Entertaining pirate antics mixed with familiar Yakuza flair
By Paul Hunter
20 years after the original Yakuza game and SEGA's longtime franchise remains consistently excellent with each entry. This high quality bar continues with Like a Dragron: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii. As the name suggests, this spin-off title trades the familiar streets of Japan for the sun-drenched beaches of Hawaii, with the iconic Goro Majima taking centre stage.
Sailing the ocean, building a pirate crew and hunting for long-lost treasure aren't normally activities found in Like a Dragon games, but this is no ordinary new entry. It's a delighfully unhinged experience offering a wealth of new gameplay types, along with a bountiful array of familiar and eccentric side activities fans have come to love.
I've been playing this series since the original game on PS2, and it's been awesome seeing it grow from a niche Japanese audience to current huge international success. No matter if you're a newcomer to RGG Studio's mad style of games or a longtime veteran like me, Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii has the colourful characters, laugh-out-loud moments, and high-quality storytelling to make this a can't-miss adventure. So hoist the sails, raise the Jolly Roger, and let's explore the craziest Yakuza journey yet.
Goro Majima's latest adventure is a delightfully outlandish romp that sees the legendary yakuza embark on a swashbuckling quest across the sun-drenched islands of Hawaii. After waking up on a remote beach with no memory of his past, the Mad Dog of Shimano is taken in by a young boy named Noah, who convinces the amnesiac ex-gangster to become a pirate captain. Their goal? To locate the fabled Esperanza treasure, said to be worth a staggering one billion dollars.
Of course, Majima must find a pirate crew to aid in his exploration and winds up recruiting a ragtag group ranging from a former yakuza-turned-ship cook to gruff bar owner with personal stakes. Majima's crew are not the only ones seeking this legendary bounty—they must contend with rival pirates, fanatical cultists, and even old acquaintances from Majima's yakuza days, all vying to claim the prize for themselves. The resulting tale is a gloriously over-the-top affair, blending the series' signature dramatic storytelling with moments of uproarious comedy.
What makes the narrative truly shine, however, is the relationship between Majima and his young friend Noah. As the short-tempered, eyepatch-wearing protagonist reluctantly takes the young boy under his wing, you're treated to a series of heartwarming interactions that gradually reveal the softer side hidden beneath Majima's tough exterior. Their bond is beautifully realised, with Noah's infectious optimism and Majima's growing paternal instincts playing off each other wonderfully.
Elsewhere, the game delights in reuniting Majima with familiar faces from the Yakuza franchise. Seeing the Mad Dog of Shimano trade barbs with the likes of Saejima, Nishida, and Minami is an absolute treat for long-time fans, offering tantalising glimpses into their lives post-Infinite Wealth. These secondary characters are given ample opportunity to shine, with their own engaging subplots that complement the main adventure.
Even for those new to the series, Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii proves remarkably accessible. The story is largely self-contained, requiring no prior knowledge of the Yakuza/Like a Dragon mythos to fully enjoy. Majima's amnesia provides a convenient entry point, allowing the game to introduce his colourful background at a steady pace. Majima's charismatic leadership and the game's endlessly entertaining cast of characters ensure the journey is an absolute riot from start to finish.
The gameplay of Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is a fun blend of classic Yakuza combat and swashbuckling seafaring. As the legendary Goro Majima, you'll have the opportunity to unleash your signature fighting styles on unsuspecting foes both on land and at sea.
On the ground, Majima can seamlessly switch between his "Mad Dog" and "Sea Dog" combat stances. The former emphasises rapid, up-close attacks, allowing you to chain together devastating combos with his trusty Demonfire Dagger. The latter, meanwhile, sees him wielding dual cutlasses, a pistol, and a grappling hook, granting greater range and mobility to take on larger groups of enemies.
Each fighting style has its own unique Heat Actions—flashy, over-the-top special moves that leave your opponents in a bloody mess. Filling up your Heat gauge allows you to perform devastating techniques, such as summoning shadowy clones to overwhelm your foes or unleashing a musical instrument that summons a fearsome animal to wreak havoc. With gradual ability unlocks and improvements, the combat remains exciting and varied throughout your swashbuckling adventure.
Beyond the on-foot brawling, Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii introduces the thrilling new element of naval combat. Aboard your customizable Goromaru warship, you can equip a delightfully deadly range of weapons including cannons, flamethrowers, machine guns and even silly-yet-effective shark launchers. When you take to the high seas, you'll engage in fast-paced ship-to-ship battles, using your weapons to whittle down enemy vessels before boarding them for a good old-fashioned scrap. These encounters are gloriously chaotic, with environmental hazards like electrical storms and whirlpools adding an extra layer of challenge.
Upgrading both your fighting prowess and your pirate ship is key to success. You can invest your hard-earned treasure into unlocking new moves, increasing your health and attack power, or enhancing your vessel's firepower and defences. It remains a rewarding gameplay loop that series veterans have surely come to love.
