Despite having no idea what to expect with Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, I found myself absolutely enthralled throughout – read my preview to find out why
We were able to meet Sakamoto-san before playing the game(Image: SEGA)
Has there ever been a series that so routinely surprises its longest-serving fans than Like A Dragon? Since 2020’s Yakuza: Like A Dragon which pivoted to a turn-based combat system, we’ve seen Lost Judgement, Like A Dragon Ishin, The Man Who Erased His Own Name, and Infinite Wealth.
Now, less than a year after the last title we’re getting what might be the most surreal entry yet. Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii might be the wildest name for a game to come out in 2025, but it’s backed up by plenty of substance and oodles of style – not unlike protagonist Goro Majima.
A Pirate’s Life
Building your crew is a key part of the game(Image: SEGA)
As revealed in our hands-on preview, our adventure with Majima begins with him washing up on shore and being rescued by a boy called Noah.
The Mad Dog of Shimano has amnesia, though, and while that might sound a little convenient, it does help him shed some of the burden of being a sadomasochist, albeit a strangely lovable one.
We didn’t get to see the earliest interactions between the two, but their banter throughout is a delight as Noah joins Majima on his adventures across the high seas, along with the boy’s father. It’s clear Majima cares for the precocious youngster, and his canine companion, and it grounds the otherwise surreal character in this new world.
Well, new world might be a little strong. This game contains the entirety of Hawaii that was found in last year’s Infinite Wealth, as well as some additional island locations. That means all of the minigames you’ve come to love are here, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t spend a fair chunk of time playing in the explosive, pirate-themed batting cages or sampling some classic arcade Virtua Fighter matches.
Much of the fun of Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii can be found in new location Madlantis, a pirate hangout full of ne’erdowells. While roaming its gantries, Majima can find recruits to join his crew, fight rivals, and engage in ship-to-ship combat via an arena called the Pirates Coliseum.
To the Coliseum
Ship to ship combat is a big focus(Image: SEGA)
The Coliseum sees you and your dastardly crew set loose against an opponent’s ship (or multiple ships) to settle your differences, and the game features a variety of modes from ship-to-ship skirmishes to land-based ones and even a tournament system.
It’s a great way to experience naval combat in quick bursts without needing to navigate the open world areas, and it’s clear that RGG Studio wants you to spend plenty of time here.
Successful battles can help you increase the level of your crew, and each has their own specialisms like weapon types they’re best-suited to, or abilities that can trigger when you board an enemy ship like healing your squad or buffing damage.
My favourite part is that your ragtag group can be seen charging into battle via a short cutscene before you board, and seeing a bloke in a sheep mask wearing very little, or a pro-wrestler type crewmate with an axe the size of a human being charging in with Majima never got old.
There’s a whole level of min-maxing and management that I’m eager to dig into when the game launches, and not least because of the array of upgrades you can put on your ship.
Majima can fire his own rocket launcher or a machine gun, and the ship can be outfitted with flamethrowers, but I’m particularly keen to try out the laser cannon or Shark launcher that were shown in our session.
There’s a big difference between the basic battles and the higher-ranked ones, too, but increasing your ‘Pirate Level’ to take on tougher challenges will unlock additional crew to recruit, too.
Flying sharks?
Just when you thought the series couldn’t get more bonkers(Image: SEGA)
If firing a shark at another ship sounds like fun, wait until you get to explore Majima’s fighting style.
There are two to choose from, and each has a completely different moveset and special ability. Mad Dog sees our hero rolling, flipping, and stabbing with a knife, juggling opponents into the air and double-jumping with superhuman regularity.
In this guise, triggering Majima’s special ability causes his ‘Mania’, spawning a series of doppelgangers that each attacks independently of Majima.
Switching to Sea Dog style sees him instantly don his pirate outfit and wield a pair of cutlasses, and even gives him access to an old-school pistol which gives him some teeth at range.
Here, his special ability becomes a choice of four Dark Gods from the sea, acquired through the campaign and summoned via various musical instruments. Playing a ditty on his fiddle, for example, summons a huge shark to attack opponents, while the other options are a huge ape, jellyfish, and a bird.
It’s exactly as wild as it sounds, and when I asked Chief Producer Hiroyuki Sakamoto about it, he said “just go with it”.
Final Thoughts
While some may scoff that a series that began as a gritty crime drama has so literally jumped the shark, Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is one of the most enjoyable previews I’ve ever taken part in because I simply had no idea what to expect next.
For more on Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, be sure to check out our conversation with Chief Producer Hiroyuki Sakamoto about bringing in new players, as well as it’s very short development timeline.