The Like a Dragon franchise by Sega has established itself as a significant presence in the gaming industry since its inception in 2005 on the PlayStation 2. With nine main series titles, several remakes, and a variety of spin-offs under its belt, it continues to captivate audiences. The latest installment, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, introduces players to a unique storyline featuring Goro Majima, who awakens as the captain of a pirate crew amidst the Hawaiian archipelago, picking up after the events of Infinite Wealth. Majima’s dynamic personality is ideally suited for this adventurous pirate-themed narrative.
This spin-off serves as a successor to Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name, discarding the turn-based combat style in favor of fast-paced beat ’em up mechanics. It aims for a succinct story while leveraging assets from recent series entries. Although it revisits familiar locations and side tasks from Infinite Wealth, which may take away from the immersive pirate experience, it still manages to entertain.
Much of Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii takes place in environments reminiscent of Infinite Wealth, which may feel repetitive to some players. The game would benefit from exploring newer, more captivating locations such as the pirate refuge Madlantis or the smaller islands scattered throughout the adventure.
Engaging Ship Battles in Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii
When players dive into the essence of piracy, Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii truly excels. While not the most intricate pirate game available, its straightforward mechanics enhance the fun. Once players gain full control of their ships, they can explore diverse maritime zones filled with treasures, legendary adversaries, and exciting naval confrontations. Unlike other titles that complicate naval maneuvering, this game offers intuitive ship controls, resulting in enjoyable combat experiences where players can fire cannons, utilize machine guns, and evade enemy assaults effortlessly.
As players progress through the narrative, they unlock new ship capabilities. They can enhance their vessel for improved speed and durability, along with special cannons featuring unique effects. While specific story characters join Majima’s crew automatically, players have the flexibility to recruit numerous NPCs they encounter, provided they meet certain criteria. The crew-building element proves to be a rewarding aspect of the game, offering strategic advantages during ship battles and exhilarating pirate brawls.
Exploring the seas of Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii leads to numerous naval skirmishes and plentiful loot. The islands players visit resemble “dungeons” from other entries in the Yakuza series, requiring them to battle through waves of enemies and interact with objects obstructing their paths, culminating in boss battles. Those adventurous enough to explore will reap lucrative rewards such as valuable currency and treasures essential for purchasing healing items, enhancing their ships, and upgrading Majima himself.
Combat options for Majima in Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii include two distinctive fighting styles. The first is his infamous Mad Dog style, featuring the notorious shadow clone ability, and the second is the Sea Dog style, which allows him to wield various swords and weapons as the game progresses. Eventually, players can acquire a pistol and even a grappling hook, ensuring that the combat mechanics remain fresh and exciting compared to previous titles while still adhering to the established beat ’em up formula that fans have come to love.
Intriguing Yet Underwhelming Story of Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii
The combat mechanics are undeniably enjoyable and will resonate well with veteran Yakuza players. However, the narrative might leave some fans feeling somewhat disappointed. Although Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii features several thrilling moments and occasional emotional peaks—especially in the relationship between Majima and his youngest crew member, Noah—the story lacks the weight that fans typically expect from the franchise. Comparatively, it falls short of the storytelling excellence established in Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name. New characters don’t leave a lasting impression, and the villains lack the development necessary for players to feel truly invested in their downfalls.
Completing the main five-chapter story took me approximately ten hours, including participation in various side quests along the journey. For those seeking full completion and achievement unlocking, expect to invest around 20-25 hours.
The brevity of the story may contribute to this sensation, as the main plot can be wrapped up in approximately 8-10 hours. A significant portion of this time is spent on tutorials, which can disrupt the pacing and make it challenging for the story to build the momentum typically seen in the primary series.
While the narrative may not carry the emotional depth franchise fans anticipate, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii still offers an entertaining adventure infused with piracy. The potential for future expansions of this concept into a larger-scale title is evident, highlighting the opportunities for Sega and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio to delve deeper into themed narratives that embrace the pirate life.
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is set to launch on February 21 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X. Game Rant received a PS5 code for this review.
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