Even when you're not engaging in electrifying battles, Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii provides a wealth of optional activities to partake in. From treasure hunting on remote islands to competing in the raucous Pirates Colosseum, there's always something new to discover. Fan-favourite activities return, like karaoke, gambling, fishing and even Dragon Kart and Crazy Eats make a comeback. The game seamlessly blends these fun-filled diversions with the main narrative, ensuring you're never too far away from the next thrilling confrontation or hilarious side quest.
From a visual standpoint, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii uses the Dragon Engine that powered previous entries in the series, and delivers a striking tropical paradise for players to explore. The sun-soaked beaches of Hawaii and the ramshackle pirate haven of Madlandis are brought to life with vibrant colours and impressive environmental detail. Watching the swaying palm trees and crashing waves is a genuine delight.
While the main city of Honolulu looks largely identical to its appearance in the previous entry, Infinite Wealth, there are plenty of interesting new locations to explore the sprawling Pirates Colosseum, and of course, the sprawling high seas.
As expected, the game's cinematic presentation remains a high point. The exhilarating fight choreography and expressive facial animations elevate the dramatic story beats, ensuring they land with maximum impact. Whether you're witnessing an intense showdown between Majima and a rival pirate captain, or a heartfelt conversation between the protagonist and his young protégé, Noah, the cutscenes consistently impress.
The audio design is similarly strong, with the series' celebrated musical score once again delivering. Composer Chihiro Aoki and her team have crafted a rousing, swashbuckling soundtrack that blends the franchise's signature electronic stylings with rousing sea shanties and traditional pirate instrumentation. The theme that accompanies Majima's "Sea Dog" fighting style is a particular highlight, its triumphant violins and pounding drums perfectly capturing the thrill of naval combat.
The voice acting is also of a consistently high standard, with both the English and Japanese dubs impressing. Hidenari Ugaki's performance as Majima is a tour de force, the veteran actor effortlessly transitioning between the character's gruff, no-nonsense demeanour and his more unhinged, comedic moments. Matthew Mercer's take on the English dub is similarly engaging, though it's not quite as nuanced as the dynamism of Ugaki's portrayal.
Final Score: 8.5/10 - Great
Developer: Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio
Publisher: SEGA
Genre: Action Adventure, Beat 'Em Up
Modes: Single-player
ESRB Rating: M (Mature)
A key was provided by the publisher.
By Paul Hunter
20 years after the original Yakuza game and SEGA's longtime franchise remains consistently excellent with each entry. This high quality bar continues with Like a Dragron: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii. As the name suggests, this spin-off title trades the familiar streets of Japan for the sun-drenched beaches of Hawaii, with the iconic Goro Majima taking centre stage.
Sailing the ocean, building a pirate crew and hunting for long-lost treasure aren't normally activities found in Like a Dragon games, but this is no ordinary new entry. It's a delighfully unhinged experience offering a wealth of new gameplay types, along with a bountiful array of familiar and eccentric side activities fans have come to love.
I've been playing this series since the original game on PS2, and it's been awesome seeing it grow from a niche Japanese audience to current huge international success. No matter if you're a newcomer to RGG Studio's mad style of games or a longtime veteran like me, Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii has the colourful characters, laugh-out-loud moments, and high-quality storytelling to make this a can't-miss adventure. So hoist the sails, raise the Jolly Roger, and let's explore the craziest Yakuza journey yet.
Goro Majima's latest adventure is a delightfully outlandish romp that sees the legendary yakuza embark on a swashbuckling quest across the sun-drenched islands of Hawaii. After waking up on a remote beach with no memory of his past, the Mad Dog of Shimano is taken in by a young boy named Noah, who convinces the amnesiac ex-gangster to become a pirate captain. Their goal? To locate the fabled Esperanza treasure, said to be worth a staggering one billion dollars.
Of course, Majima must find a pirate crew to aid in his exploration and winds up recruiting a ragtag group ranging from a former yakuza-turned-ship cook to gruff bar owner with personal stakes. Majima's crew are not the only ones seeking this legendary bounty—they must contend with rival pirates, fanatical cultists, and even old acquaintances from Majima's yakuza days, all vying to claim the prize for themselves. The resulting tale is a gloriously over-the-top affair, blending the series' signature dramatic storytelling with moments of uproarious comedy.
What makes the narrative truly shine, however, is the relationship between Majima and his young friend Noah. As the short-tempered, eyepatch-wearing protagonist reluctantly takes the young boy under his wing, you're treated to a series of heartwarming interactions that gradually reveal the softer side hidden beneath Majima's tough exterior. Their bond is beautifully realised, with Noah's infectious optimism and Majima's growing paternal instincts playing off each other wonderfully.
Elsewhere, the game delights in reuniting Majima with familiar faces from the Yakuza franchise. Seeing the Mad Dog of Shimano trade barbs with the likes of Saejima, Nishida, and Minami is an absolute treat for long-time fans, offering tantalising glimpses into their lives post-Infinite Wealth. These secondary characters are given ample opportunity to shine, with their own engaging subplots that complement the main adventure.
