The Yakuza series is no stranger to eccentric and intriguing games, seamlessly blending serious storytelling with a splash of goofiness across its main titles, historical spinoffs, prequels, and side stories. There’s truly something for everyone. Whether you’re eagerly awaiting the next chapter in the ongoing Like a Dragon saga or looking for a fresh gaming experience, our recent hands-on with Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii before its release hints at another compelling spin-off that promises to capture countless hours of your attention.
Ever since the launch of Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag back in 2013, I’ve been yearning for a pirate adventure that matches its brilliance. A few decent ones have surfaced since, but none have managed to truly hook me until I tried out Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii. Initially, pairing pirates with Yakuza might seem as incompatible as oil and water. But delve deeper, and it becomes clear that the quirky world of Like a Dragon, combined with its charismatic main character and lighthearted tone, creates an unexpectedly delightful pirate escapade.
In Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, you step into the shoes of fan-favorite Goro Majima, who finds himself with amnesia on a Hawaiian island. During my few hours of gameplay, the series’ trademark weirdness was turned up to eleven. Not only did I find myself taking down pirate gangs and bounties alongside my trusty tiger sidekick, but I was also busy recruiting a motley crew of oddballs, indulging in a range of engaging minigames—like a home run derby, karaoke, and navigating the Pacific with my pirate ship, complete with naval battles and treacherous weather. Quite simply, there’s an abundance of activities to dive into.
Island Time saw me exploring the pirate-infested city of Madlantis, home to criminals and peculiar characters, even by Yakuza standards. I took part in various minigames and side activities like claw machines, ports of classic SEGA arcade hits like Virtua Fighter, and the Pirates’ Coliseum—where I engaged in ship-to-ship battles with diverse pirate crews and other combat-centric minigames.
Speaking of combat, the core gameplay ditches the JRPG turn-based combat of the previous Like a Dragon entries for a more traditional beat-’em-up approach. Majima showcases two distinct fighting styles: Mad Dog and Sea Dog. Though both styles revolve around a mix of heavy and light attacks with dodges, they felt distinct enough to keep the action dynamic. In Mad Dog mode, Majima dons his signature attire, unleashing rapid combos to quickly dispatch foes. Sea Dog, in contrast, sees Majima in pirate garb, relying on weapons like dual cutlasses, a pistol, and a grappling hook. While Mad Dog provided some fun, I gravitated more towards Sea Dog due to its varied weaponry and skills. Regardless of my choice, clashing with rival pirates was always exciting.
That’s not to say there weren’t challenges. Mastering the blocking and dodging mechanics required some practice, and opponent difficulty ranged from easy to unexpectedly tough, making me face the game-over screen more often than anticipated. Yet, once I got the hang of swapping styles and exploiting all my tools and abilities, combat became a rewarding challenge.
Taking to the seas introduces a new layer of fun. Unlike some titles that overcomplicate naval battles, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii opts for a streamlined “less is more” philosophy in its sea skirmishes. My ship boasted a variety of attack options—from short-range flamethrowers on its port side for close encounters to long-range cannons on the starboard. Most of my engagements involved these two alongside the front-mounted machine guns. An adventurous twist involved leaving the helm to use Majima’s rocket launcher, a less potent but highly entertaining option. No matter the choice, zigzagging my ship and sinking foes was always a thrill.
Everything I’ve experienced so far suggests that Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is not just holding up to the high Like a Dragon standards, but it could very well be one of the best pirate-themed games since Black Flag. Its inventive combat, intuitive naval warfare, and delightfully bizarre world make it a game you won’t want to miss—don’t forget to pack your Hawaiian shirt!
