.

• Step → Prioritize gunmen → Result: You stop taking chip damage from off-screen shots.
• Fight flow:
  • Rush shooters first; quickstep towards them, grab, and slam.
  • Clean up remaining grunts with wide strings and throws.
  • Only then focus on Furukane himself.
• Furukane specifics:
  • Only one health bar + aura.
  • Very manageable even without Dark Awakening.
  • Use Dark Awakening if you want to end it quickly, especially after grunts are gone.

Defeating Furukane triggers a cutscene and wraps up Chapter 1: Hunger.

Chapter 2 – Complicity (Reputation & Hell Arena Intro)

Estimated time: ~60–90 minutes  |  Difficulty: Medium (first serious checks)

Scouting the Rikiishi Clan and Nagatani Fight

Chapter 2 opens with a cutscene, then asks you to scope out the Rikiishi clan building.

• Step → Head to the map marker → Result: Nagatani family thugs intercept you.
• These enemies love to block, which can make Mine’s strings feel weak if you only punch.

This is where Mine’s grab shines:

• Step → Grab blocking enemies often → Result: You bypass guard and deal big damage.
• Mix in:
  • 1–2 light hits → grab, instead of full strings into guard.
  • Quickstep behind them, then grab from the back for safer slams.

After the first wave, more Nagatani members appear, but Kanda joins in, and a cutscene follows. Your objective shifts to boosting Kanda’s reputation by doing good deeds.

Reputation Rank: Reaching “Trashy” (Bowling & Street Justice)

You need to raise Kanda’s reputation to Trashy first. Reputation in Dark Ties is effectively a set of scripted errands and street clean-ups.

• Step → Check around Nishikiyama HQ → Result: You’ll quickly find early good-deed NPCs.
• Key early task:
  • Right near the office, a woman wants to see a perfect strike in bowling.
  • Completing this nets 250 reputation points, a big early bump.
• Tips for an easy strike:
  • Aim slightly off-center (right or left of the head pin).
  • Use a medium-straight shot rather than heavy curve.
  • Focus on consistent power instead of maxing the gauge.
• Supplement with:
  • Beating up troublemakers harassing civilians around town.
  • These skirmishes both raise reputation and feed you money/XP.

When Kanda’s rank reaches Trashy, talk to Zenba back at the office and choose the Coliseum investigation option to progress.

Hell Arena Initiation – Timer, Keepers, and Gongs

Mine is invited into the Hell Arena, a combat gauntlet you’ll revisit several times. Your goal in the initiation trial is straightforward: survive and clear it within 12 minutes.

• Step → Enter the initiation trial → Result: Timer starts (12 minutes) and 8 enemies spawn.
• Phase breakdown:
  • Defeat the initial 8 enemies quickly – use Dark Awakening if you’re still getting used to Mine.
  • Break objects in the arena for gifts:
    • Health recovery.
    • Weapon stamina recovery.
    • Other temporary buffs.
• Step → Beat the Treasure Keeper → Result: You can open the treasure chest and move forward.
• Step → Defeat the first Phase Keeper → Result: You can ring the gong to start the next phase.
• Follow the linear path:
  • Clear enemies along the way.
  • Open the gate with the dollar sign symbol.
  • Face the Master Keeper; despite the warning, his health is low.
• Step → Finish off the Master Keeper → Result: You clear the initiation trial and complete the Coliseum investigation.

Don’t make my early mistake of smashing every single object in sight; the 12-minute limit is generous, but not if you spend half of it looting. Prioritize enemies and only grab nearby crates when it’s safe.

After the trial and cutscene, you’re free to revisit Hell Arena later for tougher trials and cash, but for story progression you now go back to reputation tasks.

More Reputation, Conversation with Kanda, and Meeting Daigo

Continue doing good deeds until the story prompts you to talk to Zenba again, then speak with Kanda.

• Step → Talk to Kanda in the office → Result: You trigger a conversation about his “type of woman.”
• You get multiple dialogue options; for story/trophy purposes, choose whichever you like here – these are primarily for flavor.

Once the chat winds down, you’re told to meet Daigo Dojima. The taxi is a fair walk away; beat any random encounters you run into for extra money and experience as you head to the marker. A cutscene with Daigo follows.

After that meeting, your new task is to find Kanda again. Head to the highlighted location, take out a small group of suspicious men (a routine fight), and watch the ensuing scene where Mine makes a deal with the acting patriarch. You’re then told to kill time at Hell Arena.

