The Yakuza franchise is renowned for its offbeat and captivating games, seamlessly blending serious narratives with lighthearted, almost zany elements. This eclectic mix is evident across its main series entries and an array of historical spin-offs, prequels, and side stories, providing a little something for every kind of gamer. Whether you’re eagerly anticipating the latest chapter in the Like a Dragon saga or seeking a fresh gaming experience, our sneak peek at Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza set in Hawaii indicates that this might just be another engrossing title that’s ready to capture your attention for countless hours.
Ever since Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag launched in 2013, I’ve been on the lookout for a game that can deliver a similarly compelling pirate adventure. Though a handful of games have tried to fill this void over the years, none truly sparked my pirating spirit until I got my hands on Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii. Pirates and Yakuza might initially seem as mismatched as chalk and cheese, but the vibrant world of Like a Dragon paired with its quirky main character and lighthearted tone gels into a truly enjoyable pirate-themed escapade.
In this game, you step into the shoes of the beloved Goro Majima, who finds himself marooned on one of Hawaii’s islands with no memory. From my hands-on experience, the game dials up the Yakuza series’ signature oddity to the max. Amidst battling random pirate gangs and pursuing occasional bounties with my petite tiger sidekick, I found delight in assembling a diverse crew of eccentric characters and diving into a variety of addictive mini-games. These included everything from a home run derby and karaoke to navigating the Pacific with ship-to-ship combat. There’s no shortage of activities to dive into here, that’s for sure.
During my preview, I spent considerable time exploring Madlantis, a pirate-infested city teeming with rogues, criminals, and some peculiarly strange personalities that even Yakuza veterans may find surprising. Here, I indulged in several side activities, tackling classic SEGA arcade ports like Virtua Fighter, and testing my combat prowess in the Pirates’ Coliseum with nail-biting ship battles against unique crews.
When it comes to combat, the game shifts away from the turn-based JRPG style seen in previous Like a Dragon titles, opting instead for a classic beat-’em-up approach. Majima wields two distinct fighting styles: Mad Dog and Sea Dog. Both involve a mix of heavy and light attacks interspersed with dodging maneuvers, but they vary enough to keep things interesting, allowing me to tactically switch styles to maintain an advantage over foes. Mad Dog mode, with its swift combos and familiar outfit, brings a fast-paced thrill, while Sea Dog mode fully embraces the pirate theme with its arsenal of cutlasses, a pistol, and a grappling hook. Although I enjoyed both styles, the vast array of weapons in Sea Dog mode kept me engaged for much longer, making every brawl against rival pirates both challenging and enjoyable.
However, there are a few combat hiccups. Mastering the art of blocking and dodging took some getting used to, and enemy difficulty ranged widely—from laughably easy to unexpectedly tough bouts, leading to more game over screens than anticipated. Yet, discovering how to effectively switch between styles and utilize Majima’s full array of skills transformed combat into a rewarding trial.
Naval combat is a standout addition to the Like a Dragon universe. Unlike other games that often complicate ship battles, Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii embraces simplicity in its maritime conflicts. My ship boasted several destructive options: the left side was armed with short-range flamethrowers for close encounters, while long-range cannons lined the right. Balancing these with front-facing machine guns became my go-to strategy during nautical skirmishes. For something different, I could even abandon the helm and take on enemies with Majima’s rocket launcher—less powerful, but undeniably entertaining! Whatever the choice, the experience of maneuvering my ship and downing foes was exhilarating.
From what I’ve played, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii promises not only to uphold the prestigious legacy of the Like a Dragon series but also to potentially emerge as one of the finest pirate games since Black Flag. Its engaging combat, streamlined naval battles, and intriguingly bizarre world make it a must-play—as long as you pack your Hawaiian shirt for the journey.
