When it comes to riffing on well-trodden ideas in the gaming space, few can make it work as well as Ryu Ga Gotoku’s (RGG Studios) Like a Dragon franchise. The beloved hit adventure series has grown out of its crime drama roots to embrace different play experiences over time, including a turn-based role-playing game (RPG), a private detective stint, a historical samurai tale, and a spy thriller.
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii continues to honour this shape-shifting act, complete with the showy, over-the-top flair that’s now part of its core identity. No matter the form, every title in the series never fails to bring out this quirky charm, with the newest entry focusing on sailing the high seas as a pirate captain. Instead of series veteran protagonist Kazuma Kiryu leading this outing, persistent fan favourite Goro Majima takes centre stage here, marking a long-awaited return after his last leading role in 2011’s Yakuza: Dead Souls.
It’s a perfect match – between his flamboyant, wild personality and the game’s offbeat premise, there’s plenty of room for unrestrained fun and wacky shenanigans. Set six months after the events of last year’s Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, it follows the Mad Dog of Shimano as he washes up on the shore of a remote, sparsely populated island with no memories of his background as a crime lord and club manager. With a young islander, Noah, at his side, he embarks on a search for clues to his forgotten past, plunging into the powder-keg world of swashbucklers.
Longtime fans may find delight in another familiar face, but the Majima-led outing also represents a dream come true for some. A hotly popular character in his own right, the former patriarch first introduced in the original Yakuza (2005) doesn’t step into a playable role often, with the only exceptions being the previously mentioned Yakuza: Dead Souls, 2015’s Yakuza 0, and 2017’s Yakuza Kiwami 2. Yet his appeal has hardly wavered, rooted in a charismatic and honourable nature, enduring sense of loyalty, sentimental sensibilities, and comic relief factor – fuelled by a rich, emotionally-layered backstory.
To that end, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is the franchise’s renewed love letter to Majima, featuring a blend of fresh and familiar elements for returning players who haven’t engaged with the series recently. It can also be enjoyed as a standalone romp, which means total newcomers are more than welcome to join in on the action, especially for those seeking beat-em-up thrills or a voyage across the vast ocean.
Here’s how the upcoming Sega-published title lets players live out their seafaring fantasies, from fighting enemies with buccaneer gear, to engaging in naval battles.
1) Take enemies down, pirate style
Gone are the Thug, Breaker, and Slugger fighting styles of the past. As a suave swashbuckler, the One-Eyed Demon comes equipped with pirate-themed attacks – a first in the series – that inherit the mechanical workings of its previous titles, such as Heat Actions, special moves that can only be performed under certain conditions, and the ability to switch between different fighting styles in combat. Two options are available here, with the Mad Dog Style putting Majima’s characteristic agility into focus through a showcase of punches, kicks, and knife strokes, alongside mid-air combos that spice up the usual on-the-streets brawling. Build up the Madness Gauge, and doppelgangers can be summoned to dish out even more combination attacks.
The Sea Dog Style, meanwhile, allows Majima to channel his inner pirate as he slashes at foes with cutlasses and fires off his three sidearms: the cutlass boomerang, thrown to deal damage from a distance; the pistol, which can be charged to deal extra damage; and the chain hook, used for latching on to targets and zipping towards them. Instead of ghostly apparitions, powerful dark deities will join players in battle when the Madness Gauge is used, requiring treasures known as Dark Instruments that players can plunder from the ships of defeated rival pirate crews.
Naturally, each of them offers different perks and effects. The Dark God of the Waves, for instance, sees Majima play his cursed violin to release man-eating sharks onto the battlefield, while Dark God of the Deep unleashes a jellyfish with healing capabilities and a shock ability, causing nearby enemies to be immobilised.
2) Assemble a crew and captain the Goromaru
The pirate life isn’t complete without a reliable crew, and Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii leaves over 100 seafarers open for scouting, including familiar faces from past titles. Once recruited, players will be able to interact with them and offer gifts that increase their morale and EXP, as well as throw parties to raise team spirit. An instant EXP boost is also granted to a select group of crew members when they are invited to a feast in the captain’s quarters.
All of these take place on the Goromaru, one’s best friend at sea. Named after Noah’s feline friend Goro, the vessel is home to spaces like the captain’s quarters and deck, with the kitchen below open for cooking sessions. It’s here that Majima can switch up his outfits, joining other customisable accessories like rings, which grant varying special effects and are earned by helping townspeople with their troubles or found in treasure chests.