Brawler Hell – Lone Ravager, Nowhere Man, Rogue Prowler

Back at Hell Arena, choose Brawler Hell. You must defeat three enemies in succession. This is the first real test of playing Mine “properly.”

• The Lone Ravager
  • Step → Play reactively, not aggressively → Result: You avoid being punished by his counters.
  • He dodges a lot, so:
    • Rely on quicksteps to bait and punish.
    • Use 1–2 hit strings, then back off.
    • Avoid using Dark Awakening here; his evasiveness wastes your buff time.
• Nowhere Man
  • Step → Wait for his attacks, then quickstep → Result: You crack his guard and shred his aura.
  • He blocks heavily:
    • Bait a swing, quickstep, then combo.
    • Once his aura is down, go all-in with offense.
• Rogue Prowler
  • Step → Save Dark Awakening for this fight → Result: You finish Brawler Hell quickly and safely.
  • Straightforward opponent; this is the best place to unleash a charged Dark Awakening and steamroll him.

Clear all three and Brawler Hell is done. This is good practice for higher Hell Arena difficulties and any trophies tied to arena performance.

Survival Hell – Trials of Origins Route

Next, choose Survival Hell and select Trials of Origins. The goal: follow a specific route, defeat Phase Keepers, ring gongs, and finish off another Master Keeper.

• Step → Enter Trials of Origins and go north → Result: You encounter early enemies and set up the first manhole.
• Pathing:
  • Fight through the enemies straight ahead.
  • Take a U-turn to the right when the path allows – look for a manhole just ahead.
  • Open the manhole, drop in, go straight, then take a right to reach the first Phase Keeper.
• Step → Beat the Phase Keeper → Result: You can ring the gong to progress.
• Continue forward:
  • Head north, clear more enemies.
  • At the end of the path, defeat another Phase Keeper to unlock phase three.
• In the large room:
  • Head left to find the gate you ultimately need to open.
  • While facing the gate, go right to locate the final Phase Keeper.
  • Defeat him, ring the gong, then return to open the gate.
• Step → Enter the gate and clear minor enemies → Result: You can focus on the Master Keeper.
• Master Keeper (hook claws):
  • He can be annoying due to fast, multi-hit claw strings.
  • Use Dark Awakening here to overwhelm him.
  • Clear lesser enemies first so you aren’t blind-sided mid-combo.

Once you defeat the Master Keeper and exit the stage, Trials of Origins is complete and your objective updates.

Boss: Shinpei Ikari (Harbor Battle)

Head to the car, select the harbor destination, and watch the cutscene. You then fight Shinpei Ikari properly for the first time.

• Step → Play patient and watch his movement → Result: You avoid his brutal combos and chip away safely.
• Ikari’s traits:
  • Fast and hits very hard.
  • Large health pool + aura.
  • Uses quickstep himself, then punishes over-extended attacks.
• Strategy:
  • Keep steady pressure, but never mash blindly.
  • When he quicksteps, prepare to:
    • Quickstep yourself (ideally twice, if you have that upgrade), or
    • Time a single quickstep just before his follow-up to create an opening.
  • Once his aura is nearing depletion, trigger a charged Dark Awakening to chunk his health quickly.
• Scripted events:
  • As his first health bar drops, a QTE-style command appears.
  • Input correctly to deal bonus damage and keep momentum.
• Watch for his “red eyes” phase:
  • When his eyes glow red, he’s about to unleash a big combo.
  • Either run away to reset, or quickstep through the flurry if you’re confident.

Defeat Ikari to finish the harbor confrontation and close out Chapter 2: Complicity.

Chapter 3 – The Kirin’s Ambition (Final Reputation Push & Rematch)

Estimated time: ~60–90 minutes  |  Difficulty: Medium–Hard (late-game patterns)

Reputation Rank: Reaching “Actual Good Person”

After the opening cutscene of Chapter 3, your first priority is again Kanda’s reputation. This time you must raise it to Actual Good Person.

• Step → Continue doing good deeds around town → Result: Reputation climbs toward “Actual Good Person.”
• Reuse everything you’ve learned:
  • NPC errands near the office (check for new ones).
  • Stopping thugs harassing civilians.
  • Any marked reputation events on your map.
• When the rank reaches Actual Good Person, return to Zenba to collect your rewards.

Claiming those rewards before pushing the story is worth it; they typically give helpful resources for the last stretch.

Final Talks with Kanda and Tojo Clan HQ

With reputation where it needs to be, speak to Kanda again and pick the first dialogue option when prompted to keep the story flowing cleanly.

