For those thinking Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is some novelty tie-in that doesn’t feel like a fully fledged title, you can put those worries to bed. From the moment you step foot on the sandy shores of Hawaii, it’s clear that this is yet another entry into the franchise that gives players plenty to do. Not only does it continue the story of Infinite Wealth, it gives you the opportunity to delve into the mind of RGG-icon Goro Majima by exploring the character in new and exciting ways. Buckle up, folks!
After waking up with no memory of who you are, you’re found on a beach by a young boy called Noah and his cat (definitely not a tiger!) called Goro. Without having time to breathe, you’re thrust into combat with a bunch of pirates, which quickly turns into a much deeper encounter with some of the most villainous characters to date, all while trying to remember who you are. It’s an interesting take on the Mad Dog because without any prior knowledge of the things Goro has done, you share only a few traits of the wildcard Yakuza member.
We all know Goro Majima is a loose cannon; a psychopath who’s been somewhat of a rival and enemy to Kiryu Kazuma in the past. Regardless of this, it’s hard not to love him, and now we get to fully stand behind him and uncover the mysteries of what happened on Neke Island after the events of Infinite Wealth, as well as working out what the hell is going on in the pirate haven known as Madlantis. It manages to maintain the feeling of the Like a Dragon series while showing a world upon the seven seas that continually manages to keep you guessing.
While I love the turn-based elements of the recent games, it feels so good to be let loose with the action. Majima can use two different fighting styles, with both offering plenty of ways to take on the wealth of enemies you face. Mad Dog style is frenetic and intense, allowing Majima to launch into the air and attack from above, as well as utilising speed and power to take on foes. The familiar Heat abilities are back, as well as the standard combo attacks, but you can also call into action shadowy replicas to help even the odds once the gauge is built up.
The real excitement in Like a Dragon Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii as far as the combat goes is the second fighting style: Sea Dog. Draped in his pirate attire, Goro can launch his duel blades into enemies, fire a gun to take out distant threats on the battlefield, as well as using a grappling hook to pull himself towards those out of reach. All abilities combined, Majima is a threat to everyone around him, and as you unlock new abilities and upgrade them, fighting can be so much fun. I won’t spoil too much, but as you play you unlock a certain ability for use with the right trigger, adding even greater depth to your arsenal.
It’s staggering how big Like a Dragon Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is. I thought it was going to be a similar sized campaign to Like a Dragon: The Man Who Erased His Name, but this is much bigger. Not only do you get to explore new areas like Rich Island, Neke Island, and the ocean itself, you get to return to Honolulu and revisit some familiar jaunts. It felt so good to be back in Hawaii, riding around on my segue and revisiting The Anaconda Shopping Centre, as well as spending cash in the multitude of shops and restaurants.
There’s also a ton of activities to take part in, such as the returning Crazy Eats. There’s karaoke, pool, UFO machines, and more, giving you plenty of things to do in your spare time. Back on Rich Island, you have an animal shelter where you can send a bunch of different animals you find in Honolulu, such as chickens and monkeys, and by feeding them you can gain new items. Cooking is another activity that gives you the option to create useful meals via a fun minigame, and there’s a new photo rally for Alo-Happy to participate in.
You’ve got plenty to keep you occupied, whether hanging out, playing through the main story, or taking on a bunch of sub stories along the way. Like a Dragon Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii doesn’t skimp on content, giving you a huge world to explore and plenty of things to get stuck into. There’s also a new way to get around, as the grappling hook allows you to reach rooftops to find fancy items and treasures. While all this is a big part of RGG’s latest, the shining jewel in the crown is getting to be an actual pirate.
Being a pirate is everything you want it to be and more. Combat on the high seas revolves around using your machine guns and your cannons to take out enemy ships. Depending on whether it’s smaller scale enemies you encounter while sailing, the ominous Devil Flags you fight, or the high-tier battles in the Pirate Coliseum, Majima has his work cut out for him. Switching between naval combat and boarding enemy ships to fight hand-to-hand, the combat flows nicely and never gets boring.
You can upgrade your ship; increase your crew size and find new member for the Goro Pirates along with cheering them up with presents if their morale is low; throw feasts for your crew and partake in on-board karaoke; decorate your ship with different skins; and so much more. It doesn’t feel like some tagged-on novelty, more an exciting new way to enjoy the Like a Dragon series. You’ll find treasures, and fight in huge battles against hundreds of enemies at a time, embodying every aspect of that pirate’s life.
It’s hard to find anything wrong with Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii. My only real concern is sailing can feel a little slow, but it’s not going to ruin the enjoyment of exploring the oceans with your crew. I loved getting to know Goro on a deeper level. With Goro struggling to remember who he is, it shows that he’s a good guy at heart, willing to do everything for those he cares about, all while highlighting that when it comes down to it, he’s not that different to the Dragon of Dojima.
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is an excellent return to the world that Infinite Wealth introduced. Playing as Goro Majima in his own adventure has been one of my favourites of the series. From the excellent combat with the two fleshed out fighting styles to the naval warfare and pirate life being lived to the fullest, fans are going to have such a good time with it. It never seems gimmicky, feeling like a genuine sequel to the story that came before. You’ll spend hours with it, enjoying everything it has to offer and then some.
