SEGA and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio have been delighting us with the Yakuza series for years, and now they’re back with a fresh chapter, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, which puts Goro Majima front and center. Ready to dive in? Let’s get into our review!
Being a long-time admirer of what was once called the Yakuza series and now proudly going by its original name, Like a Dragon, I’ve had the privilege to explore nearly all its iterations. While ThaRaven403 tackled the review of Like a Dragon: Ishin!, I’ve had my hands on a variety of titles, from Yakuza Kiwami and its sequel on the PlayStation 4 to the likes of Yakuza 5 on the PS3 back in 2016, and even Yakuza 6: The Song of Life in 2018. The Yakuza Remastered Collection reignited my passion, revisiting Yakuza 3, 4, and 5. Plus, I’ve relished the blend of RPG flair in Yakuza: Like a Dragon, clearly inspired by Dragon Quest, and was intrigued by the spin-off, Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name. So, diving into this new game felt like reacquainting myself with an old friend.
Starting our journey in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, we find ourselves post-Infinite Wealth, with Goro Majima adrift, memory-bereft, and washed ashore on the intriguingly named Rich Island. Playing as Majima, you’re soon saved by a young islander, Noah Rich, who lends a helping hand just as trouble begins brewing with some unsavory pirates. As pirates lay hands on Noah, Majima’s fiery spirit reawakens.
Players can choose from three different levels of challenge: Beginner for newcomers, Standard for a well-balanced experience, and the unforgiving Professional for those seeking to test their limits. Choose wisely—each comes with its own taste of adventure.
The initial tutorial eases you into controlling Majima with the left stick and dishing out combos with Square and Triangle, showcasing what this ex-yakuza is made of. Mastering enemy grabs with Circle, guarding with L1, and timing your sidesteps with X become key as combat gets intense.
A central feature is the Heat gauge, which lets you unleash powerful Heat Actions once full. Watching the Madness gauge is equally crucial, allowing you to summon a Majima doppelganger for dual mayhem in Mad Dogstance.
As you press on, boosting your abilities is essential, whether it’s increasing health or damage, or refining your combat tactics. With the Sea Dog stance unlocked, nautical triumphs await!
Speaking of the sea, fans of Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag will find a familiar thrill. Here, you get to build a crew and battle nefarious pirates across Rich Island, Madlantis, and beyond. Engage in main and side missions, while the Pirates’ Coliseum awaits those eager for more naval conquests.
Trophy hunters, take note! This cross-buy release for PlayStation 4 and 5 offers a creative challenge with its hefty collection of trophies—56 Bronze, 4 Silver, and 1 Gold, all culminating in a coveted Platinum. Challenges span chapters, unlocking abilities, dispatching foes in creative ways, and assembling your pirate crew.
Though smaller in scale, this spin-off offers plenty of content to sink your teeth into. Stay prepared with healing items and savory meals, and enjoy a break on the built-in SEGA Master System console with retro classics.
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is available for $59.99, covering both PS4 and PS5 versions through cross-buy. The Deluxe Edition at $74.99 packs extra goodies, enhancing your pirate experience with unique crew packs, outfits, and entertaining extras.
This review is based on a PlayStation 5 copy courtesy of SEGA.