To raise the crew’s reputation, challenges must be completed. Be it defeating enemy pirates or unearthing treasure, the pirate rank of the Goro Pirates will increase as more reputation is earned, unlocking a host of benefits. The Treasury of Treasure makes it easier to handle the task, revealing hints about the location of hidden riches and rewarding players with both cash and reputation upon discovery, allowing the crew to grow stronger and improve their standing.
3) Kick arr-se in naval battles
Load up and fire! The world of Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii promises naval combat galore, and it certainly helps that the Goromaru can be fully steered out on the waves – meaning crashing into foes, firing a rocket launcher, or boarding an enemy ship are all fair game. Starting with Cannon Battles, players will step into the role of Majima in a sink-or-be-sunk showdown, where the gameplay loop involves evading enemy fire, bombarding hostile forces with cannon volleys, and making repairs to the vessel. Customisation holds the key to victory, so remember to reinforce the deck or swap cannons out for flamethrowers and lasers.
After dishing out enough damage, it’s time to storm the opposing ship by engaging in an all-out brawl. Relying solely on Majima’s abilities won’t work in Deck Battles – to claim victory, it’s important to pick the right crewmates for the job, as each brings different skills and expertise to the table. Some, for instance, are centred around Cannon Battles, while others focus more on Deck Battles.
For those craving more adrenaline, the Pirates’ Coliseum in Madlantis is a good place to get their combat fix. The arena features naval battles with a variety of different rules, from one-on-one matches to chaotic free-for-alls against nine other crews, as well as an eclectic mix of opponents, including a shady scientist, a pyromaniac, and even a sumo wrestler.
4) Embark on voyages and rule the seas
It doesn’t take a pirate to know that plenty of dangers await on the high seas, but what’s life without a little risk? Apart from menacing blige rats sailing the ocean’s diverse zones, the natural environment in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii also packs its fair share of threats, such as scorching waters, active volcanoes, and brittle climates, alongside devastating weather changes that include heavy snowfall and powerful whirlpools.
Stepping foot on an island doesn’t immediately guarantee safety either, as treasure-hungry swashbucklers, toxic gas, lava, and other forms of traps will often lay in wait. Here’s where the scope comes in handy, revealing vital information like the strength of enemy vessels and additional details on treasure islands beforehand.
During lull periods on voyages, players are free to roam the decks and attach a trawl net to bring in various fish, materials, and other items, interact with the crew or gear up for the next leg of adventures. Oh, and don’t forget to keep an eye out for bounties on the map along the way – defeating wanted criminals brings in cold, hard cash that can be used to power Majima up and upgrade the Goromaru.
5) Unwind with leisure activities at sea and on land
All work and no play makes Majima a dull guy, so Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii leaves plenty of room for downtime. Inheriting the outrageous, enjoyable spirit of the franchise’s mini-games, Minato Girls enlists Majima’s help to fulfil his crewmate Masaru’s dreams of hanging out with them. The objective is simple: mingle with five beautiful ladies, each with different personalities, score their contact information, and aim to throw a party.
Karaoke, a beloved series staple, will also be available aboard the Goromaru and on dry land, touting fan-favourite tracks and brand-new idol hits composed in line with the game’s setting, including the “Goro Pirates Theme” and “Song of Departure – Journey to the New World -”. Similarly, the game centres and Master System welcome new sea-themed titles, taking the form of Sega’s very own underwater shooter The Ocean Hunter and 1989’s Poseidon Wars.
Taking the fun to the streets are Crazy Delivery, first introduced in Infinite Wealth, and Dragon Kart, which debuted in Yakuza: Like a Dragon. Where the former debuts Anaconda Shopping Centre as a delivery spot, its racing counterpart pits players against their rivals in a new action-packed mode, challenging them to hone their skills, blow away the competition with their rocket launcher, and become the best racer that Hawaii has ever seen.
If character customisation is the preferred way to let loose, RGG’s (arr-GG?) latest offers over 200 outfit options for Majima, from his classic suit to flashy idol costumes. Throw hairstyle, eyepatch, piercing, and more cosmetic offerings into the mix, and players have plenty of free reign to style the former yakuza leader however they want.
Between Majima’s eyepatch-wearing design and his quirky, wild charm, there’s no better character who fits the bill of a swashbuckler in the series. Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza gives him the love and recognition that he deserves, all while delivering a fun time on the seas, such that it’s easy to imagine and live out the fantasy.
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza sets sail for the PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC on 21 February 2025.
Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.
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