“Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii” brings a fresh and unique addition to the “Like a Dragon” series (formerly known as “Yakuza”). This time, the adventure takes on a new flavor by blending the charm of Hawaii with elements of Yakuza and piracy. The game has been highly anticipated by fans, especially with the return of Goro Majima as the protagonist for the first time, adding a mix of comedy and madness to the serious and action-packed atmosphere. But is the game truly fun? Is the gameplay different, resembling Assassin’s Creed Black Flag, especially with its naval elements? And does it maintain the spirit of Like a Dragon, or does it stray from the series’ roots?

Story

The story takes place shortly after the events of “Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth.” It begins when Goro Majima, the legendary former member of the Tojo Clan, wakes up on the shore of a small island in Hawaii with no memory of who he is or how he got there. His first act is to save a 10-year-old child from a group of pirates, after which he takes their ship and forms his own crew.

The pirates he faces aren’t just modern gangs with guns and speedboats; they are classic pirates with massive sailing ships, adding a unique twist to the expected narrative. After saving the child, Majima meets the child’s father, Jason, a former treasure hunter who tells him about a mysterious treasure called “Esperanza,” said to contain immense wealth and an elixir that grants eternal life and can cure any disease. Majima decides to form his own pirate crew, naming them the “Goro Pirates,” and sets off on a journey to find the treasure and uncover the truth about his past.

Gameplay

The Yakuza series, now known as Like a Dragon, has always been known for its fast-paced, action-oriented combat. However, with the recent shift to a turn-based combat system, there was a divide among fans. With Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, the game returns to the classic action-based combat, bringing back the fast and intense battles that rely on smart maneuvers and powerful strikes that have defined the series for years.

In this installment, players control Majima in a pirate adventure across the waters of Hawaii, with two distinct combat styles. The first is “Mad Dog,” which focuses on close-quarters combat with quick strikes and powerful kicks. The second is “Sea Dog,” which emphasizes naval combat using swords, pistols, and hooks, allowing Majima to face enemies in a more versatile manner across different environments.

Combat relies on two main gauges: the “Heat” gauge, which allows for brutal environmental attacks, and the “Madness” gauge, which lets Majima perform supernatural feats like summoning shadow clones or even calling upon massive sea creatures to aid him in battle. While the combat brings back the feel of fast-paced action, the variety of special “Heat Actions” is less than what was seen in games like Yakuza 0.

One of the new and unique additions to the game is the sword fights that take place on ship masts. This mechanic is different from regular combat, as it restricts movement to two dimensions, making it more challenging and less fluid compared to the rest of the free-form combat. While it adds a cinematic touch, it remains the weakest part of the combat mechanics.

The game isn’t just about hand-to-hand combat; it introduces a completely new element to the series: naval battles. Players command a ship called the “Goromaru” and face off against pirate ships and other enemies using side cannons and chase guns, with quick maneuvering options to avoid enemy attacks.

The naval combat system is simple but enjoyable when executed well. Players must balance offense and defense, using resources like repair materials and fuel wisely, especially in long battles that rely more on endurance than just skill. Majima and his crew can also board enemy ships after weakening them, leading to direct crew-on-crew battles.

Another new feature is crew management. Similar to Majima Construction, players can recruit new members from various locations around the world, either by defeating them in one-on-one combat, completing side quests, or achieving specific milestones in mini-games. Each crew member has a specific role on the ship, such as artillery, navigation, or repair, which affects the ship’s efficiency in battle.

Crew members have their own progression system, gaining experience over time, with some offering unique perks like increased ship speed or reduced resource consumption, making crew selection and distribution a strategic element.

Despite offering a significant naval experience, exploration in the game isn’t as open as players might expect. The map isn’t an open world but is divided into regions, with fast travel between them. This makes the experience more restrictive and lessens the sense of freedom and adventure compared to other pirate games like Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag or Sea of Thieves.

When players reach different islands, they can search for treasures or raid enemy camps, but instead of free exploration, these activities are structured battles that end with fixed rewards, lacking the element of surprise that makes treasure hunting exciting.

As usual for the series, Pirate Yakuza is packed with side content and mini-games. Activities include darts, karaoke, and baseball, along with other games like Crazy Delivery and Dragon Kart.

One of the charming additions to the game is the playable Sega Master System, where players can buy games from specific stores within the world, adding a dose of nostalgia for fans of classic games.

There’s also a pirate ranking system that rewards players based on their achievements in various activities, unlocking additional content like new Coliseum battles and stronger crew members.

Graphics

“Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii” offers a familiar experience for fans of the series, as it uses the same engine as recent installments, which is reflected in the quality of the graphics and overall performance. While some visual elements are reused, the tropical environment of Hawaii is beautifully rendered.

The game delivers a visually stunning experience that captures the beauty of tropical nature and the atmosphere of maritime life. The graphics are highly detailed, making the world feel alive, from golden sandy beaches to dense forests and bustling ports filled with activity.

One of the strongest aspects of the game is the character design, especially Goro Majima, who is rendered with intricate details that highlight his unique identity and long history in the series. The design of ships and naval equipment is also highly polished, adding a realistic feel to the pirate atmosphere that defines the game.

Final Verdict

8.5/10

The game offers a fresh and unique experience that blends the world of Yakuza with pirate adventures, reviving the spirit of Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag with strong naval battles and crew management, while maintaining the fast-paced action and quirky characters that define Like a Dragon. Although exploration isn’t as free as in other pirate games, this is compensated by a world rich in detail, enjoyable combat that brings back the classic action feel, and a wealth of side activities that add depth to the experience. If you’re a fan of the series or enjoy maritime adventures, this game is definitely a fun experience worth trying.