The world of Yakuza games is famous for its unique blend of bizarre and delightful experiences. Whether it’s diving into the main series, which masterfully balances seriousness with occasional absurdity, or exploring its many spin-offs that take players through historical twists and turns, this franchise truly offers something for everyone. Fans eagerly awaiting the next part of the Like a Dragon saga might find themselves pleasantly surprised by Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii. After spending some hands-on time with it before its release, it feels like this spin-off is set to be another engaging title, ready to captivate players for countless hours.
Back when Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag first set sail in 2013, it left me yearning for another pirate adventure that could capture that thrilling essence. While several attempts have surfaced since then, none quite hooked me until Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii arrived. Pirates and Yakuza seem like an odd mix at first, like trying to blend oil and water. But thanks to the game’s well-crafted world, its eccentric protagonist, and a playfully lighthearted tone, this mash-up transforms into an unexpectedly engaging and entertaining pirate escapade.
In this game, players will step into the shoes of the beloved Goro Majima, who finds himself amnesiac on a Hawaiian island. Based on my preview, the zany spirit of the series gets turned up to its maximum here. Apart from battling wandering pirate gangs with a trusty small tiger by my side, I got to recruit a myriad of quirky characters to my pirate crew and indulge in an array of fun, seriously addictive mini-games. From a home run derby to karaoke, right down to sailing the Pacific on a pirate ship—with its ship-to-ship battles and fierce weather conditions—there’s no shortage of activities to dive into.
Spending time on the pirate-ridden city of Madlantis during my hands-on was quite a thrill. This region, packed with pirates, outlaws, and the truly bizarre by Yakuza standards, offered plenty to explore. I found myself engrossed in numerous mini-games and unique side quests, from playing claw machines and classic SEGA arcade games to taking on challengers in the Pirates’ Coliseum’s ship battles. It was a whirlwind of eclectic tasks and engagements.
Combat-wise, the game takes a departure from the prior Like a Dragon titles’ turn-based JRPG formula, opting instead for classic beat-’em-up mechanics. Majima sports two distinct fighting styles: Mad Dog and Sea Dog. While both hinge on a balance of heavy and light attacks with defensive dodges, they’re unique enough to encourage frequent switches to maintain the upper hand in fights. Mad Dog mode dresses Majima in his iconic outfit, allowing for swift combos, while Sea Dog turns him into a pirate, equipped with dual cutlasses, a pistol, and even a grappling hook. Although I enjoyed Mad Dog’s fast-paced action, Sea Dog’s variety of weapons kept me mostly entertained, making battles engaging and exciting.
It’s worth noting that combat isn’t without its pitfalls. Mastering blocking and dodging takes some practice. Enemies range from laughably easy to unexpectedly challenging, leading to quite a few trips to the game over screen—more than I had anticipated in a Yakuza game. Still, once I got the hang of seamlessly switching fighting styles and maximizing my arsenal, combat became a rewarding, albeit challenging, endeavor.
On the maritime front, naval combat introduces an exciting new layer to the Like a Dragon universe. While some games overcomplicate ship battles, Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii embraces simplicity for its sea warfare segments. My ship’s arsenal included short-range flamethrowers on one side and long-range cannons on the other, along with front-positioned machine guns for ship-to-ship combat. I found myself often opting for these options, though jumping around my ship with Majima’s rocket launcher was undeniably fun, even if less potent. Whichever approach I chose, navigating and outmaneuvering rival ships always kept me engaged.
All in all, from what I’ve played, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii promises to uphold the Like a Dragon series’ reputation. It could also stand out as one of the more memorable pirate experiences since Black Flag. With its inventive combat system, accessible naval warfare, and a richly peculiar and entertaining world, you’ll likely want to grab your Hawaiian shirt for this adventure.