Even for those new to the series, Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii proves remarkably accessible. The story is largely self-contained, requiring no prior knowledge of the Yakuza/Like a Dragon mythos to fully enjoy. Majima's amnesia provides a convenient entry point, allowing the game to introduce his colourful background at a steady pace. Majima's charismatic leadership and the game's endlessly entertaining cast of characters ensure the journey is an absolute riot from start to finish.
The gameplay of Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is a fun blend of classic Yakuza combat and swashbuckling seafaring. As the legendary Goro Majima, you'll have the opportunity to unleash your signature fighting styles on unsuspecting foes both on land and at sea.
On the ground, Majima can seamlessly switch between his "Mad Dog" and "Sea Dog" combat stances. The former emphasises rapid, up-close attacks, allowing you to chain together devastating combos with his trusty Demonfire Dagger. The latter, meanwhile, sees him wielding dual cutlasses, a pistol, and a grappling hook, granting greater range and mobility to take on larger groups of enemies.
Each fighting style has its own unique Heat Actions—flashy, over-the-top special moves that leave your opponents in a bloody mess. Filling up your Heat gauge allows you to perform devastating techniques, such as summoning shadowy clones to overwhelm your foes or unleashing a musical instrument that summons a fearsome animal to wreak havoc. With gradual ability unlocks and improvements, the combat remains exciting and varied throughout your swashbuckling adventure.
Beyond the on-foot brawling, Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii introduces the thrilling new element of naval combat. Aboard your customizable Goromaru warship, you can equip a delightfully deadly range of weapons including cannons, flamethrowers, machine guns and even silly-yet-effective shark launchers. When you take to the high seas, you'll engage in fast-paced ship-to-ship battles, using your weapons to whittle down enemy vessels before boarding them for a good old-fashioned scrap. These encounters are gloriously chaotic, with environmental hazards like electrical storms and whirlpools adding an extra layer of challenge.
Upgrading both your fighting prowess and your pirate ship is key to success. You can invest your hard-earned treasure into unlocking new moves, increasing your health and attack power, or enhancing your vessel's firepower and defences. It remains a rewarding gameplay loop that series veterans have surely come to love.
Even when you're not engaging in electrifying battles, Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii provides a wealth of optional activities to partake in. From treasure hunting on remote islands to competing in the raucous Pirates Colosseum, there's always something new to discover. Fan-favourite activities return, like karaoke, gambling, fishing and even Dragon Kart and Crazy Eats make a comeback. The game seamlessly blends these fun-filled diversions with the main narrative, ensuring you're never too far away from the next thrilling confrontation or hilarious side quest.
From a visual standpoint, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii uses the Dragon Engine that powered previous entries in the series, and delivers a striking tropical paradise for players to explore. The sun-soaked beaches of Hawaii and the ramshackle pirate haven of Madlandis are brought to life with vibrant colours and impressive environmental detail. Watching the swaying palm trees and crashing waves is a genuine delight.
While the main city of Honolulu looks largely identical to its appearance in the previous entry, Infinite Wealth, there are plenty of interesting new locations to explore the sprawling Pirates Colosseum, and of course, the sprawling high seas.
As expected, the game's cinematic presentation remains a high point. The exhilarating fight choreography and expressive facial animations elevate the dramatic story beats, ensuring they land with maximum impact. Whether you're witnessing an intense showdown between Majima and a rival pirate captain, or a heartfelt conversation between the protagonist and his young protégé, Noah, the cutscenes consistently impress.
The audio design is similarly strong, with the series' celebrated musical score once again delivering. Composer Chihiro Aoki and her team have crafted a rousing, swashbuckling soundtrack that blends the franchise's signature electronic stylings with rousing sea shanties and traditional pirate instrumentation. The theme that accompanies Majima's "Sea Dog" fighting style is a particular highlight, its triumphant violins and pounding drums perfectly capturing the thrill of naval combat.
The voice acting is also of a consistently high standard, with both the English and Japanese dubs impressing. Hidenari Ugaki's performance as Majima is a tour de force, the veteran actor effortlessly transitioning between the character's gruff, no-nonsense demeanour and his more unhinged, comedic moments. Matthew Mercer's take on the English dub is similarly engaging, though it's not quite as nuanced as the dynamism of Ugaki's portrayal.
The Verdict
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is another stellar entry in SEGA's acclaimed series. From its gloriously over-the-top combat and swashbuckling naval battles to endlessly entertaining cast of characters and minigames, this journey is an absolute riot from start to finish. This spin-off serves as the perfect showcase for the series' most charismatic character, whose eccentric antics are always funny, but this time we also get to see the narrative depth of his personality. Whether you come for the combat, comedy or plethora of minigames, Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is a treasure worth grabbing.Final Score: 8.5/10 - Great
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii details
Platform: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PCDeveloper: Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio
Publisher: SEGA
Genre: Action Adventure, Beat 'Em Up
Modes: Single-player
ESRB Rating: M (Mature)
A key was provided by the publisher.