Developer Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio continues its incredible output with a new Like a Dragon spin-off game starring Majima. Entertainingly titled Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, the action games sees the fan-favorite “Mad Dog of Shimano” return as a protagonist for the first time since Yakuza Kiwami 2. However, this time around, Majima finds himself having lost all his memories and then becomes inspired to become a pirate after awaking on a beach in Hawaii. The plot winds up being extremely goofy, but it still blends in some genuine emotion as the Yakuza series tends to do.
Similar to how The Man Who Erased His Name gave Kiryu a number of gadgets that made the brawler gameplay feel fresh, Majima winds up getting a number of weapons in Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii. He’s got cutlasses to deal damage up close, a grappling hook that allows him to close distance in an instance, and a gun that allows him to attack with projectiles. There’s a second fighting style that’s more traditional Majima, but the seafaring option wound up being quite a lot of fun.
Another major change to combat is that you can jump. Yes, for the first time in a Yakuza game you can jump into the air. This allows for some new systems, such as juggling enemies in the air and slamming down on foes below you. The action is quite fast-paced and it feels a bit more akin to character action games than past titles in the series. It’s a cool blend, and I really appreciate that RGG is still looking for ways to keep the series fresh 20 years into its run.
The pirate aspect of the game also has players recruiting a number of crewmates throughout the open world, which allow them to man their ship. The better the crew, the easier the naval combat will become. These battles are broken into two sections: ship battles and then an all-out fight after you board the enemy’s boat. The latter section is pretty standard Yakuza, although you’ll have more than a dozen of your crewmates fighting alongside you, while the ship combat is completely new to the series. It’s surprisingly well polished, with the ships having a number of upgrades you can purchase, and quickly became a highlight in both coliseum battles and simply sailing the high seas to find treasure on islands.
As with all Yakuza games, there are a ton of different mini-games to play that supplement the main game. Besides the pirate fights, these are all returning from past games, although there are significant twists to both Dragon Kart (there are Mario Kart-like battles now) and Sicko Snap (a fantastic new level for it). Other returning staples include Crazy Delivery, gambling, karaoke, golf, and a particularly fun explosive version of batting cages.
On top of the main story, which features the usual twists and turns and a fun performance from pro wrestler Samoa Joe as a villainous pirate, there are also 31 substories to experience. These side missions are quite a bit of fun, including a series of dates that end in a hilarious live-action cutscene with a number of Minato Girls. There’s plenty of familiar faces, as well, particularly from Infinite Wealth characters, so it’s particularly fun seeing Majima interact with some of Ichiban’s old pals.
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii Review: Final Verdict
Just like The Man Who Erased His Name before it, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii delivers all of the thrills and action of a Yakuza game in a smaller package, one that also allows Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio a chance to experiment with gameplay. Thanks to some inspiration from character action games and some surprisingly fun naval combat, this Majima spin-off is one of the most satisfying games in the series from a gameplay standpoint. It winds up being a great tease of what’s to come for the series, which has continually evolved since 2005.
SCORE: 9/10
As ComingSoon’s review policy explains, a score of 9 equates to “Excellent.” Entertainment that reaches this level is at the top of its type. The gold standard that every creator aims to reach.
Disclosure: The publisher provided a PS5 code for our Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii review. Reviewed on version 1.000.000.