• Step → Talk to Kanda, choose the first option → Result: He once again asks you to guess his type of woman.
• This time, go with the first answer again for consistency; the story proceeds and your objective updates.

Your next destination is the Tojo Clan HQ. Head to the taxi marker and select it to travel there, then sit through the cutscene and subsequent conversation with Kanda.

Once you regain control, you’re instructed to head to Tojo HQ together. On the way, Ikari and his men ambush you.

Ikari Ambush – Apply What You Learned at the Harbor

This rematch builds directly on everything you practiced in the harbor fight.

• Step → Clear out grunts first → Result: You remove random hits that can ruin your rhythm.
• Use:
  • Wide strings, throws, and environmental Heat actions to thin the mob.
  • Dark Awakening only if you’re being overwhelmed; otherwise save it for Ikari himself.
• Once it’s effectively 1v1 against Ikari:
  • Treat his movement and combo threats the same as before:
    • Watch for quicksteps and respond with your own.
    • Use 2–3 hit punishes after dodging instead of full strings.
    • Trigger Dark Awakening once you’ve broken his aura or staggered him.

From here, Chapter 3 continues along a largely linear path of story markers and battles. Follow your map objectives, lean on the same Mine fundamentals (quickstep, grabs, well-timed Dark Awakening), and you’ll push through to the conclusion of The Kirin’s Ambition and the Dark Ties storyline.

Hell Arena, Survival Hell, and Trophies – General Advice

Even outside the mandatory story trials covered above, Hell Arena and Survival Hell are central if you’re chasing platinum and DLC completion:

• Step → Prioritize Survival Hell early → Result: You secure permanent upgrades that make everything easier.
  • Survival Hell trials tend to grant lasting benefits; tackling them sooner pays off later in the story and for trophies.
• Step → Aim for strong ranks in arena fights → Result: Higher payouts and smoother trophy progress.
  • Play clean (few hits taken, fast clear times) to maximize rewards.
  • Save Dark Awakening for the toughest opponent in each trial.
• Step → Treat Brawler Hell as a lab → Result: You master Mine’s spacing against high-damage elites.
  • Use these matches to refine dodging and punishing patterns safely before late-game bosses.

For a full 100% run (base game + Dark Ties), you’re looking at around 120 substories + 10 DLC for a total of 130, and you’ll want strong ranks across the board. Dark Ties’ Hell Arena and Survival Hell are a core part of that completion path.

TL;DR – Dark Ties Chapter Roadmap

• Before starting Dark Ties
  • Play on Beginner/Normal if you care about trophies over challenge.
  • Get comfortable with Mine’s Dark Awakening, quickstep, and grab-heavy style.
• Chapter 1 – Hunger
  • Learn Dark Awakening in the opening street fight.
  • Taxi to prison → tail Kanda (very forgiving) → fight Kanda using quickstep + Dark Awakening.
  • Join Nishikiyama → travel to Furukane office → clear gunmen first, then beat Furukane.
• Chapter 2 – Complicity
  • Scout Rikiishi building → fight Nagatani thugs using grabs.
  • Raise Kanda’s reputation to Trashy via bowling (perfect strike) + street justice.
  • Investigate Coliseum → clear Hell Arena initiation (Treasure Keeper → Phase Keeper + gong → Master Keeper).
  • Do more good deeds → talk to Kanda (any answers) → meet Daigo → find Kanda and fight suspicious men.
  • Return to Hell Arena → clear Brawler Hell (save Dark Awakening for Rogue Prowler).
  • Run Survival Hell: Trials of Origins using the manhole + gong route → defeat hook-claw Master Keeper.
  • Drive to harbor → defeat Ikari by playing patient and punishing his quicksteps.
• Chapter 3 – The Kirin’s Ambition
  • Raise reputation to Actual Good Person and claim rewards from Zenba.
  • Talk to Kanda, choose the first options to keep progression clean.
  • Taxi to Tojo HQ → watch cutscenes → on the way back, survive Ikari’s ambush by clearing grunts then reusing harbor tactics.
  • Follow remaining markers and apply the same combat fundamentals to finish the DLC.
• For trophies and efficiency
  • Use Survival Hell early for permanent upgrades.
  • Treat Hell Arena as practice for late bosses and higher-rank clears.
  • Always prioritize quickstep timing, grabs, and smart Dark Awakening usage.

If you approach Dark Ties with Mine’s strengths in mind instead of forcing Kiryu habits, the three chapters flow smoothly. The combination of reputation tasks, Hell Arena/Survival Hell, and sharp boss fights makes this DLC a compact but satisfying route toward full completion